National Press Release

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ --TheCarConnection.com's expert editors today named the best pickup trucks on the market and declared that there has never been a better time to buy a new pickup truck.

"Yes, the economy's in trouble, and no one's quite sure where the plummeting markets and federal bailout plans will end," said TheCarConnection.com's editor Marty Padgett. "But if you truly have a need for the towing and hauling capacity that only a truck can provide, the deals have never been better. "According to TheCarConnection.com, incentives of more than $6000 have been spotted on some GM and Chrysler trucks and gas prices are falling. "Gas price averages are pushing back toward $2 a gallon nationwide, something of a miracle for drivers who were dreading $5 a gallon gas just a few short months ago," said Padgett. "At the same time, trucks have never been more refined, or more capable, or more rugged, if the brand-new Dodge and Ford full-size trucks for 2009 are any indication."

Padgett explained that when TheCarConnection.com reviewed this year's crop of new trucks some clear winners have emerged. "To tell you which trucks we think deserve a nod as the Best in Class, we've consulted a wide range of truck reviews from other trustworthy Web sites. Then our own experts weighed in with their own driving impressions to give consumers the best, most inclusive information possible -- information that helps people decide which truck is best for them."

After breaking down this year's pickups into three groups -- the traditional full-size trucks, the mid-size and compact trucks, and a group of small-bed pickups derived from SUVs TheCarConnection.com calls sport-utility trucks--editors highlighted the highest-rated pickups below, with a couple of other names to consider when consumers go shopping for a truck.

The best in class pickups for the 2009 model year, as rated by TheCarConnection.com, are:

Full-Size Pickups: 2009 Dodge Ram

* The Ram Box storage system

* High level of ride refinement from new rear suspension

* Best Dodge interior in years

* More HEMI power with improved fuel economy

* Under-floor storage in Crew Cab

* The 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 currently stands as the leader in the full-size light-duty truck market.

Other Choices: Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150

2009 Nissan Frontier XE

Mid-Size and Compact Pickups: Nissan Frontier

A repeat winner from our Best Bang for the Buck Cars feature

* Rugged styling

* V-6 performance

* Four-door version's flexibility

* High towing capacity

* Longest bed is six feet

* Interior trim is mid-grade

* For those of us who don't live on a ranch, the 2008 Nissan Frontier is large enough to haul real people and cargo, but sized for the urban-congestion reality.

Other Choice: Toyota Tacoma

Sport-Utility Trucks: Cadillac Escalade EXT

* Superb drivetrain

* Refined handing

* Exhaust note to die for

* Rich interior

* Easy-to-use controls

* Is the Midgate worth it?

* Some non-Cadillac parts inside

* No Bluetooth connectivity

* The 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT stands out as the world's only transforming luxury truck/SUV.

Other Choices: Chevrolet Avalanche, Honda Ridgeline

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Be sure to check out TheCarConnection.com's partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.

About TheCarConnection.com and High Gear Media

TheCarConnection.com is the flagship site of Palo Alto, Calif.-based High Gear Media. High Gear Media is building a next-generation network of websites targeting car-buying audiences by vehicle and lifestyle. TheCarConnection.com's consumer-friendly reviews gather the most respected opinions from around the web and add expert analysis and advice to help car buyers select the right car.

High Gear Media also publishes AllAboutPrius.com, the new online source for information on Toyota's class-leading hybrid; ToyotaMonitor.com, where researching Toyota cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers gets easier; ChevroletReports.com, the one-stop Web site for all the latest information and car reviews on the newest Chevys on the road today; FordReports.com, the Blue Oval's newest online news source and community; and HondaReports.com, the place for smart car shoppers and owners to get reviews and news about the Honda lineup.

For more information on High Gear Media, go to www.highgearmedia.com.

SOURCE TheCarConnection.com