Americans are passionate about their trucks, with mid-size, full-size, and heavy-duty workhorses dotting the landscape and dramatically impacting how we work, travel, and play. Trucks are integral to who we are and embody the characteristics that define our nation. They represent our grit and determination, freedom, and penchant for adventure long after a hard day’s work. Automakers capitalize on these characteristics, finding ways to give us trucks for sale that exceed our expectations and imaginations.
It was an outstanding year for the truck industry, as leading brands like Toyota, GMC, Ram, Silverado, and Ford continued to up the ante. After a few years of supply chain issues and the inability to meet demand among consumers, the truck segment finally found solid footing in 2023. The best-selling trucks in America pushed some of the country’s most revered automakers to greater heights, bringing owners along for the ride and promising even more in the future.
Which trucks made the list as the most popular in 2023? From a fan favorite for the last four decades to a beloved adventurer, here are the top-selling models from 2023. Can you guess which workhorse makes the top of the list?
5. Toyota Tacoma
The 2023 Tacoma was the fifth most popular truck in America, with Toyota selling 234,768 units to drivers across the country. Customers are drawn to the Tacoma because of its impeccable reputation for reliability and adventure, making it the leading midsize truck in the industry. Toyota added to the Tacoma’s appeal by introducing new packages and features in 2023 to carry the truck forward one more year before its fourth-generation debut in 2024.
Toyota gave Tacoma drivers more opportunities to customize the truck with the Chrome Package and SX Package in 2023. The Chrome Package adds chrome details to provide the Tacoma with a distinct aesthetic, while the SX Package makes its way to the SR5 for the first time. This package gives the Tacoma a more aggressive style, featuring black wheels, blacked-out trim, black badging, and black exterior mirrors.
Even though it ranked fifth, and with the updates to the Tacoma in 2023, sales declined by 1% from 2022. While the Tacoma continues its reign as the best-selling midsize truck in America, experts agree that many Tacoma fans are likely waiting until 2024 when Toyota debuts the mid-size marvel’s fourth generation with a modern style and innovative technologies to match.
4. GMC Sierra
While Tacoma sales slumped in 2023, GMC enjoyed an exceptional year, with a 22% increase in Sierra sales over 2022. The automaker sold 295,737 units, with buyers turning to the Sierra for the luxury, capability, and innovative technology expected of the brand. The 2023 Sierra certainly didn’t disappoint, with GMC adding to the truck’s appeal with an incredible suite of updates to give the Sierra an edge.
Most notably, the 2023 Sierra lineup saw the introduction of the AT4X AEV Edition, celebrating GMC’s collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles to create a workhorse ready for adventure straight off the factory floor. With race-inspired wheels, 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, and AEV stamped bumpers, the AT4X AEV Edition instantly turns heads as the perfect full-size road warrior to satiate every on- and off-road need. Of course, the 2023 Sierra lineup didn’t stop there, as GMC answered every other need with an exceptional lineup of luxurious workhorses.
Nearly 300,000 Americans were happy to get behind the wheel of a 2023 Sierra Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, or Denali Ultimate. The Sierra’s expansive trim lineup caters to every style, performance, and budget need, with GMC sweetening the truck’s packaging with a four-engine lineup that delivers anywhere from 305 horsepower to 495 lb-ft of torque and can tow loads up to 13,200 pounds. Add the luxury associated with the Denali name, and it’s no surprise that Sierra sales skyrocketed in 2023.
3. Ram 1500
A banner year for GMC means something different for Ram in 2023. While the Ram 1500 outsold the Sierra, it was not enough to increase the automaker’s sales from 2022. Ram sold 444,926 units in 2023, a 5% decrease from the previous year, as drivers likely anticipate the Ram 1500’s update slated for 2025. Even so, selling over 444,000 units is impressive, especially with drivers reaping the benefits of Ram’s exceptional reputation for building competent, well-equipped, and value-packed road warriors.
The 2023 Ram 1500 is no exception, with Ram enticing drivers with heavy-hitting trims like the TRX, the fastest and most potent mass-produced half-ton truck in the world. Beyond the heart-palpitating TRX, Ram 1500 sales were likely due to the truck’s brute strength, with a towing capability of up to 12,750 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,300 pounds. As the most powerful half-ton diesel in the segment, the Ram 1500 embodies the work hard, play harder mentality.
Beyond its brute strength, the 2023 Ram 1500’s extensive technologies and luxuries are also part of its appeal. Ram adds its Limited Elite Edition, which outfits the truck with a multifunction tailgate, deployable bed step, a jeweled rotary shifter, and heated and ventilated front seats. These upgrades complement the Ram 1500’s outstanding technologies, from the 12-inch digital gauge cluster with two dozen menus to the 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen display with seamless smartphone integration.
2. Chevy Silverado
Taking the spot as the second most popular truck in America is the 2023 Chevy Silverado. The automaker sold over 543,000 units in 2023, which includes sales of the Silverado 1500 and the Silverado HD fleet. Even so, the Silverado 1500 is responsible for most of those sales, pushing Chevrolet to a 5.9% increase over 2022.
Chevrolet’s reputation for building exceptional powertrains became more apparent to a new generation of drivers in 2023 when the Silverado returned to the lineup with a second-generation Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel engine. From the new design of the steel pistons and the revised turbo compressor to the all-new fuel injectors and temperature control features, the results are extraordinary, as the Duramax produces 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds.
Chevrolet takes the 2023 Silverado even further by giving drivers more opportunities to bring their truck dreams to life without compromise. From the WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss to the LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ, and High Country, the Silverado caters to everyone. The addition of the Durabed as the most functional in the segment and the Multi-Flex tailgate makes for a winning combination that rightly earns the Silverado 1500 its place as the second best-selling truck for 2023.
1. Ford F-150
Ford gets it right once more and takes top honors for building the best-selling truck in America for 42 consecutive years. The 2023 F-150 is the fan favorite, with Ford selling 750,789 units for a 15% increase in sales over 2022. Most notably, the F-150’s popularity is tied to its incredible reputation in the industry, and also to the highly anticipated F-150 Lightning, with Ford selling over 24,000 models in 2023.
The F-150 is a perennial favorite, accommodating every need with its extensive lineup stretching from entry-level trims like the XL, XLT, and Rattler to the distinct Heritage Edition, luxurious Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The F-150 Tremor satiates an entirely different need, while the F-150 Lightning ushers the best-selling F-Series into an electrified future. With an all-electric heartbeat, a targeted driving range of 240 miles, and advanced trailer assist technologies like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, the F-150 Lightning easily proves it belongs in the F-150 lineup and exceeds every expectation of capability, responsiveness, and engagement mile after mile.
