What Is the Best Used Luxury Truck?
When it comes to pre-owned luxury truck sales, there are a lot of options available. Not so long ago, finding a real luxury truck wasn't easy, but today you can find well-equipped luxury trims from every major truck brand. However, this begs the question - which one is the best? While we always recommend taking used trucks for a test drive to see how it suits your taste, here is our opinion on the best current pre-owned luxury truck models to look for.
Remember that we are only looking at luxury today, which means we will be comparing the interiors of the top trim models from each of the major brands. While power and performance are indispensable in any truck, all of these models provide a solid foundation of capability under their numerous luxury features. This comparison is all about heated seats, premium sound systems, touchscreen infotainment, and other high-end features, not towing and payload.
#6 - Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country (2019-2021)
8” Touchscreen
7-Speaker Bose Audio
10-Way Front Seats
Chevy has never been a leader when it comes to building luxury trucks, and the Silverado High Country trim is no exception. Although we love Chevy for its incredible power and affordable prices, the brand has always lived in the shadow of GMC when it comes to luxury interiors. However, if you are looking for a slightly upscale used truck that can handle hard work without breaking the bank, the Silverado High Country might just be what you are looking for.
Despite being billed as a luxury trim, the cab of the High Country doesn’t look all that different from that of the base Silverado. Although there are a handful of small wood grain panels, the interior is a sea of black plastic. The small single-panel sunroof is also somewhat disappointing compared to what other models offer. However, the power-adjustable leather seats are comfortable, and their heat and cool function work well to keep your body at the right temperature.
Chevy also did a good job with its infotainment system, and the 8” touchscreen is easy to use with logically laid out hard button controls. Steering column shifter and 4x4 controls are also out of the way, leaving plenty of space in the center console for storage, cupholders, and a wireless charging panel. While the Silverado High Country may lean more toward “truck” than “luxury,” it is not a bad option for drivers seeking a bit more comfort than what the average used pickup can offer.
#5 - Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition (2020-2021)
8” Touchscreen
12 Speaker JBL Audio
12-way Driver’s Seat
The Toyota Tundra is well-known for being a reliable used truck that you can count on to last for years. However, when it comes to offering a luxurious cabin, the Tundra falls short. Toyota operates under the philosophy, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” - but while that has resulted in bullet-proof engines and exceptional reliability, it means that Toyota’s interior design and technology is usually a few years out of date, even in the top trims. While you will definitely be comfortable driving a used Tundra 1794 Edition, you might find yourself missing some features that are available in its competitors.
If you have your heart set on a Tundra, then we recommend looking for a used truck from 2020 or 2021. Although the Tundra has not seen a major refresh since 2015, the 2020 model saw the addition of a new infotainment system that finally included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - a big step up from the older Toyota Entune system. However, you will still be limited to an 8” touchscreen with a small low-res screen and somewhat clunky hard buttons for climate control.
The rest of the cabin follows a similar pattern - solid, truck-like, but slightly dated. The tan leather seats and stitched leather soft-touch panels on the doors and dash create a comfortable ambiance for the 1794 Edition, but there is still lots of basic plastic, and the center console is rather small. The traditional gear shifter may be a welcome touch for some drivers, but when combined with the shiny fake wood grain trim and mostly analog instrument cluster, it contributes to the somewhat antiquated feel of the cabin.
#4 - GMC Sierra 1500 Denali (2019-2021)
8” Touchscreen
7-Speaker Bose Audio
10-Way Front Seats
The GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado are two sides of the same coin. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t each offer their own unique feel. While their performance is nearly identical, the Sierra Denali presents a more upscale appearance than the Silverado High Country. While many of the Denali’s trademark touches are found on the truck’s exterior - particularly its signature chrome mesh grille - the interior has its own differences from the Silverado.
In terms of the spec sheet, the Denali and the High Country are effectively the same truck. They both sport the same 10-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, an 8” touchscreen with a 7-speaker Bose sound system, and an 8” driver digital driver information center. This means that when shopping for a used truck if you like one of these two models, you will probably enjoy the other as well.
However, there are a few differences in feel. Stepping into the cab of the Sierra Denali, you will discover a more subdued and classic interior. Marbled wood grain patterns adorn the trim, while dark leather and bright chrome make for a luxurious contrast. Of course, the Denali is still more than capable as a work truck, even if the Sierra has slightly lower tow and payload ratings when compared to the Silverado.
#3 - F-150 Limited (2018-2020)
8” Touchscreen
10-Speaker B&O Audio
10-Way Front Seats
The F-150 went through a full redesign in 2021 that substantially improved its luxury features. Unfortunately, those late model year trucks are still quite rare on the used market. Instead, you will mainly find the last model years of the previous generation. Although the Limited trim from these years is filled with reasonably comfortable features, it isn’t quite there as a true luxury truck.
When it comes to cabin design and creature comforts, the Limited is a more than solid choice. The two-pane panoramic sunroof is a great feature that is not found on many competitors, and the soft leather seats will make any drive comfortable. Ford also made decent use of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, although there is still a good amount of plastics and the wood grain panels are small and oddly positioned.
However, the technology in the F-150 Limited is clearly from an older generation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both present on an 8” touchscreen, but the SYNC 3 system is not the most responsive. The overall layout of the infotainment system and the matching digital driver’s screen is also not the cleanest. However, the 10-speaker B&O sound system is a nice touch that all but the most demanding audiophiles will be satisfied with.
#2 - Nissan Titan Platinum Reserve (2020-2021)
9” Touchscreen
12-Speaker Fender Audio
8-Way Driver’s Seat
The Nissan Titan may not be the most popular full-size truck on the road, but since its 2020 refresh, it may just be the most under-appreciated luxury truck on the road. Step into the cab, and you will discover a comfortable and familiar blend of old-school luxury and modern convenience features. The combination of dark woodgrain and stitched leather steering wheel is a particularly nice touch that helps elevate the Platinum Reserve trim and give it a proper premium experience, but we also love the expansive panoramic sunroof that stretches over both rows of seats.
Nissan continues to use a column-mounted shifter in the Titan, freeing up space on the center console without resorting to a gimmick dial shifter - that shifter is also linked to a new 9-speed transmission for the 2020 model, offering smoother gear changes. The quilted leather seats are heated and cooled for comfort in all seasons, although the front passenger might be disappointed to find only 4-way power adjustability (the driver gets 8-way adjustability, which is still a bit less than some other models offer).
When it comes to tech integration, the Titan Platinum Reserve is solid, if not exceptional. A 9” touchscreen with Nissan’s easy-to-use software and built-in navigation, and there are a handful of USB-A and USB-C ports for phone charging. However, climate control and other features remain separate systems with basic buttons, creating a slightly messy and confusing dashboard layout. The backup and surround vision cameras are also not particularly high quality.
#1 - Ram 1500 Limited (2019-2021)
12” Touchscreen
19-Speaker Harman Kardon Audio
12-Way Front Seats
When it comes to pure luxury trucks, it is difficult to compete with Ram. While the Ram 1500 may fall behind in some ways when it comes to work, it is nearly unbeatable when it comes to comfort. The top Limited trim is particularly well put together and includes many features that are simply unavailable in other used luxury trucks on the market. However, it exudes a more modern and tech-heavy atmosphere, which may not be what everyone is looking for in their next truck.
The centerpiece of the cabin is a simply massive 12” tablet-style touchscreen embedded in the dash. Paired with the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system and functional hard button controls, this screen was a gamechanger for the luxury pickup segment and forced all of Ram’s competitors to scramble to catch up. Today, the latest Ford, GM, and Toyota models all offer similar screens, but finding one of those fully-equipped 2022 models on the used market is going to be uncommon and expensive.
Other unique features of the Ram Limited include an expansive two-pane panoramic sunroof to let in the light, an incredible 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and reclining rear seats with best-in-class legroom. Ram didn’t overlook the traditional elements of a luxury truck either, and you will be greeted with plentiful stitched leather and other soft-touch materials when you open the door. However, the design screams sharp and modern - if you enjoy warm tones and woodgrain trim, then you should instead look for the Limited Longhorn trim.