Get the most bang for your buck with this selection of the best value trucks.
Are you feeling the pinch of soaring prices and stubborn interest rates in the truck market? You're not alone. According to Cars.com, the average price paid for a new truck in the US in 2023 was over $60,000, marking a 6% surge from the previous year. There’s little relief on the used market either, with average prices hovering around $43,000.
So, why such steep price tags? Well, besides the rugged cachet they bring to the driveway, trucks simply offer more versatility, easily transitioning from the jobsite to the campground and then back home to the family garage. They haul and tow, handle surprisingly well for their size, and achieve ever-improving fuel economy ratings.
Despite these undeniable benefits though, not all pickups provide the same bang for your buck and sifting through the sea of options to find models that offer real, enduring value can be a chore.
That's where we come in.
By evaluating performance, reliability, features, maintenance expectations, and resale value, we've curated a list of the best trucks for the money in 2024.
Ford Maverick
With its stylish unibody platform, hybrid engine option, and competitive starting price, the Ford Maverick offers an attractive solution for shoppers longing for the good old days of convenient smaller haulers that won’t clog up the family garage or drain the monthly gas budget.
This is an honest-to-goodness compact truck—not just a small SUV with a truck bed.
In its standard form, the Maverick offers a peppy 250-hp turbo four and front-wheel drive, but Ford provides shoppers with plenty of upgrade options, including all-wheel drive, a very fuel-efficient hybrid engine, 4k towing package, fun Tremor off-road trim, and plenty of other creature comforts (though, those can add up quickly). Another check in the plus column goes to the truck’s bed, which is a respectable 4.5 feet and features an accessory-friendly construction designed to enhance utility.
Final Thoughts: In a market dominated by behemoths, the Ford Maverick’s compact size and value-oriented approach make it a standout choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Toyota Tacoma
Requiring little to no introduction, the Toyota Tacoma has all but dominated the mid-size truck segment since its debut in 1995. It’s rugged and reliable, with well-rounded capability and exceptional styling—along with a resale value so high that it almost defies logic. This is a solid workhorse, no matter what job it’s performing, and consistently one of the best trucks for the money.
For 2024, the beloved “Taco” receives some fine-tuned improvements for its new generation, including a vastly improved interior and new optional coil-spring suspension. Despite upgraded and more powerful powertrains joining the lineup (including a spirited hybrid), max towing capacity is down 300 pounds from 2023.
We don’t expect that to have much impact on the Tacoma’s juggernaut status and almost cult-like fan following, especially when the model brings such notable power-of-choice to the mid-size market. While other automakers limit their smaller models to a single configuration, Toyota continues to offer shoppers a long list of trims and body styles, ensuring everyone can find a Tacoma to suit their unique lifestyle.
Final Thoughts: While prices can climb quickly at the dealership – especially for the desirable off-road trims – the Tacoma remains one of the most capable and lowest-maintenance pickup trucks on the market, making it a worthy investment.
Chevy Colorado
Completely redesigned for 2023, the Chevy Colorado stands out with its superior driving dynamics, impeccable exterior styling, and starting price that won’t nauseate. If you prioritize mid-size towing power, the model’s class-leading 7,700-lb max capacity will surely catch your eye.
While only available as a four-door cab with a single bed length, the Colorado does come in five distinct trims—including the rugged Trail Boss and its extreme counterpart, the ZR2. Throw a Bison package on the latter (new for 2024) and you’ve got yourself a phenomenal high-flying truck outfitted for the most rugged off-grid adventures.
Although Chevy bid farewell to the V-6 and Duramax diesel powertrains in 2023, it compensated by enhancing standard equipment. Now, every Colorado boasts a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine, available in three states of tune determined by trim level. We recommend the middle option found on Z71 and Trail Boss models, a 310-hp version that outpowers the Tacoma’s V-6 and unlocks those impressive max towing numbers mentioned earlier.
Final Thoughts: Strong, capable, handsome and reliable, the Chevy Colorado reads like a classic hero worthy of the starring role.
Chevy Silverado
Taking home Consumer Reports’ top honors as one of the lowest-maintenance pickup trucks money can buy, the Chevy Silverado is a testament to durability and dependability.
This is a truck’s truck, boasting exceptional handling, timeless styling, and a wide selection of powertrain options. Its impressive max towing capacity of 13,300 lbs. and max payload capacity of 2,300 lbs. make it a powerhouse for tackling demanding tasks and, like its little brother the Colorado, it exudes an aura of ruggedness and reliability.
While capability and functionality can come at the cost of comfort – especially where the interior is concerned and particularly on lower-trim models – the Silverado remains a perennial top contender in the list of best value trucks.
Final Thoughts: Even in its ritzier trims, the Chevy Silverado manages to ooze a blue-collar work ethic that feels distinctly American. Unafraid of manual labor, this truck is ready to roll up its sleeves and get the job done.
Ford F-150
As America's perennial best-seller, the Ford F-150 remains the gold standard for pickups. If the Silverado epitomizes a “truck's truck,” then the F-150 embodies “the people's truck,” boasting an extensive and democratic range of models, trims, and powertrains. Its broad appeal to an ever-widening audience makes it resemble more of a lifestyle accessory with each passing day.
For 2024, the F-150 sees a mid-cycle refresh introducing style enhancements such as updated exterior lighting, refined grille adjustments, and fresh wheel designs. The introduction of an innovative new tailgate system adds further functionality and convenience to this beloved truck, as does the automaker’s Blue Cruise hands-free driving feature—available as an option for the first time.
Renowned for its quintessential pickup truck experience, the F-150 impresses with eyebrow-raising towing and payload capacities of 13,500 lbs. and 2,455 lbs., respectively. Its strong resale value ensures long-term satisfaction for owners, but so-so fuel economy numbers and Ford’s well-publicized quality-control issues may give some buyers pause.
Final Thoughts: The Ford F-150 is an iconic American favorite, thanks to its unmatched capabilities, versatility, and dedication to innovation.
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