Even in urban areas, the demand for versatile vehicles is rising, making pickups a favorite choice for drivers due to their flexibility as workhorses, family vehicles, and even efficient commuters. Sure, the price of new trucks can be intimidating compared to smaller automobiles like cars and crossovers, but the price is based on what they have to offer. When buying a new truck just isn’t in the budget for you, it doesn’t mean you have to settle with a model that doesn’t meet your needs. This is where heading down to your nearest used truck dealership comes in handy.
Since many used vehicles found at dealerships today are only a few years old, finding a truck to meet all of your requirements, with low mileage, pristine condition, and a price tag you can afford, is going to be easier than you think. What’s even better, since trucks are in such demand because of their capabilities, they tend to hold their value. This may mean you’ll pay more for your used truck than you would for a used sedan, but it also means that when you’re ready to upgrade to a newer or larger model in a couple of years, you won’t be losing out on any money when you decide to sell your truck or trade it in. But don’t let the value of a pickup be the only reason for you to choose it or another vehicle. Check out what these five used trucks with some of the best resale values have to offer.
#1 – GMC Sierra 1500
GMC has been making trucks since 1909, although its roots in truck manufacturing date back even further. GMC is General Motors’ premium truck and SUV brand, and the full-size GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the most popular trucks on the market because of everything it has to offer. Although the Sierra nameplate has roots dating back to the early 1970s as a trim level for the GMC C/K series trucks, the first generation of the modern-day Sierra didn’t begin until 1988, which is still a considerable amount of time to stay at the top. No vehicle can hold such a favorable reputation for any length of time without a good reason, and the GMC Sierra 1500 just so happens to have many reasons why drivers consistently choose it over other models.
From the beginning, GMC has prided itself on making quality trucks with luxury features affordable to all, even when trucks were made solely for working. Today, with modern technology and advancements, GMC has even more to offer its drivers who choose the Sierra 1500. From the outside, you’ll see the Sierra 1500’s handsome exterior, boasting of power with its wide stance and intimidating grill, all tamed with a touch of class, wrapped in chrome. On the interior, you’ll find a spacious and refined cabin space lined with rich materials and features prioritizing the comfort and convenience of its drivers.
This includes the most advanced connectivity like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, premium Bose audio systems, and even driver-assist technologies, such as Teen Driver technology to elevate safety and monitor your family’s new driver when you aren’t available. Pretty impressive, right? Plus, with a variety of trims and several powertrain combinations to choose from with the Sierra 1500, you can pick and choose the performance you need and the level of luxury that fits into your budget.
#2 – Chevy Silverado 1500
Chevy is a subsidiary of General Motors focused on making quality vehicles and features attainable to all drivers and has been around for over a century. Chevy was founded in 1911 and produced its first truck in 1918. Unlike GMC, Chevy’s trucks are built for work more than anything, but that does not mean they lack style or comfort, which is why the Chevy Silverado 1500 also ranks as one of the most popular trucks on the market.
Since both the GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500 are under the same corporate umbrella, they are practically identical, offering the same engines, including V8 and diesel options, as well as similar cab and bed choices. The two trucks also share some of the same amenities and technologies, but you won’t find many of the premium features of the GMC Sierra 1500 on the Silverado unless it’s the top-of-the-line model. However, the Silverado still has plenty to offer if you can do without the higher quality design and price tag found with the premium GMC Sierra 1500.
Since Chevy Silverado 1500 showcases a more casual and labor-ready look than the upscale Sierra. You’ll fit right in at the neighborhood BBQ, on the job site, and even on the trail. When you are planning to venture off-road on the weekends with your truck, the Silverado Trail Boss model has a two-inch lift, trail-specific tires, and other necessary upgrades needed to handle the rough terrain at a more attainable price than other off-road-ready models.
#3 – Ford F-150
Ford is another people-pleasing automobile brand that has been around for over a century, founded in 1903 with its first truck made in 1917. Its F-Series line, first introduced in 1948, is another truck sitting at the top of the popularity chart, with the full-size Ford F-150 being the top pick due to its size, capabilities, features, and affordability. Similar to the Chevy Silverado 1500, the F-150 appeals to all drivers, built for purpose with the option for premium features.
The Ford F-150 comes with a wide range of engine options, ranging from multiple V6 variations to a V8. A diesel was offered from 2018 to 2022, and a hybrid option was made available in 2021 for maximum efficiency. The F-150 does prove slightly more competent than the GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500, with higher towing and payload capacities in many configurations, but the difference isn’t huge. As for style, the Ford F-150, similar to its price, sits between the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Chevy Silverado 1500. It offers a more refined interior than that of the Silverado, but not as glorious as the Sierra unless you choose the top-of-the-line trims, which can get more costly than the top trim Sierra.
The F-150 is equipped with similar driver-assist and connectivity technologies as the other models, but starting in 2021, the F-150 added features to simplify work on the move. The center console can be transformed into a flat workspace so you can take your office on the go. The tailgate has added features like a tablet, ruler, and pencil holder, an onboard generator to keep power tools charged at the job site, and most importantly, front seats that fold flat for the much-needed rest you might need in the middle of the workday.
#4 – Ram 1500
Next on the list is the full-size Ram 1500, originally known as the Dodge Ram from 1981 up until 2010, when Ram became an independent brand. Dodge is another brand that has been changing automotive history since the early 1900s, with its first vehicle rolling off the assembly line in 1914, and Ram has continued to thrive even on its own, continuing its high ranking in popularity. The Ram 1500’s capabilities are in line with those of the GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500, but its intimidating exterior ruggedness is in a league of its own, especially with the off-road Rebel model. Its interior, on the other hand, offers practical refinement.
The Ram 1500 has plenty of advanced features like the Head-Up Display, which projects essential driving information like speed right into the driver’s view ahead of the windshield. When this feature became available for the Ram 1500 for the 2021 model, it was one of the first trucks to offer it. The Ram also has a reputation of having one of the best infotainment systems in its class, and for the 2021 model year, the infotainment system even started containing off-road pages to monitor pitch and roll and show ride height.
For help with your productivity with work on the go, the Ram 1500 has options also like ample interior storage, a split-folding tailgate, and even the option for storage in the truck bed’s walls with the available Rambox. Unfortunately, all of the premium features available with the Ram may add to its capabilities, comfort, and convenience, but also the price. You can expect a Ram 1500 to be among the more expensive used truck options you will find.
#5 – Toyota Tundra
Built by a brand renowned for dependable vehicles, you can expect the Toyota Tundra to last for many miles, but it’s also the most expensive used truck on our list. Toyota’s roots began in 1933, with its first truck introduced in 1935. Although the first full-size Tundra wasn’t launched until the 2000 model year, it holds steady at the top of the charts with all of the other full-size trucks on our list.
Toyota Tundras are built to last, and they’re built to work with their competitive towing and hauling capabilities. As capable as the Tundra may be, it lacks customizable performance and has the fewest powertrain options of all the aforementioned models. From 2015 through 2021, the Tundra is only available with V8 engines.
But when it comes to style, the Toyota Tundra’s rugged and bold appearance takes the lead, even over that of the Ram 1500. It carries a grille ready to push through anything in its path, on or off the road. It looks very powerful and intimidating, just as it should with the V8 power it carries under the hood for many of its model years. However, the Tundra’s interior is mediocre at best when compared to other models with lesser price tags. Newer models do make up for the lackluster interior with expansive storage space in the cab with the rear seat folded down as well as a hidden storage compartment under the rear seat of models with a Double Cab.
Which Truck Will Be the Most Valuable to You?
When you come across the GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra in search of your next versatile vehicle, you are going to have a tough time choosing only one. All of these five models are justifiably at the top of the charts for popularity, with some of the best resale values of all vehicles. But what’s even more valuable about these top-selling trucks is their style, capabilities, and features that make them not only workhorses and off-road rigs but great family and commuter trucks too. Choosing which truck will be most valuable to you will depend on your style preferences and driving needs.
