If you’re shopping for a pickup to put to work, and do not care about all the extra frills, then this list of cheap trucks is for you. If you’re not swayed by plush leather seats or high-end sound systems but simply need a durable truck with a high-value price tag, we’ve ranked the best of them to help you make a smart choice. The most basic machines often make do with rugged materials and fewer electronics, but this also means lighter maintenance costs further down the line. Not every well-priced pickup truck is all barebones, though, and some pack in advanced safety features at a palatable price. It is just as well that our reviews cover standard and optional features to enable quick comparisons with key rivals.
If value is high on your agenda, you will likely also want to know about warranty coverage and reliability - our team has also taken these aspects into account when assigning each automobile with an overall BuzzScore. Before you spend your money on the wrong vehicle, peruse the top affordable trucks on our list to ensure that you get the most bang for your buck.
Just because you’re not willing to empty your savings account to make a down payment on a top-of-the-range car does not mean that you should settle for just any old jalopy. Before you blow your hard-earned dough, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth by ticking some non-negotiable boxes.
You’re probably thinking that there are a lot of cars out there that meet these criteria, and that may be true, especially in the case of some of the more rugged SUVs on the market. But what these cars bring to the table is unbeatable.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, here are some examples of brands that offer great new cheap pickup trucks.
Ford has a couple of entries at this price point, with the F-150 placing slightly above the Ranger. With only a turbocharged four-pot, the Ranger cannot work as hard, maxing out at 7,500 pounds when equipped to tow. The F-150 hauls a whopping 13,200 lbs in it is most capable guise, but there is a noticeable $4k difference, too, with the more capable machine starting at a higher MSRP of almost $30k.
Our top cheapest truck is the Ram 1500, starting at around $32k. Even in its most basic configuration, it is quite capable. It also looks good, too. If you do not wish to spring for the pricier V8, the base engine still handles loads of up to 7,700 lbs. The cabin also seats up to six passengers, depending on the setup, and Ram does a pretty good job of keeping everyone comfortable.