For now, the best value in trucks seems to be the small and midsize trucks that get the job done, but don’t break the bank. While full-size truck prices are skyrocketing, today’s midsize trucks show you can still buy a lot of capacity and not break the bank. That’s why all the trucks on this new list are midsize or small trucks. What are the five trucks that offer the most for the money?
The Ford Maverick tops this list of the best trucks for the money
It’s probably not a big surprise that the Ford Maverick is first on the list of TrueCar. Although its 2023 base price is slightly higher than what 2022 owners paid, it’s still the least expensive truck you can buy in America. But it comes well-equipped, especially in the higher-trim Lariat versions. This truck gets incredible gas mileage, thanks to its base hybrid engine.
For 2022, the Ford Maverick won MotorBiscuit’s Truck of the Year award for many of the same reasons. New for 2023, you can order it in an off-road Tremor package that adds an all-wheel drive system and a suspension lift.
The Santa Cruz may not look like a truck, but it does truck things
Truecar says the 2023 Santa Cruz is the #2 truck for the money, and for many of the same reasons the Maverick came in first. The Santa Cruz doesn’t offer a hybrid version, but it does have a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder and all-wheel drive. Like the Maverick, it’s built on a one-piece chassis, which means that while it may drive more like a car, it can’t tow or haul as much as a full-size truck. But, for the truck stuff most of us do, it’s fine.
The Santa Cruz starts at $24,450. If you go for the Night trim, for $35,810, you can get a 281-horsepower turbocharged engine. But every Santa Cruz comes with niceties like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Nissan Frontier includes a powerful V6
The Nissan Frontier was brand new a couple of years ago, and Nissan finally made a midsize truck that can compete with the Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and others. Nissan’s big plus is its V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower and allows this little truck to perform like the bigger trucks. It has a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds.
The Frontier starts at $29,190, but the trim most people want is the S trim for $34,875. Cleverly, the Nissan can still be ordered with a long bed in a 2.5-door version. Off-road fans will appreciate the Pro-X two-wheel drive and Pro-4X four-wheel drive versions that give this truck ibex abilities in the wild.
The current Ford Ranger is out
Like the Nissan, the Ford Ranger is a bit smaller than the full-size trucks favored by most contractors, but it can get the job done. That does not mean that it has little capacity. Instead, it can tow up to 7,500 pounds, which puts it close to full-size rig territory, but in an easier-to-park package. Its five-seat cabin isn’t the biggest in the business, and most will tell you it only seats four in the rear. But for what most of us need, the Ranger is more than enough truck. It comes with Ford’s 270-horsepower, 2.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine.
It comes in several trim levels, starting with the base work truck at around $27,000. The XLT adds most of the accessories and options you want, for $31,460, and a true four-wheel-drive package is optional. If you’re really looking to dive into the off-road world, look up the new Ranger Raptor which has too many off-road upgrades to list. Although the Ranger may be a good deal now, it’s getting a full update by 2024.
The Chevy Colorado is the new kid on the block
For the 2023 model year, the Chevrolet Colorado received a complete update. Unfortunately, these all-new trucks have yet to start showing up at local dealerships. The new truck basically throws away everything the old truck has. Chevy started with a new, longer frame that’s designed for more towing and hauling, as well as handling off-road tasks. For the new 2023 Colorado Chevy, an interesting engine choice was made: the diesel and larger V6 are gone. Instead, you can only order it with GM’s new turbo four-cylinder engines that make anywhere from 237 horsepower to 310 horsepower.
The midsize truck wars are heating up, and the best values are these small and midsize trucks. While full-size trucks are great, they can actually do just about anything you could possibly need.