10 Most Reliable Used Small Pickup Trucks Worth Buying

May 16, 2023

If you're looking for a quality and dependable small pickup truck on the used market that will last you for years, take a look at our top picks.

These days, you can find pickup trucks of all sizes and shapes, with a variety of powertrains and equipment. As EVs gain momentum, you can also switch to more sustainable ways of driving and enjoy everything the latest technology has to offer.

Updated July 2023: Are you looking for a small pickup truck in the used car market? If so, you'll be happy to know we've updated the content of this list to help provide you with even more information to make an informed choice.

But though all this sounds great in theory, there's one "small" caveat that bothers many buyers — the budget. Those who can't afford new vehicles are bound to enter the used car market, which is where the trouble begins with all the production years, build quality, reliability, and other factors.

To help you shift through the used pickup truck market, we composed a list of the most reliable small pickup trucks by production years. The following rides bear top quality and reliability ratings on J.D. Power, reviewed by long-term owners.

We've pulled together reliability data from J.D. Power to provide you with up-to-date and dependable information about some of the most reliable small pickup trucks on the used market. We also sourced maintenance cost data from RepairPal and CarEdge.

One of the most reliable pickup trucks you can get on the used car market is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. All new for 2017, this pickup truck offers a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, a unibody construction, an independent rear suspension, and many other features to ensure smooth rides. J.D. Power gives it great ratings for both the quality and reliability and the resale value segment.

Still, you'll have to splash out close to $30,000 for this reliable mid-size pickup truck.

Base Price

$30,000

Engine

3.5-liter V6

Power

280 hp

Torque

262 lb-ft

Drive Type

FWD; AWD

Gearbox

6-speed automatic transmission

Max Towing Capacity

3,500 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,465 lbs

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline has a J.D. Power reliability score of 81/100.

The newest Chevy Colorado is all exciting, there's no doubt about that, but it can also be shockingly expensive. The closest you can get to this unit while saving a few bucks is with the 2020 production year, which you can get for around $30,000-$40,000.

But it wouldn't be fair to perceive the 2020 Chevy Colorado solely as a decent alternative. This mid-size pickup truck has excellent quality, reliability, and resale value ratings. It also comes with efficient four-cylinder and V6 engines, a 7,700-lbs towing capacity, muscular looks, and plenty of off-road equipment on specialized packages.

Base Price

$30,000

Engine

2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder; 3.6-liter V6; 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine

Power

200-308 hp

Torque

191-369 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

6-speed automatic transmission; 8-speed automatic transmission

Max Towing Capacity

7,000 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,444 lbs

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has a reliability score of 81/100.

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Those looking for newer used vehicles to save some money should definitely check out the 2019 Ford Ranger. This is one of the most reliable pickup trucks to buy in the compact segment, with great ratings for quality, reliability, and driving experience. The 2019 Ford Ranger also has top resale value and promises real fun both on- and off-road with all its specs and features. You will, however, have to spend $30,000-$40,000, depending on the trim.

Base Price

$30,000

Engine

Turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder

Power

270 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

10-speed automatic transmission

Max Towing Capacity

7,500 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,770 lbs

The 2019 Ford Ranger has a J.D. Power reliability score of 84/100.

Now, if you have a couple of extra bucks to spare on your best compact used pickup truck, consider the newer 2015 Toyota Tacoma (starting at $20,000). This is a vehicle to get if you want better off-road performance and advanced, more modern features. Known for its prevailing quality and reliability and exceptional resale value, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma will last for a long time without any significant issues.

Base Price

$20,000

Engine

2.7-liter four-cylinder; 4.0-liter V6

Power

159-236 hp

Torque

180-266 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD; AWD

Gearbox

5-speed manual transmission; 4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual

Max Towing Capacity

3,500 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,285 lbs

The 2015 Toyota Tacoma has a J.D. Power reliability score of 85/100.

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The 2011 GMC Canyon was a solid performer back in the day, sporting four-cylinder, five-cylinder, and V8 engines (from 185 to 300 ponies), a 6,000-lbs maximum towing capacity, four-wheel drive, and much more. Fortunately, its quality, performance, and reliability stood the test of time, so you can expect this vehicle to serve you well and have very few problems even today.

J.D. Power gives the 2011 GMC Canyon 86 out of 100 points for reliability and as high as 90 for resale value, which is more than great. Better yet, you can get this mid-size pickup truck for about $9,000-$15,000.

Base Price

$9,000

Engine

2.9-liter four-cylinder; 3.7-liter inline-5; 5.3-liter V8

Power

185-300 hp

Torque

190-320 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD; AWD (optional)

Gearbox

5-speed manual transmission; 4-speed automatic

Max Towing Capacity

4,000 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,429 lbs

The 2011 GMC Canyon has a J.D. Power reliability score of 85/100.

On the thin line of mid-size and full-size pickup trucks lays the Jeep Gladiator, a vehicle you may often hear dubbed one of the most reliable trucks for off-road adventures. J.D. Power agrees with this notion in its ratings.

Admittedly, the 2021 Jeep Gladiator is not quite a compact pickup truck, but you can remove its doors and roof for ultimate off-roading. Moreover, this beastly ride offers some serious specs and equipment that enhance its already high reliability. You'll need to spend around $40,000 for it, but that will still save you some money compared to the newest unit.

Base Price

$40,000

Engine

3.6-liter V6; turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine

Power

260-285 hp

Torque

260-442 lb-ft

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

6-speed manual transmission

Max Towing Capacity

4,000 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,600 lbs

The 2021 Jeep Gladiator has a J.D. Power reliability score of 85/100.

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J.D. Power gives the 2013 Toyota Tacoma great quality, reliability, and resale value ratings, which speaks a lot about how this mid-size pickup truck withstood the test of time. This vehicle also has that appealing old-school styling complemented by powerful and efficient engines (an inline-four and a V6 producing 159 and 236 horsepower).

If you can't afford the shiny new 2023 Toyota Tacoma, you can get the 2013 production year for around $15,000-$20,000.

Base Price

$15,000

Engine

2.7-liter four-cylinder; 4.0-liter V6

Power

159-236 hp

Torque

180-266 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD; AWD

Gearbox

5-speed manual transmission; 4-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual

Max Towing Capacity

3,500 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,350 lbs

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma has a J.D. Power reliability score of 86/100.

With 87 out of 100 points for quality and reliability on J.D. Power, the 2012 Honda Ridgeline makes a great buying choice. This mid-size pickup truck is roomy and comfortable, albeit modest in its configurations. With a V6 engine producing 250 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, a four-wheel drive, and upgraded suspension, the Ridgeline of this production year allows for convenient daily driving and performing light-duty jobs. You should be able to get it for about $16,000.

Base Price

$16,000

Engine

3.5-liter V6

Power

250 hp

Torque

247 lb-ft

Drive Type

AWD

Gearbox

5-speed automatic transmission

Max Towing Capacity

5,000 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,546 lbs

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline has a reliability rating of 87/100 from J.D. Power.

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The Nissan Frontier is a long-lasting nameplate that has had its share of bad and good production years. The 2009 Nissan Frontier, however, is a super quality and reliable year, according to both J.D. Power and Edmunds.

Available in various trims and with several potent engines (a V6 producing 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque and a four-cylinder producing 152 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque), this pickup truck is a decent and attractive performer. It also includes various advanced power-boosting and off-roading components and tech for the production year, although the interior does feel a little cheap.

You can get the 2009 Nissan Frontier for about $8,000-$15,000.

Base Price

$8,000

Engine

2.5-liter four-cylinder; 4.0-liter V6

Power

152-261 hp

Torque

171-281 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD

Gearbox

5-speed manual transmission; five-speed automatic; six-speed manual

Max Towing Capacity

3,500 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,002 lbs

The 2009 Nissan Frontier has a J.D. Power reliability score of 87/100.

Getting an older ride always comes with risks, but the 2010 Ford Ranger comes with fewer of these than most other pickup trucks of this production year. Inexpensive to own, operate, and maintain, this compact vehicle makes a real catch, rated great for quality, reliability, and resale value.

With the 2010 Ford Ranger, you get an inline-four or a V6 with a maximum power output of 207 ponies, optional four-wheel drive, and no-nonsense design — all for $8,000-$15,000 (although some units can reach the $20,000 price tag).

Base Price

$8,000

Engine

2.3-liter inline-four; 4.0-liter V6

Power

143-207 hp

Torque

154-238 lb-ft

Drive Type

RWD; AWD (optional)

Gearbox

5-speed manual transmission; 5-speed automatic

Max Towing Capacity

1,580 lbs

Max Payload Capacity

1,160 lbs

The 2010 Ford Ranger has a J.D. Power reliability rating of 87/100.

Suzana Mijatović is a Literary Critic in love with all things automotive. You'll find her either reading Dostoevsky or under the hood, changing the transmission fluid and oil filters. She has a long experience in writing about car parts and automotive products, from brakes to seat cushions. Suzana is also a photographer.