With more than a century of tradition and a cult following that divides the country’s highways into car people and truck people, pickups are as American as anything. In fact, America’s car is a truck: Pickups — domestic and imports alike — sell in staggering numbers every year.
Insurify data scientist and writer Alexandra Conza says a large part of the obsession is psychological and cultural. “The pickup truck has gained a strong foothold in the American psyche, representing a heady mix of rugged durability, strength, and masculinity,” she says. “Of course, not all of the appeal is intangible. Pickup trucks meet a broad range of tastes, practical needs, and budgets. While remaining long-lasting, strong, and dependable, they have evolved over the past decade to accommodate everyday driving, with cabins that are downright luxurious at certain trim levels. On top of this, pickup trucks are a very safe choice, with the fewest fatal crashes per capita compared to SUVs and sedans.”
But not all trucks are created equal. Using data from Insurify, Cheapism ranked the 10 bestselling trucks in America and outlined what makes them so great, or at least so popular.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
These trucks did not make the top 10 but are worth an honorable mention in terms of popularity, demonstrated by how many models each sells per 10,000 vehicles: In 15th place, the Mazda B3000 (three vehicles); in 14th place, the Honda Ridgeline (four vehicles); in 13th place, the GMC Canyon (five vehicles); in 12th place, the RAM 3500 (also five vehicles); and in 11th place and just missing out on the top 10, the Nissan Titan (12 vehicles).
FCA US LLC.
Although just 13 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold is a Ram 2500, that’s good enough to land it a spot in the top 10. Starting at $33,895, the Ram 2500 is the most expensive pickup to make the list. What you get for that expense, however, is a perfect 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Ram 2500 is one of only three trucks on the list that can boast that claim.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado by General Motors ((CC BY-SA))
The No. 9 truck on the list is the Chevy Colorado, which is good for 18 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold. With just 200 horsepower, it’s not as powerful as many of the trucks profiled here, and it earns four stars out of five in the NHTSA safety rating, but its starting MSRP is just $21,300.
Nissan
Coming in at No. 8 is the Nissan Frontier, which, like the Colorado, earned a 4-star NHTSA safety rating. Also like the Colorado, it makes up for any flaws with its sticker price — with a starting MSRP of just $20,300, you won’t find a cheaper truck on this list. Truck lovers on a budget are part of the reason that 24 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold are a Nissan Frontier.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
One of the main complaints leveled against the Toyota Tundra is that it’s beginning to look and feel dated compared with the competition. With a starting MSRP of $33,575, however, It’s still popular enough to account for 32 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold and to take the No. 7 spot on the countdown. The Tundra has earned a reputation as a reliable performer that delivers a comfortable ride and holds its resale value well. It is, however, burdened with unenviable fuel economy and towing power.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
With a 4-star NHTSA safety rating and a starting MSRP just a hair above $26,000, it’s not hard to understand why the No. 6 Toyota Tacoma represents 45 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold. The smaller cousin to the full-size Tundra, the Tacoma offers just 159 horsepower with the entry-level engine. But for those who don’t need a lot of muscle, it’s cheaper to buy than the Tundra and cheaper to own, thanks to good fuel economy.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 by GMC Sierra 1500 ((CC BY-NC))
The first in the top five is the GMC Sierra, which has earned a loyal following thanks to its longstanding reputation for performance and quality — not to mention its sub-$30,000 starting MSRP. It accounts for 60 of every 10,000 vehicles sold and, although it’s considered a twin to the Chevy Silverado, is a bit more posh and has more available features. It’s a powerful truck with a big engine, with even the pee-wee option generating 285 horses, and holds a 4-star NHTSA safety rating.
The Ford Motor Company
Revived in 2019, the Ford Ranger is one of the newest trucks on the market and already holds the No. 4 spot among the most popular pickups in the country. It’s a bare-bones truck and doesn’t offer a whole lot of options in terms of customization, but it comes in under $25,000 and holds a 4-star NHTSA safety rating. It barely squeaks past the Sierra with 61 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold.
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Ram 1500
FCA US LLC
Although it’s in the top three, the Ram 1500 is closer to the Ranger and Sierra in terms of sales, with 62 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold. Its $32,145 starting MSRP is attractive to say the least, considering a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine comes standard. It also holds the distinction of being one of just three trucks on the list that can boast a perfect 5-star NHTSA safety rating.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado by General Motors ((CC BY-SA))
The Chevy Silverado vaults all the way to 158 out of every 10,000 vehicles sold — well more than double the next-closest Ram 1500. Like its slightly more luxurious clone GMC Sierra, the Silverado exists at the intersection of power, performance, and reliability. Not only is it about $1,500 less than its slightly higher-brow twin, but it holds its resale value better. It earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA.
The Ford Motor Company
There can, of course, be only one winner, and it’s the vaunted Ford F-Series. Smashing all competitors with 250 F-Series trucks for every 10,000 vehicles sold, the F-Series — which includes the legendary F-150 — has been the bestselling truck for an astonishing 43 years straight. For 38 consecutive years, it’s been the bestselling vehicle in America, period. Powerful, versatile, and consummately customizable, it can brag about not only a perfect 5-star NHTSA safety rating, but also a starting MSRP under $29,000.
Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. He was one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists at the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service, and later worked as the Money section editor at AMNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan. He currently works as a full-time freelance writer.
