Best 2021 Small Truck?

[JeffKeryk]

I too would get a full size PU rather than a smaller truck primarily due to price.
The Tacoma is aging as is the Tundra; perhaps there are a new ones on the horizon?

Also, as others have said, there is a big difference between an Alpha and a PU.

You want fun? Test drive a Model Y.
But there may not be a service center near you, dunno for sure. You may be in the same boat.
Good luck.

 

[DriveHard]

I appreciate the banter! I already have a full size Silverado, and she hates driving it. She wants something smaller than a full size. She lets me buy and trade my "stable" all I want, so my job is to keep her happy in her DD.

I know there is a huge difference in vehicles...and we end up switching every 2-3 years for her car. (I should think about a lease, but just can't do it)

Her past several cars:

BMW X3 (loved but getting long in the tooth)
Mercedes ML350 (too big and many issues - electrical)
Jeep Renegade Trailhawk (too slow and poor handling - too many on the road)
Alfa Romeo Stelvio (no dealer network)

 

[JC1]

I think the correct way to look at it is the Tacoma is overpriced due to the reliability hype. This does help with resale value for current owners, but as The Critic said above, you can get into a full size truck with more legroom+power+MPG+features for the same or less money.

+1 especially with some of the current incentives.

 

[drtyler]

Recommend driving a few. Going from a Stelvio to either a Tacoma or Colorado will be quite different.

I second the recommendation to check out a BMW, if the dealer is close enough.

 

[UncleDave]

Ok BITOG, just looking for some helpful feedback...

My wife currently drives a Stelvio (best driving SUV EVER!). Problem is, our local dealer closed down, and now the closest one is over 3 hours away...making service, etc. very difficult...and my wife very upset. I just took it back for a third warranty trip, and it takes a whole day+ which is a giant pain! She loves her current ride, but won't tolerate a dealer that far away. We have been talking about suitable replacements, and she is really attracted to the top level small truck segment (ie. Chevy Colorado ZR2, Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO).

Yes, it will be a "mall crawler", I will most likely put a hard bed cover on it to act as a weatherproof storage area.

Which is the best and why? I am personally heavily leaning toward the Chevy as everything I have read says it has the best ride and handling. We are not tech nerds...so a super fancy info-tainment is of little value to us. I am also a long time Chevy fan. I do like the looks of a blacked out Ranger...but am reading the ride it terrible. My wife is leaning toward the Toyota...but it seems old and dated and slow...

thoughts? Are there other top level, small trucks I am missing? (I WILL NEVER DRIVE A HONDA).

We've got em all at my office and we trade back and forth.

Of that group - the chevy. Rides better than taco, is faster, and easier to work on.
The Taco is a nightmare to change oil in and has drum rear brakes and is a dog.

The new ranger is worth a look but has some weirdness to it.

Id see what is said about the new Frontier - the old ones were a solid truck since day 1 and an actual deal.
leaves lots of money for stuff like bilstein shocks that transform it.

I totally get shunning brands, but have to say Im super happy with my honda.
I picked the Honda for a host of reasons that are validated on every drive for me.

Hyundai is about to come out with the Unibody vs body on frame truck soon so there may be another player to look at.


UD

 

[SZR48207]

GM should bring back the El Camino. Car with a bed...best of both worlds and perfect if you don't have to haul around kids any more...

 

[DriveHard]

another PLUS for the Chevy that I really like is the ability to put it in AWD mode for winter driving...if she forgets to turn it off, it won't ruin anything. With the Taco, if you put it in 4wd on a winter day and forget to switch it off, you will ruin it if the roads are clean and clear on the drive back home from work...BIG consideration for my wife.

 

[The Critic]

GM should bring back the El Camino. Car with a bed...best of both worlds and perfect if you don't have to haul around kids any more...

It's called the Ridgeline.

 

[UncleDave]

It's called the Ridgeline.

I was going to chime in on that - but the OP is anti honda so I didnt bother.

Although technically I think an el camino is still body on frame vehicle.

 

[DriveHard]

It's called the Ridgeline.

I appreciate the suggestion, but I would "bet the farm" that she would not be caught dead driving one of those...she describes it as a minivan with a bed.

 

[earthbound]

so honda's not been reliable to you or what???? I'd think that FCA fiat garbage of yours would be problematic..perhaps you got lucky....

 

[CKN]

Recommend driving a few. Going from a Stelvio to either a Tacoma or Colorado will be quite different.

I second the recommendation to check out a BMW, if the dealer is close enough.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^Hate to break it to her-but she will not be a happy camper with a small pickup no matter what the brand. It's too big of a leap-ride wise.

 

[Silverado12]

Reliability hype? LOL. Okay whatever. A full size Dodge or Chevy will be ready for the crusher before my Tacoma is due for spark plugs.

Come on, man. There are trucks from the big three out there that are hard-driven work trucks with A Lot of miles on them. I would hate the thought of riding around in a cramped up Toyota for all that time that gets similar if not less mpgs as a fullsize. Trucks are what "Murica does well.

 

[dlundblad]

I think the correct way to look at it is the Tacoma is overpriced due to the reliability hype. This does help with resale value for current owners, but as The Critic said above, you can get into a full size truck with more legroom+power+MPG+features for the same or less money.

Granted this was this was 3 years ago, but my brother could’ve gotten a loaded TRD minus leather (not the one with the Toyota on the grille; just the bed sticker) for 32k. Rear locker, nicer rims, navigation, etc. Seemed like a lot of truck for the money.

 

[dlundblad]

I agree with the test drives. Consider your models and take them for a spin.

I would consider a Nissan before anything from the big 3. Just my .02.

 

[Danno]

The huge turning radius of the Nissan is the big strike for me.

 

[Skippy722]

The huge turning radius of the Nissan is the big strike for me.

It’s not really that bad. It’s ~3ft more than a Tacoma, and 1 foot less than a Colorado.

 

[Amkeer]

Get the Tacoma you won't be disappointed. There is a reason they have one of the highest resale values. She will enjoy the truck and the maintenance will be minimal. Love my trucks even after 17 years of ownership. I get requests to sell them all the time.

You will need to find the highest volume dealers and negotiate online. There is huge demand for them so be prepared to be patient. Once you find the right one be prepared to move on it as it will sell quick. Good luck.

 

[4WD]

There is also Jeep Gladiator, but the old-school styling isn't everyone's cup of tea. Personally, I think the Colorado ZR2 looks better.

I looked at ZR2’s before I got my Rubicon … was considering a diesel Bison but could not make a good deal.
I owned a Canyon for 8 years, fully loaded model … beat it hard off road, towed, lots of DIY work, and a DD.
Very capable off-road, quick, and never saw the dealers shop.

 

[Delta]

The Taco is a nightmare to change oil in and has drum rear brakes and is a dog.

Uhm, it's a couple bolts for the skid plate and the filter housing is right under there in front. The cartridge housing is the same size as a bucha other Toyota's; there's a good bit of tools out there for that housing. Yea, it's not easy like the old 4.0, but it's not difficult. There's so many other manufactures that require removal of a skid plate for an oil change, and they use a ton more fasteners. I think there are other issues with the 3rd Gen Tacoma that are way more pressing...