Budget Trucks: Value and Versatility

More buyers are turning to trucks as they search for versatile vehicles that can handle the daily commute on the highway as well as the extracurricular activities of the weekend. In recent years, however, the face and tone of trucks has moved decidedly upscale, taking on family-sedan features and luxury-car characteristics. The result of this evolution is a swell in pickup truck sales, as well as pricing. But don't let that discourage you—there are still plenty of pickup truck choices in the "under $20,000" price category.


For 2005, especially, the quantity of offerings in this segment has not only increased in volume, but in overall size as well. There are standard cabs, extra cabs with rear jump seats, and four-door crew cab designs. What used to occupy a space in the compact class has now moved into the midsize range. 2005 brings a redesigned Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota. All are larger, more refined and more powerful than their predecessors. Along with their bigger frames, these pickups have also increased their towing capacity and off-road capability. Read on about these popular pickups and more that can each be had for less than $20,000.

Toyota Tacoma

The all-new Toyota Tacoma, once the benchmark for all compact pickup trucks, has increased in size, power and refinement for 2005. Leaving behind its long history as a compact truck, the latest iteration of the Tacoma moves it into the midsize class. Its larger stance results in greater interior room and provides a more comfortable and stable ride.


Styling has also evolved. The Tacoma now has a bold appearance complete with large headlights for a more aggressive face. There are three different body styles available: Regular Cab, Access Cab and Double Cab. Each can be had with either two or four-wheel drive. Even the base Tacoma comes with ABS and a full-size spare, along with a slew of other standard features. The new model also gains a powerful V-6 that gives it substantial power (245 hp and 282 lb.-ft. of torque) and a 6,500-pound maximum tow rating. $20,000 is sufficient to get a two-wheel drive, 4-cylinder Access Cab with an automatic transmission ($18,605).

Nissan Frontier

For 2005, the Nissan Frontier has finally stepped up to play with the big boys. This widely popular, formerly compact pickup initially garnered interest from the extreme sports crowd due to its aggressive looking rack system and first-in-class crew cab option. Unfortunately, criticisms of the underpowered drivetrain and tight interior space opened the door for competitors to up the ante with their own crew cab models.