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. Here’s a look at some of the best trucks to check out this year. A number of new truck models are now available for lower prices than you might think, many with excellent incentives.
Chevy Colorado: $29,200 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 $29,200 msrp. The previous 2nd-generation 2022 model now has very generous incentives if you can still find an unsold one, especially considering their lower initial starting price. The 2023 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 potent Colorado ZR2 gets a torque bump to 430 lb-ft along with its 310 hp rating; it turns out the quarter mile in fourteen seconds flat, something of an off-road spiritual successor to the GMC Syclone. 2WD versions of the Colorado have been found leasing as low as $299/month plus $4,824 down; it’s Canyon cousin is reported to lease from $279/month according to US News, with more money down however.
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra $36,800 msrp
While 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 $36,800 msrp. Sierra starts a bit higher at $37,200 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, covered armrest storage and 20-inch aluminum wheels. Custom Trail Boss with Z71 Off-Road package starts at $51,800 including black 18 inch wheels and a raised hood with black insert; the less racy LT-trim starts at $48,000 msrp with a 13.4 inch color touch screen display and 12.3 inch driver information center. 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! Chevy has been seen offering well qualified lessees $349/month on 2WD Turbomax 1500 Silverados, as well as offering 2.9% APR on select Silverado models.
Hyundai Santa Cruz: $26,900 msrp
Appealing to prospective auto buyers of all persuasions is the new Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup crossover. Practical with four doors but with a bed like a pickup, many small truck buyers will want to consider it. Built in Alabama, U.S.A., the Santa Cruz makes itself both affordable and useful. For folks looking to get around as cheaply as they can, the entry-level SE starts at just $26,900 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 on the base model include 18 inch wheels, an 8 speed automatic, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, and LED headlights and taillights. The SEL trim starts at $29,400 msrp and adds a host of options as well as potential options, including remote start, proximity key, push button start, dual automatic climate control, and Hyundai’s “Bluelink” connected car system. Santa Cruz has been found leasing from $368 a month, or purchase with APR’s from 2.99% according to Hyundai’s website.
Ford Ranger: $27,400 msrp
The outgoing 2023 Ranger is currently the only Ranger on sale, but its about to make way for a brand-new 2024 redesign. After a multi-year hiatus from the American market, the outgoing Ranger was the first Ranger in America since 2011, as Ford failed to meet the missing middle of the market. Bargain hunters will want to keep their eyes peeled for unsold 2023 Ranger inventory getting blown out by dealers, especially considering the price hike on the 2024 redesign; the 2023 Ranger starts at $27,400 msrp in rear wheel drive, while the brand new 2024 model starts at $32,565 msrp. The new and old Ranger both have a 2.3L turbo four cylinder engine with 270 hp and a 10 speed automatic, while the new Ranger will come with a yet-to-be-seen V6 as well. The 2023 Ranger comes as either two door supercab or four door, while the 2024 model is four-door only.
Ford Maverick: $23,400 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 $23,400 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. All Mavericks get an 8.0 inch infotainment system as standard equipment, which connect to either Android or Apple phones. Top of the line Mavericks include such niceties as 18-inch machined face bright aluminum wheels, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, Ford ActiveX faux leather trim, and power seats, along with the mid-level XLT’s power mirrors and cruise control. US News reports it leases from $318 a month.
Ram Classic: $32,345 msrp / 1500: $37,905 msrp
Ever since the second generation Ram debuted in 1994 and was subsequently popularized by the movie Twister, the truck has more or less kept a similar shape, a distinctly Ram-like design through its fifth and current generation. If you want to save a bit of money, Stellantis (the automaker formerly-known-as-Chrysler) will still sell you a brand-spanking-new fourth generation Ram, currently being called Ram Classic, starting at $32,345 msrp. Ram Classic is also being offered right now with 4.9% APR for 72 months. The more stylish Warlock trim starts at $41,985 msrp with the Pentastar V6 engine, or upgrade to a 5.7L V8 Hemi for $2,495 more.
The fifth generation Ram 1500 starts at $37,905 for the Tradesman 4×2 model, which includes four real doors and the 305 hp Pentastar V6; price bumps up to $41,755 msrp for 4×4. There is in fact no Ram regular cab model, so you will always get a back seat. The Ram 1500 Big Horn starts at $43,320 msrp in 4×2 guise, and is one of the more popular Rams on the road today. 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, 18 inch aluminum wheels, and a host of interior options. Laramie adds heated and ventilated leather 10-way power seats and dual zone automatic climate control, and a 9 speaker Alpine premium audio system.
Ford F-Series: $36,770 msrp
The Ford-F-Series encompasses a lot of different bodystyles and trims, so buckle up for this fast paced primer. The cheapest, bare-bones F-150 XL starts at $36,770 for the 2023 model year. An 8 inch touchscreen is standard and a rear view camera with hitch assist. The standard motor is a 3.3L V6 with a none-too-shabby 290 horsepower and 265 lb ft of torque. The XL can also be had in long bed, extra cab (rear jump seat), and actual four door. The number of combinations is a bit mind-bending, but expect to pay north of $40,000 for a truck with four seats and a longer bed, and north of $45,000 for a four door truck. The number of trims beyond the base XL are many, including XLT starting at $41,940 msrp, Lariat at $57,480 msrp, and King Ranch at $63,225 msrp. XLT adds aluminum wheels (vs. steel), chrome bumper trim, fog lamps, LED head and taillamps, rain sensing wipers, and a handful of safety and infotainment options; the XLT makes standard many things which are options on the XL. 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, as well as 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 F-Series come exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan Titan: $39,950 msrp
Despite Titanic efforts across two generations, Nissan has been unable to sway American buyers away from the Big-3 full size trucks. With production slated to end this coming Summer in Canton, Mississippi, there are great deals to be had on this gargantuan pickup that failed to win our American hearts for no good reason. All trims of the Nissan Titan come with America’s best truck warranty, 5-years and 100,000 miles. The Titan comes in two models, two cab styles, and one drivetrain, powered by a standard 400 horsepower 5.6L V8 with 413 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most affordable V8 trucks out there. Nissan has dropped the entry-level “S” Titan for the 2024 model year, so if you can find a 2023 Titan S on the lot — msrp $39,950 for 4×2 and $43,240 for 4×4 — you may be able to get a killer deal. Entry level for 2024 is the 4×2 Titan Crew Cab SV, starting at $45,770 msrp before incentives and rebates; four wheel drive tips the starting msrp to $48,960. Standard features include 18-inch dark-painted and machine-finished ally wheels, cruise control, LED taillights, and body color bumpers.
Nissan Frontier: $29,770 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 added for this year, debuting at $43,940 msrp in 4×4 only. Its 17-inch wheels, decals, and rear bed sport bar are all borrowed from the original, and its sure to be a retro fan favorite amongst the Ready Player One set. If that’s too rich for your blood, fear not, the 4×2 Frontier King Cab S starts at $29,770 msrp, with standard 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, while the four-door Crew Cab S starts at $31,070 for rear wheel drive. Pro-X ($36,300 RWD / $39,300 4X4 msrp) trim adds 17-inch wheels, Bilstein off road shock absorbers, and lava red interior stitching.
Toyota Tacoma: $28,600 msrp
The all-new 2024 Tacoma is not yet on sale, but it is expected to have a turbo four cylinder for all trims. Top of the line models will 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. Toyota’s 3rd generation Tacoma has been in production since 2015, and pricing starts at $28.600 msrp for the SR trim. Be sure to look for blowout deals on the outgoing Tacoma while Toyota makes room for the brand new model.
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, you may find some manufacturers more willing to offer lower APR’s on certain models than others, even as low as 0% for some vehicles to entice buyers to purchase them over competitor options.