These Are The 9 Quickest Pickup Trucks Ever Built – Jalopnik

Have you seen the movies of parents who stuff CBR or Hayabusa bike engines into golf carts? It’s incredible — taking the automobile of alternative of an outdated, wealthy man from Boca Raton and mutating it for straight-line velocity. As it simply so occurs, the identical shenanigans have been occurring within the manufacturing truck market, with producers modifying purpose-built utility platforms and stuffing them with unbridled efficiency. That’s precisely how we arrived at this level within the trendy age, the place pickup vans (plural) can hit 60 mph faster than a BMW M3.

But why? Why create a ridiculously succesful truck that prices as a lot as a Porsche 911, however would not drive almost as effectively? We suppose it is much less concerning the “why” and extra concerning the “why not.” It’s a recreation of discovering out simply how far your workforce of engineers can push a platform that was by no means purported to be this quick … after which making it go even sooner. Like you, we requested the one logical follow-up query to this concept: “Which ones are the fastest?” So, here is how we have compiled this listing: utilizing only one credible publication’s testing knowledge (Car and Driver), 0-60 mph instances solely, and excluding any third-party tuners (Hennessey, Roush, and many others.), these are the quickest pickups in human historical past (to this point).

Chevy has some positive vans to select from, however we would not say it has a real Raptor or TRX competitor. Its closest merchandise, the Silverado ZR2, is definitely succesful off-road, however would not pack the identical gas-powered fury. So what do you do for those who’re strictly a Chevy truck individual and need to sustain with the highest trim Fords and Dodges? Well, you might not like this, however you may have to purchase certainly one of Chevy’s already-forgotten vans, the all-electric Silverado EV RST.

This almost 9,000-pound, dual-motor, all-wheel drive pickup generates a monstrous most of 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, coupled with as much as 440 miles of vary because of the 205-kWh battery that it borrows from the GMC Hummer EV. The EV RST, nonetheless, would not make 754 horsepower always. Those output numbers are solely seen whereas in what Chevy calls “Wide Open Watts” or WOW mode — basically an overboost mode that briefly will increase energy for acceleration runs or freeway passes. In WOW mode, the pickup can speed up to 60 mph from a dig in 4.1 seconds, and plow via the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds at 111 mph.

Otherwise, the Silverado EV RST is a wonderfully regular each day driver, with GM’s nifty Multi-Flex Midgate (one of many coolest truck mattress options ever), a snug inside, and an honest 10,000-pound tow score. If you are studying this and abruptly really feel the urge to purchase one, sadly, the RST variant of the Silverado EV was discontinued on the finish of the 2025 mannequin yr, so you may need to do some used-truck digging or discover an unsold instance in a seller’s stock.

Politics and monetary struggles apart, the latest technology Ford F-150 Lightning was a formidable truck. It debuted in 2021 with Ford’s revolutionary Pro Power Onboard, outlet system, a spacious inside cabin, a drag coefficient 4% higher than the gas-powered F-150 (makes use of 10% much less energy to cruise at 75 mph), and a journey almost simply as quiet as a Mercedes S-Class of the identical period. The actual headline, although, was the way it strikes.

Even although all Lightnings got here with a dual-motor setup (one for every axle), prospects acquired to decide on between a smaller 98-kWh battery pack or the bigger Extended Range 132-kWh unit. This choice influences charging instances, vary, and most significantly, energy. The smaller pack delivers a definitely enough 452 horsepower, whereas the bigger battery gives 580 ponies. That improve permits for a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds within the Lightning Extended Range, which continues via the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds.

The four-second 0-60 mph membership is nothing to shrug at. With these sorts of figures, the 2022 Lightning joins beloved sports activities automobiles such because the Toyota GR Supra and Chevy C7 Corvette Stingray. If you need to actually get cute, you might additionally say that the Lightning is faster to 60 mph than a Ferrari F40, which often ran a couple of 4.2-second run (it is true). Now, talking of these monetary struggles we talked about earlier — regardless of receiving lots of of 1000’s of orders for the Lightning upon launch, the doubling-down on EVs did not repay, as in late 2025, Ford introduced that it might finish the pure EV F-150 Lightning. A alternative referred to as the EREV (propelled by electrical motors, helped by a gasoline generator), is reportedly within the works. 

The Ram TRX is a type of names that carries a lot weight within the trendy truck world that you could have forgotten it’s among the many autos with a remarkably brief manufacturing run of simply 4 years between 2021 and 2024. But from the very starting, the TRX’s impression was fast and obvious, promoting out the 702 particular person Launch Edition examples inside only a few hours and getting all people hooked with certainly one of Dodge’s favourite actions — placing Hellcat engines in automobiles that are not Hellcats.

Simply, the TRX was acquainted, but recent, sporting a swath of upgrades that decisively set it other than any outdated common Ram 1500. The TRX acquired a bolstered metal body and upgraded suspension parts, Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers, 15-inch brakes, 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires, an electronically-locking rear differential, and rather more. The crown jewel of the TRX, although, is none aside from the Hellcat motor — a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produced 702 in TRX trim.

Sure, it could be greater than 3 inches taller, virtually 6 inches wider, and over 1,000 kilos heavier than a inventory crew cab 1500, however take all of its new goodies collectively, and you have got a truck that may hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and make a quarter-mile go in 12.3. Also, there’s some glad information for you Mopar folks, as Stellantis has confirmed it is going to convey again the Ram TRX for the 2027 mannequin yr, this time with even crazier efficiency figures.

At the time of testing, the aforementioned Ram TRX was the quickest pickup Car and Driver had ever examined, and in America, these issues do not are inclined to go over effectively amongst competitors. Presumably, Ford took a take a look at their current F-150 Raptor and knew it wasn’t sufficient to compete with Ram’s behemoth, in order that they went to work. Lo and behold, just a few years later, out comes Ford’s largest and baddest truck ever, the Raptor R.

The valley between the common Raptor and Raptor R is not large, however Ford made every of the brand new additions rely. The most evident change arrived below the Raptor R’s hood, the place the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 was gone, and changed by Ford’s supercharged 5.2-liter V8, the identical engine discovered within the track-ready Shelby GT500. Just like that, energy was elevated from 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque to 700 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque (the Raptor R makes use of a barely completely different tune than the GT500). With all that juice, the Raptor went from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, or about 0.1 seconds faster than the TRX. It additionally outpaces the Ram within the quarter-mile, posting a 12.0-second run (0.3 seconds faster than TRX).

Other small adjustments included stiffer spring charges on the entrance to deal with the heavier engine, further rear-end body bracing, and the common Raptor’s largest tire, a 37-inch set of all-terrains. The Raptor R’s 4WD system can also be pretty neat, permitting for prime, low, and auto four-wheel drive modes, in addition to a rear-wheel drive setting. Of course, this truck is most fitted to multi-terrain adventures, however that candy, candy horsepower can have you difficult Hellcats and Aston Martins on the streetlights… and successful.

As we arrive on the second (and sooner) half of our vans, the all-mighty electrical motor begins to take over. Despite nonetheless being the brand new child on the Silicon Valley block, Rivian has made a reputation for itself via technique of minimalistic design, practicality, and these days, unrelenting electrical acceleration. A terrific instance of that sentiment is the 2023 Rivian R1T Dual-Motor Performance, which kicks off our closing 5 entries.

In 2023, Rivian debuted the Dual-Motor variant, balancing out its previously singular Quad-Motor providing. Using only one motor for every axle as an alternative of two, the Dual-Motor nonetheless delivered a 533-horsepower punch in base kind. But our automotive, the Dual-Motor Performance, is the results of a $5,000 efficiency bundle that bumped the already hefty determine to a whopping 665 horses (and 829 pound-feet of torque on prime of that). With all 4 wheels clawing for traction, the Dual-Motor Performance achieves 60 mph in a really swift 3.4 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 12.0 seconds flat.

For some perspective, 3.4 seconds to 60 mph locations the Dual-Motor Performance forward of automobiles just like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (3.5 seconds), Lucid Air Pure (3.5 seconds), Shelby GT350R (3.8 seconds), and plenty of extra efficiency automobiles. Only, with the Rivian, you are able to do it with all of your stuff within the mattress and a snowboard within the Gear Tunnel.

It might not make any noise, however in any other case, the GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup is a brute in each sense of the phrase. It appears like a tank, weighs almost 10,000 kilos, and accelerates like a bat out of hell. Powered by its 205-kWh battery pack, the Hummer’s three electrical motors (two rear, one entrance) ship a fair 1,000 horsepower (and 1,200 pound-feet of torque) to all 4 wheels. From a dig, the colossal automobile is catapulted to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, a determine spectacular at any weight, however at 9,640 kilos, a low 3s result’s a real engineering feat. It continues via the quarter-mile, discovering the end line in 11.9 seconds. In an identical vein to the Silverado EV RST from earlier, the Hummer’s insane efficiency figures are solely obtainable in a particular mode. In the GMC, the particular spell is named “WTF” mode, standing for “Watts to Freedom.” Doesn’t get extra American than that.

While it could simply tempo the identical hypothetical competitors because the Rivian above, it suffers in different departments. In Car and Driver’s testing, the heavyweight took 211 toes to cease from 70 mph, and 504 toes to brake from 100 mph. Also, we needn’t let you know this, however the Hummer had some cornering points. Its weight and excessive heart of gravity solely permit for 0.73 g on the 300-foot skidpad take a look at — about .08 worse than a Kia Sportage. But hey, you do not purchase a Hummer to out-grip compact SUVs, you purchase it as a result of you possibly can.

It’s onerous to think about a 2.7-second 0-60 time ending wherever however first in a battle of vans, however in in the present day’s world, there all the time appears to be an even bigger fish. The Tri-Motor Max variant of the R1T was, on the time, the latest main addition to the lineup. Following the Dual and Quad-Motor trims, Rivian break up the distinction with the three-motor R1T, which used the Quad’s two electrical motors on the rear and the Dual’s single motor up entrance, all combining for a closing output of 850 horsepower and 1,103 pound-feet of torque.New for 2025 had been just a few minor adjustments to the suspension bushings and mounts, in addition to upgrades to the Standard and Max battery packs that lightened and simplified the models. The relaxation is the entire identical goodness — a high quality inside, bundles of cargo house, and first rate vary (EPA est. 420 miles most).

It’s virtually troublesome to increase upon the Tri-Motor Max, contemplating it is only a barely extra highly effective model of the all-around EV pickup that Southern Californians use to go and buy their watered-down matcha we have come to know and revel in during the last a number of years. What we will do is let you know which automobiles it is faster than. That’s enjoyable. In no specific order, the Tri-Motor Max is faster to 60 mph than the 2025 BMW M5 (3.0 seconds), 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed (2.8 seconds), 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 (2.8 seconds), 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante (3.0 seconds), and the 2021 McLaren 675LT (2.7 seconds). Do with that what you’ll.

The Cybertruck makes solely greatest pals or bitter enemies. No in between. And so, evidently virtually out of pure spite, Tesla sacrificed its truck skills for being the quickest on the earth and pulling one over on the naysayers who (rightfully) identified its many adverse traits. But efficiency is efficiency, and the actual fact is, the Cybertruck is an interesting piece of automotive historical past we cannot quickly omit from reminiscence. And as troublesome as it could be to provide such an attention-seeking automotive any accolades, it is nonetheless within the present ‘quickest truck of all time’ dialog.

Now, for one second, neglect that you do not just like the Cybertruck and faux you are not glad that it is gross sales had been minimize in half in 2025, as a result of it additionally has some revolutionary tech, like its 48-volt platform structure that improves the automobile’s electronics operations, a progressive steer-by-wire system that features an interesting-looking sq. steering wheel (in addition to a dual-motor failsafe system), and that particular concoction of metals that create the ultra-strong pores and skin of the extraterrestrial pickup. Overall, the Cybertruck is an engineering (and cultural) case examine for Tesla that would do it some good by way of its future vehicles.

In Beast trim, the Cybertruck places its cash the place its mouth is and delivers the efficiency figures worthy of headlines. Using the identical primary structure because the Tri-Motor Rivian (two motors in again, one up entrance), the Cybertruck Beast gives 834 horsepower and 740 pound-feet of torque. It can attain 60 mph in simply 2.6 measly seconds, turning into the primary inside our co-champion rating to say first place.

Introducing the Godzilla to the Cybertuck’s Kong: the Rivian R1T Quad-Motor. For 2026, this top-trim Rivian gained 190 horsepower from its outdated kind, giving all 4 particular person electrical motors a grand complete of 1,025 horsepower. The query of “is it enough?” appears to be a rhetorical query at this level. Nobody wants 1,025 horses below their proper foot, and if we’re being trustworthy, we may’ve stopped at about 500 horsepower a decade in the past, and everybody can be greater than glad.

But right here we’re. And if nothing else, the Quad Motor’s radical efficiency specs can present some over-the-top leisure in the intervening time. Anyways, the Rivian homes some new goodies for 2026 except for the additional energy which are price figuring out. The charging port has now been modified over to a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charger, which implies it could now use Tesla’s community of stations straight. It additionally makes use of what Rivian calls the RAD tuner, a function that enables for a large number of changes, together with suspension stiffness, journey top, brake regeneration, and plenty of extra settings that may be modified with as much as 10 ranges of customization.

As far as our rankings go, there’s a small caveat. Our ending order will keep the identical, with the Cybertruck and Rivian R1T tied at 2.6 seconds apiece, however as a result of that is for the crown, one may look to the quarter-mile instances for a cheely tie-breaker. If one had been to indulge, they might discover that the Rivian beats the Tesla to the beam by 0.4 seconds. So, give the gold medal to whichever truck tickles your fancy, however in the true world, the Quad Motor would find yourself forward of the Cybertruck after a metropolis block of racing.