As you search for used cars in Victoria, you may have come to realize that there are so many options available. You have many options available, different sizes to choose from, brands to consider, and more. If you’ve narrowed your search down to just body style and have determined a truck is right for you, you still have a lot to consider. We’re here to help you get started.
For instance, if you’re towing for work, you probably want a truck with towing numbers as its top priority so you can tow a lot and do so safely. Let’s say you’re going from Victoria to Corpus Christi with a trailer hitched: the last thing you want is to worry that a bump in the road will cause trouble. On the flip side, if you’re going to use your truck mainly as a hauler and can't afford to lug a trailer behind, then bed space and dimensions will be your top concern. And if you’re going to have a lot of passengers on a lengthy trip in a full-size truck? You’re probably considering luxury features to keep them entertained and comfortable during the ride.
Today, we want to walk you through some of the used truck options available on our lot so that you know what to expect from each and can decide which truck better serves your purpose. Let's get started!
What Ford Offers: The F-150
The Ford F-150 comes out of the long-running F-Series, one of the oldest pickup trucks in living memory. If automotive history is important to you, a used F-150 will be right up your alley. Don’t worry: it has benefits beyond being an interesting history lesson. The F-150 has been famed for offering a slew of engine options, perfect for drivers who like a particular feel to their ride. If acceleration is important, the F-150 will serve well, too, as its top engines have sky-high torque and horsepower––one of the most potent gas engines you can get on an F-150 from 2020 onwards is the 3.5L High-Output V6 engine, which clocks in at a whopping 450 hp on 510 lb-ft of torque! The better the horsepower and torque, the better the acceleration and the higher the top speeds. Pair that with a ten-speed automatic transmission, and you have yourself at a fast, strong, and smooth beast.
The F-150 can offer you best-in-class towing depending upon the model year you purchase, ranging from 7,700 to over 13,000 lbs based on your choice of engine and equipment. In terms of cost, you always want to monitor a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The F-150 is decent, but it’s been beaten out by the Silverado 1500 in recent years with its efficiency. If fuel efficiency is essential, you may want to go with another Ford option: the Ford Maverick. Its fuel efficiency tends to be at the very top of all of Ford's trucks, regardless of class, at the cost of performance.
Another benefit of the F-150 is space. You can choose from different cab sizes; the largest cab will serve great if you’re shuttling family and friends around Victoria. You’ll especially love it if you want to show the kids all of Texas, as traveling around our great state is fun, but there’s no question that it’s massive and requires some long treks. The size of the F-150 makes these voyages comfortable instead of constraining.
Chevy Silverado 1500: A Recent Favorite
A recent favorite? How could that be? Surely, the Silverado 1500 has been around forever. Well, depends on your point of view.
The Silverado grew out of the C/K truck line around 2000, quickly gaining popularity for its accessibility and versatility. While it is true that the Silverado has nothing on the F-150’s age, since the Silverado 1500 debuted, plenty of other manufacturers started pumping out similar trucks to compete. If the F-150 made trucking accessible to working Americans, then the Silverado 1500 has made the idea of owning a pickup truck enticing to all Americans. Easy to tell why: it’s versatile, with plenty of trims, so you can get a design perfect for what you want. Plan on doing any off-roading in the near future? You better believe there’s a trim of the Silverado 1500 that can handle the roughest road Texas has to offer. Want to bring a boat to the coast? The Silverado 1500’s towing doesn’t always match the F-150’s, but it comes close and can more than handle the day's mission.
In terms of luxury, the highest trim level of the Silverado 1500, the High Country, has a tough time competing with the F-150 Premium or the F-150 King Ranch, so if you’re looking for the most luxurious truck on the market, the Silverado 1500 might be a tough sell. But if capability and versatility are what you're after, you’ve got a whole collection of Silverado 1500 models to choose from, be it a Trail Boss, ZR2, LT, RST, High Country, or LTZ, the possibilities are endless! Its base model also tends to be more affordable, although the more features you want, the more the price goes up significantly, even when used.
Toyota’s Competitive Truck: The Tundra
The Toyota Tundra debuted around the same time as the Silverado, but it did not catch on as much as the Chevy Classic did. That’s likely because its history is a bit more up and down. Some model years did not impress, lagging on features and comfort. For instance, in 2018, the Tundra still lacked infotainment options that all other trucks had standard. That can be a drag when a model is new, but it will likely be more affordable when it's used. If you’re just interested in towing capability, lacking expensive features like that could still make the Tundra a target purchase.
However, Tundra models of the last few years have swung in the opposite direction. From giant touchscreens to tons of infotainment features, the Tundra now has much to offer even as its towing and payload limits can’t hit the heights of other trucks. The suspension is better than ever, with the last five model years boasting a 10-speed automatic transmission, giving you a smooth ride no matter the road you’re on. So, if you’re seeing some dirt Texas roads in your future or even heading out into the desert, the Tundra will keep you from feeling the rigors of off-roading even when you are. The Tundra’s life has had its pros and cons veer wildly over the years, more than in other models. So, if you’re opting for a Tundra, inform yourself of the specific year’s stats before you make the investment.
The Ram 1500: A Quiet Powerhouse
When asked to picture a pickup truck, the average person tends to think of the Silverado 1500 or the F-150, but real truck fans know that the Ram 1500 is one of the best pickups you can purchase. It might be a bit more expensive, but that’s why buying used is so smart: a model a few years old will be far cheaper than a new one, and you’ll still have access to incredible power.
The design of the Ram 1500 is of special note, too. Its front grille is intimidating and makes sure everyone knows it when driving around Victoria. That goes well with its towing and payload limits, which match or come close to matching trucks like the F-150 and Silverado 1500. Its large, muscular build makes this a perfect purchase for anyone who wants to make trucking their lifestyle. This also means its ride is smooth and capable thanks to its commanding stature, which sometimes puts it ahead of competitors when it comes to labor. Reliability is as important as performance stats, and the Ram 1500 is designed to be your favorite co-worker.
Every Used Truck is Ready to Rumble at Victory Kia
When tackling all of Texas, a pickup truck will get it done in style and capability. We’ve sold many used pickup trucks to drivers from Victoria and the nearby area, whether their driving takes them to other cities like San Antonio or Corpus Christi or they just stick to local roads like Navarro Street. We know that a solid pickup truck will give you an extra layer of confidence that you’re in total command. Regardless of your preference, come down and visit us here at Victory Kia so we can awe you with the used trucks we have available.