5 Best 2019 Small Pickup Trucks

Pickup trucks are fun, functional vehicles that you can use for towing, off-road adventures, commuting and much more. Rising gas prices reduced their popularity for a short time, but manufacturers solved the problem by making them more fuel-efficient.

Top Five Compact Pickup Trucks

Today's trucks offer plenty of storage and they're more comfortable than ever. Here’s a look at the five best small pickup trucks available.

#1 Chevrolet Colorado

Valley Chevy - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado in Ruby Red

Valley Chevy - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado in Leather Interior
Valley Chevy - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado in Black Console Interior

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is as capable as full-sized pickups, and it's much more maneuverable. A 2.5-liter engine is standard, and additional options include a 2.8-liter turbodiesel or a 3.6-liter V6. With the turbodiesel, the maximum towing capacity is 7,700 pounds, and you'll get 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, the best mileage in its class. U.S. News & World Report called the Colorado the Best Compact Pickup Truck for the Money for the second time.


#2 Honda Ridgeline

Valley Chevy - 2017 Honda Ridgeline in Black

The 2016 Honda Ridgeline has a roomy, comfortable interior and a smooth ride. It also has lots of high-tech features like in-bed speakers, push-button start, a USB port, Bluetooth and a 5-inch display screen. It also has a standard V6 engine and front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is only 5,000 pounds, though, and all the extra features make the Ridgeline much more expensive than other small pickup trucks.


#3 Toyota Tacoma

Valley Chevy - 2017 Toyota Tacoma in Brown

The 2016 Tacoma's optional V6 engine has 278 horsepower and it can tow 6,800 pounds. The TRD Off-Road trim is great for rough terrain, and the sharp steering gives you precise control. The pickup comes with a windshield mount for a GoPro camera and an optional Entune infotainment system. However, the interior is smaller than in many other models, whether you choose the Access Cab or the Double Cab. The Tacoma gets the same gas mileage as the Frontier, and it's more costly than everything except the Ridgeline.


#4 GMC Canyon

Valley Chevy - 2016 GMC Canyon in Silver

The 2016 GMC Canyon comes with an optional V6 engine or a four-cylinder turbodiesel. The turbodiesel gets 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, the same mileage as the Chevy Colorado's turbodiesel. The maximum towing capacity is 7,700 pounds, also the same as the Colorado. Four-wheel-drive is available and the steering is responsive, but the Canyon doesn't perform as well off-road as the Chevrolet.


#5 Nissan Frontier

Valley Chevy - 2016 Nissan Frontier in Grey

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has had the same basic design since 2005 and only a few changes since 2009. The Frontier, like the Colorado, comes with an extended cab or crew cab, rear- or four-wheel drive, two bed lengths and an optional V6 engine. The manual version is less expensive than the Colorado, but it also has fewer standard features. The maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds for V6 models, compared to the Colorado's 7,700 pounds. Gas mileage is a mediocre 19-mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.


Locate Your Valley Chevy Dealership

Your local Valley Chevy dealers offer a wide selection of vehicles, including the Chevy Colorado. Click here to find a Chevrolet dealership near you.