3 Reliable New Pickup Trucks That Won’t Cost You Extra
Trucks and reliability didn’t always go hand in hand, but that has changed. Pickup trucks have come a long way with all the creature comforts sedans and SUVs have. Trucks have become integral to the automotive landscape, offering a versatile solution for various tasks. In many cases, the investment in a pickup truck can be a cost-effective choice without requiring additional expenditures. If you are looking for a reliable truck you won’t have to fight other shoppers for, these three options from Ford, Chevrolet, and Jeep check all those boxes.
What’s a reliable pickup truck from Chevrolet?
One pickup truck that offers a good balance of work and daily life is the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. According to U.S. News and J.D. Power, the Silverado has a predicted reliability score of 87 out of 100, one of the higher scores for all pickup trucks. The 2023 Silverado starts at $36,200 and comes pretty well-equipped for a basic truck. This is the Work Truck trim, which is meant to work hard and deliver on those promises from Chevy.
The base engine is a turbocharged 2.7L four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet also offers a turbodiesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque on some trims. Also available is a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft and a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp and 460 torque.
A fully loaded Silverado is $71,500, but it isn’t necessary for most shoppers. A good in-between option is the LT trim, which starts at $48,000 and adds a bigger touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and LED headlights. Depending on how you configure it, the Silverado can tow more than 13,000 pounds at its highest rating.
Does Ford have reliable pickup trucks?
Even though the 2023 Ford Ranger is popular, it is nowhere near as hard to find as the Maverick or Lightning pickup trucks. It is on the smaller side, classified as a small pickup. Ford uses the same turbo engine with 270 horsepower on all trim levels. When equipped with rear-wheel drive, the Ranger gets 20/21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. That goes down to 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with four-wheel drive.
J.D. Power gave the 2023 Ranger a predicted reliability score of 86 out of 100. Ford offers the 2023 Ranger in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but four-wheel drive is an option. The Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, which is one of the higher towing capacities for small pickup trucks.
The base Ranger XL trim starts at $27,400 this year, while the fully loaded Ranger Lariat is $35,500. You can go for the base model, equipped with cloth seats, a USB port, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The middle XLT trim might be a slightly better option at $31,460. It comes with the SuperCab but can be upgraded to the bigger SuperCrew, but it isn’t necessary.
Did you know Jeep makes a pickup truck?
Even though it isn’t a traditional pickup truck, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator has a lot going for it. This truck has a predicted reliability score of 85 out of 100 from J.D. Power, and it functions like you might imagine: a Jeep with a truck bed. Towing capacities are between 4,000 and 7,700 pounds.
Jeep offers two engine options: a 3.6L V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque or a 3.0L turbo diesel with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft. That’s available for $4,000 on some trims but isn’t essential. Four-wheel drive is standard on all trims.
Jeep offers the Gladiator in nine trim levels, with the base Sport starting at $38,990 and the fully loaded High Altitude priced at $54,825. The Sport has many features, like a manual transmission, a two-speed transfer case, and all-season tires. It also gets a soft top. Depending on how you plan to use your Jeep pickup truck, the base model is still a good option.
While the upfront cost of a pickup truck might seem higher than that of a conventional car, the practicality and versatility make trucks cost-effective. From hauling and towing capabilities to durability and adaptable passenger space, pickup trucks provide numerous advantages that can eliminate some extra expenses in the long run.
