Budget minded: 5 new pickups that won't break the bank

With pickup trucks approaching the six-figure mark, and commonly climbing into the $50-60K range, it’s hard to imagine slapping down $30 grand and driving away with a new pickup. You still can, though…it just might not be as easy as you think. You won’t get the most comfortable cabin or all the extra tech you’ll find on the higher end rigs, but you will have a new pickup without having to win the lottery. 

Here are five of the most popular pickups — full- and mid-size — in their base forms, complete with bargain-basement features and relatively affordable pricetags:

1. Ford F-150 XL: $29,750

You’re not going to get a King Ranch crew cab or a Raptor for under $30K. You're not even going to get 4 wheel drive in your brand-new work truck from Ford. The base trim F-150 XL comes with a standard cab and bed and is powered by a 3.3-liter V6. Power from that naturally aspirated V6 heads to the rear wheels by way of a six-speed automatic. 

Sure, you’re riding on a set of 17-inch steel wheels (Spoiler: get used to reading that), but the F-150 XL isn’t completely bare of creature comforts. The base truck comes with air-conditioning and a four-speaker AM/FM radio. Cruise control is absent unless you tack on the $2,055 upgraded entertainment package that includes the Sync system, a 4.2-inch productivity screen and a slew of other comfort options. 

2. 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT: $30,990

Chevrolet’s entry-point into its full-size Silverado is priced slightly above Ford’s efforts — the lowest we could get this new Chevy was $30,990 before taxes. That extra cost does net you a few more amenities like a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that handles Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can listen to your favorite true crime podcast while driving from job to job through a standard six-speaker sound system — two more than Ford. This Silverado also hits its bottom price with a standard bed and a regular cab.

Powering this Silverado is 4.3-liter V6 making 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. This power also goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic. Adding four-wheel drive is probably a good idea if you plan on heading off-road, but that will drive up your cost. 

3. 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman: $29,090

The new Ram 1500 might be the best pickup truck you can drive away from a dealership today. The previous generation is on the dated side — as tends to be the case when the new model replaces old — but is the cheapest full-size pickup you can drive away from a domestic dealership. That’s right, you can still buy the last generation Ram 1500, which now goes as the Ram 1500 Classic. 

You might know what to expect — a regular cab and standard bed, 17-inch wheels and a V6. And you’d be right. This Ram uses the non-hybrid 3.6-liter V6 for power and sends all of its 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Ram does add two extra gears to the transmission, bringing the total to eight, as opposed to Ford and Chevy’s six-speed transmissions. 

4. 2019 Toyota Tacoma: $24,930.00

The perennial star of the mid-size truck segment, the Toyota Tacoma, can get pricey in its TRD and TRD Pro accouterment. Though, in its base trim — it’s pretty darn affordable. The Access Cab is standard, but the utility package knocks $1,715 off the sticker at the cost of the rear seats and opening rear window. Behind the cab is a standard six-foot bed. 

Powering the base Tacoma is a 2.7-liter I4 that makes 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Not a lot, but that should be enough to haul you, your friend and a motorcycle or camping gear without too much trouble. That power goes through a six-speed automatic before heading to the rear wheels.

The standard Tacoma is less of a sacrifice when it comes to creature comforts — the 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard issue and goes through six speakers. Toyota Safety Sense and air-conditioning are standard, too. Though you’re still going to ride on a set of steelies, there are worse problems to have.

5. 2019 Nissan Frontier S: $20,035

The Nissan Frontier isn’t the second best selling mid-sizer, but it closely trails Chevrolet’s Colorado for those rights. Far from the newest offering, the Frontier offers an even steeper value proposition in its base form. Sporting what Nissan calls the King Cab, the lowest priced Frontier starts just above $20K — not bad for a brand-new pickup.

The 2.5-liter I4 makes slightly worse numbers than the bigger engine in the Tacoma — expect 152 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. Though, the Frontier does still offer a manual transmission — which is the only way you’re getting to this price. The automatic comes with a price penalty and is less fun. 

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