Light trucks are quite popular across the US. According to the latest statistics, 2019 witnessed the sale of around 12.2 million units of light trucks in the United States – with Ford F-Series leading the list with sales of almost 900,000 units.
No one can deny the popularity of the trucks in the country. People drive it as the trucks offer increased visibility. They also provide better anticipation and even greater driving experience. However, it is also true that recent times see a sudden hike in the prices of trucks. The price tag on trucks has made people ask “why are trucks so expensive?”
The last decade saw a steady increase in the prices of pickup trucks. Pickup trucks are getting larger and coming with a hefty price tag – with some trucks available at a price of $100,000.
What are the Prices of New Trucks?
Trucks can be divided into three categories. Let’s have a look at how the prices of the truck vary:
- Full-size Trucks: Full-size trucks are wildly popular among car owners. They come with great hauling and towing capacities. Their price starts from $30,000 and goes up to $80,000.
- Heavy-duty Trucks: Heavy-duty trucks start from a modest range of $35,000, but they can go up to $100,000. These trucks come with an amazing towing capacity and payload limit.
- Midsize: As the name suggest, midsize trucks come with lower towing capacities. They are also smaller in size which is why they are easier to handle. They are available at somewhere between $20,000 and $60,000.
In the table below, let’s have a look at the prices of some new trucks:
| Truck Model | Price Range |
| Ford F150 | $28,745 to $53,455 |
| Ford F250 | $33,705 to $83,600 |
| Ford F350 | $35,220 to $84,775 |
| Ford F450 | $49,800 to $90,530 |
| Chevy Silverado 1500 | $39,135 to $60,590 |
| Chevy Silverado 2500HD | $42,695 to $72,445 |
| Chevy Silverado 3500HD | $44,095 to $73,845 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | $30,160 to $55,090 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | $44,395 to $75,045 |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD | $45,595 to $76,245 |
| Ram 1500 | $32,145 to $53,440 |
| Ram 2500 | $33,745 to $61,650 |
| Ram 3500 | $35,195 to $63,000 |
| Toyota Tundra | $33,575 to $48,655 |
| Nissan Titan | $41,990 to $58,690 |
| Nissan Titan XD | $44,580 to $61,690 |
| Ford Ranger | $25,355 to $33,445 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | $32,795 to $47,595 |
| GMC Canyon | $37,195 to $48,825 |
| Toyota Tacoma | $26,050 to $43,960 |
| Nissan Frontier | $19,090 to $33,530 |
| Honda Ridgeline | $33,900 to $34,520 |
In addition to this, there are some variants of these car models as well. Have a look at their current prices – we have also added the 2019 prices to give you an idea of how much prices have increased over a year:
Ford F-150
| Variant | 2020 Price | 2019 Price |
| XL | $28,745 | $28,155 |
| XLT | $34,760 | $34,160 |
| Lariat | $42,750 | $41,700 |
| King Ranch | $52,900 | $52,390 |
| Platinum | $55,520 | $52,855 |
| Limited | $67,735 | $54,920 |
Ford F250
| Variant | 2020 Price | 2019 Price |
| XL | $33,705 | $33,150 |
| XLT | $38,485 | $37,365 |
| Lariat | $46,600 | $46,140 |
| King Ranch | $59,000 | $56,910 |
| Platinum | $65,865 | $63,335 |
| Limited | $83,600 | $80,240 |
Ford F350
| Variant | 2020 Price | 2019 Price |
| XL | $35,220 | $34,320 |
| XLT | $40,010 | $38,545 |
| Lariat | $48,120 | $47,310 |
| King Ranch | $60,520 | $58,085 |
| Platinum | $65,905 | $63,000 |
| Limited | $84,775 | $81,415 |
Ford F450
| Variant | 2020 Price | 2019 Price |
| XL | $49,880 | $47,375 |
| XLT | $55,655 | $52,255 |
| Lariat | $66,650 | $63,905 |
| King Ranch | $76,715 | $72,340 |
| Platinum | $80,425 | $75,585 |
| Limited | $90,530 | $86,505 |
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet has relatively less-expensive cars. Have a look at the 2020 prices of various Chevrolet models:
| Variant | 2.7L Turbo Engine | 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 | 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 | 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 | 3.0L Duramax |
| Work Truck | $39,135 | $39,495 | $40,890 | N/A | N/A |
| Custom | $41,315 | $41,895 | $43,290 | N/A | N/A |
| LT | $44,195 | N/A | $45,590 | N/A | $50,900 |
| RST | $46,095 | N/A | $47,490 | $48,985 | $52,655 |
| Custom Trail Boss | $43,495 | N/A | $44,890 | $46,365 | N/A |
| LTZ | $50,295 | N/A | N/A | $52,790 | $52,790 |
| LT Trail Boss | N/A | N/A | $50,095 | $52,590 | N/A |
| High Country | N/A | N/A | $58,095 | $60,590 | $60,590 |
What Are the Reasons for the High Price of Trucks?
The reason why the latest trucks come with an expensive price tag is their features. All trucks are equipped with the latest features that make your driving experience even more pleasant. Here are some reasons for the high prices of trucks:
1. Technology
New models of trucks have great technological features that provide extra safety to the driver. Some of the features that you can find in a truck are:
- HVAC systems
- Cameras
- Fancy lighting systems
- 12-inch screens
- Massage seats
- Upgraded stereos
- Heated seats and steering wheels
All these upgrades, naturally, will increase the total cost of the truck.
2. Fuel Efficiency
Truck manufacturers are now more cautious of emission standards. Now, trucks are equipped with turbocharged motors. A fuel-efficient truck, however, will come at an increased price.
3. Safety Additions
Traditional trucks didn’t have many safety additions. However, the latest models come with great safety features that provide extra safety to drivers and passengers. Some of these safety features are:
- Guided parking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Sensors for detecting other vehicles
Are Used Trucks Still Expensive?
Trucks are in high demand because of their commercial use. This vehicle normally comes with a long useful life, allowing small businesses to yield its benefit over a long time.
The reason why even used trucks are expensive is that they are in high demand.
How to Find a Cheap Pickup Truck?
From online marketplaces to physical shops, there are many places that sell used vehicles. First, don’t forget to look at your local newspaper to find ads of truck sale. You can easily find a great deal on the classified pages of the newspaper.
In addition, online marketplaces such as AutoTrader.com and Craigslist.com are also a great platform where you can find good and relatively cheaper pickup trucks.
The Final Word
When it comes to utility, trucks don’t have any match. They are great for both commercial and personal use. These days, truck manufacturers are paying a lot of attention to trucks’ features. Today’s trucks will have great technology and safety features. Still, wondering why are trucks so expensive? It is these features that hike up the cost of this useful vehicle.