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Increasingly, small pickup trucks lead the pack in styling, too. Light trucks have moved from the small business arena to the vehicle buying mainstream. Students often choose small trucks because they move easily from the road to the off road. More and more women choose to own a compact truck because they are easy to handle and adapt to a day full of chores. Families are discovering that a small truck can answer the needs of all its members. Of course, small trucks are still the lifeblood for many who haul and tow for a living. All sorts of car buyers will find that small pickup trucks are an intriguing option in today’s market.
Price
According to Consumer Guide Automotive (http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/), eleven truck models are considered to fall into the “small” category. Streamlined models start in the mid to high teens. Luxury add-ons can quickly take the price of a small pickup to near the $30,000 mark. Still, getting a work truck that can double as a personal vehicle makes that price tag reasonable for many truck buyers. Many larger trucks start at the $30,000 level and quickly move up $10,000 or more. Cars.com (http://www.cars.com/go/crp/) profiles the Toyota Tacoma as a small pickup that comes with side impact airbags as standard equipment and has an entry level price just above $15,000.
Gas Mileage
Gas prices are climbing again and worries about harmful emissions continue. Driving a small pickup can be easy on both the pocketbook and the environment. Currently, the combined city/highway gas mileage mandated for light trucks is 20.7 miles per gallon. The two wheel drive Ford Ranger tops the government’s (http://fueleconomydb.com/index.php?) list of fuel efficient light trucks. The Ford Ranger gets 22 mpg around town and boasts 27 mpg for highway driving. The 2WD Toyota Tacoma comes in close behind with 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the open road. The Mazda B2300 is an often overlooked high scorer in the fuel economy category. The Fuel Economy Database (http://fueleconomydb.com/index.php?) lists several other recent models with combined city/highway gas mileage in the upper teens. For best fuel economy, look for a two wheel drive four cylinder truck with a 2.3 liter engine.
Power And Payload
Compact pickup trucks don’t skimp on power. The Chevrolet Colorado can be ordered with a work horse 5.3 liter V8 engine that drives 300 horsepower. Measured by horsepower alone, the Dodge Dakota is the most powerful small pickup truck, and it can tow more than 7,000 pounds. Buyers looking for power with a slightly smaller profile may want to consider the Ford Ranger; this ever popular model offers dependable power suitable for light towing and recreational use. Don’t overlook Toyota, Honda, and Nissan when searching for a powerful compact truck. The 2010 Toyota Tacoma (http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/) combines a low entry level price point and good gas mileage with enough power to please a wide variety of buyers. With a starting price above $28,000, the Honda Ridgeline may be outside some pocketbooks. Its standard automatic transmission and V6 engine make it a good fit though for many mid-range drivers. The V6 Nissan Frontier cranks up the power and is hardy enough for off road driving.
Versatility
Small pickup trucks suit a vast array of work places and lifestyles. Shorter beds may limit their uses for hardcore truck drivers with large scale hauling to do, but they are just the ticket for many small businesses and for personal use. Shorter turning radiuses and shorter beds also make these vehicles easier to park and easier to drive in the city. Compact trucks like the Dodge Dakota combine these features with add-ons like extended cabs and accessible rear passenger compartments that make them comfortable for the whole family. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac (http://www.bestcovery.com/node/47965?whybest=4&best=48026) utilizes the best elements of cars, trucks, and SUVs. This powerful, stylish light truck can take to the off road, carry the family to soccer practice, and handle a small load of cargo.
Styling
Compact pickups offer up to date styling that can compete with the most stylish cars. They also offer many of the rugged features of mid-size pickup trucks. Several small truck models broke the mold for stylish amenities. Toyota was among the first to introduce beds with lockable trunks in its Ridgeline model. Adjustable tailgates are featured on many brands of compact trucks. Here again the Toyota Tacoma scores points. Buyers who haven’t been lured into a test drive by its price, power, and fuel economy may well fall for its interior that mimics many car features. Dodge Dakota makes family driving a pleasure with its four door Quad Cab
(http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2003/77185/article.html).
The Nissan Frontier has a smooth ride coupled with a streamlined exterior. Ford’s classic Ranger always makes the cut for drivers looking for style and dependability on a budget.
All in all, small pickup trucks offer a wide variety of benefits that make them attractive to people in many walks of life. They compare favorably in price to many entry level cars. Compact trucks also give drivers good bang for their gas buck; many have better gas mileage than standard cars. Properly equipped small trucks can haul a substantial amount of cargo and tow well more than a thousand pounds. Small trucks are everywhere on the driving scene today. They power small business, transport families, pull boats to the lake for summer fun, and get covered in mud off road, and they do it all in style. Compact trucks can be bare bones with entry level prices or option filled luxury vehicles. No matter what the need, today’s savvy driver would do well to include a few small pickup trucks on the shopping list.
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