With thousands of vehicles in our inventory, we’re here to help make car research easier for you. We’ve partnered with car review experts from Edmunds to weigh in on what matters most when you’re looking to buy a truck or car.
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The Ford F-150 has been America's best-selling vehicle for more than 40 years thanks to its capability and comfort. That's more true now than ever as shoppers increasingly look to pickup trucks as family vehicles and not simply tools to get a job done. But while the F-150 is the big name in full-size pickup trucks, it's not the only option.
We're going to take a look at other full-size pickups you should consider along with some smaller trucks that might better suit your needs.
The Full-Size Pickup Truck Alternatives
Full-size pickup trucks are quite large and include the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Toyota Tundra. The list below focuses on light-duty full-size trucks as opposed to heavy-duty, full-size work trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250. Light-duty trucks are popular because they offer great utility, are widely available and function equally well as either work vehicles or family haulers.
Ram 1500
Current generation first year: 2019
Average CarMax price: $35,382.68
Edmunds rating: 8.4/10
Pick because: Smooth ride quality for a truck
Pass because: Most advanced driver aids aren't standard
The Ram 1500 is a great alternative to the F-150. It uses a coil-spring rear suspension (traditionally, full-size pickups use rear leaf springs) that dramatically improves its ride quality, even when you're driving with an empty bed or over a rough road. It doesn't offer a hybrid powertrain like the F-150, but it has a roomy interior and impressive tow ratings. However, it doesn't come with many standard driving aids like blind-spot or lane departure warning. If you want them, you'll need to make sure the used truck you're interested in has them — most of those features are only available as options on the Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims.
Toyota Tundra
Current generation first year: 2022
Average CarMax price: $40,404.81
Edmunds rating: 8.0/10
Pick because: Impressive array of technology
Pass because: Real-world fuel economy is disappointing
The Toyota Tundra was fully redesigned in 2022 and markedly improved on the previous generation that ran from 2007 to 2021. The Tundra now has a more comfortable ride and a pair of turbocharged engines (one of which is a hybrid) to go with a boxy, modern exterior. Its real-world fuel economy as tested by Edmunds was a bit disappointing (15.2 MPG in combined driving), but the Tundra does have plenty of towing and off-road capability to go along with its helpful technology features and smooth-driving nature.
GMC Sierra 1500
Current generation first year: 2019
Average CarMax price: $39,422.02
Edmunds rating: 7.7 /10
Pick because: Roomy interior and truck bed
Pass because: Interior isn't as upscale as the price suggests
The GMC Sierra 1500 is an upscale version of the Chevrolet Silverado. Both of these trucks share many components and both are made by General Motors. The Sierra’s interior is indeed more comfortable, and if you get a top-tier Denali trim Sierra, you'll be impressed by its ride quality, too. Families will love the power assisted step option that makes it easier to load kids and cargo into the back. But despite the Sierra 1500’s competence and creature comforts, this pickup with an optional V8 engine comes with a heftier price tag and just isn't as refined as its competitors.
Chevrolet Silverado
Current generation first year: 2019
Average CarMax price: $34,014.26
Edmunds rating: 7.5/10
Pick because: You want a capable all-around pickup
Pass because: You're looking for something more luxe
The Chevrolet Silverado is a well-rounded pickup truck. It’s a nice pickup, but it's not fancy. Its maximum tow ratings when properly equipped are comparable to the F-150's, which make pulling a boat or a midsize trailer[4] a breeze. It may not be the quickest or most comfortable truck available, but its competence is what makes it a good choice. And most Silverados (2022 model years and newer) are even equipped with a large and easy-to-use touchscreen. If you're looking for a truck with a little more luxury, check out the GMC Sierra 1500 mentioned above, or some high-end trims of the Ram 1500.
Nissan Titan
Current generation first year: 2016
Average CarMax price: $33,581.26
Edmunds rating: 7.1 /10
Pick because: You want full-size capability at a good price
Pass because: It's not as capable as other full-size pickups
The Nissan Titan is capable enough for most truck shoppers and the cabin is quite roomy, but it just doesn't measure up to the towing performance of its rivals. Many driver aids come standard on 2020 and newer models, but the Titan’s poor touchscreen resolution and backup camera isn’t up to par with competitors. The Titan is not as customizable as the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150, either. Much of the truck's interior has stayed the same since it debuted in 2016, while competitors have worked to innovate and modernize their cabins.
The Midsize Pickup Truck Alternatives
Don't let the name fool you: A midsize pickup truck is still a big vehicle, similar in size to many modern SUVs. The size of a midsize pickup today isn't all that different from what we called a full-size pickup truck 30 years ago. These pickups don't offer the same high towing capacity or impressive payload figures as their larger siblings, but they are more than enough for most families when it comes to seating, towing, and storage.
Chevrolet Colorado
Current generation first year: 2023
Average CarMax price: $27,336.43
Edmunds rating: 8.1 /10
Pick because: Comfortable ride and impressive towing capacity
Pass because: The rear seats are uncomfortable
The Chevrolet Colorado was fully redesigned for 2023 and took home this year’s Edmunds Top Rated 2024 Truck award. But don’t disregard the previous generation (2015-22) — it’s also quite good and worth a look, especially if you're looking for a less expensive option. The Colorado has a comfortable ride by pickup truck standards, at least in the front seat. When properly equipped it can also tow more than 7,000 pounds. That's a lot of capability for a midsize pickup truck, allowing you to tow a conventional travel trailer or boat. The Colorado's smaller package makes for a vehicle that's easier to maneuver, whether that's navigating suburban parking lots or tackling sweeping highway curves.
Honda Ridgeline
Current generation first year: 2017
Average CarMax price: $30,932.86
Edmunds rating: 8.0 /10
Pick because: You want the comfort of an SUV but the utility of a truck bed
Pass because: It's not as off-road capable as more traditional trucks
The Honda Ridgeline isn't a typical pickup truck. It is, effectively, a midsize SUV that also has a pickup bed attached. If you want some of the utility of a pickup truck, like a place to throw muddy bikes or big hauls from a hardware store, the Ridgeline is worth checking out. Keep in mind that the Ridgeline is available in either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. While it's capable on dirt, muddy, and snowy roads, there's no traditional four-wheel drive available, so serious off-roaders might want to check out other options. Not sure what the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is? We've got an article for you.
Toyota Tacoma
Current generation first year: 2024
Average CarMax price: $32,998.33
Edmunds rating: 7.8 /10
Pick because: Capable, many trims and options to choose from
Pass because: Its height makes it tough for kids to get in and out
The Toyota Tacoma is a very capable midsize truck. It's available with four-wheel drive, and its high ride height makes it a great choice if you plan on taking your truck onto mud, dirt, and rocks. But if you're interested in a vehicle to haul your kids and their gear to and from soccer practice, the small rear seats and vehicle height may call for considering other options. Otherwise, the Tacoma has few drawbacks. It was fully redesigned for 2024, but the previous generation (2016-23) is also well built and packed with utility.
Jake Sundstrom has worked in the automotive industry since 2017 and written hundreds of car related articles over the course of his career. Jake is an editor at Edmunds, where he helps produce the best used car content on the web. He has also contributed to the National Hot Rod Association and other motorsport publications. When he's not writing about cars, he's probably driving them to his next vacation; he's still working out how to get a Wrangler from Los Angeles to Maui.
Edmunds is a wholly owned subsidiary of CarMax.
