Our 6 Picks For The Best Used Pickup Trucks
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The pickup trucks of the last few years are a far cry from the trucks your father drove, or maybe even the ones you’ve been driving. What used to be a segment of simple, straightforward work vehicles has transformed into a fleet that includes luxury cars, offices on wheels, and hulking behemoths that can move mountains one day and take the kids to practice the next. While these new options mean that there is bound to be a pickup just right for you, it also means that they can get pretty expensive. A great way to avoid those growing price tags without sacrificing functionality or reliability is to find the right pre-owned pickup truck. So, whether you’re looking for a family car that can tow when you need it or a heavyweight built for the worksite, CoPilot is here to help you find your next truck, starting with our 6 picks for the best used pickup trucks.
2017 Ford F-150 - $34,169
Ford’s F-Series of trucks haven’t been the best-selling trucks in America for nearly four decades by accident. The 2017 model is no exception, boasting excellent reliability years after its release and plenty of options for any kind of truck owner. Some can tow up to 12,200lb and carry 3,270lb of payload. Some can go from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. With two different bed lengths, 3 different cab sizes, and five different engine options, there is bound to be a 2017 F-150 that’s right for you. And with its military-grade aluminum body (which is not as expensive to repair as initially feared), they all drive with impressive performance and fuel mileage for their class. With great features available and great reliability, this is easily one of the best used pickup trucks.
2016 Toyota Tundra - $33,740
Toyota has earned a reputation as one of America’s most reliable car brands, with the Tundra serving as one of its tentpoles. The spacious and surprisingly off-road-capable truck built in Texas is also one of the most reliable trucks built in the last 5 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates. And while not the strongest in its class, the V8 engine can tow a hefty 10,500lb with its excellent torque and cruising down the highway comfortably. The 2016 Tundra is a great truck with power and capability for when you need it, plus comfort and reliability even when you don’t.
2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 - $31,122
The 2016 Silverado 1500 is one of the best used pickup trucks on the market, with plenty of options to fit any of your needs. With available features like CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, backup camera, and leather upholstery, you might mistake the Silverado for a luxury car relegated to carpool duty. But even the smallest V6 option can tow up to 7,600lb, while the 6.2L V8 can haul up to 12,000lb. If you’re in the market for a light-duty pickup truck, you can’t go wrong with a Silverado 1500, and the 2016 model was one of the best they made and is an incredible value as one of the best used pickup trucks.
2017 Nissan Frontier - $22,630
The compact pickup market (if you can still call a two-ton truck compact) has been experiencing a resurgence in the past few years with the reintroduced Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma. But one of the best made in the last few years is the 2017 Nissan Frontier. It is a safe, reliable truck, with options available to make it better suited than most in its class for off-roading. Its 4-cylinder option offers decent gas mileage, while its beefier V6 provides plenty of torque for off-road driving or towing up to 6,290lb. This isn’t the truck for you if you need a powerhouse on the job site, but it is a great option if you want a reliable truck that can handle almost any situation you find yourself in, and it does it all at a very reasonable price. The 2017 Nissan Frontier provides great value in a pickup truck and will serve you well for years to come.
2018 Chevy Silverado 2500HD - $40,347
Next time you need to move a mountain, you better do it with a Chevy Silverado 2500HD. This monstrous three-quarter-ton pickup can haul up to 18,000lb with the right trailer attached. That comes out to about one adult African Bush Elephant plus an F-150 in towing capacity. But just because it’s powerful, that doesn’t mean it can’t be a comfortable, high-tech ride inside. The Silverado 2500HD is built on the same platform as the standard 1500 model, meaning it has a similarly comfortable suspension, the same leather upholstery in its spacious cabin, and the same Wi-Fi capabilities and smartphone integration. This truck can show up to the worksite and put in all the work you need, and function as the mobile base of operations for your business. On top of that, it is a very safe car and one of the most reliable heavy-duty trucks made in the last decade, according to J.D. Power and Associates. A heavy-duty truck is a big investment (literally and figuratively) so you need to pick the right one. There are a few good options, but the 2018 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is our pick for the best pickup truck in its class.
2018 Ram 1500 - $32,921
The 2018 Ram 1500 has almost limitless options available to suit all needs, and all of them are winners. You have a V6 and a V8 gas engine, plus a diesel V6, three different cab styles, three-bed lengths, and a whopping 11 trims. That means that you can find one Ram 1500 that is a barebones work truck, another that is a luxury car with a flatbed, ready for your local racetrack, and yet another made to tackle the roughest of terrains. There is truly a Ram for everyone. Importantly, all of them carry a great safety rating from the NHTSA and a reliable powertrain. The towing capacity isn’t the highest in its class. Still, all of its engine options offer sufficient power and good fuel mileage, and its proprietary coil-spring rear suspension provides a great ride with or without a trailer behind it.
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