Truck Rankings: Compact Pickup Trucks
Ranking of compact pickup trucks, generally priced $15,000 to $25,000. Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger and more. Rankings based on an in-depth analysis by U.S. News editors of all published auto ratings, reviews and test drives.
- MSRP: $15,170 - $27,075
- Invoice: $14,210 - $24,810
- Avg. Paid: $15,528 - $27,142
- MPG: 20 City / 26 Hwy
#1
2010 Toyota Tacoma
With its car-like interior and robust capabilities, the Toyota Tundra is one of the best choices in the compact pickup class.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 9.0 |
| Performance: | 8.6 |
| Exterior: | 8.1 |
| Interior: | 8.1 |
| Safety: | 9.9 |
| Reliability: | 8.0 |
- MSRP: $17,540 - $29,820
- Invoice: $16,638 - $27,629
- Avg. Paid: $17,503 - $29,269
- MPG: 19 City / 23 Hwy
#2
2010 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is known for its rugged construction and comfortable on-pavement performance, something that can be hard to come by in a compact pickup. A long ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 8.2 |
| Performance: | 8.9 |
| Exterior: | 8.5 |
| Interior: | 8.0 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $22,755 - $33,180
- Invoice: $21,715 - $31,237
- Avg. Paid: $21,864 - $31,921
- MPG: 15 City / 20 Hwy
#3
2010 Dodge Dakota
With burly engines and solid construction, the 2010 Dodge Dakota is a decent choice for truck buyers who don't need a full-size rig.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.7 |
| Performance: | 7.8 |
| Exterior: | 7.9 |
| Interior: | 7.3 |
| Safety: | 8.3 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |
- MSRP: $17,220 - $30,600
- Invoice: $16,531 - $29,376
- Avg. Paid: $17,086 - $29,818
- MPG: 19 City / 23 Hwy
#4
2009 Suzuki Equator
The Suzuki Equator is Suzuki's first entry into the world of pickup trucks. Based on the Nissan Frontier, the Equator is meant to be a capable hauler ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.3 |
| Performance: | 7.3 |
| Exterior: | 8.0 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $30,750 - $36,015
- Invoice: $28,598 - $33,494
- Avg. Paid: $28,577 - $33,895
- MPG: 14 City / 18 Hwy
#5
2009 HUMMER H3T
The Hummer H3T is an incredible off-road pickup truck, but some reviewers say it can be hard to live with on a daily basis.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 7.2 |
| Performance: | 7.7 |
| Exterior: | 7.1 |
| Interior: | 8.0 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $16,985 - $29,835
- Invoice: $16,306 - $28,343
- Avg. Paid: $17,325 - $29,613
- MPG: - TBD - City / - TBD - Hwy
#6
2010 GMC Canyon
The Canyon is a decent truck overall, but others in the class are simply better.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.7 |
| Performance: | 7.4 |
| Exterior: | 7.5 |
| Interior: | 7.0 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 5.0 |
- MSRP: $17,440 - $25,570
- Invoice: $16,450 - $23,674
- Avg. Paid: $17,519 - $25,323
- MPG: 21 (2009) City / 26 (2009) Hwy
#7
2010 Ford Ranger
Though competitors are easier to live with day-to-day, the Ford Ranger offers capability for buyers on a budget.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.6 |
| Performance: | 6.2 |
| Exterior: | 7.2 |
| Interior: | 6.1 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 9.0 |
- MSRP: $16,985 - $28,915
- Invoice: $16,306 - $27,469
- Avg. Paid: $17,101 - $29,723
- MPG: 18 City / 24 Hwy
#8
2010 Chevrolet Colorado
While the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado should be on most compact truck buyers' radar, many reviewers think buyers will end up taking home something else.
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.5 |
| Performance: | 7.5 |
| Exterior: | 8.0 |
| Interior: | 6.7 |
| Safety: | NA |
| Reliability: | 4.0 |
- MSRP: $16,060 - $22,150
- Invoice: $15,230 - $20,299
- Avg. Paid: $15,700 - $21,357
- MPG: 21 City / 26 Hwy
#9
2009 Mazda B-Series
The Mazda B-Series will be discontinued after the 2009 model year. The B-Series is a basic hauler with good off-road abilities and low ownership costs, but can't ...
| U.S.News Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall: | 6.0 |
| Performance: | 6.3 |
| Exterior: | NA |
| Interior: | 5.7 |
| Safety: | 6.6 |
| Reliability: | 6.0 |