Winner: Toyota Tacoma
Runner-Up: Dodge Dakota
Even though rumors are flying that a new Ranger is coming, and Mahindra is supposed to bring its compact truck to market sometime soon, we still haven't seen any significant changes happen to the compact/midsize segment. The Toyota Tacoma is king here, with arguably the most bed, engine, transmission, and cab choices. It also has the best towing capacity a V-6 can offer -- second only to the V-8 Dakota in this class. And it's that V-8 power and full-size capability that earned the Dodge Dakota the runner-up spot in this category.
| Compact Pickup, 4WD ext cab |
| Vehicle | Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon | Dodge Dakota Extended Cab | Ford Ranger SuperCab |
| Base price | $23,310/$23,310 | $27,785 | $25,625 |
| Wheelbase | 126.0 in | 131.3 in | 125.9 in |
| Base engine | 2.9L DOHC I-4 | 3.7L SOHC V-6 | 4.0L SOHC V-6 |
| Opt engine | 3.7L I-5 $2095
| 4.7L V-8 $2215 | |
| Power, SAE | 185 hp (242, 300) | 210 hp (302) | 207 hp |
| Torque, SAE | 190 lb-ft (242, 320) | 235 lb-ft (329) | 238 lb-ft |
| Tires | 235/75R16 | 245/70R16 | 235/75R15 |
| Fuel cap | 19.6 gal | 22.0 gal | 19.5 gal |
| EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 17-18/23-24 mpg (17/23, 14/19) | 14/18 mpg (14/19) | 14-15/18-19 mpg |
| Seating cap | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Curb weight | 3878 lb | 4382 lb | 3668 lb |
| GVWR | 5300 lb | 6010 lb | 5000 lb |
| Payload | 1360 lb | 1630 lb | 1260 lb |
| Max towing cap | 6000 lb | 7050 lb | 5600 lb |
| |
| Vehicle | Nissan Frontier King Cab | Toyota Tacoma Access Cab |
| Base price | $23,940 | $24,015 |
| Wheelbase | 125.9 in | 127.4 in |
| Base engine | 4.0L DOHC V-6 | 2.7L DOHC I-4 |
| Opt engine | | 4.0L V-6 $1555 |
| Power, SAE | 261 hp | 159 hp (236) |
| Torque, SAE | 281 lb-ft | 180 lb-ft (266) |
| Tires | 265/70R16 | 245/75R16 |
| Fuel cap | 21.1 gal | 21.0 gal |
| EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14-15/19 mpg | 17/22 mpg (14-16/18-20) |
| Seating cap | 4 | 4 |
| Curb weight | 4318 lb | 3955 lb |
| GVWR | 5690 lb | 5350 lb |
| Payload | 1372 lb | 1395 lb |
| Max towing cap | 6300 lb | 6500 lb |
Don't agree with our winner? Then tell us which vehicle would you have picked as the 2010 Best in Class Compact Pickup in the comment box below.