Who’s not a fan of an affordable pickup? They offer something unique, making it easier to get around the city and get the job done. They catalyze business initiatives to take off and then some. Individuals aspiring to pursue entrepreneurship (sound the trumpets) find them to be the perfect gateway to bigger opportunities later. That’s if the need ever arises.
Given the success surrounding our top pick (no spoilers), there’s a significant demand for entry-level options, as models like the F-Series and Toyota’s become increasingly complex and expensive. The divide between affordability is becoming more evident, and options like what I’ve got for you have entered the scene and done well since their introduction. The reality is that more options exist that could enter this developing demand conversation and should.
The current options in the mid-size truck segment show a scene of little choice. The full-size segment is depicted as a scene of pickups struggling in a feature fatigue battle, where overcomplicated offerings have driven prices up. Core deliverables remain centered around utility, but a shadow of fanfare over functionality, connectivity, and technology looms, which we may not need and comes at a price.
What we need is fewer complications and more value in the entry-level full-size, mid-size, and small truck segments. Here are five options that bridge your need for an affordable pickup and the reality of owning one:
5
2025 Chevrolet Colorado
$31,900
Out of the five options on offer, the WT variant comes in at the most affordable, and the 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is the only engine available, and that isn’t a bad thing (fewer options usually equate to cheaper costs for everyone). With that, you’ll be getting 310 hp and 430 lb.-ft of torque that is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. In terms of tech, you’ll get the 11-inch touch screen infotainment system and the 11.3-inch diagonal digital driver information center.
A max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds makes it one of the strongest in the mid-size segment. Rear wheel drive only options will get you the best economy with a 18mpg of city and 22 mpg of highway driving. There is a four-wheel-drive option, but for the sake of simplicity and affordability, we’ll stick to the drive being to the rear wheels only.
4
Toyota Tacoma
$31,590
Toyota follows a trend to standardize engine options in the mid-size offering sector with the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 228 hp (270hp with the manual option) and 243 lb.-ft of torque. This is all thanks to the extra grunt supplied through hybrid technology. With that engine standardization, you’ll be getting some of the better economy on the market, with 20mpg of city and 22 mpg of highway driving. That is, unless you’re utilizing the 1,700 pounds of bed loading capacity or the 6,500 pounds of towing capacity.
In terms of tech, you’ll be getting the 8-inch infotainment touch screen, and while with the SR spec, you’ll not be as endowed as the more premium spec options, but never forget that Toyota is a brand that has built its reputation on its off-roading capability, so you’re buying into that caliber and pedigree, even when shopping for base models.
3
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$30,245
Hyundai is a dark horse in the automotive race, and the pickup market is one of its more recent endeavors. Quietly chipping away at the various segments, from ranking on the SUV charts to performance sedans and the occasional performance Van (Ok, it was a one-off). This time, the South Korean manufacturer sets its sights on the entry-level pickup segment in the form of the Santa Cruz.
Their approach might seem modest with a Front-Wheel Drive option and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder option, but this may be an “ok” compromise to make (or perhaps no compromise at all). The SE/SEL trim is under scrutiny for this comparison with its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder making 191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque, and an 8-speed automatic. A little light for some, but remember this is a horses-for-courses affordability chat.
Depending on your lifestyle requirements, the 3,500-pound towing capacity might be more than enough, but there is a turbocharged option that takes that number up to 5,000. Frugality might be the order of the day with the naturally aspirated option and economy as the figures are rated at 22 mpg of city and 26 of highway “cruzing” (bad pun, I know). But on the serious side, when one starts understanding the pay-off of going for an affordable option and saving money for other things in life, options like the Santa Cruz start making a heck of a lot of sense.
PS. There are turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder options available with 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. Feeling better?
2
Nissan Frontier
$33,745
One of the last of the mid-sized pickups to still fly the flag of the V6 and not go 4-cylinder turbo. There’s 1,620 pounds of load capacity in the bin and a towing capacity of 7,150 pounds. That’s pushing 310 HP and 281 lb.-ft of torque. Fuel economy suffers with the V6 naturally aspirated option, giving out 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, which is somewhat on the thirsty side.
For its price point and being one of the last semi-muscle-car-esque variant V6s still flying the flag since the 90s, it ranks. Last of its breed and well-positioned, the 68,000-odd buyers from 2024 would (largely) agree. Despite what some might say about the package, this is a solid, reputable offering that strikes a good balance between modernity and authenticity, catering to the masses who value cubic inches for engine displacement.
1
2025 Ford Maverick
$28,145
Pound for pound, it is the best offering on the light pickup truck market and the one that they all want to beat. In the XL trim, you’ll find every bit of value you need, coming in at the lowest sticker price. This F-series offspring packs the 2.5 hybrid 4-cylinder that pushes out 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. All this is attached to a CVT transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Let me reiterate that this is a significant factor in keeping costs down, eliminating the need for rear axle assembly and drive shaft. You can load 1,500 pounds of cargo in the bin as well as tow 4,000 pounds of trailer behind you.
The economy is a rather frugal 40 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. In terms of technology, there’s a 13.2-inch center touchscreen with the base offering of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, including an onboard WiFi hotspot. Granted, all this implies simplicity, but the Maverick knows its job, keeping it simple all day. Hence the price point. Part of that job is a utility focus with a clear understanding of its “limitations” might be and to the greater population, it will be more than adequate. “Boxing clever” comes to mind.
Here’s something to ponder on. Some trucks, you get in, and the technology feels out of place, like it doesn’t belong there. The segments have succumbed to the demand for more tech, more utility, and just about more of everything. With that, prices are becoming more out of reach.
However, companies like Ford have acknowledged the need for a more affordable option, as seen with the Maverick offering, and the sales numbers amassing prove that it works. Front-wheel drive trucks may still seem foreign to some parts around the globe, but the recipe is a key part in keeping the component costs down by simplifying the blueprint. The results prove a need for growth in this segment and more diversification, and brands like Hyundai are answering that call, tightening up the competition. It won’t be long before everyone has a similar competitor in their stable, taking the fight to the Maverick.
