Low-Cost Pickup Trucks for Drivers on a Budget
If you are looking for an affordable pickup truck, your budget is one of the things you must consider. Today’s automotive market is saturated with many pickup trucks that can meet your needs without breaking the bank.
For some drivers, it may be challenging to find a vehicle that has all the great features and capabilities but is still right on the budget. The following truck suggestions will give you the best deal possible.
Compact
The smaller the size, the lower the price tag, so compact trucks have been the cheapest than their larger counterparts. Unlike traditional body-on-frame construction on bigger-sized pickups, the compact trucks are made with unibody construction used on most passenger cars.
You can get impressive fuel efficiency, safety tech, and cool features from the compact trucks without hurting your budget. They may not be as powerful as the mid and full-size trucks, but they have just enough hauling and towing capability to satisfy most weekend warriors. Put your stuff quickly on the rear bed space after a grocery errand or a shopping spree. You can also use the bed space to put your essentials if you plan to use the truck for a short trip to the beach.
Ford Maverick
Maverick is the smallest truck that Ford has ever produced, and it has been a game-changer in the truck scene since its release. The Ford Ranger is several inches taller, longer, and broader than Maverick. Unlike the F-150 with the bolder and bigger Ford in its front end, the small truck has a traditional blue oval badge and unconventional grille inserts. Maverick’s looks may not be particularly outstanding because of its chunky black bumpers and minimal design.
Maverick is a compact plug-in hybrid truck priced only under $25,000. The front-wheel-drive XL trim level is the cheapest you can get. With more than 100,000 pre-orders, the blue oval-badged automaker had to stop its dealers from taking new orders due to the overwhelming demand.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is another popular truck that shook the American truck industry. It started as a concept vehicle at the Detroit North American International Auto Show in 2015. Surprisingly, its dimensions are smaller than Ford’s compact truck (about four inches longer than Santa Cruz).
Hyundai’s small truck model is based on Tucson’s quiet crossover-like ride and handling. Unlike its rival running on a hybrid powertrain, Santa Cruz only runs on gasoline — but its fuel economy is better, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway. It also boasts plenty of features and safety-assist technology, no wonder why it received many excellent reviews from critics. You can get the front-wheel-drive SE trim level for around 25,000.
Mid-size
If you want more space or capability, you may be looking for mid-size pickups. They have a roomier cabin and bigger dimensions than compact pickups. They also let you wander off the beaten paths without the heavy blow to the budget.
Honda Ridgeline
Honda caters to folks that want a more comfortable and fuel-efficient truck alternative, so they built the Ridgeline differently and ditched the traditional body-on-frame. Some may confuse it with compact trucks because it is made with unibody construction.
Honda has discontinued the base front-wheel-drive configuration, and the base price slightly increased when it underwent a redesign in 2021. Other trims have the truck bed audio system. However, the cheapest Ridgeline’s Sport trim level has safety, driver-assistive tech, a dual-action tailgate, etc. Priced under 40 grand, it comes in a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower.
Nissan Frontier
The Frontier has always been on the list of cheapest trucks. However, the price for the 2022 model soared slightly because of its complete redesign. The steeper price is worth it if you look at the improvements, safety tech, and other features Nissan included in the Frontier. Nissan puts a 3.8-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic on the Frontier, plus a more stylish interior layout and additional features. The standard V6 puts out 310 horsepower.
Choosing the 4x2 S trim level configuration with extended cab is the most affordable variant you can buy, but be aware of losing a few truck accessories and equipment to lower the price.
Jeep Gladiator
The four-door Gladiator has the rock-crawling abilities and off-road capabilities that you can find in a Wrangler. Some truck enthusiasts call it the “Wrangler of pickup trucks” because the front end is based on the iconic looks of the famous off-road SUV.
For under 40 grand, the four-wheel-drive Sport trim level is the cheapest you can get from a Jeep dealer. It gives you a handful of driver-assistance technology, a Wrangler-like upright dashboard, and user-friendly controls. It has a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 engine with a manual transmission that outputs 260 horsepower and a 442 pound-feet of Torque.
Full-size
A full-size pickup offers more towing and hauling capabilities than its smaller counterparts. Pickup trucks can surely draw the attention of an eclectic crowd of vehicles, which you cannot find in passenger cars. They have brawny features, high ground clearance, roomier cab space, longer bed, larger wheels, beefier truck tires, and other qualities. But they aren’t just for utility because some people use them for daily driving to and from work.
Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 is a popular full-size pickup that received various awards for its affordability and reliability.
The cheapest is the Ram Classic Tradesman (extended cab) with a rear-wheel-drive V6 engine. For about $36,000, you’ll get a half-ton truck designed with a sophisticated suspension, compartments built into the cargo bed, and a cool-looking tailgate. It has an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The older year models of Silverado 1500 have earned the title of the cheapest full-size truck in the U.S. truck market. However, after getting a refresh, there has been a price bump for the 2022 models.
You can get the Silverado’s WT trim level, regular cab, 4x2 with a package discount package of around $2000. It has a 4.3-liter V-6 engine, upgraded interior, and new technology. The starting price of this full-size truck is $32,095, including a $1,695 destination charge.
Picking out a pickup
A lot of new pickups have abandoned their bare-bones workaday roots and some of their old intensive characteristics. Modern pickup trucks morphed into luxury vehicles with optimal comfort in the cab and cool features within the bed. However, the innovations can make them more expensive.
High-end models offer more luxurious features than base ones. But some automakers have a rare combination of hauling capabilities and comforts without the elevated prices. Some buyers want a truck because of its capacity to tow large trailers or haul supplies. Others like the convenience of the cargo bed of a pickup as they can use it for weekend camping trips or occasional home improvement projects.
How cheap should it be when we say “cheap” when it comes to affordability? When choosing the right pickup truck, consider what you value most in a vehicle. If you prioritize capability above all else, look for a strong engine and plenty of towing power. If you’re more concerned with comfort and convenience, focus on features like a spacious cabin and cargo bed. No matter your priorities, there’s sure to be a cheap pickup truck perfect for you. Get all of these without breaking the bank if you know where to look.
