- Compact trucks like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are gaining popularity due to their size and affordability.
- The Ford Maverick now offers a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain option alongside the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
- Toyota is planning to release a new version of the Stout pickup truck, while Ram has unveiled the Ram Rampage for the South American market, with a US version expected.
With compact trucks coming with size and price advantages, it's clear that manufacturers are seeing the financial gain of producing new compact models. For those on a tighter budget, a compact truck also makes a lot of sense.
Various Compact Trucks Are Now On The Market
2023 & 2024 Ford Maverick Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Ford | |
| Years | 2022-2023 | 2024 |
| Configuration | Inline-4 | Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 2.5-Liter Hybrid (standard) / 2.0-Liter (optional) | 2.0-Liter (standard) / 2.5-Liter Hybrid (optional) |
| Power | 191 hp (standard) / 250 hp (optional) | 250 hp (standard) / 191 hp (optional) |
| Torque | 155 lb-ft (standard) / 277 lb-ft (optional) | 277 lb-ft (standard) / 155 lb-ft (optional) |
| Fuel | Gasoline or Hybrid | Gasoline or Hybrid |
| Noteworthy Application | 2023 Ford Maverick | 2024 Ford Maverick |
Hyundai offers the 2023 Santa Cruz with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which has 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded, turbocharged 2.5-liter unit provides more power at 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Like the Maverick, the Santa Cruz is very fuel efficient with the 2023 front-wheel drive edition rated at 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Both the Hyundai and Ford have plenty of room inside, and their beds can carry a lot of load. The payload capacity of the 2023 Maverick is rated at 1,500 lbs in its 4.5-foot bed. The Santa Cruz, meanwhile, has a capacity of 1,735 lbs in its four-foot bed.
More Compact Pickup Trucks Are On The Way From Toyota
2023 Toyota RAV4 Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Production Years | 2017 - Present |
| Configuration | Inline-Four Hybrid |
| Displacement | 2.5-Liter |
| Power | 219 hp |
| Torque | 206 lb-ft |
| Fuel | Gas and Electric |
| Notable Applications | 2017–present Toyota Camry Hybrid, 2023 Lexus LM 350h |
That engine option would provide 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, give or take, to Toyota’s new compact pickup truck. The i-Force Max version would be the compact truck of choice for gearheads seeking a bit more performance. A new Stout may also have the option of a regular inline-four engine with no hybrid power, or perhaps even a V6 power plant. The latter though is unlikely given Toyota has ditched the V6 in the 2024 Tacoma.
A compact Stout would fill the gap left in North America by the lack of a Toyota Hilux. The small Hilux is subject to the 25 percent tariff known as the chicken tax, something the US government imposes on imported, light pickup trucks. With the Hilux produced outside of North America, it would fall foul of this tax so producing a new, North American compact truck would easily work around that. With Ford and Hyundai offering strong rivals, it's little surprise to see Toyota jump into the compact market again and offer something just as strong.
The Ram Rampage Is Set To Hit American Soil
Rampage Rebel & Laramie Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Ram |
| Production Years | 2023 |
| Configuration | Multijet Diesel |
| Displacement | 2.0-Liter |
| Power | 170 Hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft |
| Fuel | Diesel |
With the current boom in compact trucks, Ram likely will want to launch the Rampage in America as soon as possible. Currently, Ram is set to launch the Rampage later in 2023, now that the South American launch is out of the way. Pricing is difficult to pin down for the Rampage, but currently the truck starts at $50,108 for the base Rebel version whereas the R/T Hurricane 4 version would set you back the equivalent of $56,360. Ram’s foray into the compact pickup truck world is likely driven by the success that the Maverick, Santa Cruz and the new 2023 Chevrolet Montana are enjoying at the moment.
Why Compact Pickup Trucks Make A Lot Of Sense
Compact trucks make a lot of sense for both the manufacturers, and consumers alike. For the consumer, it is the affordability that makes compact trucks so appealing. As reported by Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for new pickup trucks now stands at $59,000. With the average salary in the US at that same price point, customers could spend an entire year's wages on a new truck. Bringing that truck price down makes perfect sense for those on a tighter budget, while simultaneously providing a vehicle with lots of practicality on a smaller scale.For manufacturers, if they can successfully tap into that area of the market, there is a lot to gain in doing so. Larger trucks will likely always exist in some form, but smaller trucks have their own advantages. Their smaller size makes them more practical in certain situations, ie for parking, and they still offer plenty of payload and towing capacity. The vast amount currently on the market now is very impressive. They are set to join more additions to the segment with all the major players in North America looking likely to commit to compact trucks.
Source: Cox Automotive
