The days of driving a leviathan of a truck are not ending anytime soon, but there is also space in this segment for compact pickup trucks. And identifying the best small pickup truck is no longer a decision that’s based on compromise. Whatever reason you’re looking at small pickup trucks for, there’s been a fundamental shift in consumer preferences - something Ford and Hyundai have capatalized on. In 2026, buying a small truck means leveraging smart engineering over brute force. The options on our list each make a claim to be the definitive small pickup truck of America, and this breakdown of small trucks should guide your decision-making process.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Hyundai Santa Cruz The Hyundai Santa Cruz is not a conventional workhorse, but rather a highly engineered sport adventure vehicle for those who prioritize ride quality and maneuverability over maximum payload. All this by simply leveraging the Tucson’s unibody architecture. The Santa Cruz remains one of the most polarizing yet mechanically sound small truck models available, and it emphasizes technological integration without giving the truck a spartan interior.For 2026, the Santa Cruz lineup consists of five trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited. Pricing spans a wide delta, beginning at $29,750 for the SE and escalating to $43,700 for the AWD Limited. The SEL Activity trim introduces bed-management features, which include an integrated lockable tonneau cover, while the XRT trim comes to market with a tougher aesthetic. Across the range, the interior is built around offering four adults the best possible comfort. Although it might be the smallest truck in overall bed volume, the clever under-bed storage and premium material selection make it hard to ignore.Having driven the updated Santa Cruz, CarBuzz's Ian Wright noted:"The bones of the Hyundai Santa Cruz remain the same inside with comfortable seating for four adults - or four adults and one slightly squished child - but a lot of the surface-level stuff has changed. This starts with a new panoramic curved display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and, for the XRT and Limited trim, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster that we found to be sharp and easily configurable on the fly. It can also show navigation from Apple Maps and Google Maps, which should be much more common than it is."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzzHyundai provides two 2.5-liter inline-four powertrains on the Santa Cruz. The base naturally aspirated engine produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 2.5L engine, standard on XRT and Limited trims, generates 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. For 2026, Hyundai retired the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, replacing it with a more traditional 8-speed torque converter automatic. The naturally aspirated engines, in front-wheel drive (FWD) guise, have a claimed economy of 22/30/25 MPG (city/highway/combined), while the available all-wheel drive (AWD) variant is worse on a minuscule level. The turbocharged AWD models are rated at 18/25/20. Going off-road is not the Santa Cruz’s greatest strength. The modest ground clearance of 8.6 inches makes it a great pavement hopper and capable on solid-surface gravel, all because the available HTRAC AWD system features a center locking differential to improve traction on loose surfaces. Crucially, the truck lacks the suspension articulation, approach and departure angles, and underbody protection for serious overlanding. It is one of those little trucks that will comfortably take you to a well-maintained campsite. When properly equipped with the turbo engine and AWD, maximum towing capacity reaches an impressive 5,000 lbs, while the naturally aspirated base engine is rated at 3,500 lbs. The maximum payload is 1,411 lbs.2025 Hyundai Santa CruzUnique Selling Points: The turbocharged engine delivers strong acceleration and performance. The lockable, water-resistant under-bed storage compartment also functions as a built-in cooler. The SUV-like interior boasts impressive refinement. Ford Maverick The Ford Maverick continues to utterly dominate the entry-level utility sector by prioritizing function over unnecessary aesthetic flair. Unlike crossovers masquerading as trucks, the Maverick utilizes a squared-off, traditional three-box design that maximizes interior volume and cargo utility within a compact footprint. The truck has a utilitarian edge, and the cabin relies on durable plastics and exposed fasteners. As one of the most highly sought-after small pickups available, the Maverick succeeds by providing a low load floor, exceptional fuel economy, and straightforward usability.Ford structures the 2026 Maverick lineup across five trims: XL, XLT, the street-performance Lobo, Lariat, and Tremor. Pricing ranges from $28,145 for the entry-level XL and scales upward to $40,645 for the headlining Tremor. The XL trim remains a spartan, fleet-friendly option with steel wheels, while the XLT introduces creature comforts. The new Lobo trim alters the vehicle's geometry with a lowered sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch rally-inspired wheels, and a unique drift-encouraging driving mode. Despite being the smallest pickup truck in Ford's 2026 lineup, the 4.5-foot FLEXBED system features pre-stamped slots for DIY lumber dividers."Looking back, it's odd that it wasn't until 2021 that the Maverick existed. A starting price of $28,145 in 2026 and a useful truck bed without the gas-guzzling cost of a mid- or full-size truck make the Maverick a no-brainer. Ford has managed to deliver the perfect truck for most Americans who feel like they need a truck, and now it can tow up to 4,000 pounds with the tow package added. For the price and its sheer utility value, the Maverick is hard to fault in any trim level. It is, despite its size and price, a Ford truck in every sense."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzzThe Maverick's standard propulsion system is a 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder engine producing a combined 191 hp, mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). This efficient hybrid unit is capable of an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city, and is, for 2026, finally available with AWD. If you want more power, there is the 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, with an output of 250 hp and 277 lb-ft. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.While base models are more at home on paved surfaces, the Tremor fundamentally alters the Maverick's off-road capability matrix. The Tremor upgrades the standard AWD system with a specialized twin-clutch rear drive unit that features a differential lock that pushes torque to a single rear wheel when traction is compromised. Additionally, the elevated suspension with modified shocks raises the ground clearance to 9.4 inches, alongside underbody skid plates and an altered front fascia for an improved approach angle of 30.7 degrees. If you are among the adventurous kind, then Trail Control will get you through technical ruts. The standard towing capacity is 2,000 pounds across all Maverick configurations, but the available 4K Tow Package unlocks a 4,000-lb maximum towing limit.2025 Maverick Lobo 5Unique Selling Points: The standard hybrid powertrain delivers strong city fuel efficiency. The FLEXBED system allows for customized cargo solutions. The new Lobo trim provides a lowered, performance-focused driving experience. Upcoming Small Pickup Trucks: Slate Truck Produced by the newly formed Slate Auto, this compact electric truck strips the automotive experience down to its absolute bare essentials. Shockingly, especially in our digital age, it completely abandons standard luxury expectations by omitting paint, touchscreens, power windows, and an integrated audio system. This is done to maintain an aggressively low production cost. Whether this approach will work when the truck goes on sale remains to be seen, but Slate is clearly forcing a reevaluation of what is genuinely necessary for basic transportation.The Slate Truck is initially offered in a single base configuration, perhaps appropriately named the "Blank Slate." With the starting price yet to be confirmed/announced, this two-door standard-cab model is designed to be extensively modified post-purchase through a digital ecosystem with over one hundred add-ons. The accessory that’s likely to find the most favor is the SUV conversion kit, which replaces the open rear bed with an enclosed cabin structure, transforming the pickup into a five-seater. Inside, standard equipment is minimal, limited primarily to a digital driver screen and manual climate control knobs."New car prices are too damn high. That's not the official slogan for EV upstart Slate Auto, but it was certainly implied when the company made its surprise debut in April 2025. Back then, its hook was being a simple, functional new vehicle with a starting price under $20,000. Unfortunately for Slate, that promise required the federal $7,500 tax credit, which is long gone. Now, the starting price is in the "mid-twenties," which by definition puts it somewhere between $24,000 and $26,999 dollars."- Christopher Smith, Senior Editor, CarBuzzThe Slate Truck relies on a single powertrain configuration. The rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor produces 201 hp and 195 lb-ft, allowing for a projected 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds and a governed top speed of 90 mph. There are two lithium-ion battery packs. The standard 52.7-kWh battery yields a manufacturer-estimated range of 150 miles, while the optional 84.3-kWh extended-range battery pack pushes the estimated range up to 240 miles.The Slate Truck is not made for off-road excursions. The suspension utilizes front MacPherson struts and a rear deDion axle with coil springs that favors on-road stability. However, Slate’s accessories will reportedly offer suspension lift kits, aftermarket bumpers, varied wheel designs, and aggressive all-terrain tires. The manufacturer states a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 lbs, along with a respectable payload capacity of 1,433 lbs.2026 Slate Truck -Unique Selling Points: The modular design allows owners to easily convert the pickup into an enclosed SUV. Exposed exterior panel fasteners and unpainted composite bodywork (theoretically) reduce complex repair and replacement costs. It operates without proprietary infotainment software, relying entirely on the driver's smartphone for media connectivity. Characteristics Of The Best Small Pickup Trucks Regardless of size, a pickup truck needs to tick a few boxes, not the least of which pertains to practicality and versatility. This is what you can expect from some of the top-rated small pickups: Size: Naturally, trucks in this segment are smaller than the behemoths that can tow in excess of 37,000 lbs. Their slight size makes them ideal for parking lots and daily excursions, and they are generally a lot easier to maneuver through city traffic. Capable engines: Despite being smaller, these trucks are still given powerful engine options, and one is available as an efficient hybrid. Practicality: Being smaller in size may diminish cargo space somewhat, but these trucks still have ample space to carry things in the cargo bed. Payload and towing capacity will be lower than full-size trucks offer, though. Solid build quality: With top-rated automakers catering to this segment, you can expect a well-put-together truck. Fuel economy: With less weight to lug around, small trucks achieve much better gas mileage figures than their dually-equipped big brothers. Price: Buying a new truck from the compact segment will cost you much less than purchasing a heavy-duty version. What To Consider When Buying Small Trucks Pros Easy to drive in urban and rural environments Dependable as everyday commuters with good reliability ratings More fuel-efficient than larger trucks Various powertrains, including a hybrid Affordable pricing in comparison to bigger trucks Cons Tow and payload capacities are not as good as bigger versions In-cabin passenger space is limited when you compare to heavy-duty trucks Some lack the power of larger utility vehicles Which of the smallest trucks gets the best gas mileage? While there are more electric pickup trucks on the market now than ever, most truck buyers still opt for gas-powered pickups, or those with hybrid assistance. Because of its hybrid powertrain, the Ford Maverick is the most efficient small truck you can buy, as it can achieve 42 mpg in city driving.Sources: Ford, Hyundai, Slate
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