A Full Size Truck Means Power and Confidence: Best Trucks For Short Drivers

Most trucks have a very daunting list of features, for both safety and comfort. Some manufacturers have identical features but use different names for them – which can only make it more overwhelming. To slice through the mystery, we’ve narrowed down the features you should keep an eye out for, such as:

• Electronically adjustable seats (think seats that are adjusted with buttons, rather than physical levers, as electronic adjustments tend to be more precise). Moving a seat up or down can make a vehicle easier to see out of for shorter drivers.
• Telescopic steering wheel adjusters. Some cars have buttons, like the Jeep Wagoneer, while others have levers to adjust and lock the wheel. The “telescoping” means it can be pushed back or pulled toward the driver.
• Visibility. Cars that have thicker A pillars between the windshield and doors, and B pillars between the front and rear doors, tend to be harder to see out of.
• Running boards. On larger trucks and SUVs, sturdy running boards are ideal for shorter drivers to be able to climb into the vehicle.
• Height adjustment for seat belts. This is so the belt can sit more comfortably on the left shoulder while driving, to make it safer.
• Electronically adjusted mirrors. For any driver at any height, adjusting mirrors electronically is easier, faster, and more precise.
• Electronically adjustable pedals. This feature is rare, but the pedals and be moved closer or further away from the drivers. Make sure you’re parked before using this feature.
• Electronically adjustable liftgate. The ability to set the maximum height on the liftgate makes it easier for shorter drivers to reach the button to close the gate once it’s open.

All the trucks on this list will have these features or more. With all that in mind, here are our favorite trucks for short drivers.

The Ford F-150 has been America’s best-selling pickup truck for years, and for good reason. Many trim levels come with all the previously mentioned features, including power-adjustable pedals.

The F-150 has had adjustable pedals since 2003, so if you’re in the market for a used truck with that feature, you’re in luck – though they’re only available on the Eddie Bauer package.

Aside from adjustable pedals, the F-150 also has excellent visibility, and a trove of trim levels to choose from, like the base XL which starts at $38,710 all goes all the way up to $78,905 for the Raptor.

The all-electric Lightning also has adjustable pedals, if you’re looking specifically for an EV pickup. The price range for the Lightning is $57,090 to $95,090, depending on add-ons and trim level.

If you’re on the Chevy end of the Ford vs. Chevy debate, then the Silverado is worth a serious look. It’s a worthy truck for short drivers, equipped with power-adjustable pedals to start. The factory running boards are large and sturdy, making it incredibly easy to climb into – no matter how high you have your seating position set to.

It’s just as easy to get out of, too. The windshield is a tad smaller so it’s not as easy to see out of compared to the Ford, but it also comes with a long list of optional add-ons.

Like the Ford, the prices vary depending on the add-ons and trim level, but the base MSRP is $42,700, and the max price is $70,000. The EV version does not come with adjustable pedals, though.

The Silverado has come with adjustable pedals since 2007, so if you’re looking at used, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

The Silverado’s fancier sibling, the GMC Sierra, also has adjustable pedals – though they were cut from the options list after 2022, so you’ll have to shop used. You can go back as far as 2007 if you want an older workhorse, too.

Despite the pedals being removed from the list, most trim levels come with all the other great features for short drivers, like adjustable seats (vertically and horizontally), decent visibility, a telescoping steering wheel, and sturdy running boards.

Prices for used trucks vary greatly, but the new GMC Sierra ranges from $39,695 to $84,495, depending on the trim level and add-ons.

Like the previously mentioned trucks, the Titan is a truck that comes with power-adjustable pedals – so even if the driver’s seat was as close to the steering wheel as possible, you could still bring them closer. Or, further away – that’s the wonderful thing about them being adjustable, you get to choose!

The Nissan Titan has come with adjustable pedals since 2004, so you’ll have the most options for a used truck with the Titan.

One of our favorite features about the Titan was the visibility and all-around size. The Ford and Chevy feel quite large, but the Titan feels just right.

The Nissan Titan is also one of the more affordable new trucks for short drivers on the list, with a maximum price of $63,670.

Ram 1500 trucks, formerly under the Dodge brand and now their own, have come with adjustable pedals since 2021. They’re available with the Level 1 or Level 2 Equipment group. The Ram 2500 truck can also come with adjustable pedals if you’re looking for something heavier-duty.

Ram trucks are the most “normal” trucks for short drivers on this list, next to the Titan. They don’t have giant front ends, they’re easy to get in and out of and are easy to see out of, too. We greatly appreciated its off-road abilities while towing a camping trailer.

Pricing for Ram trucks varies greatly, as like the others listed, there are many flavors it can come in. Very base price is $38,705, while the top-of-the-line Ram is $77,995.

If you’re looking for a full-sized truck, the Toyota Tacoma is a great option. The V6 or four-cylinder engines are powerful powerplants, and it’s the only new truck listed that can come with a manual transmission.

While there are no trim levels that come with adjustable pedals, the interior is fairly compact, the windows are large, the A and B pillars are thin, and you don’t need running boards to climb into it. Though, they’re an easy add-on at the dealership or easy to install if you want them.

Toyota Tacomas come in six different trim options, starting with the SR, which has an MSRP of $31,500. The Limited trim represents the Tacoma at its very best and starts at $52,100.

Like the Tacoma, the Chevy Colorado isn’t a massive truck – but it does come with a lot of great features for short drivers. It’s recently been heavily refreshed, and we enjoyed the most recent example.

The entry height was lower than most, and the ride was comfortable for a truck. The driver’s seat is very adjustable, the steering wheel is telescopic, and the visibility is excellent.

Also like the Tacoma, it doesn’t have adjustable pedals – but they aren’t necessary with the Colorado. Driving it was almost car-like, which makes it appealing for short drivers.

The Colorado’s prices range depending on the trim, but the base model WT starts at $31,900. The highest trim level, the ZR2, starts at $49,600. So far, that makes it the most affordable truck on the list.

The F-150’s baby truck brother is a fantastic option for shorter drivers. It has a low entry point, and a long list of comfort options like fully adjustable driver’s seats, telescopic steering wheel, and large, open windows.

It also has one of the larger beds out of the midsize truck segments and can come with a five-foot cargo box. The bed size is second to the Jeep Gladiator.

The Ranger has the least amount of trim levels available with just four, starting with the XL. The base model starts at $32,980, and the Raptor starts at $55,720.

If you want a Jeep Wrangler with a truck bed, look no further than the Gladiator. Inspired by the Scrambler, the Gladiator takes everything great about the Wrangler and runs with it.

The Gladiator, as previously mentioned, has the largest bed of the midsized truck segment. So, if you’re looking for a decent-sized truck with decent capability and space, look seriously at the Gladiator.

Due to its utilitarian nature, many of the “fancy” features are substituted for fairly manual ones in the lower-level trims. However, the Gladiator can be quite luxurious in the higher-level trims.

The factory ride height is great for most drivers, and doesn’t come with running boards – but they can be added on when building it on Jeep’s website. The Gladiator also comes in four flavors, starting with the Sport S. Prices start at $39,995, and go as high as $62,995 for the Mojave X trim.

Before you start the “it’s not a real truck” argument, let’s dig into why the Hyundai Santa Cruz is on this list. First, it has a bed. Even without the truck bed, the Santa Cruz has plenty of space in the front and rear – and without a ceiling over the very back, it makes it more utilitarian than an SUV.

Second, it has a respectable max towing rating of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,609 in the all-wheel-drive configuration. It also gets the best gas mileage out of all the trucks listed, has the lowest entry point, comes with large windows, and a spacious interior, and is reasonably priced.

With the bed being lower to the ground, it’s easy to get items in and out of the bed. They’re easier to access, too. We found it to be easy to drive, too, feeling more car-like than the others listed.

Hyundai calls it a “crossover pickup truck,” or “sport adventure vehicle,” since it combines useful features from both an SUV and a truck – so it’s perfect for someone who needs a vehicle to haul gardening or even farm supplies without fussing over the interior.

In reality, the best truck for you depends on what your needs and desires are – but we examined all the features and configurations of available trucks to compile a list to help speed up your shopping. Hopefully we helped you buy your next truck!