No Horsin' around: full-sized pickups redesigns trotted out by Toyota and Chevrolet set the pace for serious trucks.(Product/service evaluation)

The Toyota Tundra and Chevrolet Silverado placed first and second in our comparison of large, half-ton pickups.

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The Tundra, formerly a smaller, refined truck with carlike ride and handling, now goes head-to-head with GM and Ford in power, towing, payload capacity, and size. But it lost some refinement and livability in the redesign. Its superior drivetrain also yields class-leading acceleration. Thoughtful accommodations also help the Tundra top this group.

The Silverado (and its GMC Sierra twin) rides on a new platform that replaces one that was getting long in the tooth. It beat the Tundra in ride and access. Its interior, braking, and steering have improved.

The Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500, which are built on older platforms, bring up the rear, getting low marks for ride and seat comfort. While the Ford has remained much the same since its 2004 redesign, recent improvements to the Ram have improved it considerably.

The Chevrolet Avalanche remains our top-rated full-sized pickup. Its unified cab and bed help give it a more comfortable ride than the trucks tested here. The Nissan Titan, freshened for 2008,was unavailable in time to be included in this test.

Prices for our crew-cab trucks equipped with four-wheel drive and popular options ranged from $34,738 for the Tundra to $38,370 for the Ram. We predict above-average reliability for the Tundra based on the earlier models and other Toyotas, so it is recommended. The Ram now scores well enough and has the reliability to be recommended. The Silverado is too new for us to have reliability data, and previous versions have been below average. The F-150's below-average reliability prevents us from recommending it.