Small But Mighty Trucks for Drivers Who Don’t Want a Massive Pickup
Whether you’re doing home improvement, pulling a trailer, running a business, or helping a friend move, a pickup truck is undeniably handy to have. But if you’d rather not buy a massive gas-guzzler, you’re in luck. Many small trucks are ready to be put to the test, and U.S. News and Kelley Blue Book have done much of the hard work for you. The list even includes an inexpensive pickup with a hybrid option that's so popular, Ford has had to suspend new orders until this summer.
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Starting Price: $19,995
Power: 191 to 250 horsepower
MPG: 23 city and 30 highway
This all-new truck feels like a throwback to the days of old. It's much smaller than most modern-day pickups, but it provides the best of everything: good gas mileage, a smooth ride, and the power and capability needed to tow up to 2,000 pounds. You can even opt for a hybrid version that boasts up to 40 mpg in the city. The economical Maverick has become so popular that Ford is suspending custom orders for the vehicle since it has maxed out capacity on what can be built. The automaker expects to resume new orders for the 2023 model this summer.
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Starting Price: $68,145
Power: Up to 800 horsepower
Range: 300 miles
The Rivian R1T is unlike any other truck on the market. Not only did startup Rivian beat big names such as Tesla and Ford to market as the first company selling all-electric trucks, it also nabbed the coveted MotorTrend Truck of the Year award for 2022. Don’t let the R1T fool you, though: It’s more powerful than most trucks its size, gas or no gas.
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Starting Price: $28,155
Power: 159 to 278 horsepower
MPG: 17-20 city and 20-24 highway
Everyone loves a good taco, and the Toyota Tacoma — which owners refer to as “tacos” — is no different. This truck is especially popular for its off-road capabilities, and its stock version comes with desirable features that you have to pay extra for with other trucks.
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Starting Price: $36,490
Power: 280 horsepower
MPG: 18 city and 24 highway
The roomy cabin and under-bed storage makes this truck comfortable yet functional. Multimode terrain response ensures optimal performance across a variety of conditions. Although some trucks outperform the Ridgeline for off-roading, it is still a capable truck.
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Starting Price: $25,285
Power: 270 horsepower
MPG: 19-21 city and 18-26 highway
The Ford Ranger is a solid choice that has been around for a long time. Ford fans rejoiced when it made a reappearance in 2019 after being off the market for a number of years. The higher gas mileage than other trucks is also a bonus.
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Starting Price: $25,200
Power: 200 to 308 horsepower
MPG: 16-20 city and 18-30 highway
Depending which trim package you choose, you can get some seriously amazing gas mileage, especially for a truck. The smooth ride makes the driving experience feel more like a crossover but without sacrificing power.
Starting Price: $26,800
Power: 181 to 308 horsepower
MPG: 17-20 city and 24-30 highway
A comfortable ride and optional diesel engines are some of the preferred features of the GMC Canyon. Off-road and luxury upgrades will, unsurprisingly, jack up the price tag. If those features are important to you, though, you’ll enjoy the 4WD, off-road suspension, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires of the AT4 model.
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Starting Price: $35,315
Power: 260 to 285 horsepower
MPG: 16-22 city and 22-28 highway
For its class of truck, the Jeep Gladiator comes in a close second for towing capacity at just 50 pounds shy of the leaders. Its boxy, classic Jeep look makes it unlike any other truck on the market. Being a Jeep, its off-road capabilities are top-of-the-line.
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Starting Price: $28,995
Power: 310 horsepower
MPG: 17-18 city and 22-24 highway
This small truck is definitely mighty, with more horsepower than most pickups its size. For 2022, the Nissan Frontier has been almost entirely redesigned to offer the most modern features. It is also just the right size to not sacrifice on any aspect of the driving experience.
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Starting Price: $23,990
Power: 191 to 277 horsepower
MPG: 19-21 city and 26-27 highway
Although the bed of this pickup is quite small, it still gives you room for hauling things you don’t want inside a vehicle. The Santa Cruz also has a high-end interior and a smooth ride. Compared with the Maverick, which is a similar size, it offers more towing but comes at a higher base price.
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Starting Price: $29,640
Power: 290 to 430 horsepower
MPG: 15-25 city and 18-26 highway
Another classic Ford truck, this is still on the smaller end compared with many pickups. It is the leader in its class for towing capability and is highly customizable. You really can’t go wrong when you buy America’s bestselling vehicle.
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Starting Price: $28,600
Power: 28 to 420 horsepower
MPG: 14-23 city and 18-33 highway
The various trim packages have a wide range in gas mileage. The Trail Boss, while excellent for off-roading, is going to make you feel the sting at the pump, while the diesel model gets some of the best gas mileage. Overall, the Silverado 1500 is a superb all-around truck.
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Starting Price: $29,700
Power: 277 to 420 horsepower
MPG: 15-23 city and 18-30 highway
You get what you pay for with the GMC Sierra 1500. While the starting prices aren’t too bad, costs can quickly reach closer to $70,00 for a fully loaded Denali version. Whether you plan to use this truck for work or play, you’ll be pleased with its capability.
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Starting Price: $36,550
Power: 400 horsepower
MPG: 15-16 city and 20-21 highway
This full-size, half-ton pickup truck is small only by comparison with some pickups on the market. The Titan packs a lot of power into a smaller truck and includes many desirable features such as a 5 year, 100,000-mile warranty.
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Starting Price: $35,890
Power: 260 to 702 horsepower
MPG: 10-22 city and 14-32 highway
If you want horsepower with a small truck, you want the Ram 1500 TRX. The base price for this fully loaded bad boy is a whopping $72,000. But according to Kelley Blue Book, it gives the Ford Raptor a run for its money. Even the base model holds its own against similar pickups.
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