What Is A Compact Pickup Truck?

Heavy-duty trucks are the most “muscular” on the road, built to take on challenging hauls, transport heavy equipment and materials on job sites, and tackle the toughest terrains. These workhorses are built to exude power and endurance. Examples of heavy-duty pickup trucks include Ford Super Duty, Ram HD, GMC Sierra HD, and Chevrolet Silverado HD.

Trucks such as the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra are what we call full-size pickup trucks. With their impressive towing capacities and cargo space, full-size pickup trucks excel at hauling, off-roading, and accommodating large families. They easily meet the demands of challenging landscapes and heavy towing loads while offering a surprising level of comfort for long journeys and daily commutes.

Mid-size pickup trucks—such as the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Maverick—tend to be popular among drivers who want to strike the balance between size, capability, and fuel efficiency. They have ample cargo space and offer respectable towing capacity, making them suitable for hauling gear for outdoor adventures, pulling light trailers, and tackling home improvement projects.

There’s also another type of truck on the market: the compact pickup truck. What is a compact pickup truck, you ask? That’s a great question, and we’ll use this blog post as an opportunity to give you valuable insights into the compact pickup truck. We’ll discuss the advantages of owning one, popular models, and their various capabilities. Our goal is to answer the “What is a compact pickup truck?” question as thoroughly as possible so you can form a well-educated opinion of this truck, which continues to gain popularity within the automotive industry.

What Is a Compact Pickup Truck?

So what is a compact pickup truck, and how does this truck differ from all the others we described above—the heavy-duty, full-size, and mid-size?

A compact pickup truck is one of the smallest types of pickup trucks available. Much like mid-size pickup trucks, compact pickup trucks strike a balance between size, capability, and fuel efficiency. They are typically shorter and narrower than their mid-size and full-size counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that these trucks should be overlooked; they’re a versatile and practical option for everyday use, work needs, and recreational activities. Car and Driver defines the compact pickup truck as “a vehicle with a pickup bed that retains the general shape, utility, and attitude of a pickup truck, except in a smaller size.”

Unlike a heavy-duty or full-size pickup truck, the compact pickup truck is rather nimble. Whether you find yourself in city traffic or navigating tight parking spaces (including those in parking garages), this reliable truck makes it easy for you to get where you’re going in comfort and style. The spacious bed allows you to transport items such as bicycles, camping gear, and construction or gardening materials for whatever home or work projects await.

Characteristics of a Compact Pickup Truck

Size-wise, compact pickup trucks are between 190 to 200 inches long and 70 to 75 inches wide. By comparison, the Honda Ridgeline, a mid-size pickup truck, is 210.2 inches long and 78.6 inches wide. Compact pickup trucks don’t have long beds—the Hyundai Santa Cruz’s bed length is only 4 feet, and the Ford Maverick’s is only 4.5 feet. While you won’t be able to haul massive amounts of cargo, a compact pickup makes it possible to haul everyday essentials such as groceries, sporting equipment, and home improvement supplies with ease.

That said, you might be wondering about the specific differences between a compact pickup truck and its “cousin,” the mid-size pickup truck. Aside from being slightly bigger, mid-size pickup trucks have more capacity for payload and towing. Their structure is also different; Car and Driver writes, “Compact trucks usually use a unibody chassis structure adopted from a sedan or crossover, while midsize trucks usually use a body-on-frame chassis structure, similar to a full-size truck.”

We can’t fully answer the question, “What is a compact pickup truck?” without addressing the fuel efficiency of this type of truck. A crucial aspect of defining compact pickup trucks is their outstanding fuel efficiency, especially when compared to larger trucks such as the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500; the 2024 Ram 1500 averages 10-20 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 14-25 on the highway, while the 2024 Ford F-150 averages 10-23 MPG in the city and between 15-26 on the highway, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The reason why compact trucks are so fuel-efficient is because of their smaller size and lighter weight. It’s for this reason that compact trucks are considered a budget-friendly option for drivers concerned about the cost of gas as well as drivers who are concerned about their environmental impact. One of the most popular and highly rated compact pickup trucks on the market, the Ford Maverick, takes the top spot in Kelley Blue Book’s ranking of the most fuel-efficient trucks. This compact truck will get you 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, for a combined total of 26 MPG.

In terms of capability, a compact pickup truck performs well on city streets and country roads. While it is not designed for off-roading in the way heavy-duty and full-size pickup trucks are, a compact pickup truck can comfortably handle light off-road trails. This makes them suitable for dirt roads and gravel paths.

Average Cost of a Compact Pickup Truck

The answer to the “What is a compact pickup truck?” question also needs to address the average cost of compact pickup trucks. It’s helpful to understand the average price range so you can determine if this kind of truck not only meets your preferences but also your budget.

Since compact trucks are so much smaller and lighter than other pickup trucks—including those heavy-duty and full-size trucks—they are generally more affordable. In other words, if you’re currently truck shopping and want a budget-friendly option, a compact truck might be right for you. A compact truck caters to truck lovers who desire a car-like driving experience yet don’t need the maximum towing capacity or off-road prowess that larger trucks offer. Put simply, you can enjoy the ruggedness and versatility of a truck without sacrificing the convenience of a smaller vehicle.

Pricing from one model to another will vary, of course, especially if you’re interested in adding certain features or if you select a hybrid model. As of this writing, the only hybrid compact pickup truck on the market is the Ford Maverick Hybrid. The Ford Maverick Hybrid webpage published by Consumer Reports notes that “the hybrid option uses a 191-hp four-cylinder linked to an eCVT and driving the front wheels. It can propel itself on electric power at low speeds. A bonus for the hybrid is its quietness advantage and smoother operation that’s free of the low-rev vibration of the nonhybrid version. The ride is refined for a pickup truck, and handling is very secure. Maneuverability, access, and visibility are commendable, and the controls are super-easy. The interior ambiance is utilitarian. The bed measures just 4.5 feet long, but it’s deep enough to be practical, and the Maverick’s small size makes it very easy to access.”

The 2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid varies in price depending on the trim level and options chosen, with the price ranging from approximately $24,000 (XL Hybrid) to $35,000 (Lariat Hybrid). The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $28,275. Car and Driver’s “Best Compact Pickup Trucks” article puts the Santa Cruz right behind the Ford Maverick, noting that “Hyundai Pickup truck fans can debate whether this is a ‘real’ truck, yet the 2024 Santa Cruz still makes a nice package for those who understand what they’re getting—and we think its clever packaging is worthy of a 2024 Editors’ Choice award. When equipped properly, it rides and drives like the Hyundai Tucson SUV it’s based on, yet this Hyundai quietly performs a range of everyday truck duties thanks to its cargo box and 5000-pound tow rating.”

By comparison, heavy-duty trucks and full-size trucks tend to start around the $40,000 mark and they can go as high as $100,000 (the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, for example, goes for $93,200 if you select the Denali Ultimate model). Again, the final price depends on several factors, such as the brand, model, trim level, engine options, and more.

Should You Invest in a Compact Pickup Truck?

Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is a compact pickup truck?” it’s time to ask another equally important one: should you invest in this truck or should you explore other options?

The answer, of course, depends on your needs, preferences, budget, and lifestyle. Compact trucks are fantastic for individuals and families who enjoy participating in outdoor activities and would appreciate having a truck they can use for hauling and light off-roading. Compact trucks can accommodate five passengers total—in addition to the driver seat and passenger seat, the rear bench seat has room for three passengers.

This type of truck also appeals to those who want to drive a truck that’s easy to maneuver and park, especially in city settings, as well as those who prioritize fuel efficiency. Business owners who need a truck for light-duty hauling and deliveries may also find the compact pickup truck the most practical option.

A compact pickup truck might not be right for you if you need to regularly haul large items such as furniture and construction materials, or if you need to tow boats, trailers, or similar equipment; if you transport passengers who appreciate lots of room in the backseat area; and if you enjoy off-roading adventures involving challenging terrain. If these limitations are dealbreakers for you, then you might want to explore other types of trucks, SUVs, or even vans.

This blog post answered the question, “What is a compact pickup truck?” We hope you learned a lot about this truck, which caters to truck lovers who have a spirit of adventure and an ever-growing to-do List that takes them to places near and far.