2023 turned things around for the auto industry, with inventories increasing and supply chains improving. Instead of massive dealer up-charges, people are once again able to secure good deals on new trucks and SUVs. Recent years have seen an explosion of truck model choices, including new compact trucks like the Maverick, mid-size choices like the Frontier, Tacoma, and Colorado/Canyon, and more traditional full-size trucks like the Silverado, Ram, and F-Series. Here’s a look at some of Autosplainer’s top truck picks to check out this year.
Chevy Colorado: $31,900 msrp
The modern-day Chevrolet Colorado and its platform-mate the GMC Canyon have come a long way from their “compact” roots as the Chevy S-10 and the GMC Sonoma. Now marketed as mid-size trucks, today’s Colorado and Canyon rival the “full size” trucks of yore in terms of dimensions, and are both brand-new for model year 2023 in their third generation. The Colorado is the cheaper of the twins, starting at $29,800 msrp for 2024 and $31,900 msrp for 2025 thanks to inflation. The new Colorado features the “TurboMax” blown-4, which optionally comes with 310 horsepower and an eight speed automatic; entry-level Colorado trims get 237 hp. The GMC Canyon retails at $36,300 msrp for 2024 and $38,400 msrp for 2025; the decidedly more GMC experience and standard 310-hp motor commands the price premium.
Jeep Gladiator: $38,695 msrp
The Jeep Gladiator Sport 4×4 starts at $37,895 msrp for the 2024 model year, up to $38,695 msrp for 2025. Derived from a four-door Wrangler, 7700 pound towing capacity is standard, as are trail rated tires, Dana 44 axles, a three position tailgate, a bed made of durable steel, removable doors, premium soft top, and a rear view camera. A 3.6 liter V6 is now the only engine, putting out 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque through a six speed manual or an eight speed auto.
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra: $37,000 msrp
No longer hailed as Like A Rock, the Heartbeat of America carries on the Chevy full size truck tradition. The entry-level Silverado WT starts at $37,000 msrp, up from $36,800 msrp for the 2024 model year. Sierra starts a bit higher at $38,300 msrp for the Pro trim. The popular Silverado Custom, which you’re sure to have seen around town, starts at $43,600 msrp and includes a TurboMax 310 horsepower / 430 lb-ft of torque engine, 10-way power driver seat, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. Custom Trail Boss with Z71 Off-Road package starts at $51,800; the less racy LT-trim starts at $48,000 msrp. Four engine choices include the aforementioned 2.7L TurboMax, a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel inline 6 engine with 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. Heavy Duty Silverados are available with a 6.6L turbodiesel V8 that has 470 hp and a gut wrenching 975 lb-ft of torque! Sierra HD starts at $46,300 msrp, while Silverado HD starts at $44,400 msrp. Denali starts at $69,900 msrp.
Hyundai Santa Cruz: $28,750 msrp
The new Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pickup crossover; many small truck buyers may want to consider it. For folks looking to get around as cheaply as they can, the entry-level SE starts at just $28,750 msrp, with all wheel drive for $1,500 more. All Santa Cruz models come standard with at least an 8-inch color touchscreen display for radio, and have integrated Bluetooth connectivity for both Android and iPhones. Other standard features include 18 inch wheels, an 8 speed auto, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, and LED headlights/taillights.
Ford Maverick: $23,920 msrp
One of the most interesting new models to hit America in the past few years has been the Maverick. The Maverick debuted for the 2021 model year at the coveted $19,995 price point, but inflation made short work of that. Now up to $23,920 msrp for the 2024 model year, the compact Maverick truck is still a tremendous value. A 250 hp 2.0L turbo four cylinder engine with front wheel drive is now standard, and all wheel drive is optional, with which the Maverick can pull up to 4,000 pounds. Alternatively, an available front wheel drive 191 hp 2.5L hybrid powertrain layout gets better gas mileage (42mpg highway vs. 30 mpg highway for the turbo) for the eco- and cost-conscious consumer. The revised 2025 Maverick was just released, and starts at $26,995 msrp.
Ram 1500: $40,275 msrp
The fifth generation Ram 1500 starts at $40,275 for the Big Horn Quad Cab 4×2 model, which includes four real doors and the 305 hp Pentastar V6. The optional 5.7L V8 Hemi runs $2,995, and 4×4 steps up starting prices to $47,170. Big Horn offers an LED trailer hitch light, leather wrapped steering wheel, chrome grille and bumpers, navigation screen, and 18 inch aluminum wheels. If you want to save a bit of money, Stellantis still has brand-spanking-new fourth generation Rams, the “Ram Classic,” although it is discontinued for 2025.
Ford F-Series: $38,810 msrp
The Ford-F-Series encompasses a lot of different bodystyles and trims, so buckle up for this fast paced primer. The entry-level F-150 XL starts at $38,810 msrp. The standard motor is a 3.3L V6 with a none-too-shabby 290 horsepower and 265 lb ft of torque. Notable trims include XLT, Lariat and King Ranch, the latter replete with sumptuous leather. All F-150s can be ordered with four wheel drive (costing about four grand), and there are a whopping six engines to choose from, including the aforementioned 3.3L V6, a 2.7L turbo V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, a 3.5L V6 with 375 hp and 470 torque, a 3.5L high output V6 with 450 hp and 510 torque, a turbodiesel V6 with 250 hp/440 torque, and lastly, a 5.0 liter V8 for the traditionalist, with 395hp and 400 lb ft of torque — all paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan Frontier: $32,050 msrp
All-new for the 2022 model year, the Frontier has gone from being far behind the pack to joining the mid-size pickup fray with style. Handsome and boxy styling pays homage to the 1980’s Nissan HardBody pickup, and it even has a Crew Cab HardBody edition now. The standard 4×2 Frontier King Cab S starts at $32,050 msrp, with a 3.8L V-6 sporting 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque mated to a 9-speed auto. 4-wheel drive runs a bit more than $3,000 on top.
Toyota Tacoma: $31,590 msrp
The all-new Tacoma is finally on sale, with a turbo four cylinder for all trims. Top of the line models have a hybrid 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque combo. A six speed manual transmission will still be optional, as well as eight speed automatic. The 4th gen Tacoma will also say goodbye to leaf-springs in the rear, finally getting more sophisticated rear coils. A cornucopia of trims cost up to $64,000 for the top of the line TRD Pro model; TRD Sport starts at $39,400 msrp.
Conclusion
With supply chains returning to normal, be sure to search around for the best deal from numerous dealers. With interest rates higher than they once were, inventory levels are leading to more choices, and better incentives than consumers came to expect in recent memory.
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