The automakers love luring you to the dealership with a full-size MSRP minivan pickup. But those totals are for beginners with I4s—or even turbocharged ones. What’s more, those totals don’t include hefty destination fees and selling fees. We’re here to break the BS: These are the full-size V8 pickup trucks with the lowest net prices in 2023.
- 2023 Ram 1500 Classic (5.7L HEMI V8) – $35,585
- 2023 Ford F-150 XL (5.0L Coyote V8) – $37,925
- 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT (5.3L EcoTec3 V8) – $38,195
2023 Ram 1500 Classic with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8: $35,585
So what is a “classic” Ram truck!? When the fifth generation of its 1500 half-ton sedan was launched in 2019, it completely redesigned the cabin and ditched the two-door regular cab configuration. The automaker knew that many fleet owners and drivers on a budget wouldn’t like the resulting MSRP, so it continues to build the old fourth-generation RAM, badged as a classic.
It costs $2,495. But an engine upgrade requires you to boost the eight-speed transmission as well, to the tune of $500. The result is a net price of $35,585.
5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with 395 horsepower.
2023 Ford F-150 XL with 5.0-liter V8: $37,925
Unlike the Ram Classic, the 2023 Ford F-150 XL is a current-generation truck with a modern entry-level infotainment system and driver aids. New for 2023, Ford has made power windows standard on every XL. Some might say the F-150 lags behind the Ram with its rear leaf spring, but Ford offers cruise control and automatic emergency braking on every truck. The F-150 also powers the Ram with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The regular cab, naturally aspirated V6 F-150 XL costs $33,695. It also has a destination fee of $1,895, so it starts at $35,590. Ford offers a number of engines in the F-150. Your options range from two turbocharged EcoBoosts to a conventional V8. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is listed as a $2,335 option and will bring your total to at least $37,925.
5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8 engine with 400 horsepower.
2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8: $38,195
Chevrolet is currently advertising its base Silverado 1500 WT (Work Truck) with an MSRP of $35,895 and a Net Price of $38,195. A mechanically identical GMC 1500 Sierra Pro will set you back at least $800.
GM’s entry-level full-size trucks come with a turbocharged 2.7-liter I4 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The total amount of $38,195 is for a regular cab and a standard Silverado bed. But Chevrolet only paid $200 for the long bed configuration.
If you want a V8, you’ll have to upgrade because Chevy doesn’t offer the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 in the standard bed truck. But once you upgrade to the long bed, the V8 is only $1,895. That brings the net price of GM’s cheapest V8-powered full-size truck to $40,335 (including a destination fee of $1,895). If you upgrade to any engine other than the I4, you’ll also get a GM-designed 10-speed automatic transmission co-engineered with Ford.
The 5.3-liter General Motors EcoTec3 V8 engine makes 355 horsepower.
So there you have it, the cheapest 2023 V8 pickup trucks. All of the above MSRPs reflect two-door, two-wheel drive pickups. If you want to upgrade either feature, expect the total to run into thousands. You can also order a fifth-generation Ram 1500 with a HEMI V8 engine and a Nissan Titan with a V8 engine, but since it only comes with four doors, it costs thousands more than the trucks mentioned above. Toyota dropped its V8 engine option for the 2022 model year, so if you want a Tundra, you’ll have to opt for the turbocharged V8.
Note that all automakers have increased MSRPs throughout 2022, due to global supply chain issues, so we expect those numbers to increase throughout 2023 as well.
Then, find out what’s available or watch the Ram 1500 Classic reviewed in the video below:
