2011 AutoPacific Individual Vehicle Awards: Compact Pickup

AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) are based on 73,000 surveys completed by owners of new cars and light trucks in the United States in the first half of 2011.

The Compact Pickup segment has long been neglected by most automakers as Large Light Duty Pickups have stolen their thunder by becoming more fuel efficient and capable.  The Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier are smaller pickups with limited capability but can also be had with fuel efficient four-cylinder engines, something the larger pickups do not have.

This year's AutoPacific IVA Compact Pickup winner is the 2011 Honda Ridegline.

Read on to see the entire list of category candidates and how they scored.

*NOTE: Results for 2010 Model Year Vehicles are Included in the 2011 Model Year Research Because of Availability. Scores Are Shown Where Sample Sizes Allow

#1 Compact Pickup: 2011 Honda Ridgeline

Rank: #1

Score: 1287

The Honda Ridgeline is the top ranked Compact Pickup based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research.  As the class winner, owners don’t want much changed with some exceptions.  About 30% of Ridgeline owners want better visibility.  About 25% want more infotainment technology.  About 20% want more power.  They like Ridgeline’s ride comfort, seat comfort and size.  In a class of otherwise underachievers, Ridgeline wins by a wide margin over second place Chevrolet Colorado. 

#2 Compact Pickup: 2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Rank: #2

Score: 1215

The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado offers pickup-truck buyers plenty of options with three available cab sizes and two cab lengths. An inline-five cylinder engine with plenty of torque is standard, but a rarity in this segment, the Colorado also offers a powerful V-8 as an option for an improved towing capacity. For the best off-roading abilities, the Colorado Z71 has a unique suspension setup.

#3 Compact Pickup: 2011 Nissan Frontier

Rank: #3

Score: 1204

Nissan’s role in the compact pickup truck segment dates back to the Hardbody, but like most of the other trucks in this class, the 2011 Nissan Frontier has grown in size over the years to provide added safety, passenger and towing abilities. Innovative features on the Frontier include a unique utility track system built into the cargo bed and the option of a factory-installed spray-in bedliner.

#4 Compact Pickup: 2011 Suzuki Equator

Rank: #4

Score: 1203

Suzuki's line-up is currently headlined by the Kizashi and SX4, but the 2011 Suzuki Equator gives it a practical pickup truck with plenty of passenger and towing capabilities. Based off the Nissan Frontier, the Equator gives Suzuki a more rugged vehicle to match the only other non-car in its product mix, the Grand Vitara.

#5 Compact Pickup: 2011 GMC Canyon

Rank: #5

Score: 1179

In its base form, the 2011 GMC Canyon is a great work truck, but this compact pickup can also be optioned with a sporty ZQ8 package or the rugged Z71 Off Road package. GMC offers the canyon in a wide variety of configurations including three available cab sizes, two cab lengths and even an optional V-8 engine.

#6 Compact Pickup: 2011 Dodge Dakota

Rank: #6

Score: 1163

As the original mid-size pickup truck, the 2011 Dodge Dakota continues to offer plenty of interior space and towing capacity. Dakota models come in two cab configurations, two bed lengths and a pair of engines including one of the few V-8s in this segment. This optional engine and the strong frame help give the Dakota best-in-class towing capacity.

#7 Compact Pickup: 2011 Ford Ranger

Rank: #7

Score: 1158

The 2011 Ford Ranger is the last of the true compact pickup trucks on the market, and its solid performance as a work truck and its proven reliability are a key factor in its continued sales success. The Ranger has also proven to be quite successful thanks to a design that allows for impressive numbers in both towing and fuel efficiency.

#8 Compact Pickup: 2011 Toyota Tacoma

Rank: #8

Score: 1151

Toyota has positioned its 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup as a popular alternative to full-size trucks with three available cab configurations and, surprisingly, four available wheelbase lengths. Outside of the work truck market, Toyota is looking to attract the tuner crowd with the Tacoma X-Runner, but the truck can also be tailored to the off-road enthusiasts with three distinct packages such as the T|X, T|X Pro and the TRD Off-Road Package.