The Best New Pickup Trucks Under $40,000 According to TrueCar

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for a new pickup truck can get overwhelming. The segment is rife with options, many of which will have you spending a pretty penny. The good news is that buying a new pickup truck doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive either. In fact, TrueCar recently highlighted its picks for the best new pickup trucks under $40,000. Let’s find out what they are.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is one of the best new pickup trucks under $40,000

2021 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a lot going for it. It can tow up to 5,000-pounds and, with a base price of $36,490, is among the best new pickup trucks under $40,000, TrueCar reports. However, opt for range-topping Black Edition, and this year’s model will have you spending roughly $43,920.

Fortunately, an affordable price tag isn’t all the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has going for it. In fact, this year’s model boasts “car-like handling, a quieter ride, and improved fuel economy,” TrueCar reports. TrueCar isn’t the only one singing the Ridgeline’s praises either.

Consumer Reports has also ranked the 2021 Honda Ridgeline as one of the best new pickup trucks of the year. The organization gave this year’s model an 80 overall score. It also earned an 83 overall score in road tests, along with a four out of five predicted reliability rating and a five out of five predicted owner satisfaction rating.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma won’t have you breaking the bank anytime soon

A silver 2021 Toyota Tacoma in the wild
2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

Now, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline isn’t the only new pickup truck that TrueCar included in its list. As a matter of fact, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma was also included in its list of the best new pickup trucks under $40,000. This year’s Tacoma starts at $26,400 and, at its most expensive, will have you spending a minimum of $44,325.

But the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is more than an affordable new pickup truck. TrueCar also praised the new Tacoma’s family-friendly and off-road trims, along with its standard driver safety and infotainment features. Opt for this new pickup truck, and you can anticipate standard features like a 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with safety features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is no stranger to towing either, reports TrueCar. In fact, when equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and the available Tow Package, this year’s new Toyota Tacoma can tow a maximum of 6,800-pounds. It can carry a 1,440-pound maximum payload too.

The 2021 Ram 1500 is an affordable new pickup truck under $40,000

A silver 2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel parked
2021 Ram 1500 Limited EcoDiesel | Stellantis

Say neither the 2021 Honda Ridgeline nor the 2021 Toyota Tacoma quite do it for you. Perhaps you’re in the market for an affordable new pickup truck that also offers up a spacious, luxuriously outfitted cabin space. If that’s the case, TrueCar suggests taking a gander at the 2021 Ram 1500.

While the 2021 Ram 1500 can tow a maximum of 12,750-pounds, the interior of this year’s model is pretty hard to beat. As a matter of fact, the interior of this year’s model is so comfortable that it makes the Ram 1500 the ideal pick for “families needing a do-it-all vehicle and those who drive long distances,” reports TrueCar.

TrueCar isn’t the only one impressed by the Ram 1500’s interior either. Car and Driver was enamored with it too. In fact, Car and Driver reports that the Ram 1500 is the best new pickup truck among its segment because of its cushy ride and luxury interior. It’s so good, in fact, that Car and Driver reports this year’s model “easily exceeds even the fanciest versions of the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ford F-150.”

A black 2021 Ford F-150 parked at dusk, the F-150 is one of the best new pickup trucks under $40,000
2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

The 2021 Ford F-150 is one of the best new pickup trucks under $40,000? Yes, you heard that right. Though, it really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. After all, the Ford F-150 is an icon among its segment and has been a bestseller for years. 

But what is it about the 2021 Ford F-150 that has pickup shoppers so enamored with it? According to TrueCar, it comes down to a few things. First, this year’s model is “both a durable work vehicle and a comfortable family cruiser.” It also offers up more than enough towing power and can tow a maximum of 14,000-pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Ford F-150 can be had with a slew of attractive features, too, TrueCar reports. Opt for the Ford F-150 Hybrid, and features like a mobile generator come standard. This year’s model also offers features such as an onboard scale and a Smart Trailer Tow Connector.

The 2021 Ford Ranger is the best new pickup truck under $40,000

A red 2021 Ford Ranger in the dirt
2021 Ford Ranger | Ford

As for the best new pickup truck under $40,000? That honor goes to the 2021 Ford Ranger. This year’s Ranger is among the most affordable new pickup trucks and boasts a base price of $25,070. Upgrade to the range-topping Lariat and the Ranger will still have you spending significantly less than $40,000.

The 2021 Ford Ranger isn’t just affordable either. As a matter of fact, the 2021 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500-pounds when properly equipped. When compared to competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, that figure is nothing short of impressive. 

TrueCar added that the 2021 Ford Ranger also comes equipped with a smooth and powerful four-cylinder turbo engine. Its compact size is ideal for navigating narrow streets and parking lots, too, TrueCar reports. Perhaps the only downside to this affordable new pickup truck is that its interior isn’t quite as refined as its competitors.

Which new pickup truck is the best fit for you?

The pickup segment is rife with options, and if you’re looking to spend under $40,000 on a new pickup truck? TrueCar’s picks for the best new pickup trucks under $40,000 make for a good starting point. Try taking each of these models out for a test drive, and, chances are, you’ll find yourself behind the perfect new pickup truck for satisfying all of your daily driving needs.

RELATED: The Most Fuel-Efficient New Pickup Trucks According to U.S. News

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Junk 1957 Chevy Wagon: Will Run Sub-8 Seconds in 1/4 Mile

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Though only out for test runs Aydan Bailey’s 1957 Chevy wagon looks like it was dragged in out of a field. But it has a hidden secret. Inside is a twin-turbo LS engine, full roll cage, and the ability to highway drive for hundreds of miles at a time. The point? To see who really has the fastest, honest street car out there. 

Drag strip to drag strip, make your best pass, then move on to the next drag strip

Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy | Bailey via YouTube

This isn’t cable TV “outlaw” racing which tends to be artificial drama draped over a well-scripted production. Instead, this is where you build a car with everything from windshield wipers to turn signals. Then drive it 250 miles each day from drag strip to drag strip, make your best pass, and then move on to the next drag strip.

Hot Rod Magazine invented the yearly event back in 2005, and since then a second, unaffiliated event has popped up in Colorado. So these cars are purpose-built to both haul and crawl. Each day’s happenings are aired online, and tens of thousands share comments and root for their favorites on social media.

 No crew is allowed, and you can’t have a support truck full of parts

Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy staging
Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy | Bailey via YouTube

Participants do this strip-to-strip for a solid week. There are plenty of rules to follow. No crew is allowed, and you can’t have a support truck full of parts. You bring your tools and extra parts to each strip. Breakdowns on the side of the road are common. If you use street tires for the highway bouts you must carry your slicks with you. 

Small dimension trailers are permissible, but restricted in size. In the end, he or she who has the quickest average time of the five day’s passes is crowned Fastest Street Car In America. It’s hard to pull off, makes every day a real drama and mystery, and cuts through the crap. 

This 1957 Chevy was built to haul, and we don’t mean groceries

Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy making a pass
Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy | Bailey via YouTube

Now, all of that is a prelude for what Tom and Aydan Bailey from Ohio, are doing with this clap-trap derelict 1957 Chevy station wagon. Looks are deceiving, so take a close look. It was built to haul, and we don’t mean groceries. But it was also built to take the grueling 1,000 miles of highway, city, and two-lane driving to prove it can.

Tom is a veteran of this madness. He’s won the event before, dipping into the five-second twilight zone with his 1969 Camaro. Yes, a car driven on the street that can blip in under six seconds in the quarter-mile. It’s insanity, but it’s fun.

Aydan Bailey can now devote some time to buildin’ and bookin’

And that’s where son Aydan comes in. Just out of high school, for years he’s been hanging around with his quiet, unassuming pop taking this all in. Now that he has his license, and can devote some time to build instead of books, he’s all in. 

With help from some racing friends, this is a father-son project years in the works. Not because it took that long to build, but because it took that long for Aydan and Tom to put a plan together. Then wait until Aydan was of age. And here we are.

This car was originally built by racer Richie Crampton before ending up in the Bailey stable. It has seen a multitude of engines and has run a multitude of tracks. Known as the “S••tbox of Doom ” it’s notorious. And now it’s a way for the Bailey’s to team up for father and son dragging and driving. 

Right now the Baileys are in the middle of the 2021 Rocky Mountain Race Week

Aydan Bailey's 1957 Chevy wagon Drag Week car
Tom and Aydan Bailey 1957 Chevy Drag Week | Bailey via YouTube

Right now the Baileys are in the middle of the 2021 Rocky Mountain Race Week event. Monday was the kickoff and the entrants will blitz from Greatbend, Kansas, to Bandimere Speedway, and other assorted quarter-mile tracks. It ends this week on the 18th of June.

Aydan is getting his shake-down passes, some behind-the-wheel time, and some grueling drives with temperatures at 100 degrees. It’s hard on the machine, driver, and psyche. And there’s drama in that Tom and Aydan ran out of time getting the ‘57 ready, so while they made it to the event, there was no time to check anything. So every pass is a pucker. 

If you find this compelling and have some time to take it in there are YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook posts throughout the day. If you like drag racing and some authentic drama, you should check it out. 

RELATED: This Is How Much Fuel Each Cylinder of a Drag Car Engine Uses

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Consumer Reports: Hot Deals on New Toyota and Mazda SUVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Looking for a good deal on a new SUV this summer? Check out some of the deals Consumer Reports found that can save you anywhere from $1,200 to $4,300 on a brand new Toyota, Mazda, or Honda SUV. The deals listed below range from 7% off the MSRP to 11% off, which adds up. If these prices look good, check out your local dealership to see if any other incentives might be available.

Consumer Reports picked the Toyota RAV4

Consumer Reports chose the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-3 | David McNew/Getty Image

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD is currently 9% off – a pretty good deal considering the turmoil in the automotive industry. The RAV4 has pretty good gas mileage for an SUV of its size. Consumer Reports notes it gets 27 mpg overall, 19 mpg in the city, and 38 mpg on the highway. This ranked number 10 out of 17 compact SUVs.

The RAV4 XLE AWD is on sale through July 6, 2021, and has a potential savings of $2,632. With an MSRP of $28,945, this brings the bottom line price down to $26,313. Toyota SUVs are reliable, but CR found the predicted reliability for the RAV4 fairly average.

Price Range: $26,250 – $37,330

A midsize SUV with three rows, the Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD is 11% off through July 6, 2021. The Highlander is considered a midsized SUV with three rows. CR ranked this particular variety second on the list of midsize SUVs. The Highlander gets 22 mpg overall, 14 mpg in the city, and 32 mpg on the highway.

The MSRP for this trim is $41,686, with a potential savings of $4,377. That brings the bottom line price down to $37,308. Though the XLE AWD trim is specifically noted for this sale, Toyota might offer other trim levels. Ask your local dealership for a similar price.

Price Range: $35,085 – $50,640

A subcompact option, the Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V LX AWD is a reliable subcompact SUV. CR says the HR-V gets 29 mpg overall, 20 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg on the highway. That’s the best fuel economy on the list! Consumer Reports ranked this SUV number six out of 13 other subcompact sport-utility vehicles.

The HR-V is on sale through July 6 and has a potential savings of $2,053. The MSRP for the LX AWD is $22,720, which brings the price down to $20,667 overall. Not a bad price for a fuel-efficient SUV.

Price Range: $21,220 – $29,340

The last year for the Mazda CX-3

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 Sport AWD is a fan favorite. Consumer Reports ranked the CX-3 fifth overall out of 13 other subcompact SUVs. CR says the CX-3 gets 28 mpg overall, 20 mpg in the city, and 36 mpg on the highway. It has a solid predicted reliability score which means it should not cause owners extra headaches within the first few years.

The Mazda CX-3 Sport AWD is on sale through June 30, 2021, and has a potential savings of $1,624. With an MSRP of $22,190, this brings the bottom line price down to $20,566.

Price Range: $20,790 – $22,190

Overall, if you are looking for a new SUV, these deals might not last long. Consumer Reports notes that most of the sale prices noted here will last through the end of June or through early July. After that, the sales will likely change again. If you are looking for a reliable smaller SUV, these Toyota, Mazda, and Honda options will fit many budgets.

RELATED: 5 Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs According to Consumer Reports

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Is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 $20,000 Safer Than the 2021 Nissan Armada?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Infiniti QX80 is a super nice, more expensive version of the Nissan Armada. Right? Or are there some key differences between the two that make one a better choice than the other? Is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 is safer than the 2021 Nissan Armada – $20,000 safer, to be exact? A look at Consumer Reports test results shows us it’s not.

2021 Infiniti QX80 | Infiniti

The Infiniti QX80 is not just an expensive Nissan Armada

Consumer Reports tested both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and the 2021 Nissan Armada. Unfortunately the 2021 Nissan Armada wasn’t crash tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the QX80 was tested by the NHTSA. We’ll have to rely on the Consumer Reports road test and available safety features to make a determination on whether the QX80 is safer. 

The overall score for the 2021 Infiniti QX80 is a 64 while the 2021 Nissan Armada scored just a 55. These aren’t just safety scores. They also include road test results as well as predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction. These are assessed through looking at past reliability scores as well as owner surveys. 

So how did the 2021 QX80 and 2021 Armada do in safety tests?

The performance aspect of the road test gives us some information as to how safe a vehicle is. Acceleration and handling contribute to the likelihood of an accident. Both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and 2021 Nissan Armada did well in acceleration, getting a four out of five. Both large SUVs also got a two out of five for their emergency handling. The maximum speed that the Nissan Armada could go and still successfully navigate the course was 51 mph. The Infiniti QX80 was worse, at a max avoidance speed of 48 mph. 

The 2021 Infiniti QX80’s brake score was a three out of five. It took the QX80 139 feet to stop on dry pavement and 155 feet to stop on wet pavement. On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Armada’s brakes got a four out of five star rating. The Armada could stop from 60 mph on dry pavement in 133 feet and 147 feet on wet pavement. 

The Armada only got a three out of five for its headlights, while the QX80 got four out of five stars. Headlights are important because they allow full visibility, especially at night or in foggy and wet conditions. 

What kind of advanced safety systems do the Infiniti QX80 and Nissan Armada come with?

Both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and 2021 Nissan Armada come with almost all of the advanced safety features that Consumer Reports car shoppers look for – except for daytime running lights. Only the Nissan Armada comes standard with these, while the Infiniti QX80 doesn’t even offer them. These safety systems are important because they reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a crash. 

Both vehicles come with forward collision warning, and at least the Armada’s an operate at speeds above 3 mph. They both also have lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning and blind spot warning. They each come standard with automatic emergency braking for city and highway speeds

All new vehicles come with a rear camera, but both of these vehicles also have rear cross traffic warning. They also come with anti lock brakes and traction and stability control. 

The Nissan Armada also has daytime running lights, which are on whenever the car is on. They help other cars see your vehicle more easily. Unfortunately, the Infiniti QX80 doesn’t offer these. 

Both the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80 come with front side airbags and head protection standard with rollover. 

Although there are no crash test results, there are rollover results for the Nissan Armada, and they’re the same as the Infiniti QX80: three out of five stars. 

Overall, it’s definitely difficult to determine whether the 2021 Infiniti QX80 would do better than the 2021 Nissan Armada in a crash. However, the similar available safety features, as well as the Nissan Armada’s better results in performance tests, make it unlikely that the Infiniti QX80 is a $20,000 better choice. Add to that Consumer Reports’ note that the 2021 Infiniti QX80’s emergency handling is a “serious detriment,” and there aren’t a lot of safety reasons to spend an extra $20,000 on the QX80.

RELATED: 9 2021 Luxury Cars With Advanced Safety Systems

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