3 Great Ford Ranger Alternatives for Less Than $28,000
The Ford Ranger is a solid choice for a pickup truck, with its powerful turbocharged engine, towing capabilities, off-road prowess, confident handling, and driving assistance technologies. However, the Ranger isn’t for everyone, and there are other good options for pickup truck shoppers. We cover three great Ford Ranger alternatives that cost less than $28,000.
Pickup trucks to get instead of a Ford Ranger
The 2023 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck has a starting price of $26,400 MSRP. It has many positive attributes, but there are other models that you might want to consider. Check out these three pickup truck alternatives to the Ranger that cost less than $28,000.
- 2023 Toyota Tacoma (Starting price: $27,250 MSRP)
- 2023 Ford Maverick (Starting price: $22,195 MSRP)
- 2022 Chevy Colorado (Starting price: $26,135 MSRP)
Toyota Tacoma is a highly-capable alternative to the Ford Ranger
The first pickup truck alternative to the Ford Ranger that costs less than $28,000 is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma midsize truck, which starts at $27,250 MSRP. The biggest strength of the Tacoma is its off-road capabilities, with the ability to drive over challenging terrain with ease. The Tacoma is also very durable, provides a variety of configuration options, and offers many driving assistance technologies.
The Tacoma is not without its drawbacks, though. Compared to some of its rivals, it’s not as comfortable, and its base engine option is relatively weak. However, the Tacoma continues to be the best-selling midsize pickup truck. It has an enthusiastic fan base that loves it for its off-road capabilities and high-level durability.
Ford Maverick: Cheapest pickup truck available
For the second pickup truck alternative to the Ford Ranger that costs less than $28,000, you don’t need to leave the Ford brand. The 2023 Ford Maverick compact truck, which has a starting price of $22,195 MSRP, is the cheapest pickup truck available. Along with its affordable price, the Maverick gets high fuel economy, especially with its hybrid powertrain. The Maverick Hybrid has an estimated gas mileage of up to 42 city/33 highway mpg, while the fully gas-powered version gets a fuel economy of up to 23 city/30 highway mpg.
Other highlights of the Maverick include its stylish interior, good handling, and versatile pickup bed. The Maverick is an immensely popular model, with high demand for the compact truck. However, due to this high demand, you might face a long wait time to get a new Maverick.
Chevy Colorado: Midsize pickup truck alternative worth considering
The third pickup alternative to the Ford Ranger that costs less than $28,000 is the 2022 Chevy Colorado, which starts at $26,135 MSRP. The Colorado and Ranger are longtime competitors, and the Colorado holds its own for this rivalry. It boasts an impressive maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, good handling, a smooth ride, a user-friendly infotainment system, and comfortable seats, as detailed by MotorTrend.
For the 2023 model year, the Chevy Colorado is even better, for it received a thorough redesign. It has a bold new exterior, a more modern interior, new technologies, and improved capabilities. The price information is not yet available for the 2023 Colorado, but it will likely cost slightly more than the 2022 version.
Pickup truck alternatives to the Ford Ranger that cost under $28,000 include the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, 2023 Ford Maverick, and 2022 Chevy Colorado. If you’re looking for a high-quality truck that won’t break the bank, then these models are worth a closer look.
