If you were asked to draw the blueprint for a full-size, light-duty domestic pickup truck, you’d probably come up with something looking remarkably similar to the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. It’s a straightforward, good-looking truck with crisp lines, square shoulders and all the muscular angles you could ask for.

It’s immediately apparent as soon as you see the Toyota Tundra that it’s not an American full-size pickup, even if it is made here. While that design isn’t necessarily a fault, for buyers who are looking for a truck that looks as tough as it actually is, it may be a slight deterrent. For its traditional, tough lines and clean design, the win here goes to the Chevy.

Buyers have three engines to choose from in the Silverado 1500, which is just about right for this size of truck. Buyers will be attracted to the two V-8s, but the Silverado’s V-6 is excellent and more powerful than you might expect. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s ride is good, two different automatic transmissions to choose between, and the electric power steering is nicely weighted.

Only two engines are offered with the Toyota Tundra, and as both are V-8s that’s a definitely disadvantage when compared to the Silverado. The optional 5.7-liter V-8 is smooth and quick, but overall, the Silverado delivers a better ride, handling and balance.

The option guide for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 seems more like War and Peace than a truck buying guide, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on your point of view. In its most basic form, the Silverado 1500 really is basic, but beyond you can customize your Silverado to be anything you want it to be. Base models come with air conditioning, an AM/FM four-speaker stereo, cruise control, 17-inch wheels, vinyl seats, power locks and little else. Beyond that, though, the limits only depend on how deep your pockets are.

In complete contrast to the base model Silverado, the entry level Tundra SR gets an AM/FM/CD stereo, smartphone connectivity, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, USB and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, and a small amount of voice recognition functionality. You actually have to purposely specify downwards to work truck standards of vinyl seats and rubber floors. However, there just isn’t the opportunity to customize the Tundra in the way you can specify the Silverado to match your every whim, so it’s another victory here for the Chevy.

The maximum payload you can haul with a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is 2,080 pounds, although the majority of models are in the region of 1,600-1,700 pounds. When it comes to the all-important area of towing capacity, the Silverado has a maximum rating of 10,500 pounds.

If you’re expecting a big win for the Silverado 1500 in this area you’re in for a surprise. The maximum payload capacity of the Toyota is 2,250 pounds, while the maximum towing capacity is an impressive 12,500 pounds. This is a surprising, but nonetheless convincing, win for the Tundra.

The Silverado 1500 is ready to tackle big jobs. Innovative utility features, like moveable upper cargo tie-downs, help you organize and secure your daily haul. The integrated trailer-brake controller provides substantial driver authority over heavy loads.

Of course, the F-150 offers its own brand of utility. The tailgate assist step, for example, provides effortless access to cargo items. Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist system is a unique feature that gives you the power to guide a large trailer in the proper direction. If you’re looking for tough hauls, look to the Silverado.

Here, the F-150 takes a slight lead. In government crash tests, it earned a perfect five-star rating for overall protection. The F-150’s inflatable rear seat belts mitigate injury during a collision. This pickup also offers a wide array of high-tech driver aids, like blind-spot monitoring, which alert you to danger in advance.

Still, the Silverado 1500 is no slouch in the safety department. It also earned stellar crash-test scores, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top score of “Good.” Thanks to the OnStar emergency telematics system, you’ll enjoy handy features like on-demand roadside assistance.

If you’re in the market for classic V8 performance, choose the new Silverado 1500. This model’s high-end, 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Use it to tow max loads of 12,500 pounds-which might be helpful when you’re called upon to haul an African elephant, monster truck, or, say, a 5th wheel camper on your next trip.

The F-150 was also built to move serious weight. To tow maximum loads, check out the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is rated for 375 horses and 470 pound-feet of torque. Properly equipped, an F-150 with this engine can tow up to 12,200 pounds. With less power and slightly less tow-capacity, the F-150 doesn’t quite match the Silverado’s performance.

In the matter of passenger comfort, the Silverado 1500 definitely outshines the competition. Choose from three cabin options – regular, extended, and crew – for the passenger space that suits your needs. In addition to substantial head- and legroom, the Silverado 1500 provides stylish features like handsome leather upholstery.

Like the Silverado, the Ford F-150 cabin can be equipped for serious luxury. When you choose heated and ventilated front seats, extreme weather never feels like an issue. The F-150 is also celebrated for its roomy crew cabin, which doubles as a family hauler on weekends.

One of the biggest factors in deciding which one of these you’re likely to go for will be which one you prefer the look of. The Camaro designers have a slight advantage as they have more room to maneuver because the Camaro doesn’t have to pay homage to its predecessors the same way a Mustang needs to. The current Camaro now boasts almost comic-book styling that’s rapidly becoming part of its DNA, so the current sixth-generation isn’t very different from the previous model. It’s a fabulously distinctive design you’ll either love or hate.

A Mustang definitely has to look like a Mustang first and foremost, but that’s not a bad starting point. The current model is considerably less dramatic and polarizing with its styling than the Camaro, but it’s also not as easy to get excited about. We’re giving the style points here to the Chevy.

Practicality might not the first thing most buyers of cars like these will think about, but as these are cars that are now more likely than ever to be used every day it definitely has to be considered.

Both cars are four-seaters rather than 2+2s, but the Mustang is the bigger car on the outside which translates to more room on the inside. The Mustang has more leg room for passengers in the front and the back seats, and the 13.5 cu.-ft. of trunk volume in the Ford trounces the pretty compact 9.1 cu.-ft. of the Camaro. If you want the car that’s easier to live with on a daily basis, the Mustang has the edge here.

You’ll find a four-pot in the Camaro as the base engine, which is a 2.0-liter turbo developing a very respectable 275 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Next up is a 335 horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, and the first V-8 is a 6.2 putting out 455 horsepower. However, the full Camaro experience comes from the awesome ZL1 with its 6.2-liter V-8 developing an extremely impressive 650 horsepower. All versions can be had with either the coupe or convertible body style.

The standard V-6 in the Mustang and the EcoBoost four-pot both offer more power than their Camaro equivalents. But these are muscle cars, so the more power the better and the Mustang has no answer for the Camaro ZL1. The best the Shelby GT350 can offer is just 526 horsepower from its 5.2-liter V-6, so this is an easy and important victory for the Camaro over the Mustang.

As these are likely to be daily drivers these days, fuel economy is a consideration, especially at the lower ends of the trim and engine spectrum. The 2017 Chevrolet Camaro is pretty good in this area with the base 2.0-liter turbo-four being rated at 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic transmission.

The Ford isn’t particularly impressive on gas, as even the most frugal versions with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine can only manage best figures of 21 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. This has to be another win for the Camaro then.

Inside, the Trax cabin is all about modern luxury. Features like heated seats take passenger comfort to the next level, keeping you cozy throughout your daily commute. Throughout the cabin, you’ll find high-quality materials and stylish design, including a sleek, modern dash and upscale leather upholstery.

The 2017 Ford Escape also puts a premium on modern comfort. The cabin hosts plenty of room for up to five passengers. Seating is plush and supportive. When you opt for the hands-free liftgate, loading cargo is a snap. With the key in your pocket, simply kick your foot under the bumper to open it. Overall, though, the added extras put the Trax ahead.

This race was a close one, but the Escape is our pick for safety. All models come with a rearview camera, which makes backing up a simple task. The Escape also offers a range of driver aids, which monitor your surroundings and alert you to danger. The forward collision alert system, for example, warns you of when you’re coming up on other vehicles or pedestrians too fast.

Still, when it comes to passenger protection, the Trax follows closely behind. It, too, offers high-tech systems that are designed to help you avoid needless accidents. The Trax also includes OnStar, which keeps you protected with features like on-demand roadside assistance.

If you’re a tech junkie, put the Trax at the top of your wish list. It’s got everything you need to stay connected, from turn-by-turn navigation to the in-car 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Trax’s MyLink infotainment system includes a crisp, clear central touchscreen and convenient voice controls.

The 2017 Ford Escape also strives to keep you connected. Its Sync 3 infotainment system now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can interact with smartphone features directly on the Escape’s central touchscreen. The cabin’s 110-volt, household-style power outlet means passengers can charge their laptops on the go.

Here we like the Trax, which provides both substantial power and thrifty fuel economy, earning up to 33 mpg on the highway. You’ll save plenty of money at the pump without ever sacrificing performance. The Trax also offers all-wheel drive, maximizing traction when roads are wet or icy.

Of course, the 2017 Ford Escape isn’t far behind. The Escape’s three engine options mean you can opt for a more fuel-efficient ride – or greater power for swifter acceleration. As with the Trax, you can add all-wheel drive to your Escape for enhanced driver control during bad weather.

If you’re shopping for a midsize SUV, you likely have an age-old problem: how to fit all of the people you need to take with you and their stuff without feeling like a sardine. The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse keeps its eye on the ball in this category, giving you room for 8 and 34.6 cubic feet of additional cargo space. One thing we really like is that the Traverse can be configured in any combination you need, with seats that store in the floor for large cargo and a second row that easily slides forward for access to the third row without making everyone get out. Carpool, soccer practice, and grocery trips have never been easier.

The Ford Explorer only seats seven, with no upgrade option to add that 8th passenger, which leaves it lagging behind the Traverse. With a flip forward seat in the second row, getting in and out of the third row quickly is tougher in the Explorer. You can opt for the captain’s seats in the second row for more comfort, but that brings the seating down to 6. We like the Traverse in this category.

If you’re looking for a vehicle that will adapt to your needs, the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse is the right choice. Especially when you’re looking for utility performance, the Traverse doesn’t disappoint with an impressive 5,200 lb tow capacity. The Traverse backs that capacity with a bigger, more robust engine for all driving conditions. Every Traverse model has a 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission, with the greater horsepower in the upper trim levels.

The Ford Explorer offers a 2,000 lb towing capacity in comparison, which doesn’t measure up to the Traverse but would be fine for towing small jet skis or some extra luggage. It’s definitely not enough for tough hauling. The Explorer offers 2 engine sizes but you are going to have to shell out some extra cash upfront to get the upgrade.

The 2017 Chevrolet Traverse brings the boom in the technology category, with an array of standard and available technology. Opt for the built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi and you can keep all of your passengers connected while saving them from using their data. Standard options include a 3-month trial of Chevrolet’s stellar OnStar service, which offers safety features and some cool Siri-linked voice command features that will give you hands-free options to keep you safer.

Ford offers the SYNC package in the Explorer, which allows you to make hands-free calls and choose your music, but this not available at all in the 2 base models. Some trims offer a 6 month trial to Sirius XM, which is nice, and we like the available dual 2nd row smart USB ports, but both of those options are available only on the highest trims.

The good news here is that, no matter which vehicle you choose, both the 2017 Chevrolet Traverse and the Ford Explorer get the highest overall safety ratings by the NTHSA. The Traverse offers OnStar, with automatic crash assist and basic levels of assistance, for five years to buyers, which is a nice bonus. It also comes standard with the regular buffet of safety features, including a rear camera and airbags throughout the vehicle.

We’re impressed, though, by the package of available safety features that the Explorer offers. Active Park Asisst, Lane Keeping, knee airbags and a safety canopy, reverse sensing system, and a rear camera. While not all of these features are available until the higher trims, the Explorer offers more options than the Traverse. In this category, the Ford takes the crown.