Compact pickups are having a huge moment in the US market. In just two years, the segment has welcomed both the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. The Honda Ridgeline continues to win accolades from its reviewers. Meanwhile, Ram doesn’t offer much like a . But Ram offers two separate pickup trucks in overseas markets: the Ram 700 and Ram 1000. If the automaker sold in the US, it could potentially undercut every other vehicle in the segment.
Could the Ram 700 or 1000 be the compact truck America needs?
Ford hasn’t been able to keep up with demand for its Maverick pickup truck for two years now. It’s hard to know what the real demand is and what the shortage of new cars is just nationwide. But you can’t deny that the Maverick’s 40-mpg rating and $19,990 USD earned it.
. Another brand is Fiat. Fiat actually designed and built two pickup trucks: the Strada and Toro. On top of that, Stellantis redesigned both trucks (assembled in Brazil) with Ram grilles and badging. In Mexico, the Fiat Strada is known as the Ram 700. In Brazil, Toro sells it as the Ram 1000.
That’s the reason, when you convert the current MSRPs of these compact vans into US dollars, they both reduce every compact van that’s currently available. how? Well, they have very small power plants, and the entry level 700 comes with a transmission. Here’s how they compare in their market segment:
| Make a model | MSRP | horse power | Payload | Cloud evaluation |
| Honda Ridgeline | $38,800 | 280 | 1,583 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | $25,700 | 191-281 | 1,749 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Ford Maverick | $22,595 | 191-250 | 1,564 lbs | 4000 lbs |
| Ram 700 | $16,016 | 84-98 | 1650 lbs | 880 lbs |
| Ram 1000 | $21,000 | 170-185 | 1433 lbs | 882 lbs |
A turbocharged Ram 1000 can keep up with the Maverick
Launching a truly competitive compact truck in the U.S. market will likely require refitting Stellantis with either a truck or the Ram 1000. In that market, it must compete with other compact towing capabilities.
This will not be a difficult task. Stellantis already makes a turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 for many of its vehicles. In the Jeep Wrangler, this engine can tow up to 3,500 lbs. But what if the Stellants went in a different direction?
Does the Dodge minivan need to make a comeback?
Stellantis already brings this turbocharged I4 to the Dodge lineup under the hood of the new Hornet crossover. In the Hornet, it produces 268 horsepower. But the company claims a higher production version is in the works for a special Hornet trim. But what if it wasn’t the fastest Dodge Hornet ever? What if it was a pickup truck?
Chevrolet had the El Camino, and Ford had the Ranchero. But Dodge hasn’t yet welcomed a Coupe Utility pickup truck into its muscular sibling.
Frankly, the Hornet was met with a lukewarm reception. Neither the base Dodge traditional, nor the younger hybrid crowd it’s aimed at, seems particularly enthusiastic. But the compact muscle truck will be so unique that it is impossible to ignore.
Dodge has already demonstrated its ability to build some of the coolest vintage cars with the Challenger and Charger. The compact van would allow its design team to build another unique liftback: perhaps reminiscent of the square-bodied Dodge trucks or their curvy Art Deco cruisers of the 1960s.
Dodge, if you’re listening, Lancer or Raider aren’t bad names. Dodge Aspen will create a more outdoor atmosphere. But bringing back the Dodge Matador name would honor past and platform assets like the Fiat Toro.
Next, read why or learn more about the Ram 700 in the video below:
