Punchy Or Pitiful Under The Hood
Horsepower tells us how a truck drives, hauls, and handles itself. It even goes as far as telling us how loud or quiet it is. Some trucks lack the strength, but others go above and beyond and show us what’s truly possible. If you’re thinking of buying a new pickup truck, let’s talk horsepower. Before we reveal the most powerful models, we’ll tell you about the ones that lack it.
1. 1985 Toyota Pickup: 97 hp
As this truck rolled off the line in '85, it earned praise for reliability, not muscle. Under the hood, a 2.4L engine barely pushed 97 horsepower, making uphill hauls a patient game. Its simplicity made it ideal for rural deliveries and farm work.
1985 Toyota pickup 4X4 diesel by lovesloudcars
2. 1990 Ford Ranger: 100 hp
The compact '90 Ranger barely hit triple digits in horsepower. Ford equipped it with a 2.3L inline-four for affordability. Lower power reduced insurance costs, which helped it dominate first-time buyer markets across small towns and high school parking lots.
3. 2000 Chevrolet S-10: 120 hp
Budget-minded buyers welcomed the 2.2L S-10, but it struggled on highways. Cranking out 120 hp, it lagged in acceleration. Many owners resorted to engine swaps or performance chips—common mods for drivers hoping to squeeze more muscle from this platform.
RL GNZLZ from Chile on Wikimedia
4. 1995 Nissan Hardbody: 134 hp
Nissan's D21 earned its "Hardbody" nickname for toughness and not torque. This 2.4L inline-four gave 134 hp—fine for light loads but frustrating for steep grades. However, its flatbed and tight turning radius made it a favorite among landscapers and courier services.
1995 Nissan Hardbody by Ideal Classic Cars (Michael Lombardo)
5. 2005 Ford Ranger: 143 hp
By 2005, the Ranger’s base engine improved slightly but still delivered just 143 hp. Aimed at budget-conscious tradesmen, its 2.3L Duratec wasn't built to impress. Fleet managers favored it for low maintenance costs and reliability across low-output commercial jobs.
6. 2010 Nissan Frontier: 152 hp
Launched with a 2.5L inline-four, this Frontier offered durability. Putting out 152 horses, it met commuter needs but fell short on rugged jobs. Buyers often skipped the base model for a V6 upgrade. Surprisingly, resale values held steady due to long-term dependability.
2010 Nissan Frontier by iAutoAgent
7. 2006 Toyota Tacoma: 159 hp
Even legends have humble beginnings. The base 2006 Tacoma carried a 2.7L engine with 159 hp. Its payload rating stayed under 1,500 pounds, so it was often used for tasks like transporting tools or camping gear—jobs that didn't demand brute strength.
8. 2012 Chevrolet Colorado: 185 hp
Chevy’s mid-sizer came with a 2.9L inline-four that produced 185 hp. While it may have been quite usable, it wasn’t memorable. Despite its output, the pickup offered just 190 lb-ft of torque, meaning hills and towing tasks demanded skills and patience.
order_242 from Chile on Wikimedia
9. 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid: 191 hp
Fresh off assembly lines, the Maverick Hybrid trades horsepower for efficiency. The truck’s 2.5L hybrid setup delivers 191 hp—a win at the pump but a crawl under pressure. With a 2,000-pound tow limit, it sits below many full-size and midsize competitors.
2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid: 10 Things You Need To Know by Auto Junkies
10. 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 191 hp
While the Santa Cruz resembles a stylish SUV-truck hybrid, its base model carries just 191 hp. The low-output engine pairs with front-wheel drive to limit traction under load. Buyers needing real capability are nudged toward the pricier turbocharged AWD version.
Now that you've seen the trucks that barely got moving, it's time to fire up the ones that dominate.
1. 2021 Hennessey Mammoth 1000: 1,012 hp
Born from a Ram TRX, the Mammoth 1000 cranks out 1,012 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2L V8. It rockets from 0–60 in 3.2 seconds and costs six figures. Only 200 units were produced in its debut year.
2021 Ram 1500 TRX Hennessey MAMMOTH 1000+ HP by Illinois Motors
2. 2022 GMC Hummer EV: 1,000 hp
The Hummer EV's tri-motor layout generates 1,000 hp with 11,500 lb-ft of wheel torque while flexing 13 inches of suspension travel and crab-walking capability. Those features make it a functional off-road machine, not just an electric showpiece.
DestinationFearFan on Wikimedia
3. 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Tri-Motor: 845 hp
Tesla’s tri-motor Cybertruck, one of the fastest trucks ever made, generates 845 hp. Early performance tests estimate a 2.6-second 0–60 mph sprint. The stainless-steel body also resists dents, hail damage, and some forms of small-arms fire.
2025 Tesla CyberTruck - interior Exterior and Drive by CAR TV
4. 2023 Rivian R1T Quad-Motor: 835 hp
Every wheel gets its own motor in the R1T's 835 hp setup. It conquers trails with torque vectoring and 14 inches of ground clearance. Off-roaders will appreciate its wading depth of over 3 feet, while overlanders benefit from the optional camp kitchen module.
2023 Rivian R1T Quad Motor For Sale by David JLR Houston North
5. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado EV: 754 hp
Chevy's electric gamble paid off. The Silverado EV makes 754 hp in Wide Open Watts mode and can tow up to 10,000 pounds. With 400 miles of range on a full charge, it outperforms many rivals in both endurance and hauling ability.
2023 Chevy Silverado EV WT walkaround by Autoblog
6. 2023 GMC Sierra EV: 754 hp
Sharing bones with the Silverado EV, the Sierra EV matches its 754 hp and Ultium platform. But it adds a MultiPro tailgate and Super Cruise hands-free driving. Towing capacity hits 9,500 pounds—ideal for work and high-end recreation alike.
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
7. 2021 Ram 1500 TRX: 702 hp
Fiat-Chrysler engineered the TRX around a 6.2L Hellcat V8, pushing 702 hp. It rolled out with launch control and 13 inches of front suspension travel. This truck can clear jumps at 60 mph, which is an engineering feat only a few full-sized pickups match.
8. 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R: 700 hp
Stuffed with a 5.2L supercharged Predator V8, the Raptor R delivers 700 hp and over 640 lb-ft of torque. Features include a long-travel suspension and 37-inch tires. Engineers fine-tuned it for Baja terrain, not just high-speed straightaways.
9. 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning: 580 hp
The Lightning brings 580 hp with two electric motors and a 775 lb-ft torque figure. Then, there’s its frunk with 14 cubic feet of lockable storage and a mobile generator with 9.6 kW of output—powerful enough to run a jobsite.
10. 2004–2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10: 500 hp
Built with an 8.3L V10 straight from the Dodge Viper, the SRT-10 hit 500 hp through a six-speed manual. In 2004, it went 154 mph and earned the title of the world's fastest truck. Only 9,527 units were ever made.
