If you're looking for the best compact pickup truck for 2025, you've come to the right place. We've got a wide selection of used pickup trucks, and in this article, we'll go through a few of our favorites and compare their features, performance, and pricing to help you decide which one is the perfect fit for you.
Key Takeaways
| Best Value | Ford Maverick |
| Most Comfortable | Honda Ridgeline |
| Best Towing Capacity | Chevrolet Colorado |
| Most Durable | Toyota Tacoma |
| Best Off-Roader | Jeep Gladiator |
Ford Maverick
One of the most popular picks among our team, the Ford Maverick combines power with affordability.
The Ford Maverick is a popular recommendation among our sales team, thanks to its budget-friendly pricing and efficient performance. Starting at just over $23,000, it offers exceptional value for those watching their wallets, as well as those wanting a few extra features. It's a fantastic entry into the world of small trucks, delivering all the utility without the hefty price tag.
According to our technicians, one of the Maverick's standout qualities is its impressive fuel economy. With city ratings ranging from 20-42 MPG and highway ratings between 24-33 MPG, it stands as one of the most fuel-efficient options in its category. Its unibody construction not only improves handling but also enhances the driving experience, ensuring a smooth and responsive ride.
Despite its compact dimensions, this truck packs a punch. It can tow up to 4,000 pounds and manage a payload of up to 1,500 pounds. Whether you're hauling gear for a weekend project or towing a light-duty trailer, the Maverick is up to the task.
Honda Ridgeline
In a segment full of rugged, hard driving trucks, the Honda Ridgeline offers an option that emphasizes comfort and refinement. Our sales staff loves its smooth, car-like ride, and often highlights it as one of the most comfortable driving experiences among compact pickup trucks. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want the utility of a truck without sacrificing passenger comfort.
The Ridgeline’s spacious crew cab design provides ample legroom and comfort for all passengers. This makes it ideal for family trips or long drives, where space and comfort are essential. Its unibody construction enhances handling, making it feel more like a car than a traditional truck.
Though it excels in comfort, the Ridgeline doesn’t skimp on utility. Its unique design and practical features make it a versatile option for various needs, offering the best of both worlds.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz introduces a fresh, innovative design to the compact truck market, blending elements of compact SUVs and small trucks for those who want the best of both worlds.
One of our favorite features is its in-bed storage solution, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. This practical feature allows easy storage and organization of gear, making it a great companion for any journey.
In terms of performance, the Santa Cruz doesn’t disappoint. As per our technicians, with a turbocharged engine, the Santa Cruz offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Despite its power, it maintains commendable fuel efficiency, achieving around 18 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway.
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma lives up to its reputation as a hard-driving, rugged pickup, loved by many.
If you're interested in compact pickup trucks, then you probably already know about the Toyota Tacoma. They're famous for their durability and ruggedness, and as of 2025, Toyota continues to offer them in eight distinct trims, each catering to different preferences and lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for a balanced ride or an off-road beast, there’s a Tacoma for you.
The TRD Sport trim is perfect for those who want a blend of comfort and off-road capability. It strikes a great balance, making it suitable for daily driving and weekend adventures alike. Fuel efficiency is impressive, with four-wheel-drive models offering around 21 MPG and hybrid versions delivering similar performance.
The Tacoma’s versatility shines through its diverse engine options. With choices like a turbocharged four-cylinder, there’s a setup to match your specific needs. Thanks to its sturdy build and adaptable configurations, the Tacoma remains a top pick for anyone in search of a dependable midsize truck.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Colorado has exceptional hauling power, and with the rollout of the Midnight Edition, also comes in a range of unique colors.
The Chevrolet Colorado shines in the midsize truck category with its robust 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, cranking out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse gives the Colorado the top towing capacity in its class, able to haul up to 7,700 pounds with ease.
For their 2025 rollout, every Colorado comes as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed, offering plenty of room for passengers and cargo alike. Chevrolet has also released a fresh Midnight Edition and new color choices, boosting its appeal even further.
Inside, the Colorado is packed with the latest tech, including an intuitive 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that's loaded with features. Safety is front and center, with standard perks like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
GMC Canyon
If you're looking for luxury out of your compact truck, our sales team recommends the GMC Canyon. It features a four-door configuration and a 5.5-foot bed, with options for both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. Prices start at just under $40,000, depending on the trim level and options.
Under the hood, the Canyon is powered by a 2.7-liter inline-four engine that delivers an impressive 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This engine ensures strong performance while keeping fuel efficiency in check, with the rear-wheel-drive Elevation model achieving approximately 19 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.
Nissan Frontier
With good fuel economy and a spacious interior, the Frontier is a solid pick for a compact truck.
The Nissan Frontier is a solid performer in the compact truck segment, featuring a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine that offers robust performance. It offers a choice between a crew cab and a king cab configuration, catering to different needs for passenger and cargo space.
Prices for the 2024 Frontier start at around $30,000, making it a competitively priced option. The Frontier achieves a fuel economy of 17-18 MPG in the city and 22-24 MPG on the highway, which is decent for its class.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is ideal for both city driving and off-roading, in addition to featuring a state-of-the-art infotainment system.
The Ford Ranger is a solid choice, featuring a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 270 horsepower, with an optional twin-turbo V-6 boosting it to 315 horsepower.
With a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, the Ranger comes in both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive setups. It can handle up to 7,500 pounds of towing, making it versatile for various hauling needs. The four-cylinder model offers decent fuel efficiency, getting around 21 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.
Inside, the Ranger boasts a digital gauge cluster and options for a larger 12-inch infotainment screen, delivering a modern and intuitive user experience. Safety-wise, it includes features like forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, ensuring a secure ride.
Jeep Gladiator
The Gladiator is the choice among our team for customers who are looking for a durable off-road pickup.
If blazing through the Mighty Five or off-roading is your preferred pastime, the Jeep Gladiator is the pickup for you. It includes solid Dana 44 axles and comes standard with four-wheel drive across all models, making it a formidable off-road vehicle. Its design emphasizes simplicity, with manual controls and durable materials, appealing to off-road enthusiasts.
Priced starting at just over $38,000, the Gladiator is accessible for both adventure seekers and everyday users. With its lifestyle-oriented design and versatility, the Gladiator stands out as a unique option that ensures that yes, you will be entertained.
Summary
As we’ve journeyed through the top compact pickup trucks for 2025, it's clear there's something for everyone. Whether you're drawn to the budget-friendly and efficient Ford Maverick or the rugged and adventurous Jeep Gladiator, each compact truck has its own set of standout features. From the comfort-focused Honda Ridgeline to the innovative Hyundai Santa Cruz, and the powerhouse performance of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, the options are impressive.
Ultimately, choosing the best compact pickup truck comes down to your personal needs and preferences. Think about what matters most to you—be it fuel efficiency, towing power, or interior comfort. By weighing these factors, you can find the perfect truck to elevate your driving experience. For more insights and to explore these models up close, contact us at Summit Trucks in Centerville today.
