Are truck drivers finally coming around to compact and mid-size trucks? If recent sales figures and automaker investment are any indication, they’re on the verge of a major renaissance. For many Canadians, small pickup trucks make a lot of sense. They come with the same convenience of an external bed and are often equipped with capable four-wheel drive (4WD) systems. For the average person’s towing and payload needs, like getting a trailer to the campsite or a load of drywall from the hardware store, small trucks are great for the job.
This ranking of the best mid-size and compact trucks available in Canada in 2023 happens to be a list of all nine of the small trucks you can currently buy new. What can we say? We love little trucks! That said, some trucks will serve certain buyers better than others, so we’ll highlight those differences below.
The Best Small Trucks Available in Canada
- Chevrolet Colorado
- Ford Maverick
- Ford Ranger
- GMC Canyon
- Honda Ridgeline
- Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Jeep Gladiator
- Nissan Frontier
- Toyota Tacoma
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevy Colorado mid-size truck and its upmarket sibling, the GMC Canyon highlighted below, received a full redesign for the 2023 model year. On the Colorado side, this means a new ZR2 model with even more off-road capability, and a first-ever Trail Boss version. The tailgate also has additional in-bed storage and a power outlet, plus a mid-gate setup to allow for hauling longer items. All trucks come with the same engine, a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, though different power outputs are offered with different grades. A new 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity sweetens the deal. But with trailering capacity of up to 3,492 kilograms (7,700 pounds) and maximum payload of 763 kilograms (1,684 pounds), this truck will be capable enough to meet the needs of most drivers. Pricing for the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado starts in Canada at $37,229 (2024 pricing was not yet available at time of publication). For 2024, a new Colorado ZR2 Bison trim offers additional off-roading capability such as a winch-capable front bumper, steel skid plates, 31 centimetres of ground clearance, and more.
Ford Maverick
For urban drivers who want a truck for hauling dirty or messy items but still value fuel economy, the pint-sized Ford Maverick checks all the right boxes. Note that for 2024, the powertrains have flipped. The 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder is now the base engine and still brings all-wheel drive (AWD) with it by default. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain paired with front-wheel drive (FWD) for peak fuel efficiency remains available but is now an upgrade on every trim. With 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of payload and 907 kilograms (2,000 pounds) of towing capacity optionally upgradeable to 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds), the Maverick is handy for pulling around a lightweight camping trailer or a few sheets of drywall–which the bed is specifically designed to handle despite having a 138-centimetre (54.4-inch) bed. And for those who want to play in the dirt, the Tremor package offers an upgraded AWD system, off-road suspension, and 2.5-centimetre (1-inch) lift. But the best part is the price: starting from an MSRP of $34,795 including fees, the cost of the Maverick compact pickup is much closer to sedan than big truck territory.
Ford Ranger
If you need a little more space and capability than the Maverick can offer, Ford has you covered. The mid-size Ranger fills the gap between the pint-sized Maverick and Ford’s full-size pickup truck, the Ford F-150. A next-generation 2024 Ford Ranger has arrived and brings with it an updated design, new towing tools, and a newly available V6 engine. That 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 produces 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, while the base 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder continues with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both engines are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. A new Ford Ranger Raptor has been announced for 2024. Tuned by Ford Performance, it includes a long travel suspension including a Watts link rear suspension, 2.5-inch Fox shocks, and more. Pricing for the 2024 Ford Ranger starts in Canada at $43,450, while the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor starts at $80,000.
GMC Canyon
As with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado noted above, the 2023 GMC Canyon midsize pickup truck gets a redesign for the 2023 model year. It comes with the same standard 2.7-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, maximum 3,492 kilograms (7,700 pounds) of towing, though max payload is slightly lower at 743 kilograms (1,640 pounds). GMC ups the ante on the Canyon’s premium positioning with a Denali Black Edition and a first-ever Canyon AT4X off-roader. Pricing in Canada for the 2023 GMC Canyon starts at $48,529. (2024 pricing was not yet available as of this writing.)
Honda Ridgeline
Although the Honda Ridgeline is the only mid-size truck on the market with a unibody structure, it’s still appreciated in truck circles for its durability and reliability. It’s also appreciated for how well it drives on-road relative to most trucks with handling that more closely resembles a Honda Pilot than a Jeep. With its last redesign dating back to 2017, the Ridgeline is one of the more dated vehicles in the midsize truck segment. It’s rumoured to be slated for a new generation sometime in the next two to three years. A new Ridgeline TrailSport trim level is being introduced for 2024 with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and more. That and some updated design and technology elements will hold the Ridgeline over in the meantime. Honda’s classic 3.5-litre V6 engine continues to be standard on all trims. The Ridgeline has a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and max payload of 718 kilograms (1,583 pounds). That’s lower than most of the segment, but for a truck that handles like a crossover, some buyers will consider it a fair trade.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Ford really spoiled Hyundai’s party. The Santa Cruz was all set to be in a compact truck class of its own, but then the Maverick dropped and made Hyundai’s Tucson-based ute and its price look wildly expensive. The Santa Cruz can still be spotted on Canadian city streets, though, powered by its standard 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels via standard AWD. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and payload of 792 kilograms (1,748 pounds), the Santa Cruz’s capability is just enough extra over the Maverick’s that it might push some buyers across the line. Its quirky styling seems to attract drivers who are looking for something different, too. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz carries a fees-in starting price in Canada of $43,456.
Jeep Gladiator
For the Jeep lover who wants a cargo bed, the Gladiator is a natural fit. It’s also one of very few trucks among this set available with a manual transmission. If you want to row your own gears, you’ll get the 3.6-litre V6, which can also be matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Gladiator is also available with a 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6, which comes only with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic. Unlike many compact and midsize trucks, the Gladiator also has a diesel engine option. Towing caps at 2,041 kilograms (4,500 pounds), while payload capacity is up to 725 kilograms (1,600 pounds). But when you pair that with very similar off-road capability to the Wrangler, Jeep enthusiasts will tell you there’s no other answer. For 2024, the Gladiator will receive many of the same updates as the Wrangler did, including a redesigned front grille and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Due to these changes, 2024 pricing was delayed as of publication time. The 2023 Jeep Gladiator, which did not includes these updates, started in Canada at $53,990.
Nissan Frontier
After languishing in its previous generation since 2005, the Nissan Frontier was greatly in need of an update that finally came for the 2022 model year. This brought a redesigned interior and exterior along with feature upgrades. Available in King Cab or Crew Cab configurations, the Frontier comes with a standard 3.8-litre V6 with 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque and standard 4WD. The Pro-4X grade adds to the Frontier’s off-road capability with Bilstein off-road shocks, skid plates, and more. Towing capability tops out at 2,943 kilograms (6,490 pounds), while max payload capacity is 648 kilograms (1,430 pounds).
Toyota Tacoma
Rounding out our list of the best small pick-up trucks only because it’s arranged alphabetically, we have the Toyota Tacoma. Toyota has no trouble moving these trucks in Canada or units of their larger sibling, the Toyota Tundra. Their durability, versatility, and consistently high value make them a hot commodity. The Tacoma enters a long-awaited new generation for 2024. This brings a slew of updates, most notably a new pair of 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine options. The base offering creates 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque when paired with the new 8-speed automatic transmission. But kudos to Toyota for continuing to offer the Tacoma with a six-speed manual transmission, which here comes with a rev matching system. With the manual, this engine produces 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The upgrade engine is Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, the most powerful ever offered on Tacoma. Standard on the Limited, TRD Pro and Trailhunter models in Canada, it adds an electric motor to the same engine for a total system output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. 4WD remains standard, and each trim has a unique setup for the suspension, which includes rear coil springs. Maximum towing for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma in Canada weighs in at 2,900 kilograms (6,400 pounds), while maximum payload is 775 kilograms (1,710 pounds). In Canada, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma carries a starting price of $50,511.