Top 10 Best Used Trucks for the Money (2020–2025)
Buying a used truck is one of the best financial moves you can make — let someone else eat the depreciation while you get a capable, nearly-new vehicle for thousands less. But not all trucks hold their value or stay out of the shop equally. We ranked 10 of the most popular used trucks from the 2020–2025 model years across five key dimensions that matter most to your wallet: reliability, maintenance cost, resale value, fuel economy, and real-world capability. Whether you need a daily driver, a weekend hauler, or a do-everything workhorse, this list will help you find the truck that gives you the most for your money.
How We Score
Our scores are based on aggregated data from major automotive reliability studies (Consumer Reports, J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability), average maintenance and repair cost tracking, resale value curves from industry guides, EPA fuel economy ratings, and real-world owner feedback from enthusiast communities. Each dimension is weighted to reflect what matters most for long-term value of ownership. Scores are on a 1–10 scale.
Reliability 30%
Maintenance Cost 25%
Resale Value 20%
Fuel Economy 10%
Capability 15%
1
Toyota Tacoma
2020–2024
SR5 / TRD Off-Road V6
9.1
Value Score
The gold standard for used truck value — legendary reliability meets the strongest resale in the segment.
Pros
- Industry-leading resale value — you'll get most of your money back
- Proven 3.5L V6 with virtually no major drivetrain issues
- Massive aftermarket support and easy DIY maintenance
Cons
- Interior feels dated compared to rivals (pre-2024)
- V6 fuel economy is middle-of-the-pack at best
- Ride quality is stiffer than competitors on pavement
What Owners Are Saying
"200K miles on my 2020, never left me stranded. Just oil changes and brake pads."
"You'll pay a premium buying one used because everyone knows they last forever."
"The interior is nothing special but I didn't buy a truck to sit in a living room."
Avg. Used Price
$30,000 – $38,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
19 / 24
Engine
3.5L V6 — 278 hp
Towing
Up to 6,800 lbs
2
Ford F-150
2021–2024
XLT / Lariat (2.7L EcoBoost)
8.8
Value Score
America's best-selling truck earns it — the 14th-gen F-150 is the most capable half-ton you can buy, and used values are finally reasonable.
Pros
- Best-in-class towing and payload with the right configuration
- 2.7L EcoBoost delivers V8 power with V6 fuel economy
- Pro Power Onboard (available) turns the bed into a generator
Cons
- Turbo engine complexity means higher repair bills when things go wrong
- Infotainment glitches were common in early 2021 models
- Full-size running costs (tires, brakes) add up vs. midsize trucks
What Owners Are Saying
"The 2.7 EcoBoost is the real sweet spot — tows my camper and still gets 24 mpg highway."
"Pro Power Onboard changed how I use my truck. Running power tools in the field with no generator."
"Had a few software glitches early on but Ford updated it over-the-air. Solid since then."
Avg. Used Price
$33,000 – $45,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
20 / 26 (2.7L)
Engine
2.7L EcoBoost V6 — 325 hp
Towing
Up to 10,100 lbs
3
Honda Ridgeline
2020–2025
RTL / RTL-E
8.6
Value Score
If you don't need to tow 10,000 lbs, the Ridgeline is the lowest-cost-to-own truck on this list — Honda reliability in a pickup.
Pros
- Car-like ride quality — best daily-driving truck experience
- Honda reliability means minimal surprise repair bills
- In-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate are genuinely useful
Cons
- Unibody construction limits towing to 5,000 lbs
- Not a "real truck" for body-on-frame purists
- Lower resale than Toyota — depreciates closer to the segment average
What Owners Are Saying
"I get roasted at job sites but my back doesn't hurt after a 2-hour commute. Worth it."
"The in-bed trunk is something you don't know you need until you have it."
"Basically a Pilot with a bed. If that sounds good to you, it's the best truck made."
Avg. Used Price
$30,000 – $38,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
18 / 24
Engine
3.5L V6 — 280 hp
Towing
Up to 5,000 lbs
4
Toyota Tundra
2022–2025
SR5 / Limited (i-FORCE)
8.4
Value Score
The all-new 3rd-gen Tundra finally competes with Detroit on features while keeping Toyota's bulletproof reputation and resale.
Pros
- Twin-turbo V6 makes 389 hp — more than enough for any job
- Completely redesigned interior is a massive leap forward
- Toyota resale means low total cost of ownership despite higher buy-in
Cons
- First-year 2022 models had some coil spring rear suspension complaints
- Higher entry price than F-150 or Silverado on the used market
- Fuel economy is decent but not class-leading
What Owners Are Saying
"Finally feels like Toyota built a modern full-size truck. The interior is night and day from the old one."
"Twin-turbo V6 pulls hard. Never feels underpowered towing my 8K lb trailer."
"Paid more upfront than I would have for an F-150 but the resale will make up for it."
Avg. Used Price
$38,000 – $50,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
18 / 24
Engine
3.4L Twin-Turbo V6 — 389 hp
Towing
Up to 12,000 lbs
5
Chevrolet Colorado
2023–2025
LT / Trail Boss (2.7L Turbo)
8.2
Value Score
The redesigned 3rd-gen Colorado punches well above its weight class — midsize price, near-full-size capability.
Pros
- 2.7L turbo-four makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft — serious capability
- Available Multimatic DSSV dampers (ZR2) rival off-road trucks twice the price
- New interior is a massive improvement over the outgoing generation
Cons
- New generation means limited long-term reliability data so far
- Only one engine option — no V6 or diesel choice
- Higher starting MSRP than the previous gen narrows the used value gap
What Owners Are Saying
"The 2.7 turbo-four sounds wrong on paper but 430 lb-ft of torque in a midsize is no joke."
"ZR2 with the Multimatic dampers is genuinely the best off-road ride I've experienced."
"Only complaint is no V6 option. The turbo-four is great but I wish I had a choice."
Avg. Used Price
$30,000 – $40,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
21 / 27
Engine
2.7L Turbo I-4 — 310 hp
Towing
Up to 7,700 lbs
6
Ram 1500
2021–2025
Big Horn / Laramie (5.7L HEMI)
8.0
Value Score
The best interior in any truck at any price, paired with the coil-spring rear suspension that rides like a luxury sedan. Just budget for the gas.
Pros
- Class-leading ride quality — coil spring rear suspension is a game-changer
- Interior quality embarrasses trucks costing $20K more
- 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen is the best in the segment
Cons
- HEMI V8 fuel economy is the worst in the full-size class
- Stellantis reliability scores trail Toyota and Ford
- Higher depreciation than Toyota means more value loss over time
What Owners Are Saying
"Nothing else in this class rides like a Ram. Coil springs in the rear are a game-changer."
"Interior makes my buddy's Platinum F-150 feel cheap. The screen alone is worth the switch."
"Gas mileage hurts. I'm at 14 mpg mixed with the HEMI. Budget accordingly."
Avg. Used Price
$32,000 – $45,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
15 / 22
Engine
5.7L HEMI V8 — 395 hp
Towing
Up to 11,610 lbs
7
Ford Ranger
2020–2024
Lariat / XLT (2.3L EcoBoost)
7.8
Value Score
The Ranger slots perfectly between the Maverick and F-150 — real truck capability without the full-size fuel bill.
Pros
- 2.3L EcoBoost is a proven, torquey engine with good fuel economy
- Available FX4 package adds legit off-road hardware
- Ford's parts ecosystem means cheap maintenance and easy repairs
Cons
- Pre-2024 interior looks and feels a generation behind
- Rear seat space is tight for adults
- Ride quality is on the firm side compared to the Colorado
What Owners Are Saying
"Perfect size for 90% of truck tasks. I can actually fit this in my garage."
"The 2.3 EcoBoost has tons of low-end torque. Tows my boat without breaking a sweat."
"Interior is the weak spot — feels like a 2015 truck inside. 2024 refresh fixes this."
Avg. Used Price
$27,000 – $35,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
21 / 26
Engine
2.3L EcoBoost I-4 — 270 hp
Towing
Up to 7,500 lbs
8
Nissan Frontier
2022–2025
SV / Pro-4X (3.8L V6)
7.6
Value Score
The redesigned Frontier is the budget king — a solid, simple truck with a proven V6 and the lowest entry price in the midsize class.
Pros
- 3.8L V6 is naturally aspirated and dead simple — no turbos to worry about
- Lowest average used price of any redesigned midsize truck
- Zero-gravity front seats are the most comfortable in the segment
Cons
- Only a 9-speed auto — no manual option
- Tech features lag behind Colorado and Tacoma
- Resale doesn't match Toyota, so total cost of ownership is closer than the sticker suggests
What Owners Are Saying
"Best seats in any truck, period. Nissan's Zero Gravity chairs are legit for long drives."
"Simple, no-nonsense V6. No turbos, no CVT, just a normal truck that works."
"You can find these used for way less than a Tacoma. Underrated."
Avg. Used Price
$26,000 – $34,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
17 / 22
Engine
3.8L V6 — 310 hp
Towing
Up to 6,720 lbs
9
GMC Canyon
2023–2025
Elevation / AT4 (2.7L Turbo)
7.4
Value Score
Same bones as the Colorado with a more premium wrapper — worth it if you find one for the right price on the used market.
Pros
- Shares the Colorado's excellent 2.7L turbo and platform
- GMC-specific styling and interior trim feel more upscale
- AT4 and AT4X trims offer serious off-road hardware
Cons
- Higher MSRP than the Colorado means less value even used
- Same limited long-term reliability data as the new Colorado
- Fewer units sold means less availability on the used market
What Owners Are Saying
"It's a Colorado with a nicer interior and badge. If the price is close, go GMC."
"AT4X is the off-road truck of the year. Multimatic dampers are worth every penny."
"Hard to find used because fewer people bought them. Took me 3 months to find mine."
Avg. Used Price
$33,000 – $43,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
21 / 27
Engine
2.7L Turbo I-4 — 310 hp
Towing
Up to 7,700 lbs
10
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020–2024
LT / RST (2.7L Turbo)
7.2
Value Score
Fleet-volume production means used Silverados are everywhere and priced to move — the best full-size bargain if you shop smart.
Pros
- Highest inventory on used lots = most negotiating leverage
- 2.7L turbo-four is surprisingly capable and fuel-efficient
- Available Multi-Flex tailgate is genuinely useful for work
Cons
- Pre-2022 refresh interior was below class standards
- More recalls than Toyota or Honda on average
- Higher depreciation than F-150 or Tundra
What Owners Are Saying
"Tons of them on dealer lots = leverage to negotiate. Got mine $6K under asking."
"The 2.7 turbo is the hidden gem of this truck. Better fuel economy than the V8 with plenty of power."
"Interior was rough before the 2022 refresh. Make sure you're getting a refreshed model."
Avg. Used Price
$30,000 – $42,000
MPG (City/Hwy)
20 / 23
Engine
2.7L Turbo I-4 — 310 hp
Towing
Up to 9,600 lbs