Small But Capable

Toyota Tacoma. Credit: Toyota

Toyota Tacoma Limited. Credit: Toyota

Toyota Tacoma. Credit: Toyota

Nissan Frontier. Credit: Nissan

Nissan Frontier. Credit: Nissan

Jeep Gladiator. Credit: Jeep

Jeep Gladiator. Credit: Jeep

Honda Ridgeline. Credit: Honda

Honda Ridgeline. Credit: Honda

GMC Canyon Elevation. Credit: GMC

GMC Canyon. Credit: GMC

Ford Ranger. Credit: Ford

Ford Ranger XLT. Credit: Ford

Ford Maverick XL. Credit: Ford

Ford Maverick XL. Credit: Ford

Ford Maverick. Credit: Ford

Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck. Credit: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Colorado. Credit: Chevrolet

GMC Canyon. Credit: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Colorado. Credit: Chevrolet

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Jil McIntosh Freelancer

When a job isn’t oversized, these smaller trucks may be the ticket

While full-size pickups are obviously the work trucks of choice, they’re often more than what’s needed for many tasks, such as small-item deliveries and service calls. Dedicating a midsize or even a compact truck for this type of work can potentially save you money, both in acquisition and in fuel. Some even offer a hybrid option for better fuel economy in city driving.

While they do have their limitations in towing and payload compared to full-size trucks, one of these might just be the right truck for what you need to “get it done.” All are four-door crew cabs in the Canadian market, and towing and payload shown are the maximum across all trims and configurations.

Ford

Ford Maverick

The sole compact on our list, the Maverick is based on the SUV underpinnings of the Bronco Sport. That limits its capacity compared to a body-on-frame truck, but the Maverick has proved to be very popular as a lightest-duty for many fleets, and especially because it’s available with a hybrid powertrain. The gas-only version comes only with AWD. The hybrid starts out with FWD, but new for 2026, it can also be ordered with AWD. Ford is also going to be launching an all-electric compact truck called the Fathom.

Ford Ranger

The midsize Ranger offers three engines, with a turbocharged (“EcoBoost”) four-cylinder the only choice in the entry XL trim; but with that or a turbo V6 available in the XLT and Lariat trims. A higher-powered turbo V6 good for 405 horsepower arrives in the Ranger Raptor, along with more off-road ability, although it’s more of a lifestyle truck than a work model. All Rangers are 4x4-only.

General Motors

Chevrolet Colorado

The midsize Colorado used to offer two levels of its turbocharged four-cylinder, but now only the 310-hp high-output version is used. It’s the only truck on our list to offer RWD in addition to 4x4, but that two-wheel configuration comes only on the entry WT (Work Truck). As with the Ford Ranger, the Colorado offers an off-road lifestyle version, the ZR2, which can be further optioned as the gnarlier Bison Edition.

GMC Canyon

The Canyon is a mechanical twin to the Colorado, but with brand-specific styling cues and in 4x4-only, without a base 2WD trim. The Canyon is also more upscale than its Chevrolet sibling, with its entry Elevation trim closer in features to the Colorado’s LT, which is one step up from that truck’s base WT trim. From there, the Canyon moves either into two versions of its off-road AT4 trims, or as the more luxurious Denali.

Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline is the only SUV-based midsize truck on our list, and comes standard with AWD that primarily powers the front wheels and adds the rear ones as needed for extra traction. It has some unique features that add to its versatility, including a two-way tailgate that opens conventionally or sideways like a door, for easier access to cargo. There’s a locking trunk under the truck bed, and the rear seats are on metal legs for more under-seat storage. Honda is promising an all-new, third-generation version within the next two years.

Jeep Gladiator

While not really a work truck, this midsize may have appeal to those who have to visit clients in rough remote areas, such as over logging roads. It’s essentially based on the Wrangler but rides on its own frame with a longer wheelbase. As with the Wrangler, the roof and doors are removable, and obviously, it’s 4x4-only.

Nissan Frontier

The midsize Frontier comes as a crew cab in PRO-4X trim with a five-foot bed; but in the upper PRO-4X Luxury, there’s a choice of five- or six-foot bed. All come with features for improved off-road ability, including Bilstein suspension components, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and a panoramic camera that stays on at low speeds in off-road mode. All trims have part-time 4WD.

Toyota Tacoma

The midsize Tacoma comes in gas-only or hybrid; and while this transmission choice is likely not of interest to fleets, the gas version also offers the segment’s only stick-shift with its six-speed manual in a limited number of trims. The hybrid uses the same turbocharged four-cylinder as the gas-only, and along with better fuel economy, the gas-electric combination makes 465 lb-ft of torque, the highest in the segment. The gas-only model has part-time 4WD, while the hybrid in Limited trim has full-time 4WD.