These days, automakers are more comfortable and affordable than ever before. Our new 2023 Affordability Report lists some of the best pickups for the money, with options from Hyundai. It should be noted that one person’s needs may not be the best for another, especially in terms of withdrawals. A compact van like the one below may not have enough power, but a towing package might be in order to increase the power.
The Ford Maverick XL is one of the best pickup trucks for the money.
In terms of our 2023 affordability report, it wouldn’t be surprising if the XL was the top pick. Starting at just $24,340 for this year, the Maverick XL comes packed with thoughtful features and extras. All-wheel drive is standard, and with 37 mpg combined, the annual fuel cost is only about $1,550. Ford says it gets 42 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
The SE compact truck has a lot going for it. Hyundai says the SE gets 23 mpg combined, which is 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Cars.com estimates the annual fuel cost to be around $2,500. Hyundai’s warranty is five years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain.
This compact van comes with front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel-drive option is available (it’s also available on higher trims). A 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 hp or a 2.5-liter turbo with 281 hp is the Santa Cruz engine. Some of the standard safety systems include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane keep assist.
Don’t lose sight of the Ford Ranger XL
While the XL jumps to $32,745, it’s also bigger and more capable. The Ranger gets 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, which comes out to 23 mpg combined. Cars.com estimates the annual fuel cost to be around $2,500. Ford has a couple of extras available that might make the Ranger even better.
The STX Appearance Package adds 17-inch wheels, STX Box decal, and halogen fog lights for $1,095. The Ford Co-Pilot360 package adds even more safety features and upgrades. The addition of a trailer hitch package increases towing capacity and adds a four-pin/seven-pin wiring harness. Even without the add-on packages, the Ford Ranger XL is still one of the best pickups for the money.
Either way, these are the best trucks for the money in 2023. Most midsize trucks on the market this year come with bigger price tags, but these compact options have a lot more to offer. The Ranger is by no means new to the market, but it does have a reasonable entry price.
