Right now, the used car market is seeing a lot of movement with pickup trucks. And it’s not surprising. Pickup trucks aren’t the same gas-guzzling, bare minimum-offering, not-so-family-friendly rides they once were. We’ve comprised a list of the best used trucks in 2023.
While pickup trucks are still built for practical use — as in, work-related use and towing — they’re much more versatile in style and features. Now, you can find new and used pickup trucks that can fit into the lifestyle and needs of virtually every car buyer out there..
What to Consider
While not every used pickup truck on our list will fall within your budget, these are the universal five best used trucks in 2023 to buy right now:
1. The F-150
The Ford F-150 has been the king of pickup trucks for 43 years. Ford has sold more of its F-150s than any other car manufacturer has on any model, ever. This fun fact is also why it’s so easy to find used F-150s for sale on the used car market.
F-150 Specs & Features
- Variety of cab and bed configurations
- Tow rating of up to 11,300 pounds
- When not engaged in four-wheel-drive (4WD), the pickup truck automatically operates in rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
- The engine options range from a 3.7-liter V-6, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and a few different V8s. They also offer an electric motor with a combined 430 horsepower (hp) and 570 lb-ft of torque in some new models
- They’re designed to drive up to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance (although 150,000-200,000 miles is more realistic for the average driver for all trucks)
- Due to the truck’s popularity, spare and replacement parts are easy to find
Some of the most popular years for the Ford F-150 are 1993, 2009, and 2021. However, innovation can be found in every year. That’s why you can expect to pay anywhere between $22,000 to upwards of $55,000 for most used F-150s from 2009 and up.
2. The Ram 1500
The Dodge Ram 1500 has become Chrysler’s luxury truck. It offers a smooth ride and high-quality cabin materials with roomy and comfortable seats as well as a great infotainment system. All the while, the Ram 1500 maintains a rugged and sporty appearance, which is why the 2023 model scored the highest in J.D. Power’s quality and reliability rating for full-size pickup trucks.
Depending on the year and features, you’re looking at purchasing one of the most reliable pickup trucks in America for anywhere between $11,000 and $24,000. Of course, you can find older models for less, but they’re most likely going to have some very high mileage. Some of the best rated years for the RAM are 1994, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Below are the specs and features the Ram 1500 has to offer:
- Comes with a tow rating of up to 12,750 pounds
- Comes with the options of RWD and 4WD drivetrains that can be paired with a V6 or V8-powered engine
- Comes with several different trim packages, including the TRX, which is the manufacturer’s extreme off-road trim level
3. The Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a fan favorite among pickup enthusiasts. The Tacoma falls into the compact truck category as it’s incredibly versatile, economical, safe, purposeful, and offers a very comfortable ride inside and out.
The Toyota Tacoma offers:
- A 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine and multiple six cylinders
- A tow rating of up to 6,800 pounds
- Multiple cab configurations
- Six trim levels most years: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited
The Tacoma retains its value remarkably well and lasts just as long as you would expect a Toyota to last — seemingly forever (300,000 to 400,000 miles when maintained properly). You can find a used Tacoma with well over 100,000 miles selling for only a few grand under the initial sticker price. This is especially true for the recent models.
Generally speaking, newer Tacomas range from $29,499 to $45,000 depending on the mileage and trim level, which means you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding something practically new in your price range.
4. The Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is another half-ton fan favorite that comes in all the configurations one could imagine. It’s also popularly used as a fleet vehicle, which means there won’t be a shortage of replacement parts any time soon.
These are the specs and features:
- It’s engine offerings include the 285-hp V6, 310-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder, 355-hp V8, 420-hp V8, 277-hp turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel for most model years
- It has a towing capacity of up to 13,300 pounds and a hauling capability of up to 22,280 pounds
- It comes with a 2WD on a standard 4WD drivetrain system
Used Chevy Silverados also range from $28,000 to upwards of $50,000 in price depending on the mileage, year, and trim level.
5. The Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is on the small end for being a full-size truck, but it still comes with virtually all cab and bed configurations you could want. Of course, its interior is where it stands to gain extra points as it offers a more spacious cabin and more high-quality materials compared to some of the other full-size competitors.
The specs and features of the Tundra include:
- An available 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed (automatic) transmission
- A towing capacity of up to 10,200 pounds
- A standard 2WD drivetrain with the option of a 4WD
- Six different trim levels
Depending on the trim level and mileage you’re looking at a $18,000 to $40,000 price range for a used Toyota Tundra in the 2012-2018 year range.
Ready to Pick Your Next Pick-Up?
We make the used truck buying process straightforward by providing drivers like you with access to all the products and solutions that are usually only available at dealerships. When you shop with Motobyo, you’ll get top-tier auto industry expertise and peace of mind without the dealership run around and mark-ups!
