User 136799

Do Pickup Truck Sales Make Any Sense?

For many folks, the modern truck has taken the place of the family sedan, just as the crossover utility vehicle (CUV), or small SUV, has taken the place of the minivan and station wagon. Today's trucks have large, comfortable interiors with all the electronic goodies and plenty of space to stretch out. Truck beds can be configured to meet any need. The number of accessories allowing truck owners to personalize them is mind numbing. In short, the beauty of a truck is you can make it anything you want it to be.

Compared to a small economy car, truck fuel mileage isn't great, but it's not horrible. My V8 powered full sized truck gets 18-20mpg in mixed driving. A friend's Ford Expedition returned 22+mpg on a recent road trip, same number as a family member's Honda Ridgeline (the pickup truck for people who don't like pickup trucks). For comparison, a V6 Honda Accord gets about 22-24mpg and a V6 Nissan Altima even a bit less.

Frankly, you don't need to be "out in the country" to enjoy the benefits of owning a truck. About the only place a truck would be a hassle is in an urban environment. Loft-living trendy urbanites probably don't need a truck, but the vast majority of us can at least see the advantages. Trucks are a good value, too. You can get a nicely equipped full size truck in the mid 20's, about the same price as a well equipped Accord or Camry. And just like a good used Honda or Toyota, there will always be a demand for good used trucks. Don't expect to see used truck values to drop much in price like they have with large SUV's.