Pickup trucks continue to be a staple of American lifestyle and vehicle ownership, blending the daily driver, workhorse and weekend dream machine into one package. Whether it’s construction sites, a weekend packed with household improvement projects, or a family camping adventure, the open bed provides a vast platform for limitless use. The Ford F-Series has been the top-selling vehicle in the country for over 40 years, and pickups are here to stay. However, the average price paid for a pickup truck has hit an all-time high, averaging out between $51,000 and $53,000.
Luckily you don’t have to break the bank to find an affordable true truck. A handful of automakers still sell reasonably-priced pickups that focus more on useful capability than luxury trappings. The entry-level lineup of $39,900 or less trucks feature a variety of configurations geared toward the right balance of mpg, torque, passenger accommodation and off-road capability. No matter if you’re searching for a small local-friendly truck, a solid midsize work truck or a full-size hauler for more rugged work, there are some compelling choices out there.
1. Ford Maverick
For the modern comeback of the small pickup truck, the Maverick leads with a practical approach and a low price of $28,145. Now the lowest price brand-new pickup in the market, the Maverick is a fantastic option to those buyers looking for simple-acting trucks, without the high cost and over size of full-sized trucks. With its unibody design, as opposed to traditional body-on-frame trucks, it feels different from the rest of the pickup truck landscape, while being smaller makes it much easier for everyday driving. Powering the base, standard Maverick is a 2.5-litre hybrid making 191-hp, with good efficiency and 42-mpg in the city, along with a practical 1500-pounds payload, and smaller dimensions making city driving more comfortable.
Budget-Friendly Hybrid Benefits:
- Starting price of $28,145
- 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain included
- Produces 191 horsepower
- Delivers 42 mpg city
- Handles 1,500-pound payload capacity
Of course, one of the Maverick’s biggest draws is the fact that it doesn’t have to break the bank to get its practicality. The hybrid powertrain makes it an enticing offering for those whose daily commutes take them through busy city centers and who still have to occasionally tote gear and gear around. At 42 mpg in the city, the Maverick is a clear leader among “real” pickups, and the 1,500 pounds of payload capacity can provide some needed flexibility when taking gear and equipment along. Its size will make it a better fit for those in urban environments were large, full-size pickups may seem excessive. Rather than luxuries or excessive size, the Maverick is centered around affordable pricing, efficiency and simple utility. If you’re looking to get into a pickup on a tight budget, it is a compelling option.
2. Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers the experience of a crossover SUV combined with the convenience of a traditional open bed pickup. With a starting price of $29,750, it is a unique alternative to those who are in the market for a versatile truck with practical open-bed storage but don’t want the cost of a traditional midsize truck. Its appearance is blocky and aggressive in appearance, and it features a composite bed with a lockable storage bin that is built into the floor of the truck.
Utility Meets Everyday Comfort:
- Starting price of $29,750
- Crossover-inspired pickup design
- Durable composite cargo bed
- Standard engine produces 191 horsepower
- Turbo option offers 5,000-pound towing
The Santa Cruz is of particular interest because it takes a slightly different view of pickup truck ownership. Instead of sporting an aggressive design with its body proportions aligning with a traditional work truck, the Santa Cruz blends the looks of a small SUV with the cargo convenience of an open bed. Built with a composite material, the bed itself is both durable and lightweight, and lockable storage in the bed adds additional storage space. Powered by a naturally aspirated 191-horsepower engine, the Santa Cruz SE base model is likely to appeal to those who drive it primarily for daily transportation needs rather than maximum towing ability.
3. Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has long been one of the best-valued midsize trucks on the market. The new Toyota Tacoma starts at $32,145 for the base SR Xtra Cab and offers buyers a fresh new truck that offers the price protection of the legendary nameplate. This new Tacoma replaces the V6 found in the previous model with a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offering new levels of everyday performance. The standard variation of the new Toyota Tacoma develops 228 horsepower when standard and available for buyers who want even more acceleration and better merging power when on the highway is the optional i-FORCE engine which can tow up to 6,500 pounds with its increased power output.
What Buyers Get for Their Money:
- Starting price of $32,145
- Entry-level SR XtraCab available
- 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Standard output of 228 horsepower
- Maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds
The Tacoma is just the right blend of proven resale value, modern design and down-to-earth usability to attract a modern pickup buyer. The redesigned chassis presents a turbo-four cylinder engine in the place of the discontinued V6 an important change for the origin of the truck’s mechanical lineage. The baseline engine’s 228 horsepower seems just fine as a foundation, while the more powerful i-FORCE engine provides extra performance for drivers that habitually drive on the highway, or need some additional power to merge confidently with highway traffic. It also can handle more weight, doubling the towing capacity to 6,500 pounds.
4. Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet has reshaped the Colorado with a narrower powertrain range set to focus on practical capability. Starting from $32,400, the pickup offers an entry point into the midsize truck segment that makes sense for buyers who value functionality over luxury features, and is also aimed at hardworking buyers who require a reliable work horse to haul equipment, transport tools, and get the job done on-site. The standard powertrain found on the entry-level WT is a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing can-do hauling ability for work tasks, while still remaining targeted at those who need the truck’s capability.
Built to Handle Tougher Jobs:
- Starting price of $32,400
- Base WT work-focused trim
- 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine
- Produces 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft
- Optional TurboMax delivers 310 horsepower
As such, the Colorado should prove to be an attractive model for those shoppers looking for a super practical midsize pickup without all the flash of premium styling and cabin amenities that these trucks can sometimes feature. The WT trim is focused on these basic needs and offering a dependable platform on which to build a truck for professionals hauling tools, materials and equipment day-in and day-out.
5. Ford Ranger
The midsize Ford Ranger lives as a perfect bridge between the small Maverick and the full-size F-150 as a capable vehicle that fits in at both work and at play. Base prices currently range from $33,350 to $43,350, depending on what configuration is purchased. Ford has aimed to make the Ranger as practical as possible for work duties while still providing a comfortable space to handle on-road journeys.
Power, Comfort and Practicality:
- Starting price of $33,350
- Positioned in the midsize segment
- Standard 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine
- Produces 270 horsepower
- Responsive 10-speed automatic transmission
The first thing that stands out about the Ranger is the fact that the truck is perfectly situated in Ford’s collection of pickup trucks. It’s larger than the Maverick but doesn’t quite have the volume of an F-150. It’s the right sized for someone that’s hauling equipment or cargo on a regular basis but also uses that truck as an everyday driver. The standard 2.3-litre Eco Boost four-cylinder engine pumps out 270 horsepower, giving the entry-level XL trim plenty of power, and pairing nicely with the 10-speed automatic transmission to make the truck feel much livelier on the road.
6. Nissan Frontier
Of all the inexpensive pickup trucks on this list, the Nissan Frontier has what it takes to wear the naturally aspirated V6 as a daily driver. Coming in at $35,150, the Nissan Frontier is for drivers who prefer their engine to come with regular bore and stroke dimensions and a conventional bottom end instead of a smaller turbocharged engine. The Nissan Frontier features a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre V6 that delivers an incredible 310 horsepower beneath the hood. As you might expect, this makes it the lone contender on this list with a naturally aspirated V6 heart.
Traditional V6 Advantages:
- Starting price of $35,150
- Standard naturally aspirated V6 engine
- 3.8-litre engine produces 310 horsepower
- Heavier steering feel than competitors
- Supportive zero-gravity seating included
Ideal for buyers who are after a more traditional V6 experience and who don’t mind a simple approach to pickup engineering, the Frontier features a 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6 as standard no turbo four-cylinder options here. Unlike many rivals in this segment which offer turbocharged four cylinders, Nissan offers a punchy 310-horsepower engine as the base powertrain, leaving customers free to upgrade if desired. The steering is noticeably heavier than the light feel offered by some turbocharged competitors and this may be obvious during everyday driving.
7. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
For buyers wanting to jump into a full-size conventional pickup and aren’t in a position to spend big money the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT regular cab is a great way to start. Priced from $36,900, it offers a solid entry point for a half-ton truck. The Silverado is aimed at the end user that would be more interested in total working capability with 1500-class size and dimensions, and less concerned with luxurious interior appointments. Under the hood, Chevrolet equips the Silverado WT with a 2.7-liter Turbo Max four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.
Impressive Towing and Hauling Ability:
- Starting price of $36,900
- WT regular cab configuration
- 2.7-litre TurboMax four-cylinder engine
- Produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft
- Tows more than 9,000 pounds
The Silverado 1500 offers up a true full-sized pickup option for buyers who aren’t looking to make a big investment in expensive trims. Being offered as the WT regular cab version, the focus on true utility is made clear, which makes the new Silverado perfect for contractors, fleet trucks, or business needs. The 2.7-litre Turbo Max unit at the heart of the new Silverado is an impressive workhorse, producing 310 horsepower as well as 430 lb-ft of torque.
8. Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is one of America’s most iconic working vehicles, with a proven track record that’s extremely accessible from the base XL regular cab. Starting at just $37,290 in its simplest form, the F-150 XL gets you full-size pickup performance without spending a penny extra on pointless cabin comforts. Built with weekend warriors and workaday constructors in mind, Ford’s basic F-150 XL has a twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre Eco Boost V6 engine with 325 horsepower, combined with the lightweight aerospace-grade aluminium body architecture, that offers you a thoroughbred usable performance from the minute you roll off the forecourt.
Engineering Behind Its Capability:
- Starting price of $37,290
- XL regular cab configuration
- Twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6
- Produces 325 horsepower
- Aerospace-grade aluminium body structure
The entry-level XL trim for the F-150 introduces buyers to the entire array of full-size Ford pickup trucks at a price of well under $40,000. Its regular cab arrangement means that the focus remains on the nature of the work a potential buyer wants this truck to do, with none of the extra interior trimming to further push that price higher. Under the bonnet, a twin-turbocharged 2.7-litre Eco Boost V6 engine offers the F-150 a best-in-class 325 horsepower to go with that twin turbo engine architecture, with the extra power ensuring that this is one of the more powerful inexpensive full-size pickups on sale.
9. GMC Sierra 1500
GMC Sierra 1500 Full-size pickup trucks are useful tools, but the Sierra can offer potential buyers the practical utility of their workhorses along with a new and slightly refined visual identity. This sits at the lowest end of the Sierra’s line up at $38,300 for the base Sierra Pro trim and is a mechanically identical rival to the Chevrolet Silverado in fact, they ride on the same chassis and use the same 2.7-litre Turbo Max unit, which makes 310 horsepower.
Features That Set It Apart:
- Starting price of $38,300
- Entry-level Sierra Pro trim
- Shares Silverado mechanical underpinnings
- TurboMax engine produces 310 horsepower
- Standard LED lighting signatures
The Sierra Pro takes on slightly different role in the arena of affordable full-size pickup ownership. Its association with the Chevrolet Silverado means that the same basic mechanical specification, including the 2.7-litre Turbo Max and its 310-horsepower output are packaged as standard equipment. GMC, however, opts to have a little bit more influence on the exterior appearance, giving the Sierra a bolder and more unique appearance.
10. GMC Canyon
Best for those wanting a higher-end buying experience For those wanting to experience pickup ownership in a slightly more luxurious way, this one might be for you. Closer to the top of the sub-$40,000 price bracket (and starting at $38,900), the Canyon is slightly more expensive than the others, but it also offers a powerful standard setup. Unlike the Chevrolet version, the Canyon only uses the highest version of the turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine from the beginning of its lifecycle, meaning you don’t have to spend a little extra to unlock its beefy performance.
Ready for Challenging Terrain:
- Starting price of $38,900
- Standard high-output turbocharged engine
- 310 horsepower across every model
- Factory-lifted suspension setup
- Ultra-wide track supports off-road ability
It’s the placement of the Canyon that’s the most interesting GMC standardizes the more powerful mill in all of the Canyon’s trim levels, so regardless of the configuration you buy, you get the capable engine-specifically, the 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill that delivers 310 horsepower-giving any Canyon a high-volume variant on its sticker. But the truck’s factory-lifted suspension and extra-wide track are signs that this one’s no regular midsize pickup this one is one designed to be up for whatever off-road roads or on here at home.
