Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now

Key Points

• We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most affordable models as of February 2026 to help shoppers select the right vehicle for their driving needs and budget.
• Our list includes small to full-size pickup trucks, their starting prices (including destination) and Cars.com’s median listing price.

Pickup trucks are the bestselling vehicles for a number of reasons, drawing a diverse crowd of customers. Some shoppers need to tow trailers or haul bulky work supplies, while others like the convenience of a cargo bed for the occasional home improvement project or weekend camping trip.

The increasing popularity of pickup trucks as daily drivers is likely a contributing factor to the rising costs of new vehicles, except not all pickups have to break the bank. We’ve compiled a list below of the 10 most affordable models as of February 2026, ranging from small to full-size, to help shoppers select the right vehicle for their driving needs and budget.

Related: Best Pickup Truck of 2026

What Are the Pros of Small and Mid-Size Pickup Trucks?

• While not traditional, compact unibody pickups balance affordability, fuel efficiency, and just enough towing and hauling prowess to satisfy most weekend warriors.
• When it comes to pickup truck affordability, “small” is the name of the game.
• Leading the pack of cheapest pickup trucks are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

When it comes to pickup truck affordability, “small” is the name of the game. Leading the pack of cheapest pickup trucks are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. While not traditional, these compact unibody pickups balance affordability, fuel efficiency, and just enough towing and hauling prowess to satisfy most weekend warriors. Shoppers who require more space or capability can skip to the mid-size variants like the Chevrolet Colorado or  Toyota Tacoma to tackle bigger jobs without busting their truck-shopping budget.

Cheapest New Pickup Trucks

1. 2026 Ford Maverick XL: $28,990
2. 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE: $31,350
3. 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR: $33,740
4. 2026 Nissan Frontier S: $33,845
5. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado WT: $34,495
6. 2026 Ford Ranger: $35,245
7. 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT: $39,695
8. 2026 Jeep Gladiator Sport: $40,825
9. 2026 GMC Canyon Elevation: $40,995
10. 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Pro: $41,095

What Are the Pros of Full-Size Pickup Trucks?

• For those who need the towing or hauling capabilities of a full-size pickup, a couple of options make the list of most affordable pickups, such as the  Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500.

A couple of base variants for full-size pickups start near $40,000, which is a bit lower than the average new-vehicle list price. However, starting prices for trucks often don’t reflect how much a typical shopper really pays; to paint a more comprehensive picture, we also list each model’s median listing price for the featured trim level among Cars.com dealers as of January 2026.

All starting prices listed below include the destination charge but not any cash incentives or taxes. As fuel prices are volatile, a pickup’s efficiency should also be an important consideration: The EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating is included within each vehicle’s description to assist with estimating ownership costs.

1. 2026 Ford Maverick XL

• Starting price: $28,990 (including $1,845 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $30,466
• What to know about the 2026 Ford Maverick: For the 2026 model year, the EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine is again available with front-wheel drive (it was only offered with all-wheel drive for 2025), and the Maverick sees some trim level equipment shuffling.

The Maverick is the Blue Oval’s most affordable pickup, slotting under the mid-size Ranger. For 2025, the Maverick received freshened styling, new tech features and the availability of AWD with the hybrid powertrain. The 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain is standard; it’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission and comes with either standard front-wheel drive or optional AWD.

For 2026, the EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine is again available with FWD and a power-sliding rear window will be optional with late availability on the XLT and Lobo trims (it was previously only fitted to the Lariat and Tremor). Otherwise, the Maverick rolls into 2026 unchanged.

Fuel economy is a plus point; for 2025, the hybrid Maverick got a combined EPA rating of 38 mpg with FWD and 37 mpg with AWD (official EPA estimates for the 2026 model are not yet available but shouldn’t change significantly). The optional 250-hp, turbo 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is mated to an eight-speed automatic with FWD or AWD; it got up to an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined with AWD.

2. 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE

• Starting price: $31,350 ($1,600  destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $32,082
• What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: For 2026, Hyundai’s compact crew-cab pickup truck enters 2026 with an available Terrain Mode and a new eight-speed automatic for the XRT and Limited trims.

Hyundai may have labeled the Santa Cruz a “sport adventure vehicle” instead of a pickup, but the model features a cargo bed, a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds for the base SE trim and an affordable price tag to earn itself a second-place spot on this list. For 2025, the Santa Cruz received a refresh inside and out, new safety tech, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For 2026, the truck gets some updates for higher trims, including a new Terrain Mode for the XRT, and a conventional eight-speed automatic replaces the dual-clutch auto in the XRT and Limited.

The Santa Cruz comes with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s good for 191 hp and is mated to an eight-speed automatic; a more potent 281-hp turbocharged version of the same engine is available on higher trims. The SE trim level’s non-turbo engine gets an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined with standard FWD or 24 mpg with optional AWD.

3. 2026 Toyota Tacoma SR

• Starting price: $33,740 ($1,595 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $37,507
• What to know about the 2026 Toyota Tacoma: For 2026, the Tacoma rolls into the new model year largely unchanged save for some minor equipment changes.

For 2026, the Tacoma rolls into a new model year largely unchanged save for some equipment changes, including some new color options and a standard tow hitch on SR XtraCab extended-cab variants. The SR trim comes with the Tacoma’s base engine, which is a 228-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder; for 2025, it got an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 21 mpg with four-wheel drive. A hybrid i-Force Max turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder is optional on higher trims and boosts output to 326 hp and 465 pounds-feet of torque; it gets up to 23 mpg combined with 4WD. Both powertrains can be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The gas-only four-cylinder can also be had with a six-speed manual and 4WD; variants with this setup make 270 hp and 310 pounds-feet of torque and get 20 mpg combined.

The Tacoma’s standard engine coupled with the eight-speed automatic offers the model’s highest towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, per Toyota’s estimates, while the hybrid powertrain can pull up to 6,000 pounds.

4. 2026 Nissan Frontier S

• Starting price: $33,845 ($1,695 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $34,635
• What to know about the 2026 Nissan Frontier: For 2026, the mid-size pickup truck gets more luxury content to each of its trim levels and two new packages.

Nissan’s mid-size pickup lands on the list of cheapest pickups with a starting price that hovers just under the $34,000 mark. The base S trim is available as a two-door King Cab with four seats or a four-door crew cab with five seats.

For 2025, the Frontier got refreshed styling, greater towing capacity and wider availability of the 6-foot cargo bed. Also newly standard is blind spot warning, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.

For 2026, LED headlights are now standard on the base S and SV trims, while the SV and all Pro variants gain a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Pro also now comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and remote start. All 4WD Frontiers now have a new drive mode selector that tailors vehicle settings for improved control on varied terrain. There are also two new packages available: one for the Pro-4X trim that was developed by aftermarket supplier Roush Performance and adds functional and style upgrades, and a Dark Armor Package for the SV trim. Lastly, a new lime green exterior color, Citrus Strike, joins the lineup for 2026.

All trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V-6, which is good for 310 hp and 281 pounds-feet of torque; it pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard RWD or available 4WD. In the base S trim with RWD, the Frontier gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined; that configuration also enables the Frontier to tow a maximum of 7,150 pounds with a payload of 1,590 pounds.

5. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado WT

• Starting price: $34,495 ($2,095 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $34,390
• What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado: A new special edition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. joins the lineup for 2026.

Shoppers searching for a more conventional pickup truck that still offers a prudent price tag can move up to a mid-size option like the Chevy Colorado WT. All trim levels of the Colorado are available only as four-door crew cabs with a short cargo box. For 2026, Chevrolet has introduced a Stars & Steel Special Edition to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.; the package adds flag-inspired paint and graphics.

Under the hood of the WT is a standard turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 310 hp and 430 pounds-feet of torque; it is EPA-rated 21 mpg combined with standard RWD and 19 mpg with optional 4WD. The Colorado has a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.

Inside, the WT’s standard features include an 11.3-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch digital instrument panel, a Google operating system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Standard safety tech includes forward collision detection with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane departure steering assist.

2026 Ford Ranger XL

• Starting price: $35,245 ($1,895 destination)
• com median listing price: $38,168
• What to know about the 2026 Ford Ranger: For 2026, the Ranger carries over after a significant overhaul for model-year 2024. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The Range is also available in off-road-oriented Raptor form.

If the Maverick is a tad too small and the F-150 is a smidge too big, the mid-size Ranger may be your Goldilocks Ford pickup. The Ranger was redesigned for 2024 with a slew of updates and a higher starting price. Like all other variants, the base 2026 Ranger XL comes as a four-door crew cab that seats five and offers a 5-foot bed.

The 2026 Ranger’s standard engine is a 270-horsepower, turbo 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 310 pounds-feet of torque. A 2.7-liter four-cylinder is available on the XLT and Lariat and makes 315 hp and 400 pounds-feet of torque. The off-road-oriented Raptor’s 405-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 boasts a burly 430 pounds-feet of torque. All three available engines are backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. RWD is standard and AWD is optional. While it can’t match the capability of its full-size F-150 sibling, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds with an available Trailer Tow Package and has a maximum payload capacity of 1,905 pounds.

7. 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT

• Starting price: $39,695 ($2,795 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $40,513
• What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: The Silverado 1500 sees minimal changes for 2026.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s base WT trim comes in thousands of dollars below the average new-vehicle price tag. That price covers the two-door regular cab with space for three and a standard bed configuration; a four-door double cab or crew cab, both of which seat six, are also available.

The base WT comes with a standard turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine good for 310 hp and 430 pounds-feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission; a 355-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 is available and is paired with a 10-speed automatic. RWD is standard for all WT variants, and 4WD is optional. The maximum towing capacity for the Silverado 1500 WT comes in the 5.3-liter V-8-equipped versions, which can pull up to 9,900 pounds. Silverado 1500s with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder under the hood get up to an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined, which drops to 18 mpg for V-8-powered variants.

For 2026, the truck gets two new white paint colors and a new special-edition trim level, the RST Select, which is only available with the RWD and 4WD crew cab, as well as the RWD double cab. It comes with the turbo 2.7-liter, 20-inch gloss-black wheels, all-terrain tires, all-weather floormats, black assist steps, a spray-in bedliner and six paint options. In addition, the Silverado 1500 Stars & Steel Special Edition is also available for 2026; it’s based on the RST trim.

8. 2026 Jeep Gladiator Sport

• Starting price: $40,825 ($1,995 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $45,147
• What to know about the 2026 Jeep Gladiator: The 2026 Gladiator improves on its predecessor with updated hinges to make removing the doors easier, but there are otherwise no major changes.

The Jeep Gladiator is a rough-and-tumble mid-size pickup truck that uses the rugged Wrangler SUV as its base. Under the hood is a 285-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 that comes exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. (Jeep officially jettisoned the previously standard six-speed manual gearbox for the 2025 model year.) The 2026 Gladiator gets an EPA-rated 17/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined.

True to the brand’s off-road roots, the Gladiator comes standard with solid front and rear axles, 4WD, a two-speed transfer case and 32-inch all-terrain tires. A removable soft top gives the Gladiator an extra air of adventure. For pickup truck buyers who intend to go off-roading with any regularity, the Gladiator makes a very strong case for itself.

The 2026 Gladiator improves on its predecessor with updated hinges to make removing the doors easier, but there are otherwise no major changes. Also, a planned plug-in hybrid 4xe has been canceled.

9. 2026 GMC Canyon Elevation

• Starting price: $40,995 ($2,095 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $45,108
• What to know about the 2026 GMC Canyon: For 2026, the Canyon carries over without major changes.

The GMC Canyon, a cousin of the Chevy Colorado, also saw a redesign for 2023 with a new engine, more off-road capability and a higher price tag. For 2026, the Canyon carries over without major changes.

Like the Colorado, all Canyon variants are only available with a four-door crew-cab configuration and a short bed. A turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is standard across all trims and makes 310 hp and 430 pounds-feet of torque. The base Elevation variant comes with standard RWD or available 4WD. With RWD, the Canyon gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined; 4WD bumps down fuel economy slightly to 19 mpg. The Canyon’s towing and payload capacities top out at 7,700 and 1,640 pounds, respectively.

Inside, the Canyon Elevation shares many features with the base Colorado: An 11.3-inch touchscreen display with a Google-based operating system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, along with an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. Standard safety tech includes forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane departure steering assist and automatic high beams.

10. 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Pro

• Starting price: $41,095 ($2,795 destination)
• Cars.com median listing price: $44,877
• What to know about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500: For 2026, the Sierra 1500 is available in two new exterior colors.

The GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup available with a standard turbo four-cylinder, two optional V-8s or a torque-rich turbo-diesel inline-six. RWD is standard, but the Sierra can also be outfitted with a variety of 4WD systems, as well as many features that enhance towing capacity and off-road capability. With three cab sizes and three cargo bed lengths, the Sierra is a work truck at heart; it’s a mechanical twin to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Its maximum towing capacity reaches up to 13,300 pounds, depending on powertrain, trim level and equipment. With RWD, the Sierra 1500 gets up to an EPA-rated 25 mpg combined; 4WD bumps fuel economy down slightly to 24 mpg.

The Pro is the base trim; the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims pack in luxury touches and comfort features, but they also significantly elevate the Sierra’s price tag. For 2026, the Sierra 1500 is available in two new exterior colors: Glacier White Tricoat and Coastal Dune.

Research Pickup Trucks on Cars.com:

• Pickup Truck Buying Guide: How Much Truck Do You Need?
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