Best Used Trucks on a $20,000 Budget

If you need a truck but don’t have six figures to spend on one, the used market is your friend. No matter if you’re looking for a midsize truck, a full-size truck, or something a bit different, there’s a good choice on this list. From off-roading to towing to weekend chores, this value-focused group of trucks proves you don’t have to break the bank to buy a lot of truck capability.

Here are 10 of the best used trucks you’ll find on a $20,000 budget.

1. 2015 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado was all-new upon its introduction, raising the bar for midsize trucks along the way. It offers much of the capability of a full-size truck with a smaller footprint and greater efficiency of a midsize pickup. Our budget should afford any trim or configuration you like, up to and including the Z71 trim with 4-wheel drive (4WD) and the 305-horsepower V6 engine.

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2. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

If you’re a fan of Chevy’s work but need the capabilities of a full-size truck, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 might be the right fit for you. Also all-new upon its introduction, the 2014 Silverado 1500 combines refined driving and cabin comfort with serious capability, including up to 9,600 pounds of towing muscle and up to 420 hp from a 6.2-liter V8. Our $20,000 budget should reach up to the Z71, LTZ, and High Country trims at the top of the range.

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3. 2014 Ford F-150

The most popular truck series in America needs no introduction, and the 2014 Ford F-150 is a great example of its line. Whether you’re looking for a hard-working truck for your business, a go-anywhere commuter, or an adventure vehicle, there’s almost certainly a variant available to suit your needs. Our budget gives you plenty of choice, too, with the King Ranch, FX4, Limited, and even Platinum models in reach.

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4. 2015 GMC Canyon

A near-twin to the Colorado, the 2015 GMC Canyon offers many of the same features and all of the same capability, including a 7,000-pound maximum towing capacity and 1,600 pounds of payload capacity. The GMC treatment grants the Canyon some unique styling and slightly different options configurations. Our budget should afford the upper-end SLE and SLT models.

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5. 2014 Honda Ridgeline

If your need for a pickup is more suburban — yard work, lake hobbies, mountain biking, etc. — you may find the 2014 Honda Ridgeline a better fit for your lifestyle. Why? It does away with some of the rougher and less refined aspects of pickup construction in favor of a vehicle that’s more comfortable and easier to drive while still plenty capable: The Ridgeline can tow up to 4,500 pounds and comes with standard VTM-4 all-wheel drive.

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6. 2016 Nissan Frontier

One of the most comfortable cabins in the midsize truck world is just one of the 2016 Nissan Frontier’s strengths. Other strengths include a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, rugged off-road ability in 4WD models (especially the PRO-4X), and an available 261-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine. If you’d prefer a high-speed off-roader, the Desert Runner variant gets 2WD and Bilstein off-road shocks.

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7. 2017 Nissan Titan

The newest pickup on our list is also a full-size truck, making the 2017 Nissan Titan a remarkable value and capable option for those who do serious work or play. Up to 9,420 pounds of towing capacity, a standard 390-hp 5.6-liter V8 engine, available 4WD, and an off-road-focused PRO-4X version make the Titan a capable, flexible half-ton truck that’s a great fit for our budget.

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8. 2014 Ram 1500

If you’d like a touch of luxury in your full-size pickup, the 2014 Ram 1500 fits our budget even in its top-spec Laramie Longhorn or Laramie Limited trims. These include leather upholstery, an air suspension system, a 115-volt household power outlet, heated seats and steering wheel, and much more. While the 5.7-liter, 395-hp Hemi V8 option offers plenty of power, the turbodiesel V6’s 420 lb-ft of torque is also attractive. The base model’s V6 is also plenty potent with 305 hp on tap.

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9. 2014 Toyota Tacoma

If there’s a more beloved midsize truck, we don’t know what it is. The 2014 Toyota Tacoma is an instant membership into one of the most vibrant truck owner communities, whether you want to go off-roading, adventuring, camping, or just enjoy your truck on the street. An abundance of aftermarket support means you can modify your Tacoma however you’d like, but our budget should also afford your choice of trim and equipment, including 4WD, the upgraded V6 engine, and the SR5 or TRD Off-Road packages. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 pounds and carry up to 1,500 pounds of payload.

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10. 2012 Toyota Tundra

The 2012 Toyota Tundra is the oldest truck on our list because it holds its value the best. That’s right, even among competition from Ford, Chevy, Ram, and Nissan, the Tundra is the one that holds on to its value the best. It’s also one of the most capable full-size, non-heavy-duty trucks of its vintage. The Tundra offers up to 10,000 pounds towing capacity when configured with the available 381-hp 5.7-liter V8. Look for Limited models on our budget, perhaps even with the Platinum package and its included heated/ventilated seats, 20-inch wheels, and power sunroof.

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Best Used Trucks on a $20,000 Budget

1. 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
2. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
3. 2014 Ford F-150
4. 2015 GMC Canyon
5. 2014 Honda Ridgeline
6. 2016 Nissan Frontier
7. 2017 Nissan Titan
8. 2014 Ram 1500
9. 2014 Toyota Tacoma
10. 2012 Toyota Tundra