A Complete Guide to Compact Pickup Trucks
This comprehensive guide explores small pickup trucks, highlighting their history, key features, popular models, and typical uses. Discover versatile options like the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Chevrolet Colorado, and learn about their strengths and limitations. Ideal for commercial, agricultural, and personal transportation needs, small pickups remain a significant segment in the automotive market.
Small pickup trucks, also known as compact pickups, feature a closed cab and an open cargo bed, with low sides and tailgate for easy loading. Originally designed for utility work, these trucks have gained popularity as family vehicles due to their versatility. They now represent about 18% of total vehicle sales in many markets. Most models are equipped with automatic transmissions, often featuring low first gears for hauling heavy loads. Notable examples include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford offerings, with some models offering manual transmissions.
Standard pickups typically have two doors and a single row of seats, while extended or crew cab versions offer extra space behind the front seats, sometimes with additional smaller seats. The first crew cab truck in the U.S. was introduced in 1957 by International Harvester, followed by models from Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet. Crew cabs have four full-sized doors and can seat five or six passengers. Chrysler launched the first extended cab, called the Club Cab, in 1973.
Vehicles with four rear wheels, known as "duallys," can handle more weight and are mainly used for towing campers, heavy loads, or supporting fifth-wheel trailers. Small pickups are primarily used in commercial, agricultural, military, law enforcement, and emergency services sectors.
The top small pickup trucks available today include:
2018 Toyota Tacoma: Renowned for its dependability and off-road capabilities, it offers a high payload capacity and user-friendly infotainment. Its limitations include lower towing capacity and average fuel economy (20-24 mpg highway, 17-20 mpg city). Priced approximately between $25,400 and $43,720.
2019 Honda Ridgeline: Known for smooth ride and a comfortable cabin, it has excellent towing capacity but a somewhat complex infotainment system and a higher starting price. Fuel efficiency ranges from 18-26 mpg depending on driving conditions. Price ranges from $29,990 to $43,420.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado: Offers the most powerful engine and best towing in its class, with good fuel economy. However, its infotainment system and crash test ratings are slightly below competitors. Price varies from $20,200 to $42,000.
