Five Good First Trucks

Five Good First Trucks

Looking for your first-ever pickup truck but don’t know where to start? We hear you! It can be a tough process to research something you don’t have a lot of experience in, particularly if you don’t want to compromise on things like price, performance, and reliability. Fortunately, you’re in luck, as Truck Ranch has put together a guide of the best used trucks for first-time truck drivers, examining all of the most important factors when it comes to quality pre-owned pickups. While there’s no single answer to that age-old question, “What is the best pickup truck?”, we hope that the below guide provides enough information to make an educated decision on your first pickup! We’ve also linked each truck to our online inventory so you can shop for these models right from our website.

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is an icon in the pickup world for a reason, and we have plenty for you to choose from! This is one of the best first trucks a novice truck driver can find, because of its sturdy construction and top-notch safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Depending on the make, trim level, and year you select, you could drive home in a top-of-the-line used Ford F-150 without breaking the bank. And there’s a ton of customization options for you to choose from based on your needs, including short or long cab configurations and two- or four-door models.

Toyota Tacoma

First-time truck drivers will love this compact pickup from Toyota, built with smooth rides and powerful performance in mind. Toyota is famous for its reliability and its long-lasting construction, so older models hold up perfectly well compared to their 2021 and 2022 counterparts. You can choose from two- and four-wheel drive configurations, depending on if you plan on taking your pickup off-road or in inclement weather. The Tacoma is also a great choice for younger drivers who may not have as much experience driving, since its engine is a bit less grabby than other pickups and makes for a smooth mid-speed ride.

Chevy Silverado

The Silverado, Chevy’s powerhouse flagship pickup since 1999, is another great first-time truck that we have in plentiful stock. This is an excellent choice for first-time truck drivers who will be making heavy use of their pickup’s towing, trailering, and payload capabilities – the Silverado exceeds in all three categories, no matter the year or configuration. Fuel-minded drivers will also love the Chevy Silverado for its efficient mileage – you may even be able to find an eAssist mild hybrid model that uses an electric battery to improve the fuel economy even further.

GMC Sierra

Chevrolet and GMC are sibling brands in the General Motors family, and the GMC Sierra shares many similarities with the Chevy Silverado. However, there are some important distinctions to consider when shopping, most of which come down to your preferences. The Sierra is generally a bit sleeker and more luxurious, rather than the rugged design of the Silverado, and tends to offer a wider array of interior features on lower trim levels. If you’re a first-time buyer looking for something high-end and premium without needing the Silverado’s top-line towing and performance power, the Sierra may be a perfect choice.

RAM 1500

Rounding out our top five best first truck models is the RAM 1500. J.D. Power ranks RAM #1 in new vehicle quality, but its older models keep up with the times effortlessly. Like the models we discussed above, you’ll have no trouble finding different configurations of this pickup to suit your needs in terms of cab size, engine performance, and two- or four-wheel drive. Like the Silverado, the RAM 1500 is exceptionally fuel-efficient without compromising torque or horsepower, and has a long history of safety and reliability.

Discover Quality Used Trucks at Truck Ranch!

If you have any questions or want more information about any of the pickups discussed above, feel free to contact us anytime! We’re committed to matching you with a quality, reliable used truck and can walk you through every step of the buying process. You can also check out our finance center for more information about financing, truck payments, and trade-ins.