U.S. News Names Top Family Trucks for 2026: Honda Ridgeline Wins Midsize, Toyota Tundra Tops Full-Size
U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its inaugural Best Cars for Families awards for 2026, highlighting six top pickups suited for family needs. These selections emphasize family-oriented features rather than towing capabilities: the Honda Ridgeline is recognized as the best midsize truck, with the GMC Canyon as the runner-up and the Chevrolet Colorado in third place. For full-size models, the Toyota Tundra is noted for safety, the GMC Sierra 1500 for its spacious rear legroom, and the Ram 1500 for its superior interior comfort. The Ridgeline boasts a unibody structure and a secure in-bed trunk, while the Canyon can tow up to 7,700 pounds. The Tundra uniquely holds a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS among full-size gas trucks. The Sierra offers 43.4 inches of rear legroom, whereas the Ram 1500, despite its cozy interior, has a lackluster crash-test score.
Key facts
- U.S. News & World Report added trucks to its Best Cars for Families awards for the first time in 2026.
- The Honda Ridgeline is the most family-friendly midsize truck due to its SUV-based unibody design and large back seat.
- The GMC Canyon is the runner-up with a class-leading 7,700-pound towing capacity.
- The Chevrolet Colorado is third, offering similar capabilities at a lower price than the Canyon.
- The Toyota Tundra is the only full-size gas-powered truck to earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.
- The GMC Sierra 1500 offers 43.4 inches of rear legroom, the most among full-size trucks, and a new 2027 model arrives this fall.
- The Ram 1500 has the most comfortable cabin and clever storage but received a Poor rating in the IIHS moderate front overlap test.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 pickups sold today are crew cabs, reflecting their dual role as family transportation.
Entities
Institutions
- U.S. News & World Report
- Honda
- GMC
- Chevrolet
- Toyota
- Ram
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
Sources
- Quartz —