If you’re into hauling big items, towing even bigger items, or just rolling through town in the toughest, meanest, half-ton you can get your hands on, this article will give you the goods on the best used pickup trucks to be had. We’ll cover domestic stalwarts such as the Chevy Colorado and Dodge Ram, as well as unique imports such as the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Frontier—and of course, we couldn’t leave out Ford’s legendary F-150.
So if you’re looking for a badass half-ton, take a look at this list of the best used pickups you’ll find on the used market, put together by Jerry
, the trusted comparison tool
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2013 Toyota Tundra
Used price (regular cab): between $9,990 to $14,227
The Tundra
ably carries on Toyota’s tradition of pitch-perfect durability with the 2013 Tundra, even if its design had barely changed since the original Tundra’s debut in 2007. The 2013 model is a high-quality Tundra that holds its value to this day, and it’s ideal for hauling, towing, or day-to-day driving. The 2013 Tundra features two V8 engines:
4.6 L on most Tundras as the entry-level engine
5.7 L, which offered more power and heft courtesy of its 381 horsepower
2WD or 4x4 were on offer with either a 5- or 6-speed automatic transmission (dependant on engine and drivetrain)
One axle fits across all trims (Regular, DoubleCab, and CrewCab)
Auto transmission is robust and capable
Ride is bumpier than other 2013 pickups
Interior isn’t much to look at
2014 Ford F-150
Used price (Regular Cab): between $21,499 to $38,990
The best-selling pickup in the U.S. for years, the Ford F-150
has set the standard in this country for pickup performance. The 2014 F-150 was the 12th generation model and was built with a steel body—not the aluminum body that would soon follow. The 2014 F-150 version had multiple V6 and V8 engine options, including
F-150 sports either a 4- or 6-speed automatic transmission
Offered in both 2WD and 4x4 modes
These road-going mammoths can tow up 11,300 lbs and haul up to 3,060 lbs
Most lengthy variant roster in its class
A common fleet vehicle choice—parts and service providers aplenty across the country
Electronic interface can be frustrating
2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Used price: between $24,590 to $26,590
Chevy’s answer to the F-150 offered something for everybody and has stood up well along with its famous competition. The 2013 Chevrolet Silverado
sports a 6 or 8 cylinder engine and offers great towing capacity ratings—it's also ridiculously easy to service and maintain. Engine options were as follows (V6 or V8):
LS engines continue to shine as a durable workhorse
4L60E transmission was standard on 2013 Silverados
Another common fleet vehicle, so parts should easy to find
V6 engine lacks power compared to competition
2013 Ram 1500
Used price (Regular Cab): between $21,990 - $32,990
A pickup known for its bolder style and bigger personality than the F-150 or Silverado, the Ram 1500
was no slouch in the performance area either. It was known as a comfortable ride that featured a more stylish interior than its rivals. Many trims were available, including Special Editions that offered something for every budget
Both V6 and V8 engines were offered
Standout engine is the 5.7 L Hemi that features 390 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque, along with a 6 speed automatic transmission
A powerful ride, and very capable braking from massive four wheel discs
A 9.25-inch Chrysler rear axle is known for longevity and being able to take whatever you throw at it
4WD system is very durable, but the Ram’s 2WD was more fuel efficient
Well-composed V6 engine compared to competition
Overall engine options not as varied as rivals
2010 Nissan Frontier
A truck built for work that features top-notch durability as well as versatile utility for any job out there. The 2010 Nissan Frontier
offered a slew of bed and cab options, inducing a deep bed and crew cab capable of comfortably seating five adults. The Frontier’s tough chassis and solid body construction make it the ideal rig for work that takes you off paved roads
Interior may be spartan, but this thing is meant for work, not play
Engine options available:
4.0 L V6 featuring 6500 lb towing capacity
Frontier will be cheaper to buy than other imports, such as the Toyota Tacoma
Great agility for a truck
Bed lining and tie-down points are tough and durable
Lacked flexible option packages when introduced
2013 Toyota Tacoma
Used price: between $19,999 to $24,990
Another import that has stood the test of time, the Toyota Tacoma
stands out for holding excellent value, often coming close to its original selling price—so, it won’t be as cheap used as the other vehicles on this list. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Tacoma is known for excellent reliability—going more than 300,000 miles while encountering barely any issues was common for the 2013 model. Tacoma known as a safe, comfortable, and practical ride but can be pricey, even used
2013 Tacomas with roughly 100,000 miles on them sell very close to original MSRP—might be worth buying a new one if you’re looking at a Tacoma with just 100K miles
Not the most powerful truck in terms of towing and hauling
Tacoma’s transmission, axle and underpinning are tough as nails and can do almost any job without missing a beat
Powerful, economic engines
Build quality is top-notch
A smaller truck that acts a whole lot bigger
Seating position not as high as you might like
2012 Chevrolet Colorado
Used price: between $6,244 to $8,973
The U.S. answer to the Frontier in terms of utility and versatility, with its lost list of options and configurations—you’ll likely find any configuration of the Chevy Colorado
on the open market, from a standard cab with a short bed to a crew cab with a deep bed. Durable engine and transmission options were wide-ranging as well:
Turbocharged, naturally aspirated I-4 or I-5
5.3 L V8 with 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque
Both manual and auto transmission were offered
Interiors (as is often the case with Chevy) could be hit and miss in terms of durability, including:
Switch, relay, and wiring issues
Base engine offers weak towing capacity
Interior finishes leave much to be desired
2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Used price: between $8,102 to $12,462
The F-150 on steroids, the 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty
became as ubiquitous as its more famous cousin—a reliable, tough vehicle that was easy to maintain. This rig is expensive to fill up, but you save money in the long run due to the F-250’s excellent durability, reasonable maintenance costs, and widely available parts and service. The 2011 F-250 featured updated sheet metal, a new grille and spiffed-up interiors, along with a strengthened frame
6.2 L gas V8 with 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque
6.8 L gas Triton V10 with 362 horsepower and 457 pound-ft of torque (better option for towing due to torque factor)
Offered in both 2WD or 4x4
Lots of configuration options, including:
Lots of configurations out there
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