Pickup trucks are the second-most popular vehicle choice on the market today. Some truck owners are fiercely loyal to manufacturers. But most buyers will weigh their options to decide which pickup truck best fits their needs. With so many options out on the market today, if you are shopping for a new truck, here is a list of priorities and how they may affect your choice.
Price
Price is typically the first thing we look for when making any major purchase. Most people have a budget and want to know if they will be able to afford a specific vehicle before they go any further.
Pickup trucks have come a long way in recent years and offer trim packages starting at your basic work truck to high-end luxury packages with bells and whistles. There is also a wide range of truck sizes, from as small as a mid-size car to the much larger trucks designed for hauling various types of cargo.
Obviously, the larger the truck and the more features included in the package, the higher the sales price. Also, the truck’s brand will go a long way in determining the price.
The new Ford Maverick is the first hybrid on the market. Obviously it can’t substitute for a full-size truck, such as the new Ford F-150, but it does show you how broad the price range has become. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a new truck if you shop around for the one with the right capability for your needs.
Running Costs
Buying a truck is an investment, and its associated costs should be considered. If you can get capability with better fuel economy, that’s what you should aim for.
It’s essentially the idea behind the Ecoboost engines found on the Ford lineup of trucks. A turbo six Ecoboost engine can perform more like a regular V8, but it doesn’t drink like one. This can mean a difference of 5 to 10 miles per gallon, and that can be a huge savings or a huge expense.
So while the price is important to your loan costs, the fuel economy will be important to your monthly budget from now on.
Truck Size
Determining the size of the pickup truck you need is also an important factor in making a good purchase decision.
If you are going to use the truck for towing, be sure that the truck you choose meets the capacity needs of your cargo. When looking at tow ratings, consider that a 5,000-pound camper will have additional weight from its contents. Therefore, you want to pick a truck with tow ratings that are 500 to 1000 pounds more than your camper.
Trucks typically come in short, mid, and long bed styles. You can expect the sizes to be about 5-feet, 6-feet, and 8-feet but there is variety by truck model and brand. For instance, while the Ranger midsize truck bed is 6 feet, the F-150 bed is 6.5 feet and the Ford SuperDuty bed is 6.75 feet.
If the cabin size is most important to you, keep in mind that you need to look at the numbers. You’ll want to make a comparison of such things as second-row legroom and overall headroom when looking for something with enough back-row space for coworkers and other adults.
If you are looking for a Regular cabin with just one row of seats, these are available from Ford, Chevy or Ram. Certain types of midsize trucks, such as the Ford Ranger, will offer to delete the second row in the smaller cab. This gives you a large storage area plus one row of seats.
Features
These days pickup trucks come with just as many high-end features as most luxury cars. When shopping for your truck, there will be no shortage of options to choose from.
If the truck is a family vehicle, you may opt for more safety and entertainment features. If it will be used more like a work truck, features such as backup cameras, extended mirrors, and practical truck bed features may be your priority.
Another feature that should be taken into account is off-road capabilities. Depending on your location or your intended use of the truck, you may need to consider a model with four-wheel-drive capabilities.
Comfort
Trucks are becoming more commonly used as family vehicles, and manufacturers have adjusted accordingly. High-end trim packages are commonplace now, giving all the passengers luxury options such as leather upholstery and heated seats.
With certain brands, even a basic work truck package on a new truck will bring a certain level of comfort. For instance, whether you buy the entry level Ford Ranger or F150, the package will include a rearview camera and the Sync touchscreen system for connectivity and entertainment. But the more money you typically spend, the more comfort and luxury your new truck will provide.
Reliability
With proper care and maintenance, your truck will give you reliable service for years to come. A new one will come with good warranty coverage. Certain used trucks, such as Ford Gold Advantage or Blue Advantage, also come with warranties, a newer development for those buying used trucks.
However, problems do sometimes occur. That’s why it’s important to have your dealer explain the warranties and service contracts available to you as a buyer in great detail. When you deal with a reputable dealership and take proper care of your vehicle, your truck should be reliable for all your needs.