Pickup trucks are handy vehicles. Their size and power mean they can carry and haul all sorts of luggage and cargo, and in some cases, they can even take their versatility off-road. But some trucks are incredibly expensive.
But that isn’t always the case. As this list will prove, there are plenty of pickups on the market that are pretty affordable and that you can get your hands on. In fact, we would describe some of the prices of these trucks as insane.
Ford Maverick
If you want a Ford pickup truck but do not need the capabilities of a full-size truck, look no further than the Ford Maverick. The Maverick is half the size of the Ford F-150, but that means it is also half the price, with its current MSRP of just $23,920.
For less than $24,000, you get a truck with a powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder 238 horsepower engine in the base model. Plus, you have the option of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. The Maverick has enough grunt for 1,500 lbs of payload capacity and 2,000 lbs of towing capacity.
GMC Sierra Pro 2WD
GMC sometimes gets overlooked when it comes to pickup trucks, and that is a crying shame. Trucks like the Sierra Pro 2WD show that they can produce excellent vehicles at very affordable prices.
In this trim level, the Sierra will set you back around $37,000. For that money, you get an ultra-reliable 310 horsepower engine with 430 lb-ft of torque and a very impressive 9,400 lbs maximum towing capacity.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Amidst all the trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and GMC, it’s often forgotten that Hyundai also produces a pickup of its own. Enter the Santa Cruz, a handsome-looking compact truck that is ideally suited to smaller jobs and urban environments. Plus, it doesn’t break the bank, either.
Under the hood, the Santa Cruz has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. If you want more, the Night, XRT, and Limited trims boast a 281 horsepower engine. Despite its smaller size, the Santa Cruz has plenty of room for cargo in its bed.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is the Bow Tie’s answer to the excellent Ford Maverick. Although it is already at a disadvantage with its higher $29,800 starting price, the Chevrolet pickup truck still has plenty to offer. Not least the fact that it’s excellent off-road and has an incredibly spacious cabin.
The 2.7-liter inline-four turbocharged engine provides up to 21 MPG on the highway, and the truck can tow up to 7,700 lbs. It is a brilliant and highly versatile truck that saves a good amount of money compared to full-size pickups.
Toyota Tacoma
The hype surrounding Toyota’s newest pickup truck reached a fever pitch in 2023. However, it is fair to say that the pickup truck has lived up to the hype with some excellent reviews, and the new Tacoma has more than proven itself in the real world.
An extensive range from the SR to the Limited trim ensures there is a Tacoma for everyone. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with the option for additional hybrid power in some models as well. Plus, the new Tacoma is easily one of the best-looking trucks on the market, and it currently starts at $31,500 for the base SR model.
Nissan Frontier
Another pickup truck that often gets overlooked is the Nissan Frontier. Now the sole member of the Nissan pickup range, with the Titan discontinued, the Frontier still offers a lot for the money. Making it even better is that this versatile pickup truck costs just $32,050 at MSRP.
The Frontier has an excellent 310 horsepower V6 under the hood and is available in both extended and crew-cab body styles. It’s a handsome-looking truck, too, and while its interior isn’t the fanciest, it is spacious, snazzy, and has an intuitive infotainment system.
Ford F-150
While you will pay full-size pickup truck prices for it, there is no escaping how good the Ford F-150 remains. It is America’s best-selling pickup for a reason, and currently, the range starts at $38,710 for the XL Model, depending on where you are in the country.
The F-150 offers capacity for up to six people inside and an impressive 13,500 lbs of towing capacity. EcoBoost V6 power is reliable and powerful, but if you want even more fun, you can go for the F-150 Raptor and Raptor R. Trucks that come with either a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 or the mighty 5.2-liter supercharged V8.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Luckily, for those who do want a full-size pickup truck, there is more than one option on the market. Starting at $37,000, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offers a great alternative to the Ford F-150 and is just as capable as its Blue Oval cousin.
The base Silverado WT boasts a 5.3-liter EcoTec V8 engine under the hood, and as you go up the trim levels, you gain access to the excellent TurboMax with 430 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado has an impressive max payload capacity of 2,260 lbs and a very impressive towing capacity of 13,300 lbs.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger provides a happy middle ground between the compact Maverick and the full-size F-150. With a starting price of just under $33,000, depending on location, it also falls in the middle when it comes to its price point.
The entry-level model’s turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine produces 270 horsepower. Higher up the range is the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, which produces 315 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs and has a payload capacity of up to 1,805 lbs.
GMC Canyon
GMC also offers a mid-size pickup truck, the dependable and long-standing Canyon. The Canyon shares its basic blueprint with the Chevrolet Colorado, and like its Bow-Tie cousin, it’s very affordable, with a starting MSRP of $37,895, depending on your location.
For that, you get the Canyon in Elevation trim with two-wheel drive, and prices all rise to around $66,000 for the AT4X AEV Edition. Power comes from a 310 horsepower turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four, and the truck can tow a maximum of 7,700 lbs, depending on the trim level.
