Unlikely Heroes: The Most Capable Small Pickups Of All Time

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz bring the feeling of nostalgia, begging the question of which small trucks were capable when tiny haulers were common. The most capable small pickup trucks came from brands you wouldnt expect today, but were some of the top choices at the time.

The original compact truck era began in 1957 with the Datsun 220, but this truck class didnt gain popularity until several years later. The 1970s and 1980s were filled with compact trucks that were made to offset the fuel embargo issues of the time while providing owners with capable vehicles that could help them get things done.

Volkswagen Pickup

Towing Capacity: 2,160 Pounds

Volkswagen is well-known for embracing small diesel engines to provide good low-end power and impressive fuel mileage. The Volkswagen Pickup truck was based on the Rabbit platform, and it included the same powertrain as the little hatchback of the time, making this truck a useful option.

Powertrain Specifications

The Volkswagen Pickup truck was one of the most capable small trucks of the era, giving drivers impressive fuel mileage while using diesel fuel. At the time, diesel was much more affordable than regular gasoline, which made this little truck even more affordable to drive. The VW truck had the smallest interior of any compact pickup of its era.

Toyota SR5 Long Bed

Towing Capacity: 2,520 Pounds

The original small Toyota SR5 Long Bed pickup truck was a staple around the world. This little truck made it seem like Toyota invented the small truck market, mostly because the SR5 dominated the market during its last few years of existence. Datsun actually did small trucks first, but Toyota created the unkillable truck.

Powertrain Specifications

Although Toyota didnt invent the compact truck class, it did create the first long-bed version for this class. The SR5 Long Bed first arrived on the market in 1979, and it was packed with the latest technology of the time: radial tires, a comfortable interior, several bed lengths, and load capacity options, and a high-riding 4WD powertrain option.

Ford Courier

Towing Capacity: 2,600 Pounds

The Ford Courier was offered with several options to make it more desirable and enjoyable to drive on any road. There was a Dcor package, an XLT group, and two Free Wheeling packages to make this small and enjoyable truck more interesting.

Powertrain Specifications

The Courier was built by the same company that built the Mazda B2000, Toyo Kogyo. This truck could be had with radial tires, something that was relatively new in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making it one of the most capable trucks available. The Courier was one of the few small trucks of the time with a short wheelbase, making it more capable on light trails.

Mazda B2000 Sundowner Sport

Towing Capacity: 2,600 Pounds

Although the payload and towing figures of the Mazda B2000 Sundowner Sport pale in comparison to modern trucks, this little Mazda is one of the most capable small trucks of all time. This little pickup hails from the first era of compact trucks, making it a good choice during the early 1980s.

Powertrain Specifications

This mini-Mazda truck was noisy, growled like a bear, and had a long-stroke engine that seemed like it wanted to find a highway to drive on. The B2000 was one of the most popular trucks of the era, showing up in many parking lots filled with gear for an adventure or loaded with an appliance to add more convenience to a home.

Chevrolet LUV

Towing Capacity: 2,640 Pounds

The Chevrolet LUV was a useful little truck from the 1980s with good capability features and the small size to be one of the top compact trucks of the era. This little Chevy has a large bed and good payload numbers for the class, making it an easy choice for many drivers.

Powertrain Specifications

The Chevy LUV had very few options. You couldnt choose radial tires or an improved powertrain, which meant you were stuck with this powertrain and the regular tires. Still, this little truck was built to handle the small jobs and was one of the most capable small pickups of all time.

Datsun King Cab

Towing Capacity: 2,740 Pounds

The Datsun King Cab was a long-wheelbase truck with a short bed behind a long cab. The added interior room meant this little truck had a pair of jump seats for short trips, making it easier for more people to ride together when they only needed to go a few miles at the most.

Powertrain Specifications

This little Datsun truck was one of the most versatile miles of the time, but it had a rough ride that made even the shortest drive feel harsh and unforgiving. The Datsuns powertrain seemed to have trouble staying powered, but if you didnt push it too hard and fast, the King Cab was a good option in the small truck world.

Plymouth Arrow Sport

Towing Capacity: 2,760 Pounds

When you think of the small trucks that were part of the market in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it could be a long time before you get to the Plymouth Arrow Sport. The Plymouth name was relatively new when this truck arrived, but it made a huge splash as a truck with gar-grade interior items and sporty-car flair when called upon.

Powertrain Specifications

Power steering wasnt commonplace during the compact truck era, but it was an option that was available for the Plymouth Arrow, making it much easier to drive than most other trucks. This truck was made to be comfortable during long drives, making it a good option for anyone who gave it a chance.

Chevrolet S10 Baja

Towing Capacity: 5,000 Pounds

The Chevrolet S10 Baja was named after the famous desert race, and it was a small truck that could handle the challenges of hitting the trails or pulling a trailer. This little truck was one of the most popular compact trucks ever made and became a staple of the Midwest, giving weekend warriors the truck they needed to get things done.

Powertrain Specifications

The Baja package was added in 1989, giving the S10 a few different colors, a roll bar, distinctive graphics, and a tubular rear bumper. The Baja lettering on the side made it stand out as a truck that was equipped for some time on the trails.

Dodge Shelby Dakota

Towing Capacity: 5,500 Pounds

The Dodge Shelby Dakota is a small truck that appeared at the end of the compact truck era and before midsize trucks became a big hit. This truck was only offered for one year, with the Dodge Dakota taking over as the midsize version beginning in 1990.

Powertrain Specifications

The Dodge Shelby Dakota is easily one of the most capable small trucks of all time. It came with a strong V8 engine and impressive payload and towing figures for the class. If you wanted a small truck that could get the job done, this was the right truck.

Ford Ranger GT

Towing Capacity: 5,500 Pounds

If there was an American small truck that was the most popular, that would be the Ford Ranger. Most models came with smaller engines than the GT mode, which had a wonderful V6 under the hood to give you the power and capability desired.

Powertrain Specifications

The Ford Ranger GT is, pound-for-pound, the most capable small truck of all time. The Dakota might tow just as much and carry more payload, but the Dodge requires the heavier V8 engine to get the job done, while the Ranger GT does it with a smaller V6.