It’s an exciting time for truck enthusiasts interested in the best compact pickup trucks. While absent for a while, the emergence of the Maverick and reintroduction of the Ranger exemplify Ford’s commitment to the segment. But how do the new Ford and each other? And which models are really the best compact trucks of 2023?
The 2023 Ford Maverick is affordable and sexy
The 2023 Ford Maverick was ranked fourth out of nine entrants on the latest list of “Best Compact Pickup Trucks of 2022 and 2023.” The new Maverick is around $22,000 and delivers great fuel economy, a comfortable interior, confident handling, and enough power to cruise around town.
It took the eighth spot on the list as a newly redesigned model. But with a starting price of $27,400, it can’t compete with the less expensive Maverick’s ride, handling, cabin refinement, or fuel economy. However, the bouncer wins the pull-and-pull battle.
The Ranger comes in two configurations: the SuperCab with two full-size front doors, two small rear doors and a six-foot bed, and the SuperCrew with four full-size doors and a five-foot bed. Three trim levels include the base XL, the well-equipped XLT, and the most expensive Lariat.
All 2023 Ford Rangers come with the same turbocharged 270-hp 2.3-liter with 310 lb-ft of torque, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive as standard, with the option of all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is estimated at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, with some package options lowering these estimates.
While the Ranger rides and handles well for a pickup truck, the Maverick’s body trumps the Ranger’s chassis over chassis. Inside the cab, the standard Ranger has a 3.5-inch touchscreen for infotainment, but there’s a 4.2-inch screen available along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
Its near complete absence of standard modern features and its “cheap and dated” interior keep it near the bottom of this segment. However, the 2023 Ranger’s 7,500 pounds of towing capacity puts it near the top of the compact truck class.
Best compact pickup truck
The top three compact pickups on our top-rated list include the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2023 Jeep Gladiator. With starting prices near $40,000, the Ridgeline and Gladiator are two of the most expensive compact pickups available.
Still, the Honda Ridgeline is a good option if you’re looking for SUV-like ride and the comfort of a compact pickup. Or, if you want legendary off-road capability in a pickup truck package, it’s hard to argue against the Jeep Gladiator.
