Trucks are everywhere right now, with more options than ever. However, the trucks on Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy Awards list only come from two makes: Ford and Toyota. With everything from the compact Ford Maverick to the all-electric F-150 Lightning, the best of the best is here.
The Ford Maverick is the best compact truck on the list of Best Buy awards
Kelley’s Blue Book is back again with the 2023 Best Buy award list, and the 2023 Ford Maverick took the top spot in compact trucks. A versatile truck that can do it all. 500 miles of range, a payload rating of 1,500 pounds, and a maximum towing rating of 4,000 pounds make up this compact Ford pickup that has won the hearts of buyers (and experts).
The Ford Maverick starts at $22,195 (plus $1,495 destination), which leaves plenty of room in the budget for customization. On top of that, the Tremor and FX4 packages make the Maverick off-road ready. Finally, the hybrid Maverick gets 42 mpg city.
A versatile option for buyers who want a compact truck that isn’t constrained by size, the Ford Maverick does it all.
Toyota’s Tacoma Pickup Made 2023 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards List
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy for the Midsize Pickup category. While reliability and trucks don’t usually go hand in hand, the Tacoma has changed all that. Buyers can choose from various engines, versions, and other customizations. Toyota also includes many advanced safety features to keep everyone safe.
Priced at $27,250 plus a destination fee of $1,335, buyers who want more off-road capability can simply add it. Kelley Blue Book says the Tacoma has 34 model configurations to meet the needs of most buyers.
From a basic rear-wheel drive work truck to a four-wheel drive option with a powerful V6, Toyota has you covered with the Tacoma.
Both the Ford F-150 and the Lightning made the list
More Ford trucks on Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy Awards list include the traditional gas-powered 2023 Ford F-150 and the all-electric 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning. For the gas version, the F-150 is one of the best full-size pickup trucks of the year. Unsurprisingly, the truck has the best payload and tow number in its class. Equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, the F-150 can tow 14,000 pounds. This truck starts at $33,695 plus destination fee of $1,795.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning might share the F-150’s nameplate, but it’s making a name for itself. Ford equipped the Lightning with 320 miles of range and the ability to tow 10,000 pounds. Buyers can opt for the standard range battery or the extended range version; both go from zero to 60 mph in less than four seconds.
The trucks on Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy list are a great place to start, but feel free to customize as needed. You can make the perfect truck these days straight from the factory. From paint colors to off-road accessories and everything in between, Ford and Toyota have you covered.