Global Compact Trucks the US is Missing

Zealots, wake up: While America flexes with full-size gas-guzzlers and midsize trail tamers, the world is crushing it with compact pickups that haul smart, sip fuel, and dominate tight spots without the bloat. We're talking rigs under 200 inches, unibody efficiency, and prices that undercut our Maverick without skimping on capability.

These global badasses tackle city jobs, light off-road, and daily grinds like pros—but tariffs, crash regs, and market snobbery keep them offshore. Here's the elite lineup of compact trucks the US is straight-up missing in 2026, inspired by Latin America's finest. Get ready to rage at the "Chicken Tax."

1. Toyota Hilux Champ – The $13K Indestructible Starter Truck

Kicking it off with Toyota's no-BS compact king: the Hilux Champ. At ~175 inches long and starting around $13,000-$15,000 in Thailand/Asia, this flat-bed beast is 70% factory-finished—slap on your own bed, camper, or gear for ultimate customization.

Power? Choose 2.0L/2.7L gas or 2.4L diesel for torque that bites. Payload hits 2,200 lbs, towing's solid for its class. It's Hilux-tough (bulletproof rep intact) but shrunk for urban warriors.

Why no US? That 25% Chicken Tax on light trucks, plus emissions/crash tweaks that'd jack the price. Import dreams? Mods and fees kill the vibe. This is the zealot's "entry-level apocalypse rig" we'd snap up over marked-up Mavericks.

2. Chevrolet S-10 Max (Mexico Spec) – GM's Workhorse South of the Border

Mexico's Chevy S-10 Max is the compact hauler GM won't share: ~201 inches of unibody muscle, blending pickup grit with crossover smarts. Base price? Around $20,000 equivalent, making it a budget beast for fleets.

Engines: 2.4L gas (141 hp, 148 lb-ft) for the work-focused trims, or step up to the 2.0L turbo (228 hp, 288 lb-ft) in the Crew Cab LT. Payload? Over 2,200 lbs (1+ ton). Towing holds its own, with 4x4 options for light trails.

No stateside because? GM prioritizes Colorado here—bigger, pricier midsizers. The Chicken Tax and US safety standards block easy imports. Imagine this as the "Maverick slayer" with more bed space and turbo punch.

3. Ram Rampage (Brazil/South America) – Stellantis' Unibody Rebel

Ram's Rampage is the compact crossover truck we crave: 198 inches of sleek aggression, unibody like Santa Cruz but with diesel options and off-road bite. Starts at $30,000-$40,000 equivalent in Brazil, depending on trim.

Powertrain flex: 2.0L Hurricane turbo gas (272 hp) for street fury, or 2.2L Multijet turbodiesel (200 hp, 332 lb-ft) for torque kings. 9-speed auto, 4x4 standard on most. Payload? Up to 2,240 lbs. Towing hits 3,300 lbs—mean for compact class.

Why missing? Ram focuses US on 1500/2500 heavies; global Rampage skips our emissions and tariff walls. This'd be the "premium compact" bridging Maverick and Tacoma, with NFL editions for extra flair.

4. Fiat Strada – Brazil's Ultra-Compact Kingpin

The Fiat Strada is pure compact genius: just 176 inches long, double-cab options, and a rep for dominating Brazil's streets/dirt. Prices kick off at $15,000-$20,000 equivalent, with trims from basic Endurance to rugged Ranch.

Engines: 1.3L Firefly (109 hp) for efficiency, or 1.0L turbo T200 (up to 130 hp, 148 lb-ft) for zip. CVT or manual trans. Payload? 1,543 lbs max. Cargo bed fits 69.7 x 51.7 inches—perfect for tools, gear, or weekend hauls.

US denial? Chicken Tax strikes again, plus Fiat's limited truck presence here. This is the "city zealot's dream"—smaller than Maverick, tougher than a hatchback, begging for US urban conquest.

5. Ram 700 – The Rebadged Strada with Ram Attitude

Essentially, Ram's take on the Fiat Strada (same 176-inch footprint), the 700 adds trucker swagger for Latin markets like Mexico/Colombia. Affordable at $15,000-$18,000 equivalent, it's the subcompact hauler for tight budgets.

Power: 1.3L inline-four (98-100 hp) or upcoming 1.0L turbo (125-130 hp). Manual trans standard. Towing up to 880 lbs, payload ~1,500 lbs. It's nimble, fuel-sipping, and built for dense cities.

Why no love? Same as Strada—tariffs and regs. Ram badges it for brand loyalty abroad, but US gets nothing. This'd crush as a "starter Ram" for young zealots or delivery fleets.

6. Volkswagen Saveiro – Brazil's Compact Icon

VW's Saveiro is the enduring compact warrior: around 176-180 inches of front-drive grit, with a legacy since the '80s that's all about reliability and versatility. Starts at $15,000-$20,000in Brazil, with trims like Robust for workhorses and Extreme for lifestyle vibes.

Engine: 1.6L MSI inline-four (99-101 hp at 5,250 rpm, 143 Nm at 2,500 rpm). 5-speed manual standard. Payload? Up to 1,500+ lbs. The cargo bed is compact but clever, with options for roof racks and accessories.

No US? VW trucks stateside? Forget it—tariffs and focus on SUVs kill the dream. This is the "everyday zealot's ute"—efficient, customizable, and ready to outlast the competition in tight spots.

7. Chevrolet Montana – GM's Turbocharged Compact Hauler

Chevy's Montana is the refined compact unibody beast: 185.7 inches of modern muscle, blending crossover comfort with truck utility. $20,000-$25,000 equivalent, with trims from MT base to RS sporty.

Power: Upgraded 1.2L turbo I3 (141 hp, 167 lb-ft), mated to 6-speed manual or auto. FWD standard. Payload ~1,300 lbs, towing up to 882 lbs (with hitch). Cargo box? Class-leading 30.9 cu ft with Multi-Flex setup for accessories.

Why offshore only? GM eyes bigger US trucks; Chicken Tax and regs block it. This'd be the "tech-savvy Maverick rival"—digital cockpit (11-inch screen, 8-inch cluster), efficiency gains, and that turbo zip for urban trails.

Why the US Misses Out (And Why It Sucks for Zealots)

• Chicken Tax Legacy: That 1960s 25% import duty on light trucks nukes affordability—why these stay cheap globally.
• Regs and Bias: Stricter US crash/emissions mean costly reworks. Plus, we demand V8s and mega-cabs; compact = "toy" to some, even if they out-haul in real life.
• Market Gaps: Ford/Hyundai own the US compact segment with Maverick/Santa Cruz, but the globals add diesel torque and sub-$20K options we'd kill for.
• The Revival Tease: 2026/2027 rumors (Slate EV, Toyota Stout) hint at change, but until then? We're stuck envying Latin America's compact revolution.

These rigs prove that compact doesn't mean compromise—they're efficient apex predators for the modern zealot. Which one stings hardest? The turbo Montana or the budget Saveiro? Hit the comments: Would you import if tariffs vanished? Share if you're over full-size dominance.

Stay compact, stay fierce. More global showdowns inbound.