If there’s one thing that’s true throughout the ages, it’s that Americans love trucks. It’s been that way since vehicles have roamed the streets, with the Ford F-Series being America’s best selling vehicle for over three decades in a row. Anyone who is looking for a new SUV, truck, or car might be aware that market conditions have been quite upset in the past couple of years. But prices are coming back to normal, and there are again good deals to be had.
So, what does this mean if you’re looking for a new vehicle? Many people are resorting to paying sticker price. A number of sources suggest that if you would normally buy a used car, this is actually the time to buy new, because the price differential has closed so drastically with used car prices catapulting 51%. In light of this fact, here’s a look at some of the most attractive new trucks this year.
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra
Arguably one of the best looking new trucks, the Sierra, and its slightly less handsome sibling, the Silverado represent a striking departure from the more classic lines of the previous GM truck models. The Silverado starts at $30,400 for the 2022 Silverado 1500 Limited trim, $34,600 MSRP for the base 2022 Silverado, and $36,300 for the 2023 Silverado. General Motors is currently offering the Silverado on lease for $349 or $399 a month depending on lease term, down payment, model, and model year (2022 vs. 2023 and 24 vs. 36 months). Likewise, GM is also offering 2.99% APR on 2022 Silverado Crew Cabs with the 2.7 liter turbo. Silverado has many engines to choose from, including both turbo and naturally aspirated V6 motors, a venerable iron-block V8, and even a diesel engine as well. GMC’s Sierra is a bit pricier than its Silverado cousin, starting at $35,400 for the 2022 Sierra 1500 Pro trim and $37,200 for the 2023 model year. The Sierra even makes its way up to a whopping $81,700 for the AT4X off-road trim.
Chevy Colorado
If you don’t need such a large truck but still want four seats, Chevy’s smaller Colorado starts at just $26,135 for 2022, up to $29,200 for 2023. The Colorado can pull up to 7,000 pounds with the V6 motor, and gets up to 25 MPG on the highway in either standard or V6 engine form. The standard motor has 200 horsepower, while the V6 has 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque; there’s even a blown Diesel with 370 lb-ft of torque if you need extra towing capacity. GM is currently offering cash at 2.99% APR on the 2022 Colorado. Its GMC cousin, the Canyon, with a slightly more chiseled look, starts at $26,800 for the 2022 standard model.
Ram 1500 and Ram Classic
The Ram 1500, still colloquially referred to as the “Dodge Ram” by many (despite Fiat Chrysler’s abandoning of the “Dodge” name some years ago), presents opportunities for deals. With 395 horsepower and 410 pound feet of torque, the flagship V8 is a serious motor. The Pentastar V6 is also no slouch, with 305 horsepower. There is also an optional diesel motor with a whopping 480 pound feet of torque. The Ram 1500 starts at $37,090 for the Tradesman Quad Cab, which increases to $42,405 for the popular “Big Horn” model. Ram is also offering 1.9% APR right now on select Ram 1500 models – that’s basically free money.
The “Ram Classic” is also still being sold, starting at just $30,235 for 2022 and $30,695 for 2023. Ram is also currently offering Ram Classic leases for $379 a month for 42 months with $4255 down. Ram (Dodge) no longer makes the Dakota, meaning these two full-size trucks are your only Mopar options.
Ford Truck Lineup
The Ford F-Series is the best selling vehicle in America and Canada, and has been for decades. The most common model, the F-150, starts at just $31,520 in 2022 XL trim, up to $33,695 for 2023 XL. There is a wide range of engines available, from turbo gas V6 motors, to a turbo-diesel V6, to a 5.0 liter V8, so be sure to read up on the different options. Ratcheting up to the popular XLT trim brings starting prices to $41,800 for 2023, with a 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft. of torque engine. Many other trims exist in-between, and the range-topping Limited costs a whopping eighty-five grand. F-150 XL finances at $437/month according to Ford, and the XLT at $523/month. XL STX SuperCrew 2.7L EcoBoost models are also leasing right now for $379/mo. for 36 months with $4499 down. Ford has also been offering payment deferral programs on and off, so be sure to ask your dealer.
The most surprising new offering from Ford, however, is the Maverick, which is smaller than the F-150 and based on a unibody. To the untrained eye, it looks like a Ford Flex that grew into a pickup. The Maverick is no slouch, though, and with an optional all-wheel-drive package and optional-towing package, it can pull up to 4,000 pounds. With hybrid motors, it is surprisingly good on gas, rated at 40MPG city. Most surprisingly, however, is the price of entry – the Maverick starts at just $19,995 for the 2022 model year, up to $22,595 for 2023. Ford is also offering 3.9% APR for 60 months on Maverick.
Slated in-between the Maverick and the F150 is another nameplate Ford fanatics will remember; after a hiatus from the American market for a number of years, the Ranger is back. Starting at $27,400, the Ranger is a mid-size truck with both SuperCab and Supercrew options. It can tow up to 7500 pounds and gets up to 26mpg on the highway. Ford is currently offering XL STX Supercrew EcoBoost models on lease for $349/month with $3269 down.
Toyota Tacoma
Here’s a small truck that’s great for off-roading and light on your wallet: Toyota Tacoma, starting at just $27,750 for the SR trim. If you buck up a little more, you can get four wheel drive, a V6 engine, and a super cool TRD effects package to get an awesome looking truck. Right now, the Tacoma sport is offering $1,000 of bonus cash or 3.9% APR for four years. For full-size Japanese truck aficionados, the newly redesigned and intimidating looking Tundra starts at just ten grand more than the Tacoma, with up to 437 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s a pickup from Hyundai. Picking up where Subaru’s Brat left off in the 1980s, this East Asian pickup is actually built in Alabama, USA, and offers an attractive starting price of $25,700. With an optional 281hp motor (which starts at $36,060) and available all wheel drive, it will take you and your gear anywhere you want to go. The standard 191 hp gas-direct injection engine is more than sufficient, and all models come in one of six colors. The Limited trim also offers a touchscreen navigation, while the Premium trim and Limited offer HTRAC all wheel drive. Hyundai is currently offering financing of 2.9% for 3 years, or lease the SE trim from $331 a month with $3,699 down. You won’t confuse the Santa Cruz with a full size truck, but if you aren’t towing a boat, it can be a good option.
Nissan Frontier and Titan
The Frontier carries on the legacy of the much-loved Nissan “Hardbody” 4×4 trucks from the 1980s. Starting at just over $29k (though Nissan still lists 2022 models for less on their website), the Frontier doesn’t mess around with entry-level 4 or 5 cylinder engines. Its 3.8 liter V6 engine has 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, and its offered in either 4×2 or 4×4 and King or Crew Cab; the Frontier is a serious mid-size truck contender.
If full-size is a must for you, its Titan big brother packs a 400 HP wallop with an old fashioned V8 and a nine-speed auto. It has a long list of standard features that is absent in much of its full size competition, including safety tech and a touchscreen navigation. As the current Titan model is aging, be on the lookout for incentives and a newer iteration someday soon. Both the Titan and the Frontier are built here in Mississippi.
In Conclusion
If you know where to look, you can get a great deal on a new truck. With the latest features, such as start-stop engine technology, having a truck no longer means you have to empty your wallet into the gas tank. So look around, you might be surprised just how affordable the latest trucks are, from this side of the Pacific and Japan.