What is it about trucks that we love so much? They use too much gas, are bad for the environment, and are difficult to park, but we can't get enough of them for some reason. The love of trucks goes way back to the 19th century when most people lived on farms and needed to cart stuff around. Back then, people used horses and wagons; however, as people evolved, so did transportation.Updated March 2022: The incredibly high quality of certain '90s pickups is what helped push the segment to where it is today. But despite the tremendous outpouring of pickups in the '90s, not every model was a home run. We've updated this list to include more trucks from the 1990s that are still worth buying and some that aren't worth the money. In 1925, the Ford Model T Pickup was released to the general public and was an instant hit. Trucks began to appear as soon as the car had managed to force its way into the lives of the average individual. Those who still lived on farms relied on trucks to get them into the newly formed towns and cities that had begun to pop up worldwide. All of a sudden, trips that usually took all day lasted just a couple of hours, with the Ford Pickup assisting people's lives everywhere. These days, trucks are just as important, with some owners regarding their trucks as members of the family.Yes, they may have a reputation for being a gas-guzzling money giant. However, they are still respected and sold extensively across the globe. However, it was during the nineties when things really kicked off, so let's look at 10 trucks from the 90s worth every penny and 10 that weren't worth it then.Related: 10 Powerful '90s Pickups That Will Last You A Lifetime

23 1998 Ford F-150 NASCAR Edition

1998 Ford F-150 NASCAR Edition
Via-Wikimedia Commons

In 1998, NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary. Ford partnered with the famous race brand to produce a truck for just the occasion. The Famous F-150 was wrapped in NASCAR-themed designs. It was painted all black for the edgy appearance needed in a NASCAR representative.

The F-150 NASCAR edition sported a 4.6L V8 engine that pushed 220 horsepower. While it may not seem like a lot, it was still rated for 2,000 lbs of towing, but the premier racing organization's target audience was superfans. Just like other F-150s from the era, the NASCAR edition was built to last, and collectors still enjoy showing their models off to anyone who will look.

22 1990 Chevrolet Silverado 454SS

1990 Chevrolet Silverado 454SS
Via Wikipedia

The Chevrolet 454 SS might not look spectacular or even fascinating, but it certainly wowed audiences upon its release back in 1990. The truck, which is basically a 7.4-liter V8 stuffed in a 1500 chassis Chevy pickup, is one of the most iconic pickups to date and is often spoken of with high regard.

Annoyingly, Chevy didn't anticipate the need for powerful pickups and produced only a select amount (just 17k in total). So, make sure you hold on to one of these unique bad boys if you are ever lucky enough to find one.

21 1998 Hafei Ruiyi

1998 Hafei Ruiyi
via autotrader

Sometimes, size isn't everything, with the Hafei Ruiyi proving that great things also come in small packages. It might not look fast, but it certainly packs a punch compared to its competitors; plus, it knows how to do its job and is sturdier than most vehicles double its size.

The mini microvan was produced by Chinese manufacturer Hafei Motors and was marketed at those who prefer a smaller approach. Interestingly, the truck was never sold in the United States but was more prevalent in South America and Asia.

20 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

1998 Dodge Ram 1500
via Pinterest

The Ram pickup, also known as the Dodge Ram, is a full-size beast of a pickup truck and a favorite among truck fans. In fact, the Ram is so well-liked that it was named Motor Trend Magazine's Truck of the Year a whopping five times.

However, it was the 90s when the Ram came to life, with the Ram line undergoing a humungous redesign. At first, people were worried, but thankfully the renovation was a huge success, and sales soared from 95,542 units in 1993 to 232,092 in 1994, 410,000 in 1995, and 600,000 by 1998.

19 1999 Toyota Tundra

2000 Toyota Tundra
via Auto-Data

The Toyota Tundra has been manufactured in the United States by Japanese powerhouse Toyota since 1999. It is a popular truck for first-time pickup buyers. The Tundra is often listed in several best truck award lists and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year in 2000 and 2008.

The first generation was publicly introduced in 1999 and was immediately hit with success upon its release. Furthermore, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Tundra "Good" in their annual frontal offset crash test, which was the first time a full-size pickup had been awarded the "Good" grade.

18 1999 Ford F-150

Black 1999 Ford F-150
Via Mecum Auctions

The Ford F-Series is a series of trucks that have been manufactured by Ford since 1948. The F-Series is a respected fleet and has been the best-selling pickup in the Ford range since 1977. However, the most popular version of the F-Series is the F-150, which is now in its thirteenth generation.

The F-150 sported some extreme adjustments upon its release in the mid-90s. The long-running 4.9L inline-6 engine was replaced by a V6, its most significant change. The truck continued to break barriers, and in 2001 the F-150 became the first pickup to become available with four full-size doors.

17 1991 GMC Syclone

1991 GMC Syclone Pickup Truck In Black
Via: BringaTrailer

The General Motors Syclone was produced in 1991 and spawned the similarly powered GMC Typhoon in 1992. The truck is most definitely one of the best to have come out of the nineties and is a high-performance powerhouse with an engine to die for.

In fact, upon its release, the truck's acceleration was so well received that it was compared favorably to numerous sports cars such as the Corvette and, at one point, a Ferrari. Yes, the GMC Syclone is one of the best pickups out there and can now set you back around $30,000 for one of these second-hand bad boys.

Related: 10 Pickups That Will Still Work 10 Years From Now (And 10 That Will Crumble)

16 1995 Toyota Tacoma

1995 Toyota Tacoma
Via MecumAuctions

The Toyota Tacoma has been manufactured in the United States since 1995 and is one of the most successful pickup trucks to have ever come out of Japan. The first-generation Tacoma first arrived in 1995 and immediately caught the eye of truck enthusiasts.

Rather than focus on capacity and ruggedness like other pickups at the time, Tacoma's aim was to concentrate on ride quality, handling, safety, and comfort. During the first couple of years of production, the Tacoma was highly successful and sold exceptionally well, especially to young buyers. The trend has seemingly continued, with the Toyota Tacoma still one of the most popular pickups for young people.

15 1995 Ford Ranger

1995:1996 Ford Ranger, purple, dirt track - Wikipedia
Wikipedia

The name "Ford Ranger" has been used on three major model lines sold by Ford since the late 50s. However, during the mid-eighties, the Ranger name was given its own model line, and thus the Ford Ranger as we know it today was born.

The pickup truck was mainly sold in North America and parts of South America. However, the Ranger name was also sold internationally. The truck was the first compact pickup truck designed by Ford and has been one of its most successful products to date. Plus, it is extremely easy on the eyes, and aesthetics always help, after all.

14 1992 Mazda B2200

1992 Mazda B2200
Via: Mecum Auctions

The Mazda B-Series first arrived in the early 60s. They soon became a favorite among serious pickup truck fans and real-life automobile reviewers. In the late 80s, Mazda took it up a notch and introduced the 2.6-liter Mitsubishi-powered B2600. Not long after this, the Mazda inline-four engine was upgraded to 2.2 liters with what is now known as the B2200.

The truck was very well received by car critics and car enthusiasts across the globe, with the comfortable ride, smooth handling, and general everyday car abilities highlighted as exceptional.

13 1991 Nissan Hardbody

1991 Nissan Hardbody: The little pickup truck that can do it all.
via: Edmunds

The Nissan NP300 Hardbody is one of the best pickups. It is most famous for tackling the harshest terrains and wowing its owners worldwide. The Hardbody is engineered explicitly for brutal environments and tricky situations, from African deserts to thick rainforests.

But how does it do it so well? The truck is built with a heavy-duty axel which reinforces the frame and suspension to absorb the most challenging landscapes. Furthermore, the pickup comes in two choices, a two-door or a four-door, so it is suitable for yourself and your whole family.

12 Not Worth It: 1990 Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge

1990 Rod Hall Signature Edition Dodge
Via: Off Road Action

Everybody loves a rare vehicle, especially when only a select few were made. In 1990, famed racer Rod Hall teamed up with the legendary car designer Carroll Shelby to produce one of the most iconic pickups of the nineties. The outcome was a signature series truck based on the Dodge Ram 150 and was met with huge admiration. Sadly, production was halted on the truck when Shelby suffered a heart attack. Therefore only a mere 33 of these bad boys were made.

The trucks were (and still are if you are lucky enough to have one) powered by a 5.2-liter, 318 c.i.d. v-8 engine and really show what Dodge was all about during the beginning of the 90s. However, although it might sound good, the trucks are actually prone to breaking down, with buyers often pointing towards engine failure and gas mileage as significant downfalls. It's always the special editions...

11 Not Worth It: 1997 Ford F-450 Flatbed

1999 Ford F-450
Via:2040-cars.com

The Ford F-Series Super Duty is a range of Ford manufactured trucks and are noted for their heavy-duty pickup trucks. They are distinguished from the F-150 by the separate bodywork and other features. The series of pickup models include the F-250 and F-350.

However, as well as dabbling in pickups, Ford also has some heftier and larger trucks. To bridge the gap between the pickup line and the much larger medium-duty F-650/750, Ford released the F-450 and the F-550. The trucks were not as successful, and when compared to the F-150 and the other smaller pickups, they sadly just don't compare.

10 Not Worth It: 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning

1994 Ford SVT Lightning
Via-Wikimedia-Commons

The Ford-150 SVT Lightning was first billed as a sporty incarnation of the much loved and respected Ford-150. However, the aerodynamic body styling, updated interior, and powerful engine just didn't quite cut it, leaving fans aching for the previous design.

Although the SVT Lightning sported a 5.8-liter Windsor V8 engine, the pace still fell a little flat, with buyers also complaining about the automatic transmission. Ford soon released that the F-150 didn't need improving after all, and the SVT Lightning was quickly halted and later stopped. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Related: Here Is How Ford And Toyota Pickups Compared Over The Years

9 Not Worth It: 1997 Nissan Navara

1997 Nissan Navara
via FavCars

The Nissan Navara is the collective name for the D22, D40, and D23 Nissan pickups, which come from the Navarre region of northern Spain. The D22 was first introduced in 1997 and was sold as a compact-sized pickup truck with incredible speed. Sadly, the truck didn't meet standards, with buyers complaining about the size.

In fact, the truck was so small that a four-door version was later designed and produced, and released in 1999. Then, a special edition was offered that same year, which Nissan named the "Desert Runner." The truck had a king cab base and bigger tires. However, customers still complained of the light body structure and small interior.

8 Not Worth It: 1998 GMC Sierra 1500

Black 1998 GMC Sierra 1500
Strong Auto

Yes, it might look nice but remember, aesthetics are most certainly not everything. In the beginning, the GMC Sierra 1500 was initially pitched as one of the best, with General Motors telling all who would listen that their truck was going to be an engineering marvel.

Sadly, the expectations and the actual reality were anything but, and buyers soon began complaining about the performance, handling, gas mileage, and comfort, to name but a few. And, if that wasn't enough, several customers also commented on the electrical problems, something which has continued to be a thorn in the side of this particular vehicle and GMC as a whole brand.

7 Not Worth It: 1998 Dodge Dakota

Red 1999 Dodge Dakota
Via Bring a Trailer

The Dodge Dakota is a mid-sized pickup truck first introduced in 1986 and then as a model in 1987. However, since then, the vehicle has undergone several design changes, with later products unable to replicate the better and more impressive earlier creations.

Sadly, most complaints point to the dated styling of the interior of the truck and the body and framework. However, buyers have also commented on the amount of gas the truck uses. The truck is awful on gas-guzzling, especially concerning its tiny size.

6 Not Worth It: 1997 Ford F-250

1997 Ford F-250
via crew cabs for sale

Sadly, whatever Ford produces from this day forward, it will never be quite as good as the F-150. The F-250 is a perfect example; even though it's not actually that bad, it looks insignificant compared to its younger cousin. However, although the truck is pretty durable, as well as sturdy and practical when necessary, it just doesn't quite cut the mustard when compared to its peers.

Furthermore, the truck's styling is outdated and highly unfashionable, with buyers often complaining of its dated interior and boring bodywork. Come on, Ford, you've only got yourself to blame with this one.

5 Not Worth It: 1999 GMC Sierra Single-Cab

1999 GMC Sierra 2500
Via: kbb.com

General Motors knew they had made a mistake when they released the much anticipated GMC Sierra 1500, only to see it bomb dramatically. So, to try and salvage the situation, GMC quickly produced the Single-Cab Sierra, which was supposed to compete with the other single-cab compact pickup trucks at the time.

Frustratingly, GMC had failed again, with buyers complaining that the pickup was just too small to do anything. However, that wasn't all. Fuel efficiency, quality, and engine trouble are all noted as negative aspects of the truck. GMC panicked and never truly recovered. Oh well, at least it looks good, right?

4 Not Worth It: 1998 Isuzu Hombre

1998 Isuzu Hombre
via bestcarmag

The Isuzu Hombre was basically a dressed-up Chevrolet S-10 and became the GMC Sonoma's base model. However, although it might have started off with good intentions, the truck soon failed spectacularly.

Firstly, the car was exceptionally unattractive and is often voted as the ugliest pickup ever made. Like the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma, the Isuzu Hombre harbored a 2.2, 4.3 V6, and 4.3 Vortec engine. However, unlike the Chevrolet S-10 and the GMC Sonoma, the Isuzu Hombre couldn't pull it off, especially when it looked so hideous.