Trucks Buying Guide
Find the right used truck for you.
What are Trucks?
Modern pickup trucks are workhorses, and they're certainly not one-trick ponies. The best used pickup trucks are equally at home on a job site, running errands in the city, off-roading, or shuttling the kids to their activities. Today's pickups come with a dizzying array of features designed for comfort and utility. Whether you want towing and hauling ability, a functional bed for contracting work, or the creature comforts of a luxury vehicle, there's a pickup that's right for you.
Most Popular Used Trucks
What's the best used pickup? We can't say for sure, since that's subjective, but here are three that are winning the popularity contest. In first place is the Ford F-150, which comes in an array of configurations and trims, while also offering hybrid and electric options. The second most popular is the Ram 1500, which also has plenty of power and layout options. The third most popular pickup is the Toyota Tacoma, which offers a hybrid option, as well as a suite of driver-assist features (in certain years).
We've compiled a list of most popular used trucks with CarMax customers. Learn more about how our lists work.
1. Ford F150
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Plenty of powertrain options
High tech, and highly-accessible infotainment system
Impressive max towing figures
Useful add-on options for a working truck
Cons
No diesel engine option, unlike its competitors
Hybrid powertrain option is noisy when powering the available onboard generator
2. Ram 1500
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Plenty of useful cabin storage
The benchmark light-duty truck for ride quality
Cons
Driver-assist technology only offered on upper trims
Small rearview mirror
3. Toyota Tacoma
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Useful truck bed has power outlet and moveable tie-down cleats
Consummate off-road agility
Six-speed manual transmission option for the V6 top trim
Cons
Steering feels heavy on urban surfaces
Some will find the higher step-up a challenge
Most Reliable Used Trucks
You want to know that your pickup will always get you where you need to go. Shopping for the most reliable used pickup trucks, according to RepairPal data, can give you some assurance.
Topping the list is the Ram 1500 (and Ram 1500 Classic), a full-sized pickup known for its powerful Hemi® V8 engine (though it's not standard on all years). In second place is the Nissan Titan, a full-size pickup that, while reliable, offers fewer trims and configurations than many rivals. Rounding out the top three is the GMC Sierra 1500, which offers upscale interiors and plenty of engine options.
1. Ram 1500 Classic
CarMax owner rating
Pros
V6 or V8 powertrain options
Warlock trim has robust off-roading chops
Pleasingly smooth ride
Cons
Limited trim options
Design details are few and far between
2. Nissan Titan
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Comfortable cabin
Standard V8 engine
Lots of standard driver-assist features
Cons
V8 is thirsty
Maximum towing capacity isn't as good as rivals'
Lack of choice when it comes to engine and axle options
3. Ram 1500
CarMax owner rating
Pros
Plenty of useful cabin storage
The benchmark light-duty truck for ride quality
Cons
Driver-assist technology only offered on upper trims
Small rearview mirror
Benefits of Owning a Used Truck
Pickup trucks are ready for work, play, and domestic responsibilities. They can often seat up to six people and offer plenty of in-cabin storage, as well as space for car seats. They have the added benefit of plenty of bed space for hauling, and engine options designed to tow a yard trailer, horse box, camper, or anything else you need to take on the road.
Varied layouts and configurations
Seating for up to six people
Ability to tow and haul cargo
Smooth driving on and off road
Practical for many uses
Today's used pickups aren't just designed to work: they're engineered to keep you comfortable no matter where you're headed. Large, comfortable, heated and cooled seats are widely available, as are sunroofs and premium interior materials. Remote start, premium sound systems, and heads-up displays are available on many models. In short, you no longer have to choose between practicality and comfort.
Upscale available touches like heated and ventilated leather seats
Spacious backseats comfortably fit adults or car seats
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity available on many models
Premium interior materials
Creature comforts like remote start keep you warm all year round
The benefits of owning a used truck include, of course, a powerful engine. These trucks are designed to tow and haul heavy loads. For example, the 2024 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 can tow up to 13,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Moving an RV, boat, or horse trailer is no problem thanks to tow-specific driver assist features, like Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist (PTBA), available on select years of the F-150.Large, powerful engines
Great towing capacity
Massive hauling potential
Diesel options available on many trucks
All-wheel drive is available on most models
Used pickups often have tons of available technology. Most manufacturers offer a suite of driver-assist features that make driving such a large vehicle a bit easier. For example, the available GMC Pro package adds lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control to the 2020 GMC Sierra. Additional tech features, like the 15-view camera system available on the 2020 Sierra, are designed to give you peace of mind while towing.
Many available driver assist features
Advanced features like adaptive cruise control
Tow-specific technology streamlines trailering
Camera and blind-spot monitoring provide views of your environment
Technology to mitigate the challenges of driving a large vehicle
How to Choose a Used Truck
First, consider what your primary use will be for your pickup, or any specialty activities you'll be using it for. Hauling your RV on long cross-country trips will require different features from using your truck for work each day. By focusing on the primary use of your vehicle, you can think about what features will make the biggest difference for you day-to-day.
Towing and hauling requirements
Space needs for cargo and passengers
Features that you use the most
Today's pickups come in nearly every budget. Barebones work trucks are often more budget-friendly than luxurious top-of-the-line cruisers that come fully-loaded with features. Likewise, compact and midsized pickups are often less expensive than full-size or heavy-duty trucks. Consider what your budget is, then prioritize must-have features within that budget.
Budget restraints
Must-have features for work or recreation
Size truck that you require
Today's trucks come with seemingly endless options, so consider what specifications are most important to you. Think about powertrain (rear-wheel drive vs. all-wheel drive), engine type (gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric), and whether you'd like to prioritize power or fuel economy. Consider reliability ratings and driver-assist features that will make you feel more comfortable and confident on the road.
Drivetrain and fuel type
Reliability rankings
Must-have driver-assist features
Compare Used Pickup Trucks
The GMC Sierra and the Ford F-150 are both full-size pickups that come in a variety of cab and bed-size configurations. Both offer trims that range from work-focused to luxurious.
GMC Sierra 1500 Advantages
Available diesel engine
Upscale interior
Great off-road options
Ford F-150 Advantages
Available hybrid powertrain across many years
Better infotainment system
Great towing and hauling capacity
The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra are both full-sized trucks that are available with hybrid engines (in certain model years). The Tundra is known for its off-road trims, while the F-150 is the more popular vehicle.
Toyota Tundra Advantages
Great off-road options
Good RepairPal® reliability scores
Standard V6 engine may be preferable
Ford F-150 Advantages
Available performance-focused Raptor trim
Seating for up to six
Great estimated towing capacity
The GMC Canyon and the Toyota Tacoma are both compact pickups. The Canyon comes in a single cab size and bed length, while the Tacoma offers a variety of configurations.
GMC Canyon Advantages
One cab and bed size streamlines decision-making
More spacious interior
Great infotainment system
Toyota Tacoma Advantages
Excellent off-road features available
Many cab and bed sizes
Available hybrid engine
The Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet Colorado pickups are available in off-road-focused trims. Both are available with a single cab and bed size configuration, and have comparable towing capacities.
Ford Ranger Advantages
Strong V6 engine
Great infotainment system
Smoother ride
Chevrolet Colorado Advantages
Lots of trims to choose from
Excellent maximum towing capacity
Great visibility
The Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma are mid-sized pickups that are available with hybrid engines in certain model years. See a more in-depth comparison here.
Toyota Tacoma Advantages
More configurations and trims
Clever in-cab storage
Excellent off-road options available
Ford Ranger Advantages
Great maximum towing capacity
Smoother ride
Many driver-assist features available
Want to do more comparison shopping? Check out our comparison tool, which makes it easy to put trucks side by side. Or, review these in-depth comparison articles: Toyota Tacoma vs. Toyota Tundra and Ford F250 vs. Ram 2500.
Truck Size
Compact pickups are the smallest of the bunch, perfect for city driving and tight parking spaces. Some popular compact pickups include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Chevy Colorado.
Key Features
Smaller body size
Maneuverable
Engines built to tow or haul smaller loads
Popular Models
Full-size pickups are the most popular type of pickup. They're small enough for everyday driving, but have the space and power to haul people and cargo. Popular full-size pickups include the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado, and the Ram 1500.
Key Features
Larger engines, often available in diesel or hybrid options
Tons of cab and bed configurations
Interiors ranging from work truck to luxury
Popular Models
Heavy-duty pickups, like the Ford F-250 and Ram 2500, are the largest and most powerful trucks. They have bigger engines and more hauling capability because they're designed for the toughest of jobs.
Key Features
Largest, most powerful engines
Many available tow features
Often available with dual rear wheel
Popular Models
Cab Style
Of the three common cab styles, a regular cab is the smallest, offering seating for two to three people.
Key Features
Two doors
One seating bench
Smallest interior available on pickups
Popular Models
An extended cab truck has a full front seat and a smaller back seat with less legroom. It often has full-sized front doors and small half-doors to access the rear seat.
Key Features
Seating for five to six people
More in-cab storage when the rear seats aren't in use
Second-smallest interior available
Popular Models
A crew cab has two full rows of seats, enough to fit — you guessed it — the whole crew. These trucks have four full-sized doors, making access to the rear seat easy. Some manufacturers also offer extended crew cabs, which have even more legroom.
Key Features
Two full-size doors
Seating for five to six people
Plenty of space for rear passengers to ride comfortably
Popular Models
Bed length
Most manufacturers offer three bed lengths. While longer beds are great for cargo space, shorter beds offer less overall truck length, which can increase maneuverability.
Short beds are the smallest option, usually measuring five feet, eight inches. Some trucks, like the Ford Maverick and Jeep Gladiator, offer even shorter bed options, though that's rare.
Key Features
Smallest bed available
Great for fitting into tight parking spaces
Somewhat limited cargo space
Popular Models
Regular beds (also known as standard beds) are typically six feet, five inches long. These are the most common type of bed, since they offer ample storage space without making the truck overly long.
Key Features
Most popular bed option
Plenty of cargo space
Still fits in a typical parking space
Popular Models
Long beds are usually eight feet long, which is great for contractors who need to fit a full length of drywall or plywood in the bed of their truck. While they can't be beat for cargo space, they can be difficult to fit into a regular parking space.
Key Features
Tons of storage space
Not available with all cab sizes
Increases overall truck length
Popular Models
FAQs about trucks
The Toyota Tacoma is the most reliable midsize pickup, according to RepairPal data.* The Ram 1500 is the most reliable full-size truck, according to the same data.
*RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more at repairpal.com/reliability
Towing capacity varies widely, based on truck type, engine size and type, drivetrain, and how the vehicle is equipped. If you're looking to tow a specific item, compare the item's weight to the tow capacity of the specific make, model, and trim you're considering.
First, consider how you'll be using the truck and which features are most important to you (for example, passenger space, towing capabilities, or maneuverability). Once you identify contenders that fit your needs, compare based on reliability scores, price, and the availability of secondary features that you'd like to have.
Finding used trucks can be done through a variety of platforms, depending on whether you want the convenience of buying entirely online or the security of a physical store. If you're not sure what you prefer, give both a try.
To find the right pickup truck, consider how you'll be using the truck most (for work, versus hauling your RV, for example). Think about what features are must-haves for you, like all-wheel drive or driver-assist technology. Consider the truck type, cab size, and bed length that are the best fit for you.
Pickup trucks are great for moving cargo and hauling trailers or RVs. They stand out for their ability to fit both people and cargo, as well as the wide range of configurations and features that are available.
These days, it's easy to sell a pickup truck online or in person. You can also sell to a dealer or sell directly to another buyer (known as selling privately).
Pickup trucks are widely available from online and in-person dealers, as well as private sales. Deciding where to buy is a matter of preference and availability.
A pickup truck is a vehicle with an enclosed cabin and open bed. Trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 use body-on-frame construction, which provides greater hauling and towing capability. Some small and midsize trucks like the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline use unibody construction, like a modern car or SUV, while still adhering to the closed-cab, open-bed formula.
A regular cab truck comes with two doors and two or three seats, with no rear seat at all. An extended cab has a second row of seats with relatively little legroom and usually comes with a small door for access, sometimes hinged at the rear.
Crew cabs and extended crew cabs have two rows of seats with more second-row room and four standard front-hinged doors. You can find out more from Carmax’s guide to truck cab styles.
According to RepairPal data, the Toyota Tacoma is the most reliable pickup truck. On the whole, midsize trucks tend to have better reliability ratings than full size or heavy duty trucks. Check out CarMax’s list of the most reliable trucks to learn more.
Diesel engines usually generate more torque than similarly-sized gasoline engines, and tend to be more fuel efficient as well. That fuel efficiency extends to towing, where they don’t take as big a hit as a gasoline engine. However, modern gasoline engines can offer impressively high towing capacities, and turbocharged engines or hybrid electric powertrains can make a lot of torque with smaller displacement.
Most full-size and heavy-duty trucks offer 8-foot beds. Full size trucks that offer 8-foot beds, like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500, will only offer them with regular cabs or sometimes extended cabs. In order to get a crew cab and 8-foot bed, you’ll need to look at heavy duty trucks, like the Ram 2500.
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How we ranked these vehicles
Our "Best of" lists represent the most popular vehicles with CarMax customers. To create the Best lists, our analysts look at CarMax vehicle and sales data over a recent 6-month period and rank the top selling vehicles in order. Looking back over a 6-month period allows for the highest sample size possible while also providing up-to-date pricing information. Each list includes the specific dates used when it was generated. Some articles may include data points with lower sample sizes.
To create our "Most Reliable" lists, our analysts pull the top most reliable vehicles—in order—according to RepairPal rankings. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.