The Best Small Trucks of 2025

Last Updated Apr 14, 2025

Back in the '80s and '90s, small pickup trucks were popular across the country, beloved for their blend of utility, value, maneuverability and efficiency. But then a funny thing happened: small trucks disappeared altogether, while models that used to be small became "midsize." Fortunately, the past few years have seen compact trucks return to the marketplace, providing relief for those who find even the best midsize pickup trucks to be a bit excessive. We still consider midsize trucks to be small enough for this page, but we rank the compact and midsize segments separately, because while today's top small trucks can be found in either segment, there are significant differences. So let's get after it! Here are the top-rated small trucks that you can buy new right now. Learn about how we rate vehicles.

Best Compact Trucks

Price Range: $26,995–$28,750

Ranked Models: 2

Ford Maverick ($26,995+)
Hyundai Santa Cruz ($28,750+)

Truly small trucks had ceased to exist for a while, but they're mounting a serious comeback. Although there aren't many entrants in this segment at the moment, they've proven quite popular, and we wouldn't be surprised to see more models join the party.

MD RATING 8.1/10

Ford Maverick

Base Price: $26,995
MPG Combined: 25–38
Horsepower: 191–238
Length: 199.8 in
Towing Capacity: 4,000 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,500 lbs

Offering either a zesty turbo four-cylinder engine or a frugal hybrid powertrain, the Maverick has turned out to be a right-sized truck with broad appeal. Significant updates for 2025 further sweeten the deal, including fresh styling for the front fascia, available AWD for the hybrid variant and a 13.2-inch touchscreen inside. The turbocharged Maverick is a heck of a deal for just over $27k to start, as it gets you to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and still delivers 25 mpg combined with standard AWD (the front-drive version has been discontinued). We're less enamored of the hybrid due to its relatively lackluster acceleration, but there's no doubt that the Maverick offers big value across the lineup. See Full Details >

MD RATING 7.8/10

Hyundai Santa Cruz

Base Price: $28,750
MPG Combined: 22–25
Horsepower: 191–281
Length: 195.7 in
Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,411 lbs

The Santa Cruz has cool styling, a high-tech interior that's easily the classier of the two options here, and an available turbo engine that delivers quick acceleration. We also like its relatively adult-friendly backseat. All good stuff. Our main gripe is that the turbo starts at $40k, whereas the rival Maverick turbo can be had for well less than $30k. If Hyundai offered that zestier engine at a more accessible price point, the Santa Cruz could conceivably dethrone the Maverick. As things stand, you have to compromise in the engine room if you want a Santa Cruz at a more Maverick-like price. See Full Details >

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Best Midsize Trucks

Price Range: $31,590–$40,150

Ranked Models: 7

Chevrolet Colorado ($31,900+)
Ford Ranger ($33,080+)
Toyota Tacoma ($31,590+)
GMC Canyon ($38,400+)
Nissan Frontier ($32,050+)
Jeep Gladiator ($38,100+)
Honda Ridgeline ($40,150+)

Historically owned by Toyota and its top-selling Tacoma, the midsize truck segment has never been more competitive than it is today, with the Tacoma facing unprecedented challenges to its dominance.

MD RATING 8.3/10

Chevrolet Colorado

Base Price: $31,900
MPG Combined: 16–21
Horsepower: 310
Length: 212.7–214.1 in
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,684 lbs

The Colorado achieves segment supremacy thanks to its competitive attributes across the board. We especially like the high-value Trail Boss, which gives you an off-road-ready build right from the factory for about $40k. But every Colorado now comes standard with the 310-horsepower version of the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine (there's no more "Max" distinction for that version), so you get the best Chevy has to offer no matter which model you choose. The styling hits us right, too — previous Colorados had functional designs at best, but this one looks great. Bonus points for having the lowest starting price in this group. See Full Details >

MD RATING 8.1/10

Ford Ranger

Base Price: $33,080
MPG Combined: 17–22
Horsepower: 270–405
Length: 210.9 in
Towing Capacity: 7,500 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,805 lbs

Offering an agreeable balance of ride and handling, the Ranger also delights the right foot with its optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6, which is easily the most capable power plant in this class. Its towing and payload ratings likewise come up aces. Ford checked all the boxes this time, although we don't think the Ranger is particularly attractive aside from the burly Raptor off-roader. But to each their own. Back on that optional V6 for a moment: for the prices Toyota's putting on higher Tacoma trims (especially the hybrid-powered ones), we'd take a Ranger V6 in a heartbeat. Just sayin'. See Full Details >

MD RATING 7.9/10

Toyota Tacoma

Base Price: $31,590
MPG Combined: 20–24
Horsepower: 228–326
Length: 213.0–227.4 in
Towing Capacity: 6,500 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,705 lbs

The Tacoma is unlikely to lose its sales crown anytime soon, but the gap has closed lately despite the midsize Toyota's recent redesign. On the plus side, there's seemingly a Tacoma for every imaginable truck shopper — you can choose from hybrid or conventional powertrains, Access Cab or double cab, short bed or long bed, and a dizzying array of trim levels. By the numbers, though, the Tacoma falls short of the class leaders in towing capacity, and its acceleration is midpack at best, even with the complex hybrid system, which adds too much weight for its extra output to move the needle. The fuel economy isn't great, either, despite the downsizing from V6 to turbocharged four-cylinder power. We love that you can still get a manual transmission, and we dig the styling, too. But this redesign turned out to be less revolutionary than it first appeared, and that leaves the door open to the upstarts. See Full Details >

MD RATING 7.8/10

GMC Canyon

Base Price: $38,400
MPG Combined: 17–20
Horsepower: 310
Length: 213.2 in
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,640 lbs

We like the Canyon a lot, but its value proposition versus the virtually identical Chevy Colorado has become problematic. The downright awesome Colorado Trail Boss is the best comp here, as its $40k-ish starting price blows away anything the Canyon can offer. In fact, the cheapest Canyon 4x4 — the Elevation trim — costs more than the Trail Boss and doesn't even come with low-range gearing. It's always worth checking with your GMC dealer on market pricing, but just going by the MSRPs, it appears that GMC has put too much of a premium on the Canyon. That's unfortunate, because we dig the Canyon's styling, performance, features, looks — pretty much everything about it. See Full Details >

MD RATING 7.5/10

Nissan Frontier

Base Price: $32,050
MPG Combined: 18–21
Horsepower: 310
Length: 210.2–224.1 in
Towing Capacity: 7,150 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,620 lbs

The Frontier is a truck for traditionalists, eschewing smaller turbocharged engines in favor of a burly naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 — no turbo lag here. A refresh for 2025 brings an available 12.3-inch touchscreen that makes the Frontier seem more contemporary inside, while the truck's capabilities and driving character continue to be broadly competitive. Don't sleep on this Nissan; it might be all the truck you need. See Full Details >

MD RATING 7.2/10

Jeep Gladiator

Base Price: $38,100
MPG Combined: 19
Horsepower: 285
Length: 218.0 in
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,725 lbs

The Gladiator might look like more of an off-roading toy than a serious truck, but the numbers don't lie. If you get the Max Tow package, this Jeep is one of the most capable midsize trucks when it comes to both towing and payload. It deserves more truck points than it tends to get. Just don't expect rewarding on-road handling; this is a Wrangler-derived vehicle, after all, so its natural habitat is definitely not paved. We like the Gladiator's spirit, though. It's a cool truck despite its limitations, whereas the Ridgeline is uncool despite its more civilized skill set. See Full Details >

MD RATING 6.8/10

Honda Ridgeline

Base Price: $40,150
MPG Combined: 21
Horsepower: 280
Length: 210.2 in
Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs
Payload Capacity: 1,583 lbs

The Ridgeline evokes strong emotions in truck fans, both for and against. You can smear it by noting its platform association with the Odyssey minivan, sure, but if you've driven it on demanding dirt tracks, as we have, you'll know that it's a surprisingly capable and durable off-roader. Those minivan roots pay refinement dividends on the pavement, by the way, which is of course where most trucks spend most of their time. The Ridgeline's starting price is quite high, however, and it's getting long in the tooth. See Full Details >

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Next Steps

One lesson here is that the biggest small pickup trucks aren't necessarily the best small pickup trucks. In fact, you could make the case that the smallest pickup truck on this page is the best small truck of all. Ultimately, it comes down to what matters most to you. If it's fuel economy, for example, then the smaller the better, whereas if you're looking to tow and haul significant loads, you'll want to step up to the midsize segment. Overall, we're stoked that there are plenty of cool small trucks at dealerships again, but the top rated small trucks do separate themselves from the pack in our ratings. Pick a few and go get behind the wheel — there are a lot of unique automotive personalities among today's top compact trucks.

FAQ

The answers to these frequently asked questions are powered by MotorDonkey's ranking methodology and remain valid while published. Because we continuously update our ratings and vehicle data, our answers are subject to change as new information and impressions emerge.

What is the best compact truck?

The best compact truck is the Ford Maverick, which has a overall rating of 8.1 out of 10.

What is the best midsize truck?

The best midsize truck is the Chevrolet Colorado, which has a overall rating of 8.3 out of 10.

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