Pickup trucks are becoming increasingly popular with no other vehicle offering as much towing power and torque. From everyday use to serving as workhorses, pickups are here to stay, and if you need a cool one but have a tight budget, this list is for you. The pickups that earned a spot on our list are reliable, aesthetically appealing, and reasonably affordable.
Whether you love high-performance muscle trucks, serious off-roaders, or special edition trucks, this list has you covered. With this in mind, here are 10 cool pickups that can be yours for less than $30,000.
10 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Although the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is no match for the Ford F-150 Raptor, it's understandable given the Raptor is roughly 25% more expensive. It goes without saying that the Colorado ZR2 is aesthetically pleasing with its rough-and-ready look.
The Colorado ZR2 pickup features front and back locking differentials, and multimatic shocks to facilitate your off-road adventures. Under the hood of the Colorado ZR2 lies a 3.6-liter V6 with a rating of 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. This 2017 Colorado ZR2 goes for just $29,500.
9 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel
If you ever get tired of living in a bustling metropolis and want to escape the urban sprawl, the 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel is your best companion. With the interior space measuring 125.3 cu. ft., there's enough room for your backpacks, camera accessories, and beverages, as you embark on your off-road adventure with four of your best friends.
The Ram 1500 Rebel gets its power from a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that thrusts out 410 lb-ft of peak torque and 395 hp. The air suspension lowers the Rebel at highway speeds, and enhances fuel efficiency. You can get a 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel for $22,990.
8 2016 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X
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If you want a factory-ready rock climber to help you get away from civilization for the weekend, look no further than the 2016 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X. Featuring specially tuned shocks, automatic headlights, an eight-way driver seat, and a 5.8-inch NissanConnect touchscreen that gives you access to voice controls and satellite radio, you don’t need to bother about upgrades before you hit the road.
The Frontier Pro-4X makes 261 horses and 281 pound-feet of torque from a 4.0-liter V6 that works with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Maneuvering this $29,994 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X is quite easier compared to a full-size pickup.
7 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Dubbed the “Taco Supreme”, the Tacoma TRD Pro is perhaps the roughest compact truck made by Toyota. Featuring off-road amenities like hill-start assist, Bilstein 2.5-inch front/rear shocks, and 16-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, the 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro is a desert delight.
The 4.0-liter V6 engine of the Tacoma TRD Pro is mated with a 6-speed manual transmission and cranks out 236 horses. The 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro has good on- and off-road manners, and it can be yours for $26,710.
6 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition
With Ram owners having a love for outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and camping, it's no surprise that Dodge reintroduced the Mossy Oak Edition of the Ram 1500 in 2014 after a one-year hiatus. Complimenting the Mossy Oak camouflage, are three color choices: Black, Black Gold, or Prairie Pearl.
The cargo bed of the Mossy Oak Edition pickup comes with a length of 6-ft. 4-in., and the Mossy Oak logo is vividly displayed on headrests and the rear quarter panels. The Mossy Oak Edition full-size pickup is based on the Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Outdoorsman, which offers two gasoline engine options: 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8. Find a used 2014 Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition pickup for $28,995.
5 2013 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
Tacoma is one of the best-selling compact trucks by Toyota in America, and to continue its market dominance, Toyota offers a limited package known as the X-Runner, which comes with a touch of luxury. Some refinements in the 2013 X-Runner include a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, SofTex-trimmed heated front seats, and a HomeLink® universal transceiver.
The base engine on the 2013 Tacoma is a 2.7-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine that delivers 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of maximum torque. For more power, opt for the 4.0-liter DOHC V6 that blasts out 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of mid-range torque. This 2013 Tacoma X-Runner with a V6 and manual transmission can be yours for $27,000.
4 2012 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
For the Harley-Davidson Edition of the F-150, Ford offers utmost comfort and seamless handling without compromising on performance. Whatever you might have heard of old plastic-seated, rubber-matted jalopies is not true for the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition, which boasts remarkably comfortable front bucket seats and steering with a chunky feel.
The 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque and propels the 2012 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition to 62 mph in less than 8.0 seconds. The tow/haul transmission mode comes in handy when hauling a load up a hill. A 2012 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition pickup goes for roughly $29,996.
3 2007 Ford F-150 XL Saleen S331 Supercharged
Just about three years after the discontinuation of the SVT Lightning, Ford teamed up with Saleen to introduce a tuned version of the F-150 known as the S331 Supercharged pickup. What's really intriguing about the Saleen S331 Supercharged truck is that it was modified beyond bolt-on body kits, and it passed EPA and crash tests.
Based on the RWD FX2 F150 SuperCab, the Saleen S331 pickup was equipped with retuned shock absorbers, and BFGoodrich performance tires. Saleen fitted the modified F-150 with a Class IV trailer hitch and tow system that raised its towing capacity to 9,500 lbs. The Saleen S331 Supercharged truck, which cost around $27,995 on the used-car market, discharges 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
2 2006 Chevy Silverado Intimidator SS
The Chevy Silverado Intimidator SS is a special edition pickup built in honor of Dale Eamhardt. Unlike the stock Silverado SS, this special edition Intimidator SS is equipped with performance suspension, a stiffer front stabilizer bar, and Tenneco shocks.
Chevrolet built only 1,333 units of the Silverado Intimidator SS, which is based on the 2006 Silverado SS that comes with a Vortec 6000 V8 engine with an output of 345 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of peak torque. Find a used $17,333 Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS pickup here.
1 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10
The monstrous power of the 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 is one of the many reasons why it can't go out of fashion, even after several decades. Installing a Paxton NOVI 2000 supercharger with the 8.3-liiter V10 pumps out a whooping 650 hp and 700 lb-ft.
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The maximum towing capacity of the 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 is around 8,150 lbs, which is not that bad for a pickup under $30,000. The Ram SRT-10's 22-inch Viper-style wheels are robed with 305/40 Toyo Proxes ST III tires to provide sufficient grip when you hit the road.
