Electric vehicles are all the rage nowadays, especially as people look for safer, more efficient, and more sustainable driving options. But while Ford seemingly hit exactly what consumers wanted with its F-150 — the best-selling pickup truck America has seen over the last century — the company seems to have hit the mark with the Ford F-150 Lightning, an electric version of the truck. At the end of 2023, the Ford F-150 Lightning was actually the best-selling electric truck in the nation. Today, it’s being outsold by Tesla, whose Cybertruck sales have soared in the last part of the year. In fact, Tesla’s Cybertruck doubled in sales volume from Q2 to Q3 of 2024. Should Ford want to stay competitive, the company should examine exactly why consumers aren’t as drawn to its electric version anymore. (This is why the Ford F-150 is, and has been, America’s favorite truck.)
Even with the loss of sales volume, Ford has remained a huge name in the pickup truck sphere. It’s hard to imagine, in fact, that any pickup truck could outshine the F-150. However, the reality is that you can find pickup truck models that are not just better than the F-150 but cheaper, which can make them an even more attractive option for buyers. Here, 24/7 Wall St. explored the nine best pickup trucks that aren’t the F-150. To find the pickup trucks consumers should be buying, we looked at websites like CarMax, forums like Reddit, and sales websites. The trucks are ranked in no specific order.
Why We’re Sharing Truck-Buying Tips
Rising gas prices, crowded roadways, and changing driver needs have sparked new interest in alternatives to America’s best-selling pickup truck. The Ford F-150 has undoubtedly dominated pickup truck sales for decades. But competing manufacturers have made significant advances in fuel efficiency, towing capacity, and other great features. As a result, a growing number of drivers are realizing that they can find better performance and value — often at a slightly lower price, too. If you’re on the market for a new pickup truck, understanding the full range of available options has never been more important.
Here are nine pickup trucks to buy instead of the Ford F-150:
9. Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is part vehicle, part pickup.
- Starting price: $28,500
- Towing capacity: Up to 5,000 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,400 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
An Innovative Pickup Sedan
The Hyundai Santa Cruz does have plenty of offroad and towing power.
Anyone who wants the benefits of a pickup truck with strong towing capacity, but wants to feel like they are driving a sedan, should opt for the Hyundai Santa Cruz. It’s a far more comfortable ride than the Ford F-150 and has almost double the fuel economy. The Hyundai immediately shines because you can easily take this vehicle into the city without a second thought. Car and Driver even rated the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a 9/10 for its incredible and easy handling.
8. GMC Canyon Elevation
GMC’s Canyon adds a more luxurious interior over other pickups.
- Starting price: $37,895
- Towing capacity: Up to 7,700 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 2,240 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
GMC Interior
You can find the entry-level GMC Canyon for less than the Ford F-150.
Even though the GMC Canyon Elevation only offers 2WD on its base model, it’s still a noteworthy Ford F-150 competitor. The GMC stands out because of its updated interior, which is more luxurious than anything Ford has today. If you opt for the Canyon Elevation, rest assured that you still get plenty of towing and payload capacity without 4WD.
7. Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is the company’s best-selling pickup offering.
- Starting price: $31,500
- Towing capacity: Up to 6,500 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,709 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Known for Reliability
It’s hard to ignore Tacoma’s starting price and reliability scores.
Toyota is a brand that’s well-known for its reliability, and the Tacoma is no differnt. The Tacoma is a stand-out alternative to the Ford F-150 for many reasons. You get similar offroad capabilities but with a price tag of thousands less. While Ford promises the F-150 is built for work, the Toyota Tacoma is built for both work and fun, which is a significant difference between the two brands and vehicles. This car is also highly rated for its safety and smooth ride.
6. Honda Ridgeline
Honda’s Ridgeline is priced higher initially but only offers less expensive trim levels.
- Starting price: $40,150
- Towing capacity: Up to 5,000 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,583 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Higher Starting Price
The Ridgeline offers improved reliability and a better urban driving experience.
Admittedly, the Honda Ridgeline’s price starts out a few thousand dollars higher than the Ford F-150. But for a premium car, expect a premium price. You can also purchase the Honda Ridgeline knowing that the price tag won’t jump significantly between trim levels. On the other hand, the Ford F-150 can jump up to $78,95 for its Raptor model, while Honda’s most expensive trim starts at $46,750. This not-so-insignificant cost difference makes the Honda Ridgeline feel far less expensive than the Ford.
5. Chevrolet Silverado
The Silverado has been the second best-selling pickup for decades.
- Starting price: $36,800
- Towing capacity: Up to 13,300 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 2260 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Chevy’s Best Pickup
It’s hard to argue with what Chevy offers for the Silverado’s price tag.
In the world of pickups, the Ford F-150 may be king, but the Chevrolet Silverado is regularly plotting how to steal the throne. The Silverado starts with a lower price tag, all while offering similar towing capacity and an equally competitive max payload. Both vehicles will seat five people, while the 2025 model offers a much-improved interior that provides a giant display with plenty of safety features.
4. Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is the lesser-known pickup in the brand’s lineup.
- Starting price: $29,800
- Towing capacity: Up to 7,700 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,700 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Second Best Chevrolet
For the money, you get a whole lot of bang for your buck with the Colorado.
Don’t let the Chevrolet Colorado, the second-best pick-up in the brand’s lineup, deter you. This pickup is built for people who don’t want everything that comes with a full-size pickup while getting far more capability than a traditional family SUV can deliver. You still get plenty of Chevy benefits with the Colorado, including four different trim levels and outstanding JD Power scores for reliability.
3. Dodge RAM 1500
Buyers of the Dodge RAM 1500 know it’s going to last and last and last.
- Starting price: $39,420
- Towing capacity: Up to 12,750 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 2,330 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Guts. Glory. Ram.
The RAM name alone lends plenty of weight to why you should buy it.
While the initial price tag of the Dodge RAM 1500 is slightly more than that of the Ford F-150, incentives for Dodge are vastly superior, bringing the overall cost down to the Ford. Better yet, you get roughly similar payload and towing capacity while getting the brand’s famous Hemi engine that can power the pickup to handle just about any road you can throw at it all year round.
2. Ford Ranger
Don’t let the low price tag of the Ford Ranger fool you.
- Starting price: $32,820
- Towing capacity: 7,500 pounds
- Payload capacity: Up to 1,847 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Reliable and Comfortable
The Ford Ranger offers plenty of power and towing capabilities.
The Ford Ranger is considered #3 in its class according to JD Power and Consumer Reports as being among the most repairable vehicles. On top of that, you get up to 7,500 pounds of towing capacity, and unless you need significantly more, you can purchase the Ranger for thousands less than the F-150 and still have enough towing capacity for just about every need.
1. Ford Maverick
Ford’s Maverick is arguably the second-best pickup in its lineup.
- Starting price: $23,920
- Towing capacity: Up to 4,000 pounds
- Payload capacity: 1,500 pounds
- Seating: Room for 5
Built Ford Tough
The Maverick offers a lot of towing capacity and room for five people.
Sure, other brands also have great offerings. But for those of you who want to stick with Ford (but not the F-150), the Ford Maverick is the car to consider. The Maverick is the cheapest model in the Ford pickup lineup, but there is no reason to discount it. Instead, anyone opting for this vehicle over the F-150 will find that they get not only a more compact pickup truck that is better for small driveways and roads but also one that offers excellent fuel economy, maneuverability, and a fuel-efficient hybrid engine.
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