When it comes to pickup trucks, manufacturers often pack in premium features that drive up the price but aren’t always necessary. While some add convenience or luxury, many don’t enhance the truck’s core functions. Here’s a look at 17 pickup trucks with expensive features you can probably skip.
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Ram 1500 Limited with 12-Inch Touchscreen Display
The Ram 1500 Limited’s 12-inch touchscreen may look impressive, but it’s far from essential. While it does enhance the luxury feel of the truck’s interior, the standard 8.4-inch display offers more than enough functionality. It handles navigation, climate control, and entertainment without any problems, making the larger screen mostly about appearance. Spending extra on this doesn’t improve the truck’s capabilities, so for most buyers, it’s an unnecessary luxury.
Ford F-150 Platinum with Massage Seats
Massage seats in the Ford F-150 Platinum sound like a luxury you’d expect in a high-end sedan, not a work truck. Though it might be nice after a long day, this feature adds cost without improving the truck’s utility or performance. Trucks are built for towing, hauling, and ruggedness, not for pampering. A standard seat provides all the comfort you need, making this a splurge rather than a necessity.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country with Power-Deployable Running Boards
The power-deployable running boards in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country may seem convenient, but they’re not essential for getting in and out of the truck. Fixed running boards, which come at a much lower cost, work just as well. The added automation doesn’t improve performance or durability, but it does increase the risk of mechanical failure. For a workhorse vehicle like a truck, practicality should come before flashy extras.
GMC Sierra 1500 Denali with CarbonPro Bed
The CarbonPro bed in the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is marketed as a cutting-edge feature, but most drivers won’t need it. Yes, it’s durable and light, but the traditional steel or aluminum beds already provide ample strength for typical hauling needs. The high price tag associated with this upgrade doesn’t reflect a significant improvement in performance for everyday use.
Toyota Tundra Capstone with Acoustic Glass
Acoustic glass, found in the Toyota Tundra Capstone, promises to reduce road noise, but the difference is minimal in most driving conditions. Trucks are already built with sound insulation, and the standard glass does an adequate job. Unless you’re driving in particularly noisy environments, the benefit doesn’t justify the added cost. For most buyers, it’s a feature that offers little noticeable improvement to the driving experience.
Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve with Fender Premium Audio
Nissan’s Titan Platinum Reserve includes a Fender premium audio system, which can be tempting if you’re a music lover. However, the standard sound system already offers high-quality audio for the average driver. Upgrading to the Fender system does little to enhance the truck’s practical features like towing or payload capacity. For a vehicle built for work, this pricey entertainment upgrade doesn’t deliver much return on investment.
Ram 2500 Limited with Air Suspension
The air suspension system in the Ram 2500 Limited might sound like a game-changer for ride comfort, but it’s an expensive upgrade that many drivers won’t need. While it does offer a smoother ride, standard suspensions can handle heavy loads and rough terrain without issue. Air suspension can also lead to costly repairs if something goes wrong. If you’re not constantly towing or off-roading, the standard suspension will more than suffice.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 with Rock Sliders
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 offers rock sliders, designed to protect the truck’s body during off-road adventures. While they might be essential for serious rock crawlers, most truck owners will never encounter situations extreme enough to warrant them. For everyday driving or light off-roading, they’re unnecessary and add extra weight and cost. If you’re not a hardcore off-roader, this feature won’t bring much value.
Honda Ridgeline RTL-E with Truck Bed Audio System
Honda’s Ridgeline RTL-E offers a truck bed audio system, touted as perfect for tailgating and outdoor gatherings. However, a simple portable speaker does the same job without adding to the truck’s price. While the idea is fun, it’s hardly a necessary feature and doesn’t enhance the truck’s overall performance. In the end, this is more of a novelty than a must-have.
Ram 3500 Limited Longhorn with Real Wood Trim
The Ram 3500 Limited Longhorn’s real wood trim gives the interior a high-end, luxurious feel. However, it’s purely decorative and does nothing to improve the truck’s actual capabilities. In a truck built for heavy-duty work, this is an unnecessary expense. You can get the same power and performance without splurging on premium materials inside the cabin.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro with Crawl Control
Crawl control in the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is a high-tech feature designed for off-road enthusiasts. It allows the truck to manage difficult terrain at low speeds, but unless you’re constantly venturing into the wild, it’s not something you’ll use often. For most owners, the standard off-road modes are enough for occasional off-roading. Paying extra for this feature isn’t practical for everyday driving or even moderate off-road adventures.
Ford Ranger Lariat with Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control in the Ford Ranger Lariat is designed to maintain distance from other vehicles on the highway, but it’s a luxury more suited for long road trips than truck-specific tasks. Most truck drivers focus on towing, hauling, or off-roading, where adaptive cruise control provides minimal value. The standard cruise control is more than sufficient for most situations.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD High Country with 360-Degree Camera
The 360-degree camera in the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD High Country offers a comprehensive view around the vehicle, but it’s not a necessity for most truck owners. While it’s helpful for parking in tight spaces, the standard rearview camera and side mirrors are usually enough. The extra cost for this feature can be better spent on performance upgrades.
GMC Canyon AT4 with Wireless Charging Pad
Wireless charging pads, like the one in the GMC Canyon AT4, are convenient, but they come at a price. Many drivers find that traditional charging cables work faster and more reliably. This feature doesn’t add to the truck’s towing, off-road, or cargo capabilities, making it a minor convenience with a steep cost. For a truck, functionality should come first, and this feature doesn’t improve the vehicle’s core strengths.
Nissan Frontier Pro-4X with Locking Rear Differential
The Nissan Frontier Pro-4X offers a locking rear differential, a feature aimed at serious off-road enthusiasts. However, unless you’re tackling extreme terrain regularly, the standard limited-slip differential works just fine. Most drivers will never need this feature for everyday use or moderate off-road trails. For those who use their trucks for work or commuting, it’s an unnecessary and costly upgrade.
Jeep Gladiator Mojave with Fox Internal Bypass Shocks
Fox internal bypass shocks in the Jeep Gladiator Mojave are built for high-speed desert driving, but unless you’re racing across sand dunes, they’re more than you need. The shocks improve performance in specific conditions, but for everyday use, they’re an expensive over-engineering. A standard suspension system will handle most off-road adventures without the added cost. For the average driver, these premium shocks are simply overkill.
Ram 1500 Rebel with Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
The Ram 1500 Rebel offers a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, creating an open and airy feel inside the cabin. While it adds a luxury element, it’s not necessary for a truck focused on utility and ruggedness. The sunroof also increases the vehicle’s overall cost and potential maintenance needs. In a pickup, it’s more of a vanity feature than something that adds real value.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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