2012 Ford F-150

The F-series pickup sits at the very top of the U.S. sales chart -- in fact, no other vehicle comes close. That means this humble pickup is the most important vehicle in the Ford lineup, so it tends to get a lot of attention. Last year the powertrain lineup was extensively revamped with the addition of Ford's first EcoBoost truck engine, a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. In addition, a 3.7-liter V-6 and two V-8s (5.0 and 6.2 liters) are ready to be put to work. All four engines are mated to a relatively sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission. As always, the F-150 is available in a multitude of configurations, with three cabs, two bed lengths, and Trim Levels that range from the workhorse XL all the way to the top-of-the-line Platinum model. In addition, there's the SVT Raptor, a high-performance truck that gets a new Torsen front differential for even greater off-road ability. Then there's the Harley-Davidson F-150, with new twenty-two-inch wheels, chrome twin exhausts, and custom graphics, along with the same 6.2-liter V-8 found in the Raptor. With so many versions to choose from, the F-series represents a near-perfect meld of utilitarian practicality and indulgent user-friendliness. Whether your needs call for a vehicle you can use to haul a trailer or one that you can race off-road, the F-series has a model to fill the bill -- which explains why it's the best-selling vehicle in America.