With the average price of a new passenger vehicle at the beginning of 2020 approaching $38,000, it’s no wonder why the base price of the most expensive truck in the United States is nearly $90,000.
With the coronavirus continuing, the end-of-the-year sales for cars and trucks will be skewed compared to recent years.
Regardless, prices will remain high. But truck exceptions are aplenty.
Regardless, prices will remain high. But truck exceptions are aplenty. And if you have a good credit score, financing a new truck might be more reasonable than you might think.
Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 trucks, all 2020 models, available for less than $35,000. RV towing capacities vary greatly as do the prices, from an estimated $22,000 to $34,745
That’s between slightly more than $3,000 and $16,00 lower than the average price of a new car or lightweight truck in the United States.
Chevrolet Colorado ($22,395)
A basic truck with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, 200 horsepower engine. It has a six-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, 16-inch wheels, an extended cab and 16-inch wheels.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ($29,895).
It’s two doors with a long bed. It’s powered by a 4.3-liter V6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and 285 horsepower.
A base work truck but with an XL trim. It has a 3.3-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower. It has black plastic bumpers and grille, an AM/FM stereo with a clock and a 4.2-inch screen with audio controls.
Ford Ranger ($25,065)
The Ranger returned in 2019 after a several-year absence. It’s the XL trim, white with steelies and black bumpers. It’s powered but a 2.3-liter inline-four cylinder engine and 270 horsepower. There’s no brightwork nor rear seats.
GMC Canyon ($23,295)
It’s in the sixth year of the current generation, and it will be refreshed for 2021. The base 2020 model has a 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder engine and only 200 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard.
A 4.3-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic and 285 horsepower. It has two doors and rear-wheel drive and looks the same as its lower-end sibling.
Nissan Frontier ($22,000, estimated)
With a new generation set for 2021, the 2020 model is the lowest-priced truck on the list. It has a 3.8-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed transmission and 310 horsepower.
Ram 1500 ($33,590)
Redesigned for 2019, this year’s offering is a quad cab with a 6-foot-4-inch bed. It features a V6 with 305 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 5.0-inch Uconnect display is standard.
Toyota Tacoma ($25,390)
Also in the sixth year of its current generation, the Toyota Tacoma’s bare-bones base model is about as no-frills as any competitor.
Toyota Tundra ($34,745)
It’s only available with a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower and extended cab and rear-wheel drive.
Article Last Updated: June 16, 2020.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.