Back to GuidesPickup trucks are some of the most useful vehicles on the road, packing towing capacity, ground clearance, beefy drivetrain options, and payload capabilities that even many SUVs can't match.
Despite the recent price surge in the used car market, 4x4 trucks have proven so popular in the past twenty years that they're all over dealership lots.
Cheap ones certainly don't have the same advanced levels of technology found on new trucks, but you can find honest-to-goodness used pickups on the market for less than you might think, and they'll get the job done without any fuss.
Here are our picks for the best used trucks that you can pick up for around $10,000 or less.
1. 2006-2008 Toyota Tacoma
2. 2010-2011 Ford Ranger
3. 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4. 2013 Ford F-150
5. 2011-2012 Nissan Frontier
6. 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 1500
7. 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
8. 2007-2008 Toyota Tundra
9. 2009-2010 Honda Ridgeline
10. 2009-2010 GMC Canyon
11. 2008 Dodge RAM 1500
12. 2009-2010 Chevrolet Colorado
13. 2010 Nissan Titan
14. 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
15. 2008-2011 Dodge Dakota
1. 2006-2008 Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma has proven to be the used midsize pickup truck of choice for more buyers than any other brand, but that can cause higher prices at times. Used “Tacos” in the sub-$10,000 price range can be hard to find with reasonable miles.
Their current owners love them, they have high resale values, and it is not uncommon to find examples at our price point with 250,000 miles or more on the odometer. The beauty of Toyotas' longevity is that if you do find one with high miles, you shouldn't worry too much since they have proven to be so reliable.
Regular, extended, and crew cab options are available, as well as the choice of a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a beefier 4.0-liter V6. Rear-wheel drive is standard across all trim levels, but four-wheel drive is available on all but the sporty X-Runner from the 2006 to 2008 model years. A 5-foot short bed or a 6.1-foot long bed are also available for some added versatility.
None of the Tacoma models are particularly refined, but they make good everyday work trucks. With up to 6,500 pounds of towing capacity, they offer a good combination of manageable size and capability. For even more capability, you can try to find one with the TRD Off-Road package. Available for the 2008 model year, it offers off-road focused upgrades like skid plates, Bilstein shocks, and a locking rear differential.
Browse 2006-2008 Toyota Tacoma listings here.
2. 2010-2011 Ford Ranger
The third-generation Ford Ranger is a far cry from the Ford Ranger of today. It took a hiatus after the 2011 model year and was re-introduced in 2019. The current Ranger is only offered with an automatic transmission, can only be chosen with an extended cab or four-door crew cab layout, and only comes with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
By contrast, you can only find a 4x4 2010 or 2011 Ford Ranger with a 207-horsepower V6 engine. Both model years come standard with a five-speed manual transmission. The last two model years of the third-generation Ranger give it a less-than-stellar reputation for looking and feeling old and unrefined, particularly in the interior. Extended cab models only include rear jump seats that fold down to face each other.
Despite its setbacks, the old Ranger is a great, cheap, 4x4 pickup truck that you can easily find for under $10,000 today. You will not get anything fancy, nor will you most likely find a pristine example for under $10,000, but you can find solid, problem-free Rangers with 150,000 to 180,000 miles at that price point.
Browse 2010-2011 Ford Ranger listings here.
3. 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado used to and still does come in an array of cab configurations and engine options. The cheapest and least refined of all these is a regular cab work truck version with a lethargic V6 engine. You can find these with four-wheel drive and around 150,000 miles on the odometer, but it will be the least desirable of the 2011 Silverados available.
More buyers will opt for a Silverado LS, LT, or LTZ, all of which are available with an extended cab or four-door crew cab and four-wheel drive. A longer 8-foot bed configuration is even available with the extended cab, though buyers are limited to a 5.8-foot bed with the crew cab. 180,000 to 220,000-mile examples are common within the $6,000 to $10,000 price range, depending on trim level, bed size, and cab configuration.
Beyond the base V6, engine options include a trio of V8 engines with 302 horsepower, 315 horsepower, or 403 horsepower. The entry-level V8 is accompanied by a four-speed automatic transmission while the others benefit from six speeds. When properly equipped, towing capacity soars to over 10,000 pounds, and payload capacity exceeds 1,800 pounds.
Browse 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 listings here.
4. 2013 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is the king of the full-size pickup trucks, ranking as the best-selling model of all time, and it's easy to see why. 2013 model year F-150s can be found in a dizzying number of configurations and trim levels. XL, XLT, and STX models are the most readily available for $10,000, but even narrowing the field to these three trims renders plenty of variety.
Regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab options are available on each. A 3.7-liter V6 base engine comes in the cheapest 4x4 pickups, but a larger 5.0-liter V8 is available. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. With over 11,000 pounds of towing capacity on the most capable and properly equipped models, the F-150 has the Chevy Silverado beat.
Neither the 3.7-liter V6 nor the 5.0-liter V8 gets particularly great fuel economy by today’s standards, but neither is terrible for the year. The most desirable, well-kept, and feature-rich models will have over 200,000 miles on the odometer. The most basic models can have as little as 130,000 miles.
If you find that you need an even more heavy-duty pickup truck, you can find Ford F-250s on the market for $10,000. Unfortunately, you will have to accept higher mileage and an older model year to get one. On the other side of the spectrum, those who want the extreme off-road capability of the SVT Raptor will also have to look to other off-roaders as their resale value is sky-high.
Browse 2013 Ford F-150 listings here.
5. 2011-2012 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is often overshadowed by the Toyota Tacoma, but Frontiers are more readily available and serve as an excellent -- and often cheaper -- alternative. You can even find Pro-4X Frontiers, direct competitors to the Toyota Tacoma TRD off-road models. The Pro-4X off-road package includes Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and an electronically locking rear differential, though it doesn't quite offer Jeep levels of capability.
For those who do not want the extra cost or off-road goodies, the Frontier also functions as a more basic used truck. It is the smallest midsize truck on the market. 200,000-mile examples are common, but that mileage can easily fluctuate for up to 50,000 miles in either direction, depending on the condition, trim level, and configuration.
If you are doing consistent heavy-duty work, the Frontier may not be the 4x4 pickup truck for you. If you are consistently towing and hauling light to medium cargo, though, you can certainly find a regular, extended, or crew cab option to suit your needs. Automatic and manual transmissions are readily available, and the 261-horsepower V6 provides more than enough power to accomplish all of your chores.
Neither the base four-cylinder nor the V6 return great fuel economy numbers, and towing capacity is hampered by its small size.
Browse 2011-2012 Nissan Frontier listings here.
6. 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 1500
GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado models share their underpinnings, drivetrain options, and powertrain options with few exceptions. Unlike the 2011 Silverado 1500 model on our list, the GMC Sierra 1500 from 2007 and 2008 does not offer a base V6 engine. Rather, a 4.8-liter V8 serves as the base engine and produces 295 horsepower. A larger 5.3-liter V8 is available with 315 horsepower.
Like its corporate cousin, the Sierra 1500 is available with a regular, extended, or crew cab. A 5.8-foot, 6.5-foot, or 8-foot bed is available, depending on your needs. Four-wheel drive is, of course, available on each trim level too. Over 10,000 pounds of towing capacity is available on properly equipped models.
Dropping back a few model years from the 2011 Silverado on our list unlocks more possible configurations at our $10,000 price point. The Sierra is more upscale than the Silverado, which means that you can still find a great used truck with plenty of features and only a few of the newest ones missing.
The most basic work truck models can be found with as little as 150,000 miles. The nicest, fully-loaded models will have as many as 250,000 miles. As is the case with the Ford F-250, Sierra 2500HD models will come at a higher premium. Examples with 250,000 miles or more are available for around $10,000.
Browse 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 1500 listings here.
7. 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Ford’s Explorer Sport Trac was an oddity in the market back in the early to mid-2000s. Essentially, it was an Explorer that had a pickup truck bed added in place of the trunk. Even though the bed was only about 4.2 feet long, it essentially served as a Ford Ranger with a four-door crew cab configuration, something that the actual Ford Ranger lacked.
You can find less expensive models with a V6 engine, 210 horsepower, five-speed automatic transmission, and a combined fuel economy rating of 15 MPG. A larger 4.6-liter V8 variant with 292 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, and comparable fuel economy is also available. Both come with standard rear-wheel drive, but a 4x4 drivetrain is available with both engine options.
2007 models look and feel a little more modern than previous versions. Ford boosted towing and hauling capability, added a few extra safety features, and made the ride more comfortable than the previous generation. By today’s standards, the Explorer-Trac looks and feels dated, but it is a great, cheap truck to consider if you need to seamlessly blend work and family. 130,000 to 180,000-mile examples are common in the $7,000 to $10,000 price range.
Browse 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac listings here.
8. 2007-2008 Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra flies under the full-size truck radar nearly as much as the Toyota Tacoma stands out amongst midsize pickup trucks. The Tundra comes in nearly as many configurations and with as many engine options as the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado, but it lacks the tradition and cult following of the two American heavyweights.
In order to get four-wheel drive, you will have to choose either the 276-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 or the 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine. The former comes with a five-speed automatic transmission while the latter comes with a six-speed automatic. The best fuel economy that either can muster is 18 MPG on the highway.
Long bed and short bed options are available with regular, extended, and crew cab configurations. Over 10,000 pounds of towing capacity with well over 7,000 pounds of payload have F-150 and Silverado competitors squarely in check. 2007 and 2008 Tundras with between 200,000 and 250,000 miles fit the $10,000 bill and are great alternatives to more popular full-size competitors.
Browse 2007-2008 Toyota Tundra listings here.
9. 2009-2010 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline stands out among midsize trucks by offering a unibody design (most trucks are body-on-frame), only 5,000 pounds of maximum towing capability, a 1,550-pound maximum payload capacity, a 5-foot bed, and a standard AWD drivetrain masquerading as a conventional 4WD system.
For 2009 and 2010 models, a 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission come standard across the board. Among other midsize trucks, that is acceptable power, but less acceptable is its underwhelming fuel economy rating of 17 combined MPG. Though not incredibly appealing for traditional truck buyers, the news gets better for those who are not.
Because the Ridgeline is unibody -- like most crossovers these days -- if offers much more interior space and comfort than anything else on the market. Spacious interior seating for the midsize truck segment, great safety ratings, and the most comfortable ride of nearly every other pickup are among the highlights.
There is less off-roading potential with its AWD system and relatively low ground clearance, but the VTM-4 system does offer the possibility to “lock” the rear wheels and get out of particularly slippery situations.
Most good $10,000 Ridgeline examples will have around 200,000 miles on the odometer, though some do have a few thousand less.
Browse 2009-2010 Honda Ridgeline listings here.
10. 2009-2010 GMC Canyon
2009-2010 GMC Canyon models make great used 4x4 pickups because of their small size, unique engines, relatively handsome styling, and affordability. A standard four-cylinder engine pumps out 185 horsepower, an optional five-cylinder engine makes 242 horsepower, and the top-tier V8 makes 300 horsepower.
Each engine is initially paired with rear-wheel drive by default, but four-wheel drive can be added to any Canyon. A five-speed manual transmission is mated to the four-cylinder while the five and eight-cylinder Canyons come with a four-speed automatic. A two-speed transfer case and an optional locking rear differential are nice touches, but no Canyon is built to handle the off-road trails like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road or Nissan Frontier Pro-4X.
The Canyon can be configured with a regular cab, an extended cab, or a crew cab and offers relatively comfortable seating in each layout. Unfortunately, low safety scores have followed the Canyon, towing capacity only reaches a maximum of 6,000 pounds, and fuel economy is only average in its segment relative to the engine of your choosing.
Fortunately, the most basic Canyon models can have as few as 100,000 miles. More commonly, better-equipped models will have upwards of 150,000 miles on the clock.
Browse 2009-2010 GMC Canyon listings here.
11. 2008 Dodge RAM 1500
2008 was a significant year for the iconic Dodge RAM since it was the last model year that Dodge was affixed to the RAM nameplate. 2009 marked the first year of RAM as a separate brand from Dodge. The 2009 RAM 1500 also benefitted from a complete redesign, essentially launching a whole new truck from that point.
You can benefit from buying a 2008 model because you can get a large full-size pickup truck for a less than full-size price. Take your pick from a 4.7-liter V8 or a 5.7-liter V8. The smaller V8 comes with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic while the larger V8 is offered exclusively with a five-speed automatic. A 3.7-liter V6 stands in as the base RAM 1500 powerplant, but four-wheel drive is only available with one of the two V8s.
A 6.3-foot bed or an 8-foot bed is offered, depending on the cab configuration and trim level. A regular, extended, and crew cab are offered, as with the RAM’s competitors, but the RAM’s mega cab has extended rear passenger doors and is offered with best-in-class rear seat space. Payload and towing capacity fall behind competitors, but luxury levels soar higher than competitors on top-tier trims the RAM 1500 has to offer.
Low-end models can easily be found with 130,000 to 150,000 miles. Well-equipped examples will have closer to 250,000 miles on the clock. Most decent models will have between 150,000 and 180,000 miles.
Browse 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 listings here.
12. 2009-2010 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Colorado is a near clone of the GMC Canyon. The GMC Canyon has the benefit of being slightly more upscale than the Colorado, but the Colorado wins the availability and affordability war between the two. 100,000-mile examples are not out of the question, and models with between 130,000 and 170,000 are quite common for under $10,000.
The same 185-horsepower four-cylinder, 242-horsepower five-cylinder, and 300-horsepower eight-cylinder engines on the Canyon are also present in the Colorado. Four-wheel drive is available with each of its three available engines. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the base four-cylinder engine but the others receive a relatively smooth four-speed automatic.
Regular, extended, and crew cab options are available, but do not expect loads of space or a posh interior regardless of your configuration or trim level of choice. As with the Canyon, the Colorado presents a good used truck option for today's buyers who need an affordable work truck, but there are better midsize pickup truck options on the market at our price point.
Browse 2009-2010 Chevrolet Colorado listings here.
13. 2010 Nissan Titan
If you like the midsize Frontier but need something bigger, the full-size Nissan Titan may be your answer. Unlike many of the other pickup trucks on this list, the 2010 Titan is only available with one engine, a 5.6-liter V8. It makes 317 horsepower and pairs with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Despite its simple powertrain and relatively low horsepower rating compared to its competitors, the Titan returns abysmal fuel economy numbers. At its worst, it returns 14 combined MPG. Its sub-10,000-pound towing capacity makes it fall behind the best in its class, but the absence of a regular two or three-seat cab configuration ensures that at least four passengers can be transported in relative comfort.
In its crew cab configuration, its roomy interior is one of the most spacious in the class. Safety is also one of its strong points with standard ABS, stability control, and side curtain airbags. If you go with the added benefits of the Pro-4X trim, you could do a little off-roading after you get done with work at the construction site.
It is certainly a good full-size truck to consider on a budget as Titans within the 150,000 to 180,000-mile range are frequently spotted on the market.
Browse 2010 Nissan Titan listings here.
14. 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
2006 marked the last year of the first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche. It shares its underpinnings with the popular Suburban, but it eliminates the rear part of the roof, exposing a 5.25-foot bed. It is good for a relatively low payload of just over 1,300 pounds, but its towing capacity is slightly more impressive: 7,900 pounds when properly equipped.
Unlike many other entries on our list, the 2006 4x4 Avalanche is only available in two versions. The most common has a 295-horsepower V8 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. A heavy-duty 2500 version is available with a huge 8.1-liter V8, capable of hauling up to 12,000 pounds. That is impressive, but 8.1-liter models are nigh impossible to find because of their relative rarity and higher price demands.
Despite its limited capability as both a true pickup truck and a true SUV, the Avalanche has seen some success. We pick the 2006 model for the one to get. They are available at or below our $10,000 price point with around 150,000 miles. 2007 models were redesigned, but even though they have better features and can be equally as affordable, 2006 models do not have quite as many overall issues and have some added character that its blander successor lacks.
Browse 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche listings here.
15. 2008-2011 Dodge Dakota
Many remember the Dodge Dakota as a smaller Dodge RAM 1500 that looked and felt like a pickup truck. Near the end of its production life after the 2011 model year, it had become the ugly duckling of midsize pickup trucks. The Dakota is not a bad pickup truck, it just became a little stale. Today, you can easily get one with between 120,000 and 180,000 miles at a great price.
For starters, its roomy interior is accommodating, even for larger passengers. It is a comfortable truck to transport people as well as tow trailers. Its towing capacity tops out at a class-leading 7,050 pounds with slightly more in later years of production. An extended cab with a 6.5-foot bed or a crew cab with four doors and a 5.3-foot bed are both on the table.
A 210-horsepower V6 engine or a 302-horsepower V8 engine is available through the 2008-2011 model years, both of which can be mated to the available 4WD drivetrain. A manual transmission is available on V6 models in 2008 if you want to go that route. Despite its drawbacks, it continues to fulfill its role as a usable pickup truck quite well.
