Which Used Truck is Right for You?

As far as we’re concerned, the top 5 used trucks on the market are the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, Ram pickup, GMC Sierra, and the Chevy Colorado. If you’re just beginning your search for a used truck, it’s important to have a sense of what you want to find in your next pickup. You have so many different trucks available to you, and there are some huge differences between them, so it’s vital that you know what you need. Otherwise, it’s far too easy to end up with a truck that could be a good vehicle but doesn’t really offer what you’ve been looking for, especially when considering capability. For those in Tennessee looking for a Murfreesboro used truck dealer, we here at Newton Chevrolet GMC, located conveniently in Shelbyville, have an array of great used truck options to choose from.

Whether you have some inkling of what you want or just started your search and are unsure about what models are out there, we’re here to help. While we can’t tell you which truck is perfect for you without talking to you and understanding what you’re looking for, we can help point you in the right direction. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular used trucks on the market to see what each of them has to offer. This will give you a sense of which model might meet your needs, and if any grab your attention, we welcome you to stop by and see them up close and personal.

The Chevy Silverado

One of the most popular full-size trucks on the road, the Chevy Silverado is a favorite among many of us at Newton Chevrolet GMC. Numerous engines have been offered over the years, so you’ll find many different options when shopping, but all of them deliver excellent power and robust performance. Year after year, the Silverado has also been one of the most capable trucks, with high towing and payload capacities to help you get your job done. Perhaps best of all, with its available Trail Boss trims and Z71 Off-Road package, the Silverado is one of the most impressive pickups on the market for going off-road. This great all-around truck is perfect for a wide range of drivers; it offers excellent towing and capability, with powerful engines and plenty of options.

The Ford F-150

Another option many people consider when looking for a full-size truck is the F-150, known for delivering impressive performance year after year. Since the F-150 sells so well each year, you can find a diverse selection of them out there when shopping for a used model, which makes it easy to find one with everything you are looking for. In general, we prefer many of the options and features that Chevy packs into the Silverado, but that doesn’t mean the F-150 isn’t a great choice for those looking for a used pickup. While the Silverado is impressive, this is also a good all-around option if you need a hard-working truck that will keep performing even with quite a few miles on it.

The Ram 1500 Pickup

Once known as the Dodge Ram, the Ram pickup became its own entity quite a few years ago and has established a name for itself as one of the best trucks on the market. The Ram 1500 is a full-size option that is a great choice if the Silverado and F-150 don’t quite meet your needs or if you are looking for something a bit different. Ram has proven they can make one of the most luxurious and sophisticated trucks on the road, so you can find some used models with very impressive features in them. If you prefer something a bit simpler, however, you might pay more here for options and technology you won’t use. It’s another great choice for an all-around full-size truck; recent model years have included impressive technology and luxury, so keep that in mind while shopping used.

The GMC Sierra

If you like the performance and functionality of the Chevy Silverado but want something with a bit more sophistication to it, then you should check out the GMC Sierra. Built on the same platform as the Silverado, the Sierra provides you with the same fantastic power and capability as Chevy’s award-winning truck. However, what sets the GMC model apart is a tendency to pack more luxury features into it, creating a comfortable and high-end interior that many drivers adore. This can make them a bit more expensive, but a pre-owned option helps offset that cost and makes this high-end truck available for more drivers. The Sierra is an all-around fantastic truck that focuses on delivering impressive power and upscale features; this is our top pick if you want reliable capability with an exquisite interior.

The Chevy Colorado

So far, we’ve focused on full-size trucks, but that’s not all you’ll find when looking for a great used pickup. If you need something a bit smaller, then the midsize Chevy Colorado is the perfect option, with plenty of power and functionality to offer. Despite its smaller size, the Colorado can still get a tremendous amount of work done and is great if you need something light-duty with fantastic features inside and out. In recent years, the Colorado has become one of the most popular trucks for hitting the trail, largely thanks to its award-winning ZR2 Off-Road trim and other off-road features. If you’re looking for a midsize truck with impressive power, it’s one of the best options for hitting the trail, thanks to its smaller size and incredible engineering.

The Nissan Frontier

This is another great option if you’re looking for a reliable and hard-working midsize truck, and the Colorado isn’t quite right for you. The Frontier has been one of the best-selling midsize models for many years, so you’ll find many of them out there on the used market. It lacks a lot of the flexibility and configuration options that a model like the Colorado has; however, this means you’ll find fewer differences between used models, for better or worse. The Frontier went a long time without getting a new generation, spanning 15 years, so late-model Nissan Frontiers can feel a bit dated compared to something like the Colorado. Still, it’s undeniably popular, and you can find an abundance of models when shopping used. There may not be much in terms of diversity in what you’ll find, but it is still a great midsize truck.

The Toyota Tacoma

As our third pick for a great midsize truck, the Tacoma is Toyota’s most popular truck, outselling their full-size option by a substantial margin. While we prefer the flexibility of the Colorado and the wide range of features you’ll find on it when shopping used, the reliability and popularity of the Tacoma can’t be denied. This is also one of only two midsize trucks on the market with a manual transmission, so that’s worth keeping in mind if you prefer the precision and control that comes with a manual pickup. Its available engine makes it a great option, but we’d avoid any model from recent years with its standard engine, which has been underwhelming; the 2021 Tacoma’s standard 2.7L engine produces a disappointing 159 hp.

This is the perfect option if you want a midsize truck with a manual transmission, as the standard engine can’t keep up with the capability of a model like the Colorado, but it is still a lot of fun to drive. Now that you have a sense of what’s out there, it should be easier to narrow down some potential truck options. All you have to do now is give us a call or visit us in person, and we’ll make sure you drive away in a used truck that you’ll enjoy for many years ahead.