Jeep Gladiator Sport -- $40,095Matching the GMC Canyon on base price is the Jeep Gladiator Sport, a decidedly different take on the pickup truck. Mainly because of its Wrangler roots that enables the removal of all four doors, a convertible top, and a windshield that folds down flat. The Gladiator also comes standard with four-wheel drive, retains solid axles at both ends, and boasts a minimum ground clearance of 10 inches.Some might think it's nuts to spend 40 large on a vehicle with such an old-school foundation. And if you're generally using a pickup truck for paved surface runs between Home Depot and your, um, home, the Gladiator is perhaps a bit much. However, anyone looking at a cheap alternative to expensive trucks with a flair for off-roading ought to check out this Jeep. Only sold as a four-door crew cab and with a 5-foot bed, the Gladiator has a substantial 38 inches of backseat legroom and can tow 7,700 pounds in base Sport spec. A naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque motivates the entire 2025 Gladiator lineup, but alas, Jeep has dropped the manual transmission, so you'll have to sift through the used market if that's a must-have.This Wrangler derivative has joined the 21st century by no longer offering hand-crank windows and featuring a standard 12.3-inch central display with wireless smartphone integration. There's also, let's see here, a soft-top, steel wheels, and cruise control. So yeah, the base Gladiator leans stripped out in the context of modern pickup trucks, but that's just fine for some, and the 3 years of complimentary maintenance isn't too bad either.Nissan Frontier SV -- $35,900As with the Ranger, Nissan's new-for-2022 Frontier midsize pickup can be had in a roughly $33,000 entry-level model. But for a few thousand more, the SV trim line is a good value given the improved level of features and technology. Unlike Ford's mid-sizer, the Nissan Frontier comes in extended or crew cab configuration with an available 6-foot cargo bed.The naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 providing power to the entire Frontier lineup is not as torque-rich as its boosted competitors, with 281 lb-ft of torque to go with 310 horsepower, but some may prefer the linear power delivery more typically associated with free-breathing engines. Towing is competitive at between 7,000 and 7,150 pounds, depending on configuration, trailer sway control is standard, and the Frontier returns 21 mpg combined in two-wheel drive spec. Nissan does not offer a Frontier capable of going up against the Ranger Raptor or Colorado ZR2, so its range-topping model, the SL, remains relatively inexpensive at $43,320.However, for some $6,000 less, the SV is well equipped with alloy wheels, a 6-speaker stereo, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The optional $1,790 SV Convenience package does offer a host of upgrades like the Utili-Track Channel System for cargo management, heated front seats, and remote start with an intelligent climate control system. Though it starts to push the Frontier SV further from its station as a cheap alternative to expensive trucks, there is quite a bit of content in this reasonably priced bundle, so don't dismiss it.Ford Maverick XL -- $30,535Not only is the Ford Maverick XL a downright bargain at $30,535, it's the Scrooge McDuck of pickup trucks when it comes to hoarding gas. Its base 2.5L hybrid powertrain only makes 191 horsepower, but with front-wheel drive, it is rated for 38 mpg combined. The Maverick only comes with a 4.5-foot long cargo bed and maxes out in the towing department at 4,000 pounds when fitted with the 4K Tow package for $745. So, its truck utility is relatively limited.However, if you're not going to be lugging trailers on the regular and just need a pickup truck's cargo bed for hauling payloads best left out of the cab, the Maverick XL is a killer choice. Really, it's shocking that Ford is the only automaker to currently offer this combination of compact size and hybrid fuel efficiency in a pickup truck. Considering the Detroit automaker moved about 74,000 Mavericks in its first full year of production, 2022, and more than 157,000 last year, it would appear the Maverick approach is popular with consumers.Another upside to this cheap pickup truck is that the Maverick XLT, which sits above the base XL and features more content, only comes in around $33,000. Plus, if you prefer power over efficiency, Ford does sell a 2.0L boosted four-pot making 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.Hyundai Santa Cruz SE -- $30,200For the cheapest alternative to all the expensive trucks out there, we give you the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz in base SE trim for about $30,000. Now, the Santa Cruz may not fit the traditional definition of a pickup truck, but it does have a cargo bed hanging off the back, so we say it's a truck.The said bed is small at 4.5 feet long, but the Santa Cruz comes with 8.6 inches of ground clearance and can tow 3,500 pounds with the base naturally aspirated engine, so it has more truckiness than initially meets the eye. If you pony up for the turbocharged powertrain with its 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, the Hyundai SUV-meets-pickup can lug a competitive 5,000 pounds, and AWD is available. Plus, the Santa Cruz is stuffed with standard niceties like 18-inch alloy wheels, remote entry, and Hyundai's BlueLink+ suite of connectivity systems.The Santa Cruz SE earns a respectable 26 mpg combined from its 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine and has styling that — like it or not — is unlike the traditional pickup truck set. Hyundai's unusual pickup truck-like vehicle can stray from its cheap roots with the $44,000+ Limited model and its big 20-inch rims, climate-controlled leather seats, and semi-autonomous driving tech. So keep an eye on that sticker when shopping the Santa Cruz to enjoy the current champ of cheap truck alternatives.