The American truck market has seen the average size of a pickup grow substantially, creating demand for a smaller, more manageable vehicle. This led to the creation of the “compact” truck class. These new models are distinct from their larger counterparts, offering a footprint easier to navigate in urban environments and park in standard garages. Two primary contenders currently define the smallest pickup available today.
The Smallest Pickup Truck Today
The smallest pickup truck currently sold in the United States is the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Classified as a “Sport Adventure Vehicle,” it blends SUV comfort with truck utility. The Santa Cruz measures 195.7 inches in overall length, making it the most diminutive option on the market. It is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Tucson crossover, which contributes to its smaller dimensions and car-like driving dynamics.
Its compact size includes a bed length of 52.1 inches. The Santa Cruz offers two engine choices: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, or an optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. When equipped with the turbo engine and all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz achieves a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The Closest Competitor and Its Hybrid Advantage
The closest rival to the Santa Cruz is the Ford Maverick. The Maverick measures 199.7 inches from bumper to bumper, making it four inches longer than its competitor. It offers similar maneuverability within the compact class.
The Maverick’s primary differentiator is its standard full hybrid powertrain. This system pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 191 horsepower. This hybrid configuration allows the truck to achieve high fuel economy ratings, including up to 42 miles per gallon in city driving. The truck bed, called the FlexBed, measures 54.4 inches in length. While the standard hybrid model has a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine increases the maximum towing capacity to 4,000 pounds with the proper package.
The Unibody Design That Makes Them Small
The compact size of the Santa Cruz and Maverick is due to their unibody construction. This design integrates the vehicle’s body and frame into a single, cohesive structure, similar to how most modern cars and SUVs are built. This contrasts sharply with the traditional body-on-frame construction, where the body is bolted onto a separate, heavy ladder frame.
The unibody structure allows engineers to reduce the overall weight and exterior dimensions while maintaining structural rigidity. The lighter, more rigid chassis contributes to a more refined and comfortable ride quality, feeling more like a crossover SUV than a traditional truck. This construction method enables the compact class, allowing these vehicles to be shorter and more fuel-efficient. The unibody design sacrifices some ruggedness and maximum towing capacity of larger trucks, but it delivers the smaller footprint that urban drivers desire.
Smallest of the Traditional Midsize Trucks
For consumers who require the utility of a traditional pickup, the next size class up is the midsize segment. These trucks are built on the body-on-frame chassis, engineered for heavy-duty tasks and higher towing limits. Even the shortest models in this category are substantially larger than the compact trucks.
The smallest traditional midsize trucks, such as the Nissan Frontier or the Chevrolet Colorado, typically start at an overall length of 210 to 213 inches. This means they are at least 14 inches longer than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is a significant difference for parking and maneuverability. The midsize class offers greater payload and towing capacities, often exceeding 6,000 pounds, due to their heavier frame and more powerful engine options. These models prioritize rugged capability over the urban-friendly dimensions of the new compact class.