Best 4-Cylinder Pickup Trucks for

Characteristics of the Best 4-Cylinder Trucks

The four-cylinder engine is smaller and lighter than six- or eight-cylinder options and, when used in a pickup truck, makes a compelling case for itself. You can expect the following from 4-cylinder pickup trucks:

Punchy engine with good torque figures
Easy maintenance
Improved fuel economy
Generally smooth and refined drive
Ample towing and hauling capacity
Hybrid and diesel four-cylinder engines are available

What to Consider When Buying a 4-Cylinder Pickup Truck

If you’re trying to decide whether a 4-cylinder truck is the best choice for you, here is what you need to weigh up:

Pros

Less expensive to buy
Turbocharged diesel engines have impressive torque
Better fuel economy
Smooth due to balanced firing order
Ample power means good acceleration
Less harmful to the environment
You can get a hybridized four-cylinder truck

Cons

4-cylinder trucks are usually base models with fewer features
Can’t tow or haul as much as a V6 or V8
Usually standard on smaller trucks, so less cargo space
No manual transmission options

FAQs about Four-Cylinder Trucks

Are four-cylinder engines on trucks reliable?

While there isn’t a correlation between the number of cylinders and reliability, it's worth noting that many automakers with a reputation for quality and dependability make use of the four-cylinder engine. Both Toyota and Hyundai have four-bangers as the base engine in the Tacoma and Santa Fe ranges, respectively, and the latter has a class-leading warranty that covers five years/60,000 miles.

Which 4-cylinder pickup is the cheapest in the US?

Although a hybrid, the Ford Maverick has a four-cylinder hybrid engine and an appealing price tag starting at just north of $23k. The Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma are both a little more expensive, with a cost closer to $30k.

How much can a 4-cylinder truck tow?

Although V6 and V8-powered trucks have higher towing capacities in general, the four-cylinder engine shouldn’t be written off. In the right configuration, high-torque four-bangers like the one in the GMC Canyon can tow up to 7,700 pounds. The Chevy Silverado manages just a little less at 7,000 lbs.

Best 4-Cylinder Trucks of 2023