Regresar al GuidesIn a car market that is consumed with practical hybrid vehicles and family-friendly SUVs, it can be difficult to find a workhorse pickup truck. When you need something for towing, off-road applications, or work, a high-quality, capable pickup is going to be your best bet.
Fortunately, there are still automakers creating simple, economical trucks that are perfect for all kinds of work and play. Plus, many of them are incredibly affordable, especially if you opt for a basic trim level.
Many truck manufacturers offer high-end, loaded options for their pickups. However, if you are only looking for something simple, you can end up saving a lot of money. Many of the cheapest pickup trucks in 2023 are still incredibly versatile and practical. Knowing what the pickups with the lowest starting price are and what specs they have to offer will help you make the right decision at the dealership.
1. 2024 Ford Maverick
2. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
3. 2023 Nissan Frontier
4. 2024 Ford Ranger
5. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
6. 2024 Toyota Tundra
7. 2023 Ram 1500
8. 2023 Ford F-150
9. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
10. 2024 Toyota Tacoma
1. 2024 Ford Maverick
When looking for a cheap truck, you are going to have the most luck searching in the small category and the 2024 Ford Maverick is a great start. With the base XL trim having an MSRP of $24,995, it is an affordable and fairly feature-packed truck for all kinds of drivers.
The base engine in the 2024 Maverick is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 250 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard with a front-wheel-drive configuration but this can be upgraded to all-wheel-drive if you are willing to spend a little extra. The FWD version also has an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway fuel economy, so you can save a little bit of money at the pump if you opt for the cheaper version.
The Maverick is a crew cab pickup, which gives you a little more room in the cab than you might expect from a truck of this size. The interior also features a lot of cubbies and storage spaces, which can help you reduce clutter and keep it feeling as spacious as possible.
The base models come with a few ergonomic features like adjustable lumbar support and a telescoping steering wheel and the 4.5-foot bed includes a 12-volt power outlet, which can be upgraded to 110 volts. The base model also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Browse 2024 Ford Maverick listings here.
2. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
When thinking about straightforward, functional trucks, the Chevy Colorado might be the first one that comes to mind. This midsize pickup is built for both on- and off-road driving with enough practicality for work and hauling as well.
Its turbo 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder engine puts out 237 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission. One of the major benefits of this new Colorado is its towing capacity, which either matches or exceeds other midsize trucks. Even with the base engine, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The base version, the WT (for Work Truck), comes exclusively with rear-wheel-drive and while the 2024 version hasn’t officially been released, it is estimated that it will retail for around $31,000.
Since 2024 marks a new generation of the Chevy Colorado, the interior has been completely redesigned from previous model years. This redesign includes a new center console, a new gauge cluster, and an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The four-door crew cab loses a little bit of headroom with this redesign but the legroom and shoulder space remain largely unchanged from the last generation. The 2024 Colorado also comes with a wide range of standard safety features, including forward collision warning and lane departure warning.
Browse 2024 Chevrolet Colorado listings here.
3. 2023 Nissan Frontier
For those looking for a little more power with their basic midsize pickup, the Nissan Frontier checks all the boxes. The exterior borrows heavily from the Nissan Hardbody truck from 40 years ago but it is completely updated and ready for the 21st century.
The base powertrain is a 3.8-liter V6 engine putting out 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. That engine puts the power through a nine-speed automatic transmission that can be had with either rear- or front-wheel-drive. The base S trim level starts at $30,525, making it an affordable pickup with a lot of versatility.
One of the things that set the 2023 Frontier apart from other trucks in its class and price range is its near-premium interior. In previous incarnations, the Frontier’s cabin was full of molded plastic but this model year features soft-touch materials and modern trim pieces.
The standard touchscreen infotainment system is eight inches but this can be upgraded to nine if you need a little more digital real estate. While standard safety features are limited, you can pay extra to get things like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
Browse 2023 Nissan Frontier listings here.
4. 2024 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is one of the most popular midsize pickups in the world and it has been completely redesigned for the 2024 model year. The exterior styling has been changed to be closer to the F-150, especially in the front end.
The American version of the base Ranger comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder putting out 270 horsepower. This is more than enough for any application you might be using a midsize truck for and you can either get rear- or four-wheel drive with it. The base version of the 2024 Ranger is the XL and that starts at $34,160.
The interior of the Ranger is modern and comfortable, with textured trim on the dashboard and honeycomb air vents. The SuperCrew cab is big enough for almost any configuration of passengers and there is plenty of space in the bed for all your materials and tools.
The 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen runs Ford’s Sync 4 software and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also comes with standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking.
Browse 2024 Ford Ranger listings here.
5. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
When looking at the new truck market, it is easy to get frustrated by the sameness of many of the available vehicles. However, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a refreshing change of pace. Its unique short bed and four-door cab make it a great choice if you are looking for something that walks the line between an SUV and a pickup.
The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder putting out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine that is in the Tucson SUV and should be more than sufficient for all kinds of day-to-day applications. The base version of the Santa Cruz, the SE, starts at 27,985, which makes it a good value for such a cheap truck.
Hyundai is known for paying special attention to the interiors of their vehicles and they have done exactly that with the 2024 Santa Cruz. With a digital gauge cluster, which is rare for trucks in this class, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, it has all the tech you would expect from a new car. Plus, it comes with Hyundai's Blue Link system, which gives you all kinds of remote control over the vehicle.
Browse 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz listings here.
6. 2024 Toyota Tundra
While Toyota is more well-known for its off-road offerings, its full-size pickup, the Tundra, has a lot to offer as well. One of the main things that sets the 2024 Tundra apart from other trucks in its class is its lack of a V8 engine.
The basic powertrain is a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 putting out 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque and it runs through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The most basic trim level is the SR, which starts at $41,815. While this is on the higher end of the spectrum, it is relatively affordable compared to other full-size trucks on the market.
The interior is one of the areas that has been seriously upgraded with this model year. The dashboard is streamlined with fairly prominent vents and analog gauges. The basic trim level comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system but this can be upgraded to 14 inches if you want to add it or move up one or more trim levels. The safety features include the complete Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 system, which comes with forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and much more.
Browse 2024 Toyota Tundra listings here.
7. 2023 Ram 1500
When you think about work trucks and trucks that are capable of truly amazing things in the towing department, you probably think about the Ram 1500 first. The 2023 Ram 1500 is completely redesigned with the old version continuing on as the Ram 1500 Classic. As a full-size truck, it is one of the most powerful and capable vehicles on the market.
The base engine is a 3.6-liter PentaStar V6, which can tow 7,730 pounds. This makes it perfect for construction and other applications where heavy lifting and hauling are essential. The base Tradesman trim level starts at $39,900 so it is affordable enough for those who wouldn’t normally spend a lot of money on a work truck.
The inside of the Ram 1500 is spartan and simple, especially at the base level, but it is still comfortable enough for all-day use. The base bed is five feet and seven inches, which is perfect for lumber and other construction materials you would carry in a full-size pickup.
The infotainment system is also incredibly advanced for this price point with an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and plenty of physical knobs and switches that can control it.
Browse 2023 Ram 1500 listings here.
8. 2023 Ford F-150
As the best-selling truck in America, the Ford F-150 is an excellent option for people of all types with all kinds of plans and jobs to do. The basic work truck version of the F-150 is the XL, which comes with a 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 but there are plenty of engine options to choose from if you need more power or fuel efficiency with a hybrid powertrain.
The base price of the F-150 XL is $35,830, which is on the low end of the spectrum for a truck in this category. Plus, the base version is more than capable for most applications, so you can end up saving a lot of money and getting everything you need.
The interior of the basic work truck version of the F-150 doesn’t have much to offer but it is more than spacious enough with the ability to fold down all the seats and the shifter for the automatic transmission. This makes it incredibly versatile and opens up all kinds of work options.
The infotainment system includes an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 4 software as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. If you want to spend a little more money, you can upgrade to the XLT with a 12-inch screen with SiriusXM radio and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system.
Browse 2023 Ford F-150 listings here.
9. 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The sister version of the GMC Sierra 1500 is the Chevy Silverado 1500 and it is an excellent, basic pickup with a lot to offer. The payload and towing capacity of the Silverado is second to none and its relatively low price makes it an excellent choice for work or other practical applications.
The base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder but this can be upgraded to a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine if you need the extra power. The most basic version is the Work Truck trim level, which starts at $37,445 but this goes all the way up to the High Country version if you want all the high-end appointments.
The inside of the Work Truck trim level is completely stripped down but the crew cab is spacious enough for multiple people with plenty of headroom and legroom. The touchscreen infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as a mobile hotspot if you subscribe.
Even the most basic version of the 2024 Silverado comes with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring.
Browse 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings here.
10. 2024 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has long been a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople alike and the 2024 version has been completely redesigned. The base SR starts at around $28,000, which is perfect for anyone looking for a good time on a budget.
The SR comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder putting out 228 horsepower, which runs through either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. You can also choose between rear- or four-wheel drive, depending on what you plan to do with it.
The interior of the all-new Tacoma has some excellent appointments including high-quality materials on the dashboard and high-resolution digital screens throughout. The base-level Tacomas come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also comes with a wide range of safety features like adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
Browse 2024 Toyota Tacoma listings here.
Final Thoughts
Searching for a new truck can be difficult if you are working on a fairly tight budget. Whether you want something for outdoor recreation or work, you want to be certain that you can get everything you need without breaking the bank. Knowing what the cheapest new pickup trucks are in 2023 and what they have to offer can ensure that you get the truck that suits your needs the best and fits your budget.
