Americans love trucks, and while full-size pickups dominate the market, the demand for capable yet maneuverable small trucks is steadily growing. If you’re seeking a pickup that’s easier to handle and more affordable than the behemoths on the road, especially on the used market, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 Best Small Trucks you can find used, offering a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. While “small” in the US context still leans towards what the rest of the world might consider mid-size, these pickups offer a practical balance of utility and efficiency.
1. 2017 Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado, since its redesign in 2015, has consistently ranked as a top choice in the small truck segment. The 2017 model year is particularly appealing as it gained improved crash safety ratings while still being readily available and budget-friendly on the used market. This best small truck contender offers a robust and comfortable ride, making it suitable for both work and daily driving.
Buyers of the 2017 Colorado can choose between extended cab and crew cab configurations, catering to different passenger and cargo needs. Engine options are diverse, ranging from an economical four-cylinder gasoline engine for those prioritizing fuel efficiency, to a potent V6 gasoline engine for enhanced power, and a torque-rich four-cylinder turbodiesel that excels in towing and fuel economy. For off-road enthusiasts, the ZR2 trim provides exceptional capability without compromising on-road comfort. While the interior might not be the most luxurious and advanced safety tech might be slightly behind the curve compared to newer models, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado remains a well-rounded and dependable best small truck option.
2. 2017 GMC Canyon
Sharing its underpinnings and engine options with the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon is essentially its sophisticated sibling. The 2017 GMC Canyon offers the same mechanical strengths and versatility as the Colorado, making it another strong contender for the title of best small truck.
The primary distinction lies in the Canyon’s design language. GMC opted for a more squared-off and bolder aesthetic compared to the Colorado’s curves, featuring distinct headlights, grille, and fender flares. This allows buyers to choose based on styling preferences. Furthermore, the Canyon distinguishes itself with the availability of a luxurious Denali trim. The Denali version elevates the interior with premium materials and enhanced features, offering a more upscale experience than the Colorado, though it lacks a direct counterpart to the Colorado ZR2’s off-road prowess. Just like the Colorado, the 2017 Canyon and models from 2015 onwards provide a consistently excellent experience in the best small truck category.
3. 2011 Ford Ranger
The 2011 Ford Ranger represents a bygone era of truly compact pickup trucks in the American market. It’s the last of its kind before the segment shifted towards larger “mid-size” models. For those seeking a genuinely best small truck in the traditional sense, the 2011 Ranger is a standout used option.
To find this Ranger, you’ll need to look back to 2011, the final year of its production before Ford reintroduced the Ranger as a larger mid-size truck years later. This Ranger is a genuinely small and nimble vehicle with a truck bed, prioritizing maneuverability and affordability over the extensive capabilities and spacious rear seats of modern mid-size pickups. It offered single cab (regular cab) and extended cab configurations with jump seats, and surprisingly, still provided the option of a 6-foot bed, comparable to today’s mid-size trucks. For those prioritizing a truly best small truck experience, the 2011 Ford Ranger is a compelling choice.
4. 2019 Ford Ranger
If the older, truly compact Ranger doesn’t quite meet your needs, or if you prefer a more modern and refined pickup, the reintroduced 2019 Ford Ranger is an excellent alternative in the best small truck category, albeit leaning towards the larger end of “small” by today’s standards.
The 2019 Ranger marked the return of the nameplate to the US market after a hiatus, though it had continued production internationally. The difference between the old and new Rangers is significant. The 2019 model is larger, more powerful, more capable, and technologically advanced, while the older model is smaller and more budget-oriented. Compared to other contemporary mid-size pickups, the 2019 Ranger delivers a strong combination of acceleration, towing and payload capacity, safety features, and fuel efficiency, thanks to its 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, it might not match the ride quality and handling refinement of some competitors like the Chevy Colorado. Being a relatively recent model year, used 2019 Rangers might not offer the same deep discounts as older trucks, but they represent a modern and capable option in the best small truck segment. It’s available in extended cab and crew cab configurations, with a single engine option.
5. 2020 Jeep Gladiator
The Jeep Gladiator, introduced in 2020, brings a unique and adventurous flavor to the mid-size pickup truck market. While new, used models are becoming increasingly available, offering a chance to own this distinctive best small truck contender at a potentially reduced price.
Think of the Gladiator as a pickup truck version of the iconic Jeep Wrangler. Instead of a rear cargo area behind the seats, it features a 5-foot truck bed. However, it retains the Wrangler’s signature features: a convertible top, removable doors, and exceptional off-road prowess, coupled with classic Jeep styling. While its extended length makes it slightly bulkier than the Wrangler both on and off-road, it also contributes to a smoother ride on paved surfaces. The Gladiator is exclusively offered as a four-door crew cab, emphasizing passenger space and versatility within the best small truck landscape.
6. 2018 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier holds the distinction of being the longest-running pickup truck design currently on the market. While largely unchanged since 2005, the 2018 Nissan Frontier and similar model years offer a rugged and honest appeal, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a no-frills best small truck.
The Frontier’s enduring design provides a sense of robustness and straightforwardness that some buyers find appealing compared to more opulent trucks. It is larger than the pre-2019 Ford Ranger and doesn’t offer a single-cab configuration, but it shares a similar “all-business” character. The 2018 model year is a recommended choice as it marked the introduction of a standard backup camera, enhancing parking and maneuverability. However, the core strengths of the Frontier, including the optional 4.0-liter V6 engine producing a robust 261 horsepower, can be found in models stretching back over a decade, offering a wide range of used options in the best small truck category.
7. 2018 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma consistently reigns as America’s best-selling small truck, a testament to its exceptional reputation for capability and unwavering reliability. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma, and similar model years, are highly sought after in the used market, solidifying its position as a best small truck choice.
This popularity, however, translates to strong resale values. While this is advantageous when you eventually sell your Tacoma, it means you might pay a premium for a used model initially. The current generation Tacoma debuted in 2016, but the 2018 model is particularly attractive as Toyota began including a suite of advanced safety features as standard equipment. This is an unusual perk for a pickup truck and helps compensate for the Tacoma’s average acceleration, on-road driving experience, and interior space. Buyers can choose between four-cylinder and V6 engines, and extended cab or crew cab body styles, tailoring the Tacoma to their specific needs within the best small truck spectrum.
8. 2015 Toyota Tacoma
Stepping back to the previous generation Toyota Tacoma (specifically the 2015 model) means sacrificing some of the latest safety and infotainment technology, along with the current model’s updated styling and slightly improved fuel economy. However, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma remains a highly capable and affordable best small truck option on the used market.
Choosing a 2005-2015 Tacoma still provides excellent off-road capability and, for some, even greater appeal. If you prefer a simpler pickup without touchscreens and complex safety systems, the earlier Tacoma generation boasts exceptional reliability ratings, even surpassing the current generation due to fewer potentially problematic features. Single cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations were available during this generation. Similar to the current model, the on-road driving experience and seat comfort might not be class-leading, but the 2015 Tacoma prioritizes ruggedness and dependability, solidifying its place among the best small trucks.
9. 2017 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline stands apart in the pickup truck market with its unibody construction and car-like driving dynamics. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline, part of the more modern generation, offers a unique blend of comfort and practicality, making it a best small truck option for a specific type of buyer.
Effectively a pickup version of the Honda Pilot crossover SUV, the Ridgeline excels in interior space efficiency, providing a spacious cabin often found in larger, more expensive full-size trucks. Its front-wheel-drive origins and unibody design, however, limit its outright towing and hauling capacity compared to traditional body-on-frame pickups, though it’s still sufficient for many users. The Ridgeline offers a comfortable and refined driving experience, ideal for those who don’t require heavy-duty capability and prioritize everyday usability. However, if you’re seeking a rugged, traditional truck feel or demand maximum utility, the Ridgeline might not be the best fit. The more contemporary and technologically advanced generation introduced in 2017 is a particularly appealing used option within the best small truck category.
10. 2018 Ford F-150
Wait, a Ford F-150 on a list of best small trucks? While the F-150 is undeniably a full-size pickup, its extensive model range includes configurations that blur the lines and offer surprising practicality for those seeking a smaller footprint.
Crucially, certain configurations of the F-150, particularly the single-cab model with a 6.5-foot “short bed,” are surprisingly compact. In fact, this F-150 configuration is actually slightly shorter in length than the “small” Ford Ranger, albeit a few inches wider. The F-150 also boasts a tighter turning radius and impressive EPA fuel economy ratings, reaching up to 22 mpg combined (with rear-wheel-drive and the 3.3-liter V6 engine standard in 2018), surpassing some smaller pickups. While the single cab configuration lacks a backseat, for those prioritizing capability without excessive bulk, a single-cab, short-bed F-150 or similar full-size model can be an unexpected but effective choice in the realm of best small trucks.
