Globally, the pickup truck isn’t a vehicle people buy just to use as a daily driver. In most cases, a pickup is a far more utilitarian vehicle bought for work or business, and exploration. However, this isn’t the case in the U.S.A. The pickup truck in the United States is a vehicle that is cool to own regardless of whether you need it for work or not. Looking at the landscape for pickups in the U.S., you will quickly realize that the American pickup truck is different from the pickup truck of the rest of the world with designs that are more muscular, the interiors more luxurious, and several bed and cab size configurations.
Now, as you can imagine, the fact that trucks are so loved means that there are plenty of models to choose from. Be it full-size, mid-size, or compact tucks, the choice really is vast, and this doesn't even include the bigger one-ton trucks, known for their outstanding towing and hauling capabilities. So while the vast majority of trucks on the market today are good, there are some that are better than others. In this article, we are going over the 10 best pickups available in 2023.
(This list is limited to gas-powered models)
10 2023 Ford Maverick: Starting $22,595
Kicking things off in the compact segment. The Ford Maverick is similar to the Honda Ridgeline in the sense that it also sits on a unibody design. The Maverick range is made up of XL to XLT and trims and is available with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid with 162 horsepower or a 2.0-liter Ecoboost with 250 horsepower. All-wheel drive is only available with the Ecoboost. The Maverick also features independent suspension and a lighter-duty build that is better for on-road driving and efficiency.
Starting price for a base Maverick is $22,595 making it the perfect choice for anyone in the market for a small truck that can do light-duty work. Now, the most interesting package for the Maverick is the Tremor Package which adds amazing features like a one-inch lift, skid plates, and even a differential locker. For this type of entry-level truck, this is impressive.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 4.5" | 1500lbs | 4000 lbs |
9 2024 Chevrolet Colorado: Starting $29,200
The Colorado is Chevrolet’s mid-sized truck offering. It has also been recently redesigned, and the new model is better than ever with a single 2.7 in-line four doing duty with different states of tune, starting at 237 horsepower on the base model. The styling is similar to its big brother the Silverado but the smaller size of the Colorado makes it more affordable (starting price of $29,200) and also more manageable on the road and on the trail. Easily the most tech-laden cabin for its class, some impressive features include class-leading camera views and class-leading tie-down points.
So, you will be able to see what you are doing when reversing, hitching a trailer or even off-roading. Also, there are plenty of points to secure the items you are hauling. Finally, for the lovers of adventure, you can go for the ZR2 model which features off-road suspension and other upgrades that make tackling tough terrain easy. Read our full review of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado here.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5.1" | 1684lbs | 7700 lbs |
8 2023 Nissan Frontier: Staring $29,190
Up until last year, the Nissan Frontier was as good as dead. The old model was on sale for so long that many people forgot it even existed. However, with the all-new Frontier, Nissan has done a great job of bringing the truck up to date. First and foremost, the design is awesome. The muscular front end and general design of the whole vehicle mean that it is an appealing truck in today’s market.
Then we have the 3.8 litter engine. It is by no means the most advanced unit out there, but its 310 horsepower is certainly respectable. Starting price for the Frontier is $29,370 and for anyone looking for an old-school and reliable truck, the Frontier still makes for a good choice.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5.3" | 1583lbs | 5000 lbs |
7 2023 Honda Ridgeline: Starting $38,800
The Honda Ridgeline is a different kind of pickup from the ones above. Underneath, it is basically a crossover with a body that has a bed. This means that it sits on independent suspension front and rear which decreases towing and off-road abilities but improves handling and ride quality. The engine is a 3.5 liter V-6 that produces 280 horsepower and higher trim levels with an Adventure Package are available.
The Ridgeline has plenty of cool features that make hauling more convenient. It is the perfect daily driver that can also do some truck duties. However, if you are looking for a full-on truck that can tackle tough terrain and a lot of weight, the Ridgeline isn’t for you. Read our in-depth review of the Honda Ridgeline here.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5.3" | 1583lbs | 5000 lbs |
6 2023 Toyota Tacoma: Starting $27,750
Despite its age, the Toyota Tacoma is considered the benchmark for mid-sized trucks. However, it is still regarded as one of the best and most popular trucks to hit U.S. roads. Starting price for the Taco is a more affordable $27,750 and trim levels go all the way up to the TRD Pro.
The TRD Pro offers upgraded suspension tires, skid plates, a rear locker, and much more. It is one of the most popular choices for off-roading and is a truck you will surely see playing out on the trails. It must be said, however, that its 278 horsepower 3.5 liter V-6 and six-speed transmission are starting to feel old now. A new model is well overdue and the upcoming Tacamo is rumored to feature a hybrid powertrain.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5" 6" | 1685lbs | 6800 lbs |
5 2023 GMC Sierra 1500: Starting $37,100
The 2023 GMC Sierra is a more upmarket and premium truck for those who value a more luxurious experience. Starting Price for the GMC Sierra Pro is $37,100 and for that money, you get the same 2.7 liter liter engine found in the Chevrolet Silverado. However, once you start going up in trim levels (and price) you will find a variety of cool features.
One of the coolest ones is Super Cruise. this is GMC’s shot at an autonomous driving system that for now enables hands-free travel on more than 400,000 miles of public roads in the U.S. and Canada. Of course, the premium features don’t stop there. The GMC also offers a far more upmarket cabin filled with premium materials and a great infotainment system.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 6.6" 8.2" 5.82" | 1820lbs | 13000 lbs |
4 2023 Toyota Tundra: Starting $37,865
The Tundra entered the U.S. market as an outsider from a non-domestic brand but has managed to give the big dogs a run for their money. The Tundra has recently been redesigned, and Toyota gave us a truck that is more sophisticated and efficient, inside out. Under the hood now sits a twin-turbo 3.5 liter V-6 that pumps out 389 horsepower in normal ICE form and 437 horsepower on hybrid trim levels.
Starting price for the Tundra is $37,865 and trim levels go all the way up to the TRD PRO. The TRD PRO comes with off-road suspension and tires, skid plates, and even two lockers. The Tundra has always been the trustworthy and very reliable choice in the full-sized truck market. Read our in-depth review of the Toyota Tundra here.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5.5" 6.5" 8.1" | 1940lbs | 12000 lbs |
3 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Staring $36,300
The Chevy Silverado sits along with the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150, as one of the most famous trucks in the US. It features a more futuristic design but similar specs to the other two trucks. Starting price for the Chevy is 36,300 and for that, you get the standard 2.7L turbo engine that produces 310 horsepower. Of course, if you are willing to pay more money you can go all the way up to a powerful EcoTec 6.2 liter V-8.
This engine will make towing and daily driving a breeze. The Silverado also offers the ZR2 package which is a more off-road-worthy version with upgraded suspension, tires, bumpers, and even skid plates. However, it must be said that this off-road variant still doesn’t offer the level of performance that can be found in a Raptor R or TRX. Read our in-depth review of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 here.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 6.6" 8.2" 5.82" | 2260lbs | 13300 lbs |
2 2023 RAM 1500: Staring $37,410
Ram is to Ford what Ford was to Ferrari during the fierce races of Le-Mans. The rivalry between the two goes back decades. This is arguably one of the longest ongoing arguments that exist in the consumer automotive world, Ford or Ram? Well, both trucks offer great features and capabilities so in many cases, it all comes down to which truck you prefer.
Starting price for the RAM 1500 at the time of writing this article is $37,410. As you can expect, the Ram also features a variety of engines starting from an old but very reliable 3.6 liter V-6 (Jeep engine) and going all the way up to a 700 horsepower V-8 in the TRX model. It is worth noting that getting this much power will cost you much less with the Ram 1500. The F-150 offers such figures only in the very pricey Raptor R.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5.7" 6.4" | 2300lbs | 12,750 lbs |
1 2023 Ford F-150: Staring $34,585
The Ford F-150 is one of the most famous and best-selling vehicles in America. Yes, vehicles – not trucks. The F-150 sells so well that its sales exceed the vast majority of sedans and SUVs. This is no surprise, as they're a pretty common sight, and you practically see them everywhere. But what makes the F-150 so desirable? Well, it has built its reputation on durability, reliability, usability, and comfort.
The F-150 can do it all, from towing to off-roading and hauling. In base form, the F-150 comes with a 3.3 liter V-6 that produces 290 horsepower. This is an older engine and is no longer as desirable. We would recommend going for the 3.5 liter V-6 which produces 400 horsepower and is also relatively efficient and economical (considering the size of the truck). You would be pleased to know that V8s are still available. Also, Raptor and Raptor R trim levels take the truck to a whole new level of fun. As we speak, starting price for the F-150 is $34,585.
| Bed Size | Max Payload | Max Towing |
| 5-1/2' 6-1/2' 8' | 3,315 lbs | 14,000 lbs |