10 Best Small Pickups On The Market

The 10 best small pickups on the market are a perfect combination of value, performance and dependability. Although these small pickups may not provide the same muscle as their full sized brethren, most consumers have no need for the extra space and hauling power a larger pickup truck provides.

1. 2010 Ford Ranger. An excellent choice for the budget-conscious buyer, the newest Ford Ranger is not only the cheapest in its class, it is also rated as one of the most reliable small pickups. However, critics are quick to point out that the Ranger sports a dated design and drives too much like a truck compared to the car-like handling by some other pickups in its class.

2. 2010 Nissan Frontier. While the Frontier may not stand out in performance, design, features and reliability, it does score solidly across the board. Introduced a decade ago, Nissan maintained the basic look and design of the Frontier but has slowly improved in providing the truck a smoother ride.

3. 2010 Suzuki Equator. Based on the design platform of the Frontier, the Equator is essentially a rebadged Nissan pickup. While they are almost mechanically identical, cosmetically, the Suzuki has a more dramatic styling as well as a lower base price.

4. 2010 Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline may well be one of the more expensive small pickups available at the moment. The design may well be an acquired taste, but the dependability that comes with the Honda brand name is probably the Ridgeline's biggest draw.

5. 2010 GMC Canyon. The GMC Canyon scored comparatively well on reviews based on handling and performance. The V8 engine under the hood though, resulted in one of the worst ratings in terms of fuel consumption. Since most consumers normally opt for a small pickup to save on gasoline, a small pickup with a more powerful engine defeats that purpose in the eyes of most buyers.

6. 2010 GMC Sierra. The Sierra is actually considered by most truck aficionados as one of the better choices in the small truck category. Although the Sierra has a few negative issues, such as its lack of cabin space and bland interiors, its performance is unmatched by other trucks. It offers a smooth quiet ride as well as excellent power when needed.

7. 2010 Dodge Dakota. The exciting looks the Dakota brings to the table does come at a price. It is more expensive than trucks offered by its competitors, but its strong engine and solid construction more than makes up for it.

8. 2010 Chevrolet Colorado. The Colorado is one of the more inexpensive trucks in this category. Inexpensive, however, does not mean cheap. It packs in excellent features as well as a long warranty. The Colorado may be best for those who need the use of smaller pickups for minor jobs, as it may not stand up too well when handling more difficult tasks.

9. 2009 Mazda B-Series. While the B-Series has been discontinued, an ample amount of 2009 stocks are still widely available. Based on the design of the Ford Ranger, the B-Series provides excellent value for the money as the truck has outperformed most of other pickups despite the lower price tag.

10. 2010 Toyota Tacoma. An overwhelming favorite among small pickups, the Tacoma is almost good enough to stand up against bigger pickups. Not only is it perhaps the best among compact pickups, it is also one of the cheapest.