If you’re looking for one of the most versatile and customizable vehicles in the car market, pickup trucks will be topping the charts. Pickup trucks combine speed, performance, style, and usability. The best part is you don’t have to break the bank; you can get one yourself, as many affordable pickup trucks are available in the car market. Let’s explore and analyze the best cheap pickup trucks you will find out there.
1. Toyota Tacoma
Tacoma is a classic from the well-known brand Toyota that is built to be rugged inside out. Its low price and functionality make it one of the best mid-size trucks you will come across in the car market, with a price starting at $33,085. This mid-size pickup truck has a distinct feature with a bold grille that screams adventure. The Tacoma exterior gives a bold yet distinct look, with its frame on 17-inch alloy wheels and a high ground clearance.
The body also comes in different colors, leaving you with different options. Also, the LED headlight of the Tacoma is another distinct feature of its exterior, as it comes with daytime running lights (DRL) with an auto on-and-off feature. Toyota Tacoma comes in 5-6-foot lengths, perfect for carrying tools, adventure gear, and more. This pickup truck model has a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine that generates 159 horsepower, and a 3.5L V6 engine can generate 278 horsepower. There’s also the I-Force hybrid powertrain, which offers up to 326 horsepower. The V6 engine variant, however, offers great towing power and off-road capabilities when paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Inside, the Tacoma offers a functional cabin made from durable materials. Higher trims feature premium touches like leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Tacoma also features a heated front seat and steering wheel, perfect for cold weather. The interior also comes with a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-8-inch Infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.
2. Ford Ranger
When looking for cheap pickup trucks, the best thing to do is check out prices and the value for money. Being one of the best trucks under $50K, you can get this truck starting at $32,980. For the exterior, the Ranger truck sits pretty on 17-inch wheels with a 10.7-inch ground clearance, giving it a tall and gallant look. It also comes with outboard-mounted rear shocks that offer comfort for normal road driving or off-road adventures across challenging terrains. Most importantly, the Ford Ranger comes in 5-foot and 6-foot lengths, which is enough cargo space for carrying gears.
Inside the Ford Ranger is a comfortable five-seat cabin with lots of legroom. The cabin also has a functional design with comfortable, heated seats made from breathable materials. In addition, the interior has a fully customizable digital display that provides important driving information at a glance. Likewise, it has a 12-inch touchscreen that is easy to navigate. With this touchscreen display, you can adjust the temperature of your car and access apps and other useful features.
Let’s talk about performance; the highlight of the Ford Ranger is its towing capability of 7,500 lbs. Watch, which makes towing easier. Even though it’s a pickup truck, it is built for extreme adventure. It has a powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre Ecoboost V6 engine delivering 315 horsepower, perfect for thrilling off-road fun. Coupled with the Range’s exhilarating engines, it delivers a 0-69 mph accelerator in just 6.8 seconds; how thrilling could that be? The Ford Range has great fuel efficiency of 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
3. Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is one of the cheap pickup trucks that boasts powerful performance. It has a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower, 281 lb-ft of torque, and a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission. Not just that, the engine can reach 0-60 mph in about 7.3 seconds, which is solid for its class. Likewise, it has the towing capacity to pull up to 6640 lbs, making it a functional pickup. The Nissan Frontier’s fuel economy is very reasonable, achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. It comes with a Bilstein off-road performance shock absorber, which is built not just for urban driving but also for rough off-road terrain. Likewise, the Frontier’s exterior gives off a rugged vibe with its bold body lines and prominent grille, making it one of the best-looking trucks.
Inside is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display that helps drivers stay informed, connected, and entertained. From music to navigation, this display screen has got you covered. Its infotainment system has connectivity options to connect apps like Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Also, Frontier offers a wireless network that can connect to compatible devices courtesy of Nissanconnect. The interior also features a quiet cabin thanks to its improved insulation. You can access all of these features with a starting price of $32,050.
4. Chevrolet Colorado
If you’re interested in one of the cheapest trucks for women with noteworthy towing capability, payload capacity, and fuel economy, consider the Chevrolet Colorado. This cheap pickup truck offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs, surpassing the Ford Ranger’s. Likewise, it has a fuel efficiency of 20/30 mpg in the city and highway.
The Colorado’s engine features an 8-speed transmission and a 2.7L turbo max engine with 410 horsepower and 430 lb-ft. The vehicle’s performance is top-notch, as it offers diverse driving modes. It has a great off-road capability that offers better traction on loose road surfaces like snow, grass, mud, etc. Likewise, it can play different terrains like hills and obstacles.
The Chevrolet Colorado exterior comes with a StowFlex tailgate that can support up to 500 lbs and a spacious truck bed containing all your gear. For the wheels, Colorado offers different options based on trim level. While some trims offer 17-inch ultra silver metallic wheels with all-season tires, some offer Argent metallic wheels with all-season tires. However, higher trims come with 18-inch wheels with 32-inch all-terrain tires.
Now, regarding the interior, the Chevrolet Colorado did not disappoint. It features amazing, comfortable leather seats. The advanced technology feature also can’t be forgotten in a hurry. It’s a car designed to keep you connected with different features such as the AppleCarplay and Android Auto. It also has an 11.3-inch center display screen, wireless charging, and an underbody camera. The high safety rating of the Chevrolet Colorado can’t be overlooked as it comes with the signature Chevy safety assist that gives peace of mind while driving. With a starting price of less than $30,000, you can get this amazing truck.
5. Ford Maverick
Starting at $23,920, the Ford Maverick is undoubtedly among the best cheap pickup trucks and a good one for bachelors. Maverick features a standard 2.0-L EcoBoost with an All Wheel Drive (AWD) producing a 250 horsepower and an optional 2.5-L hybrid engine with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Ford Maverick has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city, while the highway fuel economy is 30 mpg. Maverick might not be a good tower as it can only lift 1,500 lbs, which is low compared to other pickup trucks in this category. However, when it comes to cargo storage, it’s a good option as it has a 54-inch cargo bed length with a 53.3-inch width.
On the inside, it is made of ergonomically designed, durable material with active safety tech. It has adjustable seats, a heated driver seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Although the cabin is compact, it is super comfortable. Maverick has an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment and connectivity that perfectly connects with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi hotspots. Its Bang and Olufsen sound system is another amazing feature that entertains you during short and long drives.
6. Toyota Tundra
Topping the charts of cheap pickup trucks with amazing towing capabilities is the Toyota Tundra, which has up to 12,000 lbs towing capacity and is a great option for buyers looking for sturdy pickups. Not only does the Tundra excel in its towing capability, but it also has good engine performance. Under the hood is an i-Force Max engine with 437 horsepower. It also has an available i-Force V6 engine that delivers 389 horsepower. In addition, Tundra offers a 10-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission system. It also offers 0-60 mph acceleration in just 6.1 seconds. Like the Toyota Tacoma, the Tundra is among Toyota’s TDR family, providing an amazing off-road experience perfect for heavy-duty tasks.
Considering the interior and connectivity features it offers, though slightly higher than cars in this category, it offers value for money as it has a setting price of $40,090. With its help, sensors and cameras alongside the trailer backup guide and straight path assist drivers in keeping a straight line. Another top interior feature of the Tundra is the panoramic view monitor that uses the car’s front, side, and rear cameras to give you a full view of what’s happening outside your car. The 14-inch touchscreen display is the cherry on the cake of the Toyota Tundra. Let’s not forget the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that gives you access to navigation, safety, audio, and other convenience features.
7. GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 is an excellent option for a cheap, light-duty pickup truck. Starting at $38,300, this vehicle offers lots of features. It has a bold and rugged outlook, with a front fascia dominated by its detailed grille. Although the rear has a short truck bed, it can still get the job done. Its signature C-shaped LED headlights and daytime running lights give the exterior a distinct visibility, making it difficult to ignore. For the wheels, the GMC Sierra stands tall on 17-inch alloy wheels, with up to 22-inch wheel variants complementing its already bold outlook.
With the Sierra’s interior, you can take your driving experience to a new level. The interior is made of quality material, with the seats made of luxurious full-grain leather and real-wood trim. Its large digital display that comes with a 40-inch diagonal display is driver-focused. GMC offers one of its class’s best infotainment and connectivity systems, as it can easily connect to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and even wireless charging. The GMC Sierra 1500 is a crew cab that is spacious with lots of head and legroom, and it comes with lots of cargo bed space.
GMC Sierra is powered by a 4-cylinder TurboMax engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission generating up to 310 horsepower. It also has an engine option of a V8, 5.3-L engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission that delivers up to 420 horsepower. The fuel economy, however, varies with the engine as the 4-cylinder variant offers 23 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city. If you think the Toyota Tundra has a good towing capacity, you’ve not met the GMC Sierra. Sierra offers a whopping 13,300 lbs, which is an attractive feature considering its price.
8. Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is another impressive cheap compact truck that can handle off-roading. The starting price of the latest Hyundai Santa Cruz is $28,500, which is one of the cheapest pickup options. A 2.5L 4-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower is the standard. However, if you want better engine performance, you can go for the optional turbo-four engines, which produce up to 281 horsepower. Furthermore, the Turbo variant can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, making it a perfect option for daily driving. Fuel economy is also impressive as it offers up to 21 mph in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Santa Cruz offers a modern, SUV-like interior with comfortable seats, high-quality materials, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the 10.25-inch display upgrade option. Its infotainment system features a premium Bose sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for an enjoyable ride. The exterior features a sleek and contemporary design, unlike the rugged look that always comes with pickups. However, these do not undermine its pickup functionality. It has a 4-ft compact but innovative truck bed with built-in storage compartments.
9. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Here’s one of the cheap Chevy full-size pickup trucks you should consider. With a starting price of $37,000, you can get this vehicle’s recent model. The latest base model features a 5.3-L EcoTec3 V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.2 seconds. It is also available in a 10-speed automatic transmission. Not only does it feature the EcoTech engine option, but it also has different engine variants, each delivering a different output. Talk of the 7.2-L EcoTec V8, Turbomax, and the Duramax 3.0-L Turbo-diesel.
Regarding fuel efficiency, it offers an average of 20 and 23 mpg in the city and on the highway, respectively. Its maximum towing capacity of 13,300 lbs cannot be overlooked, as it can perform heavy-duty tasks. Inside the Silverado is a spacious and functional cabin. It features a 13.4-inch diagonal touch screen and an available 12.3-inch diagonal driver information center.
10. Ford F-150
Ford F-150 runs on a 3.5L Ecoboost V6 engine, delivering up to 430 horsepower and a payload of 1,750 lbs. It’s also one of Ford’s powerful off-road truck lineup for times when you want to explore different terrains. The F-150 has a maximum speed, and the acceleration varies with the engine type and trim level, with the base model achieving an acceleration of 0-60 mph within 7 seconds, while the best acceleration the F-150 offers is 0-60 mph within 4 seconds. It also has an exceptional towing capacity of 13,500 lbs.
Whether you need cheap pickup trucks for construction work, adventure, or recreational purposes, the F-150 is designed to boost your productivity. The F-150 truck bed comes in different sizes depending on the trim. It has the 5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, and 8.0 ft bed variants. Likewise, it features a Pro Access Tailgate that helps you secure your gear in the truck bed.
Driving a pickup truck does not have to be boring. That is why the F-150 developers create modern-day tech to add some spice to your driving experience. It is equipped with modern and smart tech features that can help you ease stress after a long drive or towing exercise. With the available Ford BlueCruise, you can experience a hands-free highway driving experience. Among other safety features are the blind spot information system (BLIS) and cross-traffic traffic alerts to put your driving in check. The 2025 Ford F-150 starts at $38,710, while previous models can be less expensive.
Conclusion
What could be better than having a cheap, efficient truck that can perform hauling tasks? You will get something far from an expensive pickup truck, from mid-size trucks to pre-owned trucks. These heavy-duty and cheap pickup trucks can perform hauling tasks and are good for daily driving and adventure on rough roads. During the car-buying process, check out for reliable trucks with good cargo beds and adequate safety features.
