RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Breaking news-- trucks are expensive.
We've compiled 10 pickup trucks that
have performed well in our industry leading evaluations,
and they won't leave you destitute.
Each one has an MSRP of $60,000 or less.
These trucks are not ranked 1 through 10.
Instead, we're bringing you 10 trucks
from across the spectrum that we think
are the right combination of capability and affordability.
Don't forget to hit subscribe and click that like button.
You can learn more about each truck
on this list and every other car you
can think of at edmunds.com.
Also, check out edmunds.com/sellmycar to get
an offer on your used car today--
like, right now.
Let's start small with the Maverick-- no,
not that Maverick.
If you're looking to stay way under $60,000,
the Ford Maverick is a great choice.
First of all, this thing hauls asphalt, concrete, lumber,
and really anything else you need, up to 1,500 pounds of it.
And it can tow a max capacity of 4,000 pounds
in some configurations.
Now, that is seriously impressive for something
that looks like an F-150 had a baby
with a bunch of micro machines.
Sorry for that visual.
Plus, it starts around $22,000 with destination.
Standard on every trim is a gasoline-electric hybrid
powertrain with an estimated 37 MPG combined-- holy schnikes.
And even the optional 2 liter turbo
has strong fuel economy numbers that we've
backed up on our test route.
So the Maverick has pretty flashy numbers,
but it's also sparse inside.
Check out the mid-level XLT trim for helpful extra features
that jazz up the cabin.
And its price still stays around the $25,000 mark.
But even at its best equipped, this is not a Hollywood truck.
It's a throwback to small pickups
that flex a lot of muscle at a low price.
And we are here for it.
OK, this one is the Hollywood truck.
The Santa Cruz is small, just like the Maverick,
and it comes with handy features-- and in-bed trunk
for starters, but it's pricier.
Starting around $25,000, the Santa Cruz
is a good deal more expensive than the Maverick.
Where it's definitely better is in its driving experience.
We're talking smooth as butter, with very responsive steering,
throttle, and braking as well.
That's a nice treat at this price.
Speaking of the price, we're fond of the SEL trim
at around $28,000.
There are two higher trims, but they're
hovering at 40k or more, and that kind of defeats
the purpose here.
To be fair, those trims come with a level of luxury
that the Maverick does not offer.
Now, let's cut to the chase.
Are you OK with the way it looks?
Are you sure?
I mean, I guess if you can stomach
the idea of driving a truck that looks
like it's smiling with a mouth full of nuts and bolts.
If so, you'll be getting a pickup
at the forefront of the mini truck reboot wave.
If you like the Santa Cruz and the Maverick
but want a teensy bit more space, try the Honda Ridgeline.
It's our top rated midsize truck, after all.
Now, there are a few things you need to know about it.
The second most important thing is
that it's unibody, with a frame like a car or a crossover.
It's not body on frame, like a Ford F-150
or other midsize trucks in its class.
But the first most important thing is it's great to drive.
That same unibody frame that makes the Ridgeline not a truck
to some people also makes it comfortable and agile
on the road.
Now, because it's not a traditional truck,
its towing capacity isn't great, but the payload rating
is actually pretty strong.
And it's got a nifty in-bed trunk too-- see,
lots of benefits to this guy.
Now, pricing is up there.
It starts around $40,000, and some models
are as much as 45,000.
But Honda made all wheel drive standard and the interior
is a great place to be for long road trips,
even when it's filled with passengers.
There is some debate as to whether the Honda Ridgeline is
a real truck, but you can't deny that it's simply a good pickup.
Let's shift to a classic.
The Tacoma is the crown jewel of Toyota's truck line,
and for good reason.
It's one tough mother--
SPEAKER: Ryan--
RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Sorry.
The Tacoma can handle a lot of hard work,
but it also isn't trying to do too much.
It doesn't draw a lot of attention
or come with a lot of fancy trick features.
There's just a great size and shape,
a couple of workhorse engines, and one heck of a 4
by 4 system that helps the Tacoma earn its Billy Goat
reputation once you venture off road.
Prices start around $28,000, and you're
getting a heck of a solid truck at the lower end of the range.
But models like the Limited or TRD Pro
are available over the 40k mark.
Our favorite is the TRD off road,
because it's got seriously rugged equipment
for about 36 grand.
Now, this ain't the most civilized truck in the world.
It has a tall point of entry and a lot of people
dislike the positioning of the front seats,
but that's balanced by a usable interior
and a composite protective bedliner that is standard.
It's got off road chops and genuine towing and hauling
toughness.
Look, this thing simply delivers at a fair price.
Maybe we should start calling it the Toyota Domino's--
maybe I'm just hungry.
Up next, if you want to bash through stuff
and never, ever, ever, ever, ever
feel the need to apologize for it,
the Jeep Gladiator is for you.
I mean, just look at it.
It's almost comical.
A, it looks like a tank.
B, the fact that they named it the Gladiator
sets a pretty clear tone.
This is not the choice for subtlety.
The Gladiator makes a big impression,
so it's a good thing that it backs it up.
We've never seen a mid-size truck
be able to do some of the things that the Gladiator can do,
and its Rubicon trim especially, with upgraded shocks, axles,
tires, and more, it's simply a beast.
This is the ultimate over landing rig.
Pricing starts around $38,000, and even the mighty Rubicon
is available safely under our 60k threshold.
There's a lot of space inside and payload figures are strong,
but it isn't perfect.
Driving feel and comfort are not strengths at all.
Sometimes, the steering wheel wanders
so much that it feels like it has a mind of its own.
But is that why you want a Gladiator?
Nah, son, you want to throw some 37's on that thing
and get as far off the grid as possible.
Take me with you.
Come on, you knew the F-150 would make an appearance.
The question is, which one do you get?
You could go with an XLT trim with a big engine, the Lariat
trim with a smaller engine, or some combination mixed
and matched with your favorite personal style.
Regardless, you get a solidly tough and modern full size
truck that is ubiquitous across the country.
Which do we recommend-- the aforementioned F-150 Lariat,
because it comes with a fantastic 12 inch
screen, powered by one of our favorite tech systems
in the biz.
Pricing starts pretty high, right around $50,000.
From there, you can add on all kinds
of options however you like to make it more comfortable, more
sporty, or more work focused.
Me personally, I would add the hybrid powertrain, which brings
added efficiency to the F-150.
And I've seen it absolutely dust a Raptor in a drag race.
At under $60,000, you're not going
to get the most comfortable or smooth version of the F-150,
and sometimes they can ride a little rough
compared to rivals.
But the tech is great, all the options are great,
and max payload capacity-- over 3,300 pounds--
is through the roof.
That's one of the reasons it was the Edmunds top rated
pickup truck for 2022.
Is the F-150 a predictable choice, sure,
but it's there for a reason.
What can be said about the RAM 1500 that
hasn't been said already?
Well, here's something.
The RAM's top trims typically get all the attention
and shine, but there's actually some great value
to be had under the 60k mark if you know where to find it.
Prices start right about $38,000,
and there are some great trims nestled around that 45
to 50k territory.
Of course, we're fans of the Longhorn trim,
and that's got parking sensors, a power tailgate, and 20 inch
wheels.
But our real recommendation is the value packed Laramie.
You get heated and cooled front seats, dual zone climate
control, and a whole lot more.
This is the full size truck that makes a big statement--
big style, big engines, big ol' RAM on the front
of the big grille.
OK, we get it, right-- wrong, not until you've driven it.
Our editors love driving the RAM 1500 at any price.
The ride is oh so smooth, thanks to a rear coil suspension
that comes standard on every trim.
There's also an available mild hybrid system
that can save fuel.
Don't worry, I'm not going to tell
anyone you're driving a hybrid.
Just point to that big ol' RAM on the front and no one's
going to ask you any questions anyway.
No one made a bigger turnaround in 2022 than the Toyota Tundra.
This full size truck went from massive, lumbering, V8 powered
brick to massive, lumbering, V6 powered
brick with an underbite.
Toyota must have seen a picture of Ron Perlman
and said yes, we want it to look like that.
But the Tundra backs it up with muscle.
Pricing starts pretty high, right around $38,000.
We recommend the Limited trim with the standard twin turbo
V6 and a 14 inch touch screen, plus heated and ventilated
front seats and a whole lot more.
Now you can option the Limited up to the i4's max hybrid
engine if you want.
And if that's too close to our 60k threshold for you,
the SR5 model is slightly better than the base.
And for 45,000, it's a solid truck.
You might need those savings anyway,
because the Tundra is thirsty, even in its hybrid form.
But the bottom line is that this truck can tow and haul
nearly as much as the American brands,
with a dent resistant composite bed
and rear coil springs for a smooth ride standard
on every model.
There's a lot to like here, which
is what elevates the Tundra from brick to boss.
Where to begin with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
This truck has had an interesting arc
in only a few short years.
Since debuting in 2019, it was clear the Silverado could
tow and haul, but its interior was--
Chevy has been making trucks for 100 years,
but sometimes it feels like they're making trucks
for people 100 years ago.
Anyway, they flipped that in 2022
with a redesigned interior, which is miles
better than before, bravo--
dare I even say handsome.
I mean, maybe.
Pricing starts off around $36,000 for the work trucks,
but we gravitate towards the Silverado LT.
You could even get an LTZ, with a long list of extra features,
for about 56,000, but that's pushing our limit pretty close.
And anyway, the Silverado's strength
is not in its comfort, luxury, and tech features.
It's inherently a workhorse, with an extra wide bed
and a max towing capacity over 13,000 pounds.
For truck people expecting their pickup to do a lot of work,
this thing makes so much sense.
Chevy knows trucks, it's just sometimes
they have to be dragged into this century.
Guys, guys, guys, guess what?
There's a fully electric truck on the list.
It's the Ford F-150 Lightning, essentially,
an F-150 that's been redesigned and converted
to house a battery pack and run on sweet, sweet sun juice.
Of course, there is also the Rivian R1T.
We own one as part of our long term test program,
but it starts way above 60k, ditto for the GMC Hummer
and other truck EVs that are still about a year away
or possibly more.
So the Lightning being on this list and available to buy now
is a big, big deal.
Here's what's important.
Like a traditional full sized truck,
the Lightning is still body on frame.
That's the key ingredient in tough trucks,
and it's a signal to us that the Lightning
is ready for legit work.
There are two trim levels available under 60k, the Pro,
starting at 42,000, and the XLT, starting at 55,000.
Neither of these are luxurious, but the Pro is pretty dang
well equipped, and the XLT adds helpful cameras and safety
sensors.
Do we have questions-- yes, especially
regarding electric range while you're towing.
But our first drive impressions are pretty strong.
We're looking forward to conducting
a full instrumented test very soon.
And hey, maybe the EV truck revolution
will work out, OK, right--
Dylan went electric, and that worked out pretty well.
Well, did you see that last one coming?
Even though trucks are getting pretty pricey these days,
at least you have all these options.
There's full size, midsize, compact, electric, plus there
are more standard features on new pickups,
so even base models are serving up great tech and comfort.
Head over to edmunds.com to search
through our full rankings, and let us know in the comments
below which pickup you would buy for $60,000 or less.
In the meantime, I'm taking one of these trucks to the lake
this weekend.
Who's coming?
I got room for two--
OK, you and you.
All right, thanks for watching.