Some drivers choose pickup trucks year after year for their style – enjoying the feeling of riding high and the utility afforded by the bed in the back. Others have specific tasks in mind when they consider the vehicle, whether that be off-roading for leisure or heavy-duty hauling for business.

These drivers tend to gravitate to the larger versions of pickup trucks for their increased power, towing capacity and size. For years, Ford has been at the top of the segment with the F-150, a perennial best-seller. Yet when drivers upgrade to the next class of truck, Ford has had ever-increasing competition in recent years.

According to the Detroit News, there are only a few brands that drivers should consider when choosing a full-size pickup – Ford, GMC, Ram and Chevy. The news source recently pitted four of the top trucks available against each other in two different categories – three-quarter ton gas-powered and one-ton diesel-powered, to see which one took the cake. These vehicles all have long histories, and while there are changes year to year, drivers will have plenty of options when searching for them on the used car market. The news source ultimately liked all of the vehicles and would recommend any of them for drivers serious about their truck.

Ford's F-150 was cited as having the best engine of the bunch in the gas-engine category, with an updated powertrain that gets 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Ford also has the technically biggest diesel engine at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the news source said that the GMC/Chevy shared Duramax engine delivered a smoother ride, though drivers will sacrifice some power at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.

Although the Ram fell behind a bit in terms of power, the news source praised it as the best-looking truck, which is an important feature for some drivers. Despite that, Ford had the best interior with plenty of room for people and the optional Sync connectivity system.

Overall, the Ford easily took the cake in the three-quarter ton segment and posted a strong showing in the one-ton contest as well. Yet the news source ultimately preferred the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado in terms of performance. Between the two, the Sierra got the nod for its slightly more refined interior, though both trucks share powertrains.

Drivers looking for a truck will have plenty of options on the used car market, and their decision will ultimately come down to exactly what they want to use it for.