Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now

If there’s any vehicle that draws an eclectic crowd, it’s the pickup truck — some shoppers need to tow large trailers or haul work supplies, while others just like the convenience of a cargo bed for the occasional home improvement project or weekend camping trip. The increasing popularity of pickup trucks as daily drivers is likely a contributing factor to the rising costs of new vehicles — but not all pickups have to break the bank. We’ve compiled a list below of the 10 most affordable models, ranging from small to full-size, to help shoppers select the right vehicle for their needs and budget.

Related: Best Pickup Truck of 2023

Small and Mid-Size Pickup Trucks

When it comes to pickup truck affordability, “small” is the name of the game. Leading the pack of cheapest pickup trucks are a pair of recently introduced models: the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. While not traditional, these compact unibody pickups balance affordability, fuel efficiency and just enough towing and hauling prowess to satisfy most weekend warriors. Shoppers who require more space or capability can skip to the mid-size variants like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma to tackle bigger jobs without dealing a heavy blow to the budget.

Full-Size Pickup Trucks

For shoppers who need the towing or hauling capabilities of a full-size pickup, three options make the list of most affordable pickups: the Ram 1500 Classic, Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The Classic designation indicates a carryover version of Ram’s previous-generation pickup.

The following pickups are ordered by base price from the least to the most expensive. Several base models fall under $30,000, which is significantly lower than the average new-vehicle transaction price. However, starting prices often don’t reflect how much a typical shopper really pays; to paint a more comprehensive picture, we also list each model’s median listing price among Cars.com dealers as of May 2023 (median prices reflect all available trim levels).

All starting prices listed below include the destination charge but not any cash incentives or taxes. As fuel prices remain volatile, a pickup’s efficiency should also be an important consideration: The EPA-estimated mileage rating is included within each vehicle’s description to assist with estimating ownership costs.

Cheapest New Pickup Trucks

1. 2023 Ford Maverick XL: $24,190
2. 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE: $27,035
3. 2023 Ford Ranger XL: $28,895
4. 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR: $29,585
5. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado WT: $30,695
6. 2023 Nissan Frontier S: $30,705
7. 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman: $32,590
8. 2023 Ford F-150 XL: $36,340
9. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT: $38,145
10. 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation: $38,395

1. 2023 Ford Maverick XL

• Starting price: $24,190 (including $1,595 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $29,476

The 2023 Maverick is the Blue Oval’s most affordable pickup, slotting under the mid-size Ranger. The base Maverick XL trim comes with a standard gas-electric hybrid powertrain that makes 191 horsepower and 155 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. It features front-wheel drive and an EPA-rated 37 mpg combined, making it the most efficient pickup available.

Shoppers can upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that’s mated to an eight-speed automatic for 250 hp and 277 pounds-feet; all-wheel drive is only available with this powertrain. The combined rating plummets to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg for this configuration, but the EcoBoost delivers noticeably quicker acceleration. The base engine offers a 1,500-pound payload rating and a 2,000-pound towing capacity, while the 2.0-liter can tow up to 4,000 pounds when paired with AWD.

2. 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE

• Starting price: $27,035 ($1,335 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $37,704

Hyundai may have labeled the Santa Cruz a “sport adventure vehicle” instead of a pickup, but the model features a cargo bed, a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an affordable price tag to earn itself a second-place spot on this list. The Santa Cruz comes with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine good for 191 hp; a turbocharged version of the same engine is available for a more potent 281 hp. The base engine pairs with a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission, while the turbo gets an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. The non-turbo engine comes with standard FWD or optional AWD and gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined; the turbo is paired only with AWD and gets a combined rating of 22 mpg.

Despite its small size, the Santa Cruz is surprisingly capable when it comes to towing: FWD models can pull up to 3,500 pounds and AWD models can take on a maximum of 5,000 pounds. The Santa Cruz’s payload ranges from 1,500 pounds to 1,750 pounds.

3. 2023 Ford Ranger XL

• Starting price: $28,895 ($1,495 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $39,507

If the Maverick is a tad too small and the F-150 is a smidge too big, the mid-size Ford Ranger may be your Goldilocks pickup. The redesigned 2024 Ranger will arrive later this year carrying a slew of updates and a higher starting price. For now, the base 2023 Ranger XL is still available in two cab sizes: a two-door SuperCab that seats four and comes with a 6-foot bed, and a four-door SuperCrew that seats five and offers a 5-foot bed.

A standard 270-hp, turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine powers all Ranger models and makes 270 hp and 310 pounds-feet of torque; it’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, and 4WD is available. With RWD, the Ranger gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined. While it can’t match the capability of its full-size F-150 sibling, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds with an available Trailer Tow Package and has a maximum payload capacity of 1,905 pounds.

4. 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR

• Starting price: $29,585 ($1,335 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $39,416

The mid-size 2023 Toyota Tacoma comes in many flavors, including the rugged TRD Pro for off-road enthusiasts. Shoppers who value affordability over off-road prowess can skip the range-topping model in favor of the base Tacoma SR. The SR comes in a two-door Access Cab model that seats four and a four-door Double Cab that seats five.

The base powertrain for the SR is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 158 hp and 180 pounds-feet of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Shoppers can upgrade to an optional 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 278 hp and 265 pounds-feet and also pairs with the six-speed. The base engine is the most fuel-efficient with an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined when coupled with standard RWD; 4WD is available. The Tacoma SR’s towing capacity maxes out at 6,400 pounds, and it can haul up to 1,155 pounds.

5. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado WT

• Starting price: $30,695 ($1,495 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $39,538

Shoppers searching for a more conventional pickup truck that still offers a prudent price tag can move up to a mid-size option like the Chevy Colorado WT. Redesigned for 2023, all trim levels of the Colorado are now available only as four-door crew cabs with a short box. Under the hood of the WT is a new base turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 237 hp and 259 pounds-feet of torque and is EPA-rated for 22 mpg. Shoppers looking for more power can upgrade to a 310-hp version of the 2.7-liter. RWD is standard, and four-wheel drive is available. The Colorado’s towing capacity tops out at 7,700 pounds and payload at 1,684 pounds.

Inside, the WT’s standard features include an 11.3-inch touchscreen, an 8-inch digital instrument panel and a Google operating system along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Standard safety tech includes forward collision detection with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane departure steering assist.

6. 2023 Nissan Frontier S

• Starting price: $30,705 ($1,335 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $39,777

After a redesign for 2022, the Nissan Frontier brings improved capability, technology and comfort compared to the previous-generation model. Nissan’s mid-size pickup lands on the list of cheapest pickups with a starting price that hovers just above the $30,000 mark. The base S trim is available as a two-door King Cab with four seats or a four-door crew cab with five seats.

All models are powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 first introduced for the 2020 Frontier. The V-6 engine is good for 310 hp and 281 pounds-feet of torque; it pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard RWD and available 4WD. In the base S model with RWD, the Frontier gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined; that configuration also enables the Frontier to tow a maximum of 6,720 pounds with a payload that tops out at 1,600 pounds.

7. 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman

• Starting price: $32,590 ($1,895 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $44,475

Shoppers who need a full-size truck will find the Ram 1500 Classic to be the most affordable option based on its starting price. A carryover from the previous generation, the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman comes with substantial cost savings over the new Ram 1500; the latter’s $39,305 starting price is a hefty premium for the redesigned version. The Ram 1500 Classic offers multiple cab and bed sizes: a two-door regular cab that seats up to three and four-door quad- and crew-cab models that seat up to six are available for the Tradesman trim.

A 3.6-liter V-6 engine that makes 305 hp and 269 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is the base powertrain for the Tradesman. There’s also a 5.7-liter V-8 engine available that boosts horsepower to 395 and torque to 410 pounds-feet; RWD comes standard, and 4WD is available. The V-6 engine with RWD is the Tradesman’s most efficient combination, with an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined. Moving up to the full-size class offers the benefit of increased towing and payload capacities: The Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman can tow up to 10,620 pounds and haul upwards of 1,810 pounds with the 5.7-liter engine.

8. 2023 Ford F-150 XL

• Starting price: $36,340 ($1,895 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $65,814

A long-standing top seller, the Ford F-150 remains one of the most affordable rigs on the market when you opt for the base XL trim. The pickup’s starting price gets you the two-door regular cab that seats up to three; a two-door extended cab and four-door crew cab that each seat five are optional for the base model. A variety of bed sizes ranging from 5.5 feet to 8 feet are available.

The F-150 XL comes with a standard 3.3-liter V-6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base engine produces 290 hp and 265 pounds-feet of torque. Shoppers looking for more power can upgrade to an available 325-hp, 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 or a 400-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. Two additional engines are available for crew-cab models: a 400-hp, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 or a 430-hp, PowerBoost hybrid V-6. RWD is standard, and 4WD is optional. The V-8 offers the highest towing and payload capacities of 13,000 pounds and 3,325 pounds, respectively. Buyers who are more concerned about saving money at the pump than towing heavy loads will be better served by the F-150’s base engine, which gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.

9. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT

• Starting price: $38,145 ($1,895 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $55,847

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received significant tech and interior updates for 2022, and the pickup’s base WT trim comes in thousands of dollars below the average new-vehicle price tag. That price covers the two-door regular cab with space for three and a standard bed configuration; a four-door double cab or crew cab, both of which seat six, are also available.

The base WT comes with a standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine good for 310 hp and 430 pounds-feet of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission; a 355-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 is available and can be paired with an eight- or 10-speed automatic. RWD is standard for all WT models, and AWD is optional. The maximum towing capacity for the Silverado 1500 WT comes in the 5.3-liter V-8-equipped models, which can pull up to 9,900 pounds. Silverado 1500 models with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder under the hood get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined, which drops to 19 mpg for V-8-powered variants.

10. 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation

• Starting price: $38,395 ($1,495 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $47,927

The GMC Canyon, a cousin of the Chevy Colorado, also sees a redesign for 2023 with a new engine, more off-road capability and a significantly higher price tag than the 2022 model. Despite the price bump, the Canyon secures the final spot among the list of cheapest pickups. Like the Colorado, all Canyon variants are only available with a four-door crew-cab configuration and a short bed. A turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is standard across all trims and makes 310 hp and 430 pounds-feet of torque. The base Elevation model comes with standard RWD and available 4WD; with RWD it gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg. The Canyon’s towing and payload capacities top out at 7,700 and 1,640 pounds, respectively.

Inside, the Canyon Elevation shares many features with the base Colorado: An 11.3-inch touchscreen display with a Google-based operating system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, along with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster. Standard safety tech includes forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane departure steering assist and automatic high beams.

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• 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Makes Night Moves, Adds Standard Safety Tech, Higher Price
• Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
• 2023 Cars.com Affordability Report: Best Value New Cars
• Is the Ford Maverick’s EcoBoost Engine’s Performance Worth Its MPG Penalty?
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