Here’s Your Guide to Nine Popular Used Trucks

Here at Edwards Chevrolet Downtown, we have a simple goal: make shopping for a vehicle as simple as possible and ensure all of our customers find the perfect ride. We know that finding a great vehicle can be tricky; you might start off by searching “used trucks for sale near me” on your phone, thinking it’ll be easy to find something great, only to discover you have an incredible number of options available to you. Choosing a dealership is a great way to ensure you have access to used trucks in terrific condition, along with friendly people ready to help you with everything you need, but you can still be overwhelmed by the options available to you. So today, we’re going to take you through some of the most popular used truck models you’ll find, briefly explore what each one offers, and mention a few key model years to keep in mind as you check out different pre-owned options.

The Chevy Colorado

First introduced back in 2003, the Colorado was initially a compact truck, though a redesign turned it into the modern midsize pickup we know and love. This is a great choice if you are looking for a smaller pickup for a daily driver that can also help you get your job done. You can find used Colorado models with smaller Extended Cabs and larger Crew Cabs, so keep that in mind, along with numerous engines—older ones prior to 2019 can even have a manual transmission. Look for a second-generation Colorado from 2015 or later for the midsize design; an update for 2021 makes that a good model year to look for, while the current third generation kicked off for the 2023 model year.

The Chevy Silverado 1500

If you’re looking for a full-size truck with great performance and functionality on offer, then a pre-owned Chevy Silverado 1500 is a terrific choice. This pickup dates back to the 1999 model year, but it builds on a legacy of Chevy trucks going back far into the early 1900s. Numerous cab sizes, bed lengths, and engines can be found when looking at used Silverado 1500 models, so pay close attention to the features of any pickup you find; if you want greater power and capabilities, then look for a Silverado HD truck. The fourth generation of the Silverado 1500 launched with the 2019 model year, with an update and refresh for 2022.

The Ford Ranger

Another great choice for a powerful and sophisticated midsize truck, the Ford Ranger has been a favorite amongst many drivers since its introduction back in the 1980s. First released as a compact truck, the Ranger remained in that class through the 2012 model year, after which Ford put it on hold for a redesign and new approach. The Ranger returned as a midsize truck for the 2019 model year and has remained a popular option ever since, delivering impressive power and performance even in its modest frame. If you’re interested in a midsize pickup to take off-road, then look for a Ranger Tremor, which was introduced for the 2021 model year.

The Ford F-150

Arguably the most well-known truck in the auto industry, the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling pickup in America for more than 40 years. The F-Series goes back much further than that, but the F-150 is the half-ton, full-size model that is perfect for a wide range of drivers, offering robust performance and great features inside and out. Much like Chevy’s Silverado 1500, you will find this pickup in a wide range of configurations and with many different engines, so look closely at the details of any model you’re interested in. The 14th generation of the F-150 was introduced with the 2021 model year, making that a good one to start with, while a refresh for 2024 provides new styling and updated tech.

The Jeep Gladiator

Jeep might be most well known for their SUVs, like the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, but the Gladiator is one to consider if you want a midsize truck to take off-road. First released for the 2020 model year, the Gladiator strongly resembles a Wrangler with an extended back featuring a truck bed and tailgate. Much like the Wrangler, the Gladiator is engineered and designed for impressive trail-ready performance, so this is a great one to look for if you love going on outdoor adventures. Every model comes with four-wheel drive and an impressive V6 engine, though you can find a diesel engine on some models starting with 2021.

The Nissan Frontier

Much like the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier is a modern midsize truck that started its run as a compact pickup. Unlike those other two models, however, the Frontier didn’t take a few years off for a redesign: it was a compact truck from its introduction in the 1997 model year through 2005, and then the 2006 model became a larger, midsize pickup. The current third-generation Frontier launched with the 2022 model year following another redesign that now features a high-strength steel frame and robust performance. If you’re interested in taking your midsize pickup off-road, then look for a used Frontier Pro-4X model to find Bilstein shocks, underbody skid plates, and more.

The Nissan Titan

Nissan also makes an impressive full-size truck called the Titan, which was first introduced with the 2004 model year and has been a popular option ever since. One of the most important things to note about the Titan is that its first generation ran from its initial release through the 2015 model year—that’s more than a decade. You’ll find a lot of these models on the used market, and while they can offer a great drive, they often feel quite dated. You’re better off looking for a model from 2016 or later when Nissan launched the second generation, particularly one from the 2020 refresh or later.

The Toyota Tacoma

First released in the mid-1990s, the Tacoma is Toyota’s midsize truck (though, like many similar models we’ve looked at, it started off as a compact pickup). The Tacoma has been a popular option among many drivers since its release, and numerous generations have brought about redesigns and updates. TRD models are an especially fine choice if you’re looking for a smaller truck like this that is ready to head off-road. The third-generation Tacoma launched for the 2016 model year, though we suggest ones from 2020 or later, following a facelift and update. Toyota kicked off the Tacoma’s fourth generation with the 2024 model, so keep that in mind if you’re interested in more recent options.

The Toyota Tundra

Along with the popular cars and SUVs Toyota is known for, they are also highly regarded for the Tundra: a powerful and impressive full-size truck. One of the best things about looking at pre-owned Tundra models is that Toyota typically offers fewer configuration and engine options than brands like Chevy and Ford. This makes it easier to find the kinds of features and performance you’re looking for, which is convenient when overwhelmed by different models. The second generation of the Tundra went from 2007 to 2021, which is a long time; we suggest looking for a third-generation Tundra from 2022 or later to get the best features and performance.

Which Used Truck Is Right for You?

As you can see, you have a lot of options available to you—we didn’t even get into every possible used truck you can find. If you’re interested in what Chevy offers but you’re looking for more refined and sophisticated features (for example), then you might look for the GMC Canyon or Sierra 1500, which are comparable to the Colorado and Silverado 1500. Similarly, a used Ram truck can be a great choice when looking for something with impressive interior comfort features and performance. With so many different used trucks available to you, it’s important that you shop at a reputable dealership with a great selection and friendly people ready to help you find what you need. That way, you can get a truck you love and drive away with total peace of mind about the quality of your new pickup.