Top Starter Trucks For First-Time Buyers
Top Starter Trucks For First-Time Buyers
Your best first truck may not be your dream model, and it will very likely be different from your friend's best option, too, but you can still take home all your top-priority features. In fact, that's why this page exists: To help you find the best first truck to buy, whether you're a young driver, a first-time buyer, or simply new to the pickup world. Choose Pettijohn Auto Center as your automotive home base, and we'll steer you toward the best first pickup truck for your budget and daily driving needs.
Best Entry-Level Trucks for New Drivers & First-Time Buyers
- Your best first truck to buy should fit three criteria: dependable, comfortable, and easy to drive.
- The quickest way to determine your best first truck is by assessing your towing, hauling, and passenger needs.
- Pettijohn recommends Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram variants as the best trucks for first-time buyers – see why below.
- Need the best first trucks for new drivers? Try a Ford F-150 with its superior safety and crash-test ratings1 or an affordable-to-maintain Ford Ranger.
- Ultimately, your best first truck to buy boils down to your specific needs and budget; Pettijohn Auto Center is here to help you meet both.
Ram 1500: Flexibility at Its Finest
Leading off our list of best first trucks is the Ram 1500, along with its 2500 and 3500 siblings. These Ram editions all make the cut as the best truck for first-car owners for one simple reason: flexibility. Not only do the Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 come in various cab sizes, engine options, and four-wheel-drive configurations, but they also offer a wide range of driver-assistance features as you move through their trim levels. Select your Ram variant at Pettijohn Auto Center to tailor it to your specific needs.
Ford F-150: Safety Rides Shotgun
If you've got a newly licensed teen in the house, a Ford F-150 could fit the bill. We often recommend this full-size pickup as one of the best first trucks for new drivers because of its renowned safety systems like Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control. The F-150 also consistently earns five-star overall safety scores from the NHTSA,1 high crash test ratings,1 and Top Safety Pick awards from the IIHS.2
Ford Ranger: Affordability Meets Practicality
Ford Rangers also make the list of the best first trucks for new drivers thanks to their accessible price and size. If handling a full-size F-150 feels overwhelming, try the smaller, midsize Ranger that's easier to park and maneuver. The Ranger also tends to be less expensive to buy and maintain, and it's known for its potential to have a long lifespan. Tour all our new Ford trucks for sale to find your favorite option!
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: A Well-Rounded Winner
New Chevy trucks for sale, especially the Chevy Silverado 1500 and its 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty relatives, are shoo-ins as the best first trucks for new drivers. The Silverado family offers a little bit of everything, including a top-tier hands-free driving system, high NHTSA safety ratings,3 a range of turbocharged gas and diesel engines, and multiple bed lengths for flexible hauling.
Chevrolet Colorado: Midsize & Ready for Mudding
Not to be overshadowed by its Silverado cousins, the midsize Chevrolet Colorado trims are some of the best trucks for first-time buyers, thanks to their accessible price points and more fuel-efficient designs. While the Silverado 1500 is better suited for heavy towing and hauling, the Chevrolet Colorado excels in off-road performance. If an easier-to-park model that can still tow thousands of pounds is on your wish list, our new Colorado trims could be the truck for you or your teen driver.
GMC Sierra 1500: Refreshingly Luxurious
If you're a truck aficionado, you probably know that the GMC Sierra 1500 shares its platform, engines, and transmissions with the Chevy Silverado 1500, making it another reliable starter. However, while the Chevy editions are utility-based, the Sierra 1500 focuses more on upscale interior design and offers amenities like massaging front seats that you won't find in the Silverado. So, if a luxe cabin is what makes or breaks your best first truck, the GMC Sierra 1500 or any of its 2500 or 3500 counterparts may be your answer.
GMC Canyon: Smooth With Straightforward Technology
If you're considering a Ford Ranger as your best first truck, you might want to add the GMC Canyon to your list, too. Both of these midsize pickups are well-priced, but the Canyon adds extra horsepower that makes its ride quality even smoother and its performance even more impressive. You'll also gain more standard technology in the GMC Canyon, including integrated navigation, satellite radio, and Rear Park Assist, for an extremely user-friendly experience.
Find Your Best First Trucks for New Drivers & First-Time Buyers at Pettijohn Auto Center
Pettijohn Auto Center stocks hundreds of new and pre-owned trucks to make it easier than ever for you to find your perfect match. All new trucks for sale on our lot come with outstanding lease and loan offers to serve nearly every budget and credit score. Don't let your search for your best first truck become frustrating and disappointing – instead, visit Pettijohn Auto Center for premium inventory and incentives today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a first truck?
Your best first truck will be a model that's reliable, comfortable, and easy to drive. When shopping for your best first truck, consider your budget, gas mileage preferences, towing and hauling needs, required passenger seating, and safety and technology wishes. Knowing where you stand in these five categories will help you narrow your search to the midsize, full-size, or heavy-duty option that's right for you.
Are midsize trucks better for first-time buyers than full-size trucks?
Midsize pickups are often the best trucks for first-time buyers because they're easier to maneuver and park. Midsize trucks may also be more fuel efficient and cost less to maintain, though this will vary by make and model. The best way to choose between a midsize or full-size variant is to determine your towing, hauling, and cab needs, and then select the truck that fulfills your wish list.
What's the most reliable first truck?
Our expert technicians recommend the GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ram 1500 as the most reliable first trucks. These models come with premium safety features, proven reliability, and high NHTSA and IIHS ratings.4,5 We also suggest touring heavy-duty variants of the GMC Sierra, Ford F-Series, and Ram truck for additional hauling and towing strength.
1Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2024/FORD/F-150%252520(REGULAR%252520CAB)%252520GAS/PU%25252FRC/RWD
2Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/ford/f-150-crew-cab-pickup/2025
3Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2024/CHEVROLET/SILVERADO%2525201500/PU%25252FRC/RWD
4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit www.nhtsa.gov
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit www.iihs.org