Pickup trucks have been growing more popular in recent years. This is thanks to the power they pack under the hood and the convenience they offer if you ever need to haul bulky cargo. However, these trucks can be on the pricier side. If you’re wondering if there are any good deals among the modern models, you’ve come to the right place.
Affordable Pickup Trucks of 2025
Here are some of the most affordable and reliable pickup trucks released this year:
2025 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier enters the ring with a fantastic price tag, but it sacrifices a lot in terms of less advanced technology and fewer standard active safety features. That being said, it can still tow well with a maximum towing capacity of 7,150 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,620 pounds. Its iconic look will also turn people’s heads.
The standard 2025 Nissan Frontier has a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that can output 310 horsepower.
Starting price: $33,560
AWD starting price: $35,112
2025 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a staple of the midsize pickup car market. The 2025 Tacoma in particular is looking much better than in previous years after its long-overdue makeover. It’s also better off-road than its predecessors. The base 2025 Tacoma comes with a 2.4-liter inline-4 turbo engine that outputs a maximum 228 horsepower at 6,000 RPM.
Both rear- and four-wheel drive are available, and if you want to save on gas, Toyota also offers a hybrid Tacoma model that can tow up to 6,000 pounds and carry a payload of 1,709 pounds. The base Tacoma’s towing capacity is 6,500 pounds, and it can also haul 1,705 pounds of payload.
Starting price: $33,085
AWD starting price: $36,285
2025 Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick is the most affordable of Ford’s pickups. It has a refreshed look and lots of new tech features. The 2025 Maverick also has an available hybrid powertrain for those looking to lower their vehicle’s daily fuel consumption. It also has a standard 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. The engine pairs well with the vehicle’s continuously variable automatic transmission.
This pickup comes with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Maverick shows excellent fuel economy with its EPA rating of 38 mpg for the FWD model and 37 for the AWD one.
Starting price: $28,590
AWD starting price: $37,130
2025 Ford Ranger XL
The Ford Ranger XL returns in 2025 with a fresh new look, improved and rebuilt to be one of the most factory-customizable pickups on the market. The powerful base 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine outputs 310 horsepower and can tow up to 7,500 pounds. The Ranger XL also has a maximum payload of 1,805 pounds.
Starting price: $34,675
AWD starting price: $38,320
2025 GMC Canyon
The 2025 GMC Canyon hasn’t had any major updates or upgrades since the 2023 model. But this just means there’s nothing major that needs to be fixed. GMC has created a fantastic competitor in the pickup truck market that continues to prove itself year after year.
Every Canyon comes with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s able to easily output 320 hp. Rear-wheel drive’s standard, but if you want the true 4×4 pickup experience, the Canyon’s also got that available.
Starting price: $38,400
AWD starting price: $41,700
2025 Ford F-150 XL
The 2025 Ford F-150 has long been a favorite in the pickup truck market. This highly adaptable vehicle is excellent in any environment, whether for towing or for off-roading. That said, you’ll need to upgrade to the 4×4 version if you want to go far off the beaten trail. The base XL trim makes the Ford F-150 one of the most affordable rigs on the market.
The standard 2025 Ford F-150 comes with a 325-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine capable of towing up to 8,400 pounds.
Starting price: $40,805
AWD starting price: $45,820
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was the second most popular vehicle in 2023 for a reason. This full-sized pickup truck is great for towing and carrying heavy loads in construction sites, ranches, and warehouses. The 2025 Silverado 1500 serves this purpose just as well as its predecessor.
The 2025 Silverado 1500 can tow up to 13,400 pounds depending on its trim. The base model, which packs a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, can handle up to 9,500 pounds alone. The truck is surprisingly agile, and comes with a four-wheel drive option if you want to take it off the beaten trail. The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is also the cheapest full-size pickup truck in 2025.
Starting price: $37,845
AWD starting price: $46,000
2025 Chevrolet Colorado WT
The Chevrolet Colorado WT is a conventional pickup with a great starting price. This midsize pickup has a short cargo box with a four-door cabin. All Colorado WTs come with an 11.3-inch touch screen and an 11-inch digital instrument panel. They also have other modern features like collision detection, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado WT has a standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that can tow 7,700 pounds.
Starting price: $33,495
AWD starting price: $46,433
Small and Midsize Pickup Trucks vs. Full-Size Pickup Trucks
Naturally, most cheap pickup trucks are small and midsize. Small trucks have minimal to modest towing and hauling capacities and they can be a little cramped. Midsize trucks have more towing and carrying capacity, which makes them a good middle ground if you want to haul more cargo but don’t have the budget for a full-size pickup.
Full-sized trucks are more expensive, and they come in light-duty and heavy-duty variations. Light-duty full-size pickups are more common and are some of the top-selling vehicles in America. Heavy-duty models are more specialized and can carry much heavier loads. But both can typically outperform a small or midsize pickup though.
Ultimately, the best pickup for you will be one that suits your needs. If you’re more after the aesthetic, go for a small pickup. If you need more carrying capacity or space, buy a full-sized pickup. For a good balance, try a midsized truck.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
