Is the Pickup Truck With the Lowest 2023 MSRP Actually the Cheapest To Buy?

The total cost of a new pickup can be confusing: Every automaker advertises the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) they want dealers to charge for their new trucks. But some automakers charge additional site fees or service fees to customers. And some agents raise the total even further. The Ford F-150 XL both have the lowest MSRPs right now, but you might be able to get your hands on a Chevrolet Silverado for less than you think. Here’s the scoop.

How much does a half-ton full-size truck cost?

For years, every automaker has offered a stripped-down half-ton truck for less than $30,000. But starting in 2023, each current model starts in the mid-$30s. If you need four doors, you will pay more. And if you also want a V8 or can expect to pay more than $40,000.

Keeps tabs on advertised MSRPs. Even more useful, the website looks up the invoice price that dealerships paid the manufacturer for your new truck.

The dealer’s bill total is useful because your salesperson will set an amount for that truck, and the smart potential owner will make a lower counter-offer. Keep in mind that some dealerships will have to include a high site fee or service fee they owe to the manufacturer (here looking at you, Ram and Toyota). So they wouldn’t be able to make a bargain too much.

For this reason, Edmunds has also published an amount that they suggest you pay for each new entry-level truck. Interestingly enough, Edmonds’ proposed 2023 total for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT is less than the Ford F-150 XL.

Which full-size minivan is actually cheaper?

Ram advertises $31,445 MSRP for the 1500 “Classic”. Ford lists an MSRP of $36,380 for its current F-150 XL, while the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT should come in at $37,395. But Edmunds thinks you can bring the Chevy’s price down to $36,383 while the F-150 will keep its $36,832 price.

It’s hard to say which new pickup will be the cheapest just because negotiating the total is part of getting a new truck. But if you look at what your local dealer paid for a new truck, you can see that the two-door cost $34,824 while the Chevy Silverado 1500 (WT) Work Truck came in at $36,007.

However, Ford dealers must pay some hefty destination fees, because Edmunds thinks you can pay less out the door for a Silverado. Remember, these are the aggregates for two-door “Regular Cab” trucks. If you want a four-door, you’ll end up in a ballpark Toyota Tundra or the latest Ram 1500—just under $40,000.

If you are looking for multiple brands, your best bet is to visit a few local dealerships and ask for the best they can offer for a pickup truck. Someone might have a local trigger that Edmunds didn’t list while someone else might insist on topping up.

Is the Ram 1500 “Classic” a Modern Truck?

The Ram 1500 “Classic” is a newly built example of the brand’s latest generation of trucks. This allows Ram to offer an inexpensive alternative to the latest four-door-only half-ton for fleet owners.

If you don’t mind getting a truck without Ram’s latest interior or mild hybrid system, there’s no harm in visiting a dealer and asking how much it costs to get a Ram Classic. For some reason, Edmonds still insists that $29,421 would be a reasonable amount for a 2022 Ram 1500 Classic, even though dealerships will have to shell out $30,349. This is probably because these trucks are often sold as part of fleets, and bulk owners enjoy a discount.

Check Edmunds’ MSRP, Invoice, and Suggested Amount for the cheapest parts per full-size half-ton pickup truck in the table below. The first four entries list overall for two-door pickup trucks, while the last three are not available as two-doors. Finally, Edmunds has not yet released data for the 2023 Rams, so 2022 is included in the schedule.

Next, see why truck fans are on the rise or learn more about pickup truck costs increasing this year in the video below: