Pickup trucks are among the most popular vehicles in Canada, and it’s easy to see why. We’ve got rugged terrain here, and lots of it. There’s equipment to be moved and trailers to be towed, and the ability clear the occasional snow drift doesn’t hurt, either.
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable new vehicle that will get the job done, you have more options today than ever. On top of the familiar selection of full-size pickups, mid-size trucks are making a comeback, and a new crop of compact trucks based on unibody SUV platforms has recently hit the market. This puts truck ownership within reach for Canadians with a wide variety of budgets.
Here are the most affordable new pickup trucks in Canada by retail price. Regular cab body styles are almost always cheaper to buy, but upgrades to more practical king cab or crew cab versions are usually available. Prices were correct at the time of writing, relate to 2024 models unless noted, and include delivery and fees but not taxes. However, the automotive industry is always changing, so be sure to verify prices independently. Tech lovers should also keep in mind that entry-level models are unlikely to include the latest gadgets or touchscreen infotainment systems.
The Cheapest New Pick-up Trucks in Canada for 2024
- Ford Maverick
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Ram 1500 Classic
- Ford Ranger
- Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Ford F-150
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- GMC Canyon
- Honda Ridgeline
- Toyota Tacoma
Ford Maverick (from $34,795)
The Ford Maverick compact truck has the lowest starting price on our list. It’s based on the same platform as the Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs. This little go-getter has a lot of smart capability baked in. Even the base XL hybrid with its continuously variable transmission (CVT), front-wheel drive, and fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain with 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque has a towing capacity of 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds) and can handle 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of payload. It’s a solid little work truck for a very low price. Note that the hybrid is no longer the standard powertrain. The 2024 Ford Maverick starts in Canada at $34,795. This lowest price now applies to the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine with 250 hp, 277 lb-ft of torque, and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid carries a Canadian starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $35,295.
Ford Maverick Review
Chevrolet Colorado (from $37,229)
Although it entered a new generation for 2023, the Chevy Colorado is a mid-size pickup that continues to be an economical option. New for this version, a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is equipped in every version of the truck but tuned three different ways depending on trim. The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado starts in Canada at $37,229. (2024 pricing has not been released as of this writing.) With this WT or Work Truck configuration, the engine produces 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, and an upgrade to the 310 hp and 391 lb-ft version is $1,520 extra. At this price, you’re getting rear-wheel drive (RWD) as opposed to four-wheel drive (4WD), which is optional on WT and standard on every other trim.
Chevrolet Colorado Review
Ram 1500 Classic (from $40,234)
The fifth-generation Ram 1500 full-size truck was released in 2019, with configurations and pricing that nudged into luxury territory. To meet the needs of buyers with lower budgets, the brand decided to keep the fourth-generation truck in production sell it alongside the new truck as the Ram 1500 Classic. The move was meant to be temporary, but the Classic is still around today. In terms of specs, Tradesman grade is the most affordable, which includes the regular cab, six-foot-four-inch box, and RWD, powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard trailer rating is 2,254 kg (4,970 lb), and standard payload capacity is 680 kg (1,500 lb). In Canada, 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman pricing starts at $40,234. (2024 prices were not yet available at time of publication.) If you’d prefer the newer version, you can pick up a 2024 Ram 1500 Tradesman starting from $54,015.
RAM 1500 Overview
Ford Ranger (from $43,450)
Ford’s not-too-big, not-too-small mid-size truck is getting a redesign. As of this writing, production of the 2024 Ford Ranger has been delayed, and there are not yet drive impressions to report for this latest generation. Here’s what we know so far about the base XL truck. A 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is standard, as is 4WD, matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission. You’ll also get 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires and Ford’s Sync 4A infotainment system. This screen includes Wi-Fi hotspot capability for up to 10 devices as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More details are expected closer to launch. The 2024 Ford Ranger will carry a Canadian starting price of $43,450.
Ford Ranger Overview
Hyundai Santa Cruz (from $43,456)
Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a truck? It depends who you ask. Even Hyundai markets it less as a pickup and more as an SUV alternative. Still, Tucson platform and unibody construction notwithstanding, the Santa Cruz opens up competition in the compact pickup space, a segment that’s sure to expand over the next few years. It also delivers better fuel economy than larger pickups. For the base price, you can pick up the Preferred trim, which includes a 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, routed through an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission to standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Standard trailering capacity is 750 kg (1,650 lb), and Hyundai claims a payload capacity of 770 kg (1,700 lb). The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts in Canada at a price of $43,456.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Overview
Ford F-150 (from $43,950)
Here we reach the best-selling nameplate in the country, the Ford F-Series. In this case, we’re referring specifically to the Ford F-150. Like other full-size pick-ups, the most affordable version is the regular cab with a six-foot-six-inch bed. In the base XL grade as priced above, it’s powered by a 3.3-litre V6 that makes 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, and it’s matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Base trailering and payload figures aren’t published. The 2023 Ford F-150 has a starting price in Canada of $43,950. (Pricing on the refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 has not yet been announced as of this writing.)
Ford F-150 Overview
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (from $47,930)
The Chevrolet Silverado rounds out this list. Based on the refreshed 2022 model, it’s not the flashiest or most fuel-efficient pickup (Tesla’s Cybertruck can probably claim both of those titles), but the advantage of buying a more established truck is that the technology has been proven. Both Ford and Chevy still sell regular cab trucks, which makes these sub-$50,000 starting points possible. For the 2023 Silverado, the base MSRP applies to the WT trim with the regular cab and standard-length bed, which is powered by the 2.7-litre turbo four-cylinder engine making 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Towing capacities without the tow package aren’t published.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Overview
GMC Canyon (from $48,529)
The GMC Canyon is smaller than the GMC Sierra 1500 and identical to the Chevrolet Colorado in several ways, including in its construction and powertrain. The biggest differentiator is the premium-leaning Denali and AT4X trims, though that doesn’t enter this discussion of budget-focused offerings. The next-generation GMC Canyon is being positioned as a more upscale offering, so lower-priced trims have been pared back and 4WD is standard. To that end, the most affordable Canyon configuration is the Elevation trim. It comes with the same 2.7-litre turbo four-cylinder engine that’s offered in the Colorado, but here it’s exclusively available as the high-output version with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation starts in Canada at a price of $48,529. (2024 pricing has not been announced as of this writing.) Note the larger 2023 GMC Sierra starts at a very similar price point of $48,829, but this is with the regular single-cab and RWD.
GMC Canyon Review
Honda Ridgeline (from $49,569)
Here’s another truck that’s really more crossover but that definitely has its fans. The Honda Ridgeline is a unibody four-door mid-size truck with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, an engine configuration that’s getting increasingly rare as standard in pick-ups. Honda’s version produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. On the Ridgeline, Honda employs its i-VTM4 AWD system, a full-time system that sends up to 70 percent of available torque to the rear wheels and uses torque vectoring to distribute some or all of that torque to the wheel with the most traction. The base trim includes 10-way powered and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto among other features. In Canada, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline has a starting price of $49,569.
Honda Ridgeline Review
Toyota Tacoma (from $44,634)
The long-awaited next-generation Toyota Tacoma mid-size truck launches for 2024. Its base grade is the double-cab SR, which comes in RWD and with either a regular or long bed. A 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. (A 326 hp, 465 lb-ft version is available as an option on some higher grades.) Toyota’s 8-inch infotainment system with subscription-based remote connect services and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard equipment. First drive impressions are not available as of this writing, but we do know this: in Canada, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will start at $54,735. (Incidentally, a 2024 Toyota Tundra full-size truck with a double cab and RWD starts at the exact same price.)
Toyota Tacoma Overview
Our not-so-cheap pile
Here’s a quick spin through the list of trucks that we consider too pricy to qualify for this list of Canada’s cheapest pickup trucks. The Nissan Frontier drops its base grades for 2024 and is available only in its Pro-4X off-road configuration, which is priced from $54,783. Consider getting a newer low-trim Frontier as a used car instead. To get into a 2023 Jeep Gladiator as a new car, you’d need to spend at least $55,490, though some discounts were available in Ontario as of this writing. We expect the 2024 version will be priced even higher.