A pickup truck is the perfect first vehicle for many people. It’s tough, and can handle almost anything you throw at it. But there’s more to pickup trucks than meets the eye—or pickup bed! We’re about to discuss some of the upsides and downsides that you might not have considered when considering them as your first vehicle option.

So why are pickups great first vehicles? Pickups make great first vehicles due to their cargo area, ability to take a beating and reliability. Teenagers not only like to take their friends with them, but they also like to take plenty of equipment, whether for sporting events or music equipment. This makes a pickup ideal for that first vehicle.

So, let’s take a deeper look at those reasons. However, we will also discuss later in the article a bit more why pickups might not be a great first vehicle so you can make an educated decision.

Why are pickups great first vehicles?

1. It can take a beating.

Pickups are designed to be tough and can take a beating. They’re built like the proverbial brick house. If you plan on getting into some light off-roading or want something to drive in all weather conditions, this is your first vehicle choice!

They are great off-road and can take the beating that young drivers have to offer their first vehicle! This includes more robust transmissions, more hardy engines, and more.

New drivers are notoriously hard on vehicles, so having something that can take that is ideal.

2. Lots of cargo area

Pickup trucks have many cargo areas, both in the bed and inside. So, if you’re looking for an inexpensive first vehicle, it’s great to be able to use your pickup for hauling everything from furniture or yard supplies to camping gear.

As a teenager, I remember feeling like I needed considerably more storage than my small car had to offer, and a pickup would have solved that no problem!

As mentioned in this article, teenagers have a surprising amount of stuff they need to take around, and a pickup offers this (not to mention you can hose out a truck bed, but not carpeted rear cargo areas.

3. Pickup trucks are very reliable.

Pickup trucks are very reliable. They’re built tough with many hard-working components that rarely need to be replaced, especially used pickup trucks for sale. Because of this, they do make a great first vehicle!

Since pickups are first and foremost meant for work, reliability during development takes that first spot in their design process.

Why shouldn’t you buy a pickup for your first vehicle?

1. Gas mileage isn’t the best.

A pickup truck is not ideal if you’re looking for a vehicle that gets excellent gas mileage. It’s one of the least fuel-efficient vehicles on the road today. With older pickups (generally first vehicles), expect to get between 12 and 15 miles per gallon in a pickup truck.

This is one of the most significant downsides to owning a pickup truck as your first vehicle, especially if you’re trying to save money on gas! Buying used pickup trucks for sale will be even less efficient because most people keep their pickups longer than any other type of car or truck.

2. Trucks have less than excellent visibility.

Due to their size, pickups lack in the visibility department. You’ll have a tough time seeing other drivers on the road, especially if you’re driving in snowy or rainy conditions.

When a new driver is driving a pickup, they likely will have a hard time when they can’t see super well past the A-pillar or over the hood to see what is right in front of them. The new driver must take extra care to ensure they don’t run over anything, whether moving forward, backing up, or turning.

3. Higher price point

Another downside to pickup trucks is that they usually have a higher price than other used first vehicles. You’ll pay more for a pickup truck, which may force you into buying an older model since the newer ones can be out of your budget!

Pickups are expensive—there isn’t any way around that! So make sure a pickup is right for your needs before purchasing one.

What other vehicles make a good first car?

Alright, so a pickup isn’t quite right for your new driver? Of course, there are SUVs like a Tahoe or an Expedition. However, you should also keep a close eye on the hatchback market!

I am a huge fan of hatchbacks and wagons, as they offer superior fuel economy and more cargo room than sedans. So, if you’re looking for something practical, economical, and safe, I suggest considering a hatchback or wagon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are pickups helpful?

Pickups help haul heavier loads. They also have a lot of cargo space inside the pickup bed and in the cab, so if you want something versatile or need to haul heavy stuff, this is your first vehicle choice!

What is the most reliable first car?

Pickup trucks are reliable first vehicles, especially older pickup trucks for sale. The most well-known and popular vehicle to use as a first vehicle is typically small cars like subcompacts or compacts because they’re affordable and accessible to drive!

Is a BMW an excellent first car for a teenager?

A BMW is not a good first car for teenagers because it is expensive to fix, it is an imported vehicle, and failure rates are considerably higher on these cars. BMWs are also challenging to drive because they have significantly more power than other vehicles, meaning that teenagers will use all that horsepower with little experience.

Conclusion

Pickup trucks are great first vehicles, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. They’re tough and can handle almost any condition, making them one of the best first-vehicle options!

However, they have some downsides that might take time to be apparent- including poor visibility because of their size and higher price point.

There are many first-vehicle options, and pickup trucks should be included in your list of car types to consider when trying to find the best first vehicles for teens! They can take a beating, easily haul lots of cargo, and get decent gas mileage despite their size- but they aren’t without downsides, too.