Home » Selecting Your Ride » Small Pickup Truck Comparison: A Guide

The truck market has been growing recently, and we’ve seen no signs of a buck in this trend. Pickups are still highly sought after everywhere in the USA and will continue to be. Paraphrasing the famous saying, ‘When there is demand, there will be competition.’ 

However, sturdy rigs that can haul 10,000 lbs aren’t for everyone – what if they aren’t your ideal choice? Thankfully, we (along with the market) have your back, and there are options for you.

Several pickup trucks don’t play the game of extensions and exaggerated sizes, still offering utility in a smaller shape. These are the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Honda Ridgeline. In this blog, we’ll compare the best small trucks to help you decide which to choose in your affordable compact truck search.

Engines

Let’s start our off-road small truck comparison by putting the pickup truck engine choices under the microscope. The Chevrolet Colorado is offered with one of three motors:

• the standard is a 2.5L four-pot with 200 horsepower and 191 lb/ft,
• a punchy 3.6L pushing 308 horsepower and 275 lb/ft,
• and even a Duramax diesel with 181 horses and an incredible 369 lb/ft of torque.

Contrary to the bow-tie truck, competitors have a slimmer selection of choices. The Ford’s power source is a gutsy, torquey EcoBoost engine churning 270 horsepower and 310 lb/ft. That’s quite a number for its class, as few contenders compete. Among options that compete effectively is a newcomer we’ve already seen on AutoBidMaster, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, whose 281 horsepower turbocharged motor delivers 311 lb/ft of torque.

The Ridgeline shares its beats with the Pilot and thus uses the same engine – a 3.5L V6 with 280 horsepower and a relatively modest 262 lb/ft of torque.

Drivetrains

Both Ford and Chevrolet have solid drivetrain types. All-wheel-drive is optional, while rear-wheel-drive remains standard. However, the Chevrolet wins when considering transmission choice. 

While Ford’s motor is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, Chevy’s engine is backed up with a 6-speed or an 8-speed automatic gearbox. In contrast, Honda’s intelligent all-wheel-drive, smooth-running, 9-speed automatic transmission wins buyers.

Bed Lengths and Configurations

When comparing compact pickup trucks, it’s impossible not to mention their beds. Here, we list the available options for each model separately.

The Chevrolet Colorado is available with either an extended or crew cab. They are sold with one of two available bed types: 5’ 2’’, 6’ 2’’.

The US iterations of the revived Ford Ranger are sold with SuperCabs (6’) or SuperCrews (5’).

The only unibody truck in this comparison, the Honda Ridgeline, can only be bought with a crew cab and a 5’3’’ bed.

Towing Capacity and Payloads

Regarding towing and hauling, these rigs don’t compromise the utility they’re loved for.

The Ford Ranger has maximum towing capacity, with the ability to tow up to 7,500 lbs depending on the trim and selected packages. That’s a unique point for its class, as it can compete even with the more robust and larger full-size pickup models when undertaking a towing capacity comparison. The payload capacity also depends on trim levels, varying from 1,560 to 1,860 lbs.

The Ridgeline sits in second place. It tows up to 5,000 lbs with a maximum payload of 1,583 lbs.

Interestingly, the Chevrolet Colorado can be both the leader and the runner-up. Everything depends on the trim. Trucks with the base engine can tow only 3,500 lbs. However, the game changes drastically if you’re splashing out for the V6, with a payload of up to 7,700 lbs easily. 

Similar to the Ranger, different trims of the Colorado feature different payloads. The least of them equals 1,550 lbs.

Interior And Features

AutoBidMaster wants to complete this small pickup truck comparison with a few lines dedicated to their cabins. Honda remains the class leader with an up-market, modern, and sophisticated interior. In addition, it has arguably the roomiest cabin out there. Competitors and their interiors aren’t as plush as the Honda Ridgeline.

Nevertheless, they tend to have better infotainment systems, as the one mounted in the Ridgeline offers a slower response time. All in all, you should decide which is more suitable for you.

Choosing Between Midsize and Full-Size Options

When comparing midsize trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Honda Ridgeline, it’s worth considering how they compare with their larger counterparts. Midsize pickups offer versatility and efficiency, perfect for daily drivers or those working light-duty jobs. They are easier to maneuver and park, and they provide better fuel economy when compared to full-size trucks, e.g., Ford F-150 Raptor or heavy-duty trucks like the Ram 2500.

Full-size options might be worth exploring if you need max towing capacity or a truck bed with better handling of oversized loads. Many newer model years for midsize pickups have advanced features and engine options that narrow the performance gap. However, their highest towing capacities are often suited for casual users rather than heavy-duty driving. Midsize pickups balance utility and convenience if you primarily seek practicality in a small package.

Last Word

Fortunately, the pickup market isn’t shrinking. We hope our small pickup truck comparison will help you decide which compact pickup truck to buy. And even if you’ve fallen in love with other types of cars, that’s fine by us.

On AutoBidMaster, you can find any vehicle you desire. Whether small pickup trucks with good towing capacity and robust engines, the best fuel-efficient midsize pickup with road capabilities, or a sedan or luxury car with powerful engines, AutoBidMaster has options with unbeatable starting prices. Sign up, upload a copy of your government-issued ID or passport, proceed with a security deposit, and upgrade your membership to bid without limits! 

Don’t hesitate to contact us at +1 (503) 298-4300 (4:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST, Monday to Friday).