Why Are Pickup Trucks So Expensive?

It’s no secret that pickup trucks are expensive and only getting more so. Some new trucks are now selling for upwards of $100,000. But why are pickup trucks so expensive and what do you get for the price of a used Lamborghini?

Modern pickup trucks are so expensive because of consumer demand, material cost, technology, and luxury features. For many people, pickup trucks are no longer a spartan work vehicle and are now more of a comfortable daily driver that’s capable of hauling the whole family and a few supplies when needed.

Pickup truck prices vary wildly depending on their size, trim level, drivetrain options, and more. For example, a brand new, barebones Ford Ranger starts at $25,070 while a well equipped Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab goes for around $80,000 – more than 3 times the price. Let’s take a closer look at the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of today’s most popular pickup trucks.

People Love Pickup Trucks

Pickup trucks (and crossovers) are far-and-away the most popular passenger vehicles sold today. Consumer demand is so high that some manufacturers have even discontinued their traditional car lineup to concentrate on these segments. Ford, for example, totally axed their less profitable Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, and Taurus in 2020, partially as a result of this trend.

People are not flocking to pickup trucks for better fuel economy or improved handling. In fact, they are heavier and more inefficient than a typical car. People love pickup trucks because they are spacious, comfortable, and capable – and they’re willing to pay the high price.

Today, pickup trucks and crossovers account for over 50 percent of automobile sales in the united states. The Ford F series is the most popular pickup truck, followed by the Dodge Ram and Chevrolet Silverado.

Pickup Trucks Are Big And Luxurious

While pickup trucks have always been big, it isn’t until more recently that they have truly become passenger vehicles. Crew cab, short bed variants are now more popular than single cab, long bed variants, which indicates they are being used more to move people than equipment and tools.

With this transition, we also get amenities previously only seen in high-end luxury cars. Things like heated and cooled leather seats, multi-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and modern infotainment systems are now common available features in most trucks.

Also included on new pickup trucks is a full compliment of safety features like lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, and more. Add it all up, and all the luxury and safety technology is expensive for such a large vehicle.

Pickup Truck Drivetrains Are Heavy Duty

Pickup trucks are big and heavy and often used to haul heavy equipment or loaded trailers. As such, they need a sufficiently robust drivetrain to stand up to hard use. That means more powerful engines, stronger transmissions, and sturdier axles.

Today many trucks come standard with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, however, large V8 and diesel options are available, too. These engines produce a lot of power and need to be backed by a strong transmission and axles to handler the torque. They also require a heavy duty frame to handle increased loads and maintain reliability over time.

The four wheel drive systems are similarly robust. While many passenger cars come with all wheel drive options they tend to be smaller and less capable. Overall, a pickup trucks drivetrain tend to be bigger, stronger, and more expensive than a typical car.

Material Costs Add Up

Big, meaty pickup trucks require a lot of materials. The amount of steel used in frame, drivetrain, and body panel construction is significant and expensive. Steel is, no doubt, a great material for truck construction since it’s strong and easy to work with. It is, however, heavy.

In an effort to shed weight, manufacturers are using materials like aluminum for engines, transmissions, and even body panels. This material is lighter, but tends to be more expensive and harder to work with in some cases.

What Features Are Available?

As I said before, pickup trucks aren’t just for hauling equipment and supplies anymore. They’ve really turned into full fledged luxury vehicles depending on their trim level. In addition, their outfitted with the latest and greatest safety features. Let’s take a look at what luxury and safety equipment is available in pickup trucks today.

Luxury Features:

• Heated and cooled leather seats
• Power adjustable and massaging seats
• Premium interior materials
• Multi-zone climate control
• Modern infotainment systems
• Wireless device charging and WIFI
• Beefed up suspension
• Locking and limited slip differentials
• Keyless entry and remote start

Safety Features:

• Forward and rear collision warnings
• Lane departure warning
• Blind spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane Assist
• Intelligent high beams
• Automatic wipers and head lights

Can You Still Buy A Cheap Pickup Truck?

Cheap is relative, but you can certainly buy a pickup truck for a price comparable to a new sedan or crossover. You will, however, have to forego some of the more luxury features for a lower trim level. If you want the lowest cost pickup truck, look for a 2 wheel drive, single or extended cab version.

The smaller models like Ranger and Colorado will cost less than larger 1/2, 3/4, and 1 Ton trucks. Though still capable, these vehicles come standard with a 4 cylinder engines and light duty drivetrain. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) will be less when compared to larger trucks so your payload and hauling capacity will be diminished.

Recap

Strong consumer demand combined with high-end luxury technology, heavy duty construction, and safety features will ensure pickup truck prices remain high. People love the comfort and capability to haul heavy loads or loaded trailers when needed. Still, it’s not impossible to find a low cost truck. If you don’t need the features and extra room, a new, albeit paired down, pickup truck can be had for a reasonable price. What ever you need theirs an option for everyone.