10 Best New Trucks under $25,000

2017 Nissan Frontier Hero ・ Photo by Nissan

There is no way around it: The best new trucks under $25,000 reflect a major shift in the marketplace. With both automakers and customers paying more attention to mid-size pickups, pricing of the full-size entries has drifted ever higher. As a result, the only trucks currently available for less than $25K are from the smaller size class—and those are few and far between. Customers also should know that the trucks that do fit our financial criteria are, for the most part, lower-trim models that may be lacking in the latest amenities. The good news? Budget-focused shoppers can still find a fair number of inexpensive choices that are just fine as work trucks, with some surprising upgrades in the mix.

2017 Chevrolet Colorado Base Extended Cab

The Bowtie brand’s best new trucks under $25,000 are based on the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado, which has an MSRP that’s well below that mark at $20,000. Now, that Base trim truck is only available in an extended-cab, long-box configuration, with a 6-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. Yet you do get a robust list of standard features that includes air conditioning, a rearview camera, power locks and windows, a 6-speaker display audio system, and Chevy Teen Driver technology, to encourage good habits in younger drivers. This model additionally checks the boxes for standard functionality boosters like a CornerStep rear bumper and cargo box lighting. Motivation comes from a peppy 4-cylinder engine that combines 200 horsepower and 26 mpg highway.

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck Extended Cab

Also qualifying as one of the best new trucks under $25,000 is the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado in its Work Truck trim. The primary difference between the Work Truck and the Base trim is that the former adds dual rear seats with integrated under-seat storage—and increases its MSRP to $24,225. The Base truck, by contrast, only has front bucket seats. But there is another bonus. The Work Truck is eligible for a much wider range of options.  If you shop carefully, you can stay under our price ceiling and choose from a 6-speed automatic transmission ($650), a MyLink infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay smartphone integration ($375), a chrome appearance bundle ($505), and more.

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2017 GMC Canyon SL Extended Cab

For a more premium feel in the best new trucks under $25,000, there’s the 2017 GMC Canyon. The mid-size pickup from GM’s Professional Grade brand has a sticker price as low as $20,885 in its extended cab, long box setup. Those trucks deliver standard content such as a rearview camera, projector-type headlamps with bold LED signature lighting, a power-adjustable 4-way driver’s seat, power amenities in the cabin, and a 6-speaker audio system with a color display. The SL trim also rides on 16-inch cast aluminum wheels and, its standard chrome rear bumper has integrated CornerSteps for easy bed access. As for the Canyon SL’s standard powertrain, that pairs a 6-speed manual transmission with a 4-cylinder, 200-horsepower engine.

Photo by GMC

2017 GMC Canyon Extended Cab

As is the case with GM’s other mid-size pickup—the Chevrolet Colorado—the 2017 GMC Canyon is responsible for two of the best new trucks under $25,000. The second is simply called the Canyon, without any trim designation, and it also follows the Chevy template by adding the dual back seats to the truck’s extended cab, long box base model. The GMC price: $24,105. True, the rear seats for both the Canyon and its Colorado Work Truck counterpart are designed for smaller occupants, but the GM duo has significantly more rear seat legroom than in the Toyota or Nissan rivals. For that matter, the most affordable GM trucks also are more powerful and efficient than their direct Toyota and Nissan competitors.

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2017 Toyota Tacoma SR Access Cab

As the best-selling mid-size pickup in the country, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma also makes its contribution to the best new trucks under $25,000. And that’s literally a singular contribution, since only one Tacoma trim meets the financial guidelines for today’s gallery. The least expensive Tacoma SR access cab—with an extended cab, rear-wheel drive, and 4-cylinder engine—has an MSRP of $24,320. However, that does include a 6-speed automatic transmission and a fairly nice Entune audio system, complete with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, six speakers, an iPod-compatible USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity for voice-controlled hands-free calling and audio streaming. Oh, and that touchscreen also does double duty as a display for the standard rearview camera system.

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2017 Toyota Tacoma SR Double Cab

As mentioned, except for the entry-level SR access cab, all other 2017 Toyota Tacoma trims have MSRPs above today’s preferred price point. But it wouldn’t take much in terms of incentives—or negotiations—to knock the cost of a double cab down from its own starting price of $25,150. Then we could welcome a Tacoma SR pickup to the best new trucks under $25,000 with four doors, seating for five, and much roomier rear accommodations than in extended cab pickups. Also on board are the same powertrain and standard content supplied by the SR access cab, highlighted by a 6-speed automatic transmission, an uplevel Entune audio system, and a 159-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that makes 180 lb.-ft. of torque.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Nissan Frontier S King Cab

The serious budget brand for the best new trucks under $25,000 is Nissan: There are four distinct trims for the 2017 Nissan Frontier on the menu at that cost, beginning with the Frontier S King Cab. Indeed, that unit is the least expensive new pickup in the country, thanks to an MSRP of $18,390. It is a fairly spartan package, though, designed for work and lacking air conditioning, power windows and locks, and an audio system. What the Frontier S does have are standard flip-up rear seats with underseat storage—something missing from the base-level GM trucks. Owners also rely on a 5-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and a 4-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Nissan Frontier S Crew Cab

So far, all of the best new trucks under $25,000 have been limited to 4-cylinder engines. That gives another key benefit to the 2017 Nissan Frontier, because the S grade can be ordered with a V6 engine—and a 4-door crew cab body style—at an MSRP of $23,900. Needless to say, opting for the 4.0-liter V6 enables massive output advantages over all 4-cylinder competition: That unit makes 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft. of torque, plus it’s mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission for ease of use. The Frontier’s V6 then takes the towing title, backed by a trailering maximum of 6,710 lbs. No 4-cylinder rival comes within a ton and a half of that mark.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Nissan Frontier SV King Cab

The 2017 Nissan Frontier SV King Cab is more typical of our best new trucks under $25,000. The 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual remain standard, yet the SV grade further provides the kind of convenience features that retail customers demand. That means not only air conditioning, power locks, and power windows, but also an infotainment system with a 5-inch color screen, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming, a text messaging assistant, USB and auxiliary inputs, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Also worth noting is that the SV trim’s steering wheel has standard illuminated audio controls and can be adjusted with a tilting column. Standard 16-inch split-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, a chrome rear bumper, and tailgate spoiler create a stylish finishing touch.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner

Here’s the thing: There is another 2017 Nissan Frontier that’s strictly eligible for our best new trucks under $25,000 gallery. It’s the King Cab SV V6 that opens at $24,620 with the content from the previously mentioned SV trim and the V6 engine from the S Crew Cab. Yet we’ll actually wrap up with the Frontier Desert Runner King Cab, with an MSRP of $25,200—leaving it to incentives and/or negotiating tactics to make up the difference. The Desert Runner provides a trail-friendly truck that carries Nissan’s powerful V6, Bilstein off-road shock absorbers, 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in mud-/snow-rated tires, fog lights, and an array of rugged interior and exterior design elements.

Photo by Nissan