Best Used Trucks Under $20,000

By Autolist Editorial | April 2, 2020

Want a new pickup but don't want to spend big money to get one? So do many buyers. We rounded up some of the best used trucks under $20,000, from the Toyota Tundra to the Chevrolet Silverago, you can find a quality truck for just about any lifestyle and just about any price.

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The Toyota Tacoma is an excellent option if you're looking for pickup trucks at a low price point. A midsize truck in its third generation, the Tacoma has received praise from Autobytel, Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, Consumer Reports, Trucks.com, and even us here at Autolist.

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The 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR Crew Cab, a favorite of many, boasts large rear doors for easy access to the back seats and features a towing capacity of 2,600 pounds. Two engines are available for this vehicle: a four-cylinder engine capable of 159 horsepower and a V6 engine with 278 horsepower.

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The 2017 Tacoma received a 'Good' rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating (out of five) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety (NHTSA). There are hundreds of used Toyota Tacomas from the 2012 to 2019 model years for under $20,000 on the used market. Although four-wheel-drive Tacomas are certainly available, if you only need two-wheel-drive, you can save yourself some money.

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The 2013 Tacoma, which boasts a V6 engine that can tow over 6,000 pounds, features a five-speed automatic transmission and 6.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. This vehicle also comes in a double cab configuration featuring roomy back seats.

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The mechanically identical Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra both hail from General Motors and are well-regarded in the used truck market. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 -- seen above -- sells for $17,563 despite its high score of 8.5 out of 10 on the site.

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U.S. News and World Report praises the Silverado's comfortable ride and smooth handling, noting that, although the vehicle comes with optional V8 engines, the 285-horsepower 4.3-liter V6 that comes standard with the vehicle is plenty powerful. The 2012 Chevy Silverado can tow over 10,000 pounds, and it comes with optional power windows, leather seats and Bose premium audio, among other conveniences.

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Trucks.com recommends the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab LT, which boasts a wide range of amenities, including an OnStar connection, a six-speed automatic transmission and a color touchscreen infotainment system.

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This vehicle also has very high safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. Here's the interior of the 2015 Silverado.

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The Dodge Ram pickup from Chrysler has a strong reputation for reliability, with the 2013 Ram 1500 receiving a perfect five-star reliability rating from U.S. News and an overall score of 9.1 out of 10. A full-size pickup truck, the Ram comes in a wide range of body styles, from a two-door regular cab style to a four-door crew-cab style, among others.

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Although a 2013 Ram 1500 sells for $19,459 on average, which is higher than most used trucks, this vehicle has an excellent fuel economy. It features optional conveniences such as a locking tailgate, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel. Rams 1500s have comfortable interiors and rear coil springs that are designed to give a better ride than other full-size pickup trucks.

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Autotrader suggests buying Dodge Rams from the 2013 to 2018 model years, noting the convenience of Chrysler'sChrysler's UConnect infotainment system, while Autobytel suggests the Dodge Ram 2500 from 2013 to 2015 for a heavy-duty hauler. The Ram 3500 is also available, featuring a straight-six diesel engine.

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Trucks.com recommends the 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab SLT with two-wheel-drive, as the spacious four-door cabin can seat six people. A 3.6-liter V6 engine with eight-speed automatic transmission is available for this vehicle. This truck has a towing capacity of 7,480 pounds and a payload of 1,851 pounds, and it received high ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

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U.S. News, Autobytel, Autotrader, CarMax and Trucks.com all list the Nissan Frontier as a top pick in the used pickup truck market. The second and third generations of Frontiers are especially popular. U.S. News gives the 2015 Nissan Frontier a score of 8.6 out of 10, praising its compact, efficient construction and wealth of amenities, such as its infotainment system with smartphone connectivity.

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Many 2015 Frontiers on the used market have USB ports and Bluetooth, and their sturdy design makes them perfect for offroading. Although U.S. News regards the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that comes standard with this vehicle as inadequate, it notes that the optional V6 engine has an impressive towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

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The 2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PRO-4X, a variant focused on offroading, is a Trucks.com recommendation.

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In addition to its infotainment touchscreen and navigation system, this version of the Frontier boasts voice recognition, Bilstein shock absorbers, 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, power outside mirrors and an electronic rear differential lock.

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A lifestyle pickup truck in its second generation, the Honda Ridgeline has a transverse engine, unibody frame and crew cab configuration. In short, it rides and handles much more like a car than most trucks on this list. There are countless Ridgelines available for under $20,000, especially first-generation models like the one above, sold from 2006 to 2014.

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Ridgelines come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of 250 horsepower, and each Ridgeline has a payload of over 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of over 5,000 pounds. The Ridgeline's bed has a flat floor with no wheel arches for hassle-free equipment storage, and the tailgate can open via hinges for easy access to the bed.

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Many experts suggest buying Honda Ridgelines from 2012, praising their expansive cabins and four-wheel drive. 2012 Honda Ridgelines come with lockable in-bed trucks and many optional upgrades, such as Bluetooth, a rearview camera and satellite radio.

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You can even get a power moonroof and heated front seat. Here's another shot of the 2012 version of this midsize pickup; its resale value and reliability match Honda's reputation.

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Twin compact and midsize pickup trucks from General Motors, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon from the 2015 to 2017 model years are good options if you're looking for used trucks under $20,000. Buyers can choose from three engines. The base engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four engine capable of 200 horsepower and 191 foot-pounds of torque, but a 3.6-liter V6 engine capable of 308 horsepower and 275 foot-pounds of torque is also available, offering a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds.

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Also, you can opt for the Duramax 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 181 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque. This engine can tow 7,700 pounds. The 2017 Colorado features Apple CarPlay and a backup parking system, and its comfortable interior and Apple CarPlay setup have received praise from critics.

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Trucks.com recommends the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab LT for its smooth handling despite being a full-size pickup truck.

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This truck has a six-speed automatic transmission, and it comes with a six-speaker audio, tilt steering wheel and many other conveniences. OnStar and a 4G Wi-Fi also come with this vehicle, though they may require an additional subscription fee.

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The best-selling pickup series in the U.S., there are countless Ford F-150s on the used market for under $20,000. The 13th generation of the F-150, which began in 2015, has received praise in particular. Ford cut the curb weight of the F-150 by 750 pounds to boost its fuel economy and introduced driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control for extra convenience.

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The 12th generation of F-150s has also received praise, with the 2012 version in particular highly for its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine. This generation of F-150 is one of the first full-size pickups with a six-speed automatic transmission, and it boasts electric power steering for smooth handling and greater fuel efficiency.

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Other engines are available for this older generation of Ford F-150, including a reliable 5.0-liter V8. Most experts recommend any F-150 from 2009 or later.

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This truck even has trailer sway control for safe towing, plus electric power steering for better fuel economy. This F-150 has wheelbase lengths of up to 156.5 inches, and can tow up to 11,300 pounds.

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A full-size pickup truck with both two-door and four-door body styles, the Nissan Titan has received praise from numerous critis. Despite a mediocre fuel economy of 13 to 18 mpg, the Nissan Titan makes for a good work truck thanks to its 9,300-pound towing capacity.

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There are numerous first-generation Titans are for sale on the used-car market for under $20,000, and many of these vehicles come with a 5.6-liter V8 base engine capable of 317 horsepower and 394 foot-pounds of torque. Along with air conditioning and cruise control, Nissan Titans from 2004 to 2017 boast steering wheels with audio controls for extra convenience.

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An offroad PRO-X version of the Titan is also available, both for the current generation (seen here) and older models. Trucks.com recommends the 2017 Nissan Titan XD Regular Cab SS trim level for its quiet, comfortable ride.

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Some recent Titans come with an optional 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8 engine capable of 310 horsepower and 555 foot-pounds of torque. With this engine installed, the Nissan Titan can pull 12,640 pounds.

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The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV with a Convert-a-Cab composite pickup bed that extends to the cab with a hinged door.

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A four-door vehicle that seats five, the 2009 Escalade EXT has a perfect reliability rating on U.S. News, and its comfortable interior, ample cargo space and dual-zone climate control have received praise.

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The 2009 Escalade EXT sells for $17,955 on average, and it boasts a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and optional heated leather seats.

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An offroad version of the Escalade is also available. This vehicle features high-density discharge headlights for brighter, more efficient lighting.

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Countless experts consider the Toyota Tundra to be one of the best used trucks under $20,000. This model is a full-size pickup that comes in two-door regular cab and four-door double cab and Crewmax body styles. Since the Tundra has a high resale value, finding cheap ones can be a little harder than for most trucks.

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Many consider the 2011 Toyota Tundra as one of the best used trucks in this price range, noting that it has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and both V6 and V8 engines on offer. The 2011 Tundra also has a smooth, enjoyable ride and easy-to-use controls.

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Toyota Tundras -- seen here in the current generation -- have five- or six-speed automatic transmission, depending on your preference, and they feature head restraints so passengers with hardhats can sit comfortably. Tundras typically come with a wide range of safety features, including backup cameras and traction control.

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Trucks.com suggests buying the 2015 Toyota Tundra SR Double Cab trim level due to its impressive 78.7-inch cargo bed and a well-made interior featuring a split fold-down front bench seat.

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Unlike the F-150, the Ford F-250 Super Duty is a heavy-duty pickup truck. The 2013 model has a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a maximum payload of 4,200 pounds. With a variety of bed lengths, cab sizes, and wheelbase lengths on offer, the F-250 Super Duty is also highly versatile.

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Numerous automotive outlets all recommend this Ford Super Duty, and you can find F-250s with optional Triton engines for extra power.

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The 5.4-liter V8 engine can produce 300 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque, while the 6.8-liter V10 can produce 362 horsepower and 457 foot-pounds of torque.

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In addition to a chassis and suspension parts specially designed for towing, the Ford F-250 Super Duty features a Dana 50 solid axle.

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A four-door pickup truck from General Motors, the Chevy Avalanche can seat five to six passengers depending on the model and shares the same chassis as the Cadillac Escalade EXT and Chevy Suburban. The 2011 Avalanche has a perfect reliability rating on U.S. News and sells for $18,651 on average. With its hefty, fuel-efficient V8 engine, the 2011 Avalanche can pull over 8,000 pounds.

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This vehicle has a wealth of conveniences, including a power sunroof, rearview camera, leather upholstery, Bluetooth and dual-zone air conditioning. Featuring a wheelbase of 130 inches, the Avalanche comes in both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive layouts. Auxiliary and USB ports are also available.

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Thanks to their high resale value and lasting durability, used trucks are good vehicles to buy if you need sturdy, reliable transport on a budget. Before purchasing a used truck for under $20,000, however, make sure you look at its maintenance and repair records carefully.

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Run the truck's vehicle identification number through CarMax or a similar vehicle history report service to make sure it's in good condition. Excellent trucks for under $20,000 come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so you're apt to find one that suits your needs, be it a workhorse or family hauler.

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