Issue #161

Today, we’re exploring why the compact truck is making a comeback.

Plus, as we reach 5,000 subscribers, we’d love to know: why do you read us? Let us know with a comment!

Market News

• This article explains why the used-car market is imploding and what could happen next. 

• The man who almost destroyed Stellantis now warns that the company could split up. The reactions to his comments are mixed. 

• A man is selling his Corvette ZR1 with 40 miles on the odometer. It sparked a massive debate: flip or lack of talent?

• Here’s why cars are limited to 155 mph. The answer is logical, but it isn't. 

• Toyota and Mazda will collaborate on the new GR86 and Miata models. This could either work wonders or end up terribly. 

• Ford halts the production of the F-150 Lightning to amp up its gas-powered truck production. Here’s more. 

• California enacts a law designed to protect cars from shady deals. The first goal is to ban misleading advertising, and much more. 

• As long as the CR-V and RAV4 exist, the debate of which is better will exist. This magazine tries to settle it. 

• A Kia EV9 driver was found asleep as police pulled the car over. No one was hurt. 

• Porsche is in crisis. Really, a $1.1 billion loss-type crisis. Here’s more.

Safety and Recalls

• Tesla’s latest recall not only tries to fix a lightning issue. It also reveals something fascinating about sales figures. 

• Another Tesla recall involves 13,000 cars because of a battery issue that causes power loss. 

• Jeep issues an emergency recall for the bricked electric Wranglers, but with no solution. Here’s why.

Car Culture

• The new Toyota bZ is actually a good car. However, the bZ4X did set the bar low. 

• Before the AMG G-Wagon, the BMW X5M, and the Hellcat Durango, this was the OG muscle SUV. 

• We love this GT-S Camry concept. Toyota, please build it. 

• Aptera hasn’t given up. If you don’t know who Aptera is, they created (or tried to create) very funky trikes. 

• This Japanese company has created a tribute to the Blazer K5. It was so popular, it sold out in no time. 

• A rare Skoda concept is rear-engined, rear-wheel drive, and looks amazing. Here’s this cool blast from the past. 

• MotorTrend believes these are the 16 best off-roaders ever. Do you agree?

• Say hello to the perfect Alfa Romeo Restomod. The starting price is $625,000.

• GM suffers a fire at its design studio, but the company says reports are being blown out of proportion. Here’s more. 

• These advent calendars are the best gift for car lovers.

Video Of The Week

This YouTube channel analyzes one of Ford’s most (in)famous engines.

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In The Know

Small Trucks Are The Next Big Thing

For years, pickup trucks in America got bigger, fatter, and, most importantly, more expensive. Even though they are work trucks, their prices have made them inaccessible to the working man.

However, it was a reality that many of us took for granted. After all, a factor driving up prices had been the supply shortage after the pandemic, as this article explains.

There was little we could do. Then, Ford flipped the script in 2021 with the launch of the Maverick. 

Though the initial reception was mild, buyers eventually caught the “small truck” bug. In 2025, the Maverick fever is heating up. By May 2025, Ford had sold more than 86,000 Mavericks, a 20% jump over the same period last year.

It’s now one of the top-selling trucks in the U.S., outselling some full-size models in certain regions. Not bad for a pickup that starts around $25,000, offers great fuel economy, and fits in most suburban garages.

The Maverick’s formula is simple: practicality without pretense. It’s affordable, drives like a crossover, and still hauls lumber for a weekend project.

That combination hit a nerve, especially with younger buyers and families who want versatility but not the bulk and bills of an F-150.

Now, others want in on the action. 

The first challenger was unexpected. Hyundai launched the Santa Cruz shortly after the Maverick, and it continues to get positive receptions, as this review highlights.

Starting just under $28,000, the Santa Cruz offers a quiet cabin, strong tech features, and better fuel economy than most mid-size trucks. It’s less about towing cattle and more about towing your jet ski. 

Granted, Hyundai has never been about that. Most importantly, it also proved that many pickup owners aren’t really about farm work. 

Not to be outdone, Ram is gearing up to launch its own small pickup, the Rampage, aimed squarely at Ford’s bestseller. According to TopSpeed, the Rampage will be built on a unibody platform like the Maverick, with a turbocharged four-cylinder and optional all-wheel drive.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but insiders suggest a starting price in the mid-$20,000s—a sweet spot in a market where full-size trucks now average over $60,000.

And of course, Toyota isn’t sitting this one out. The automaker is reportedly developing a compact truck based on the RAV4, designed to compete head-to-head with the Maverick.

Given Toyota’s hybrid expertise, expect strong fuel economy and reliability. It might be a bit more boring and average than the other competitors, but these two traits resonate deeply with American buyers who are tired of $100 fill-ups.

In the end, this resurgence isn’t only about price. It’s about practicality. I’ve always loved the idea of a truck, but a full-size truck simply isn’t up my alley. 

I drive a RAV4, and the idea of a “pickup version” is appealing. Plus, if it has a bit of personality and great fuel economy (the Maverick hybrid gets over 40 mpg city), it’s actually a great combo. 

In short, the compact truck gives buyers what they actually need—not what marketing says they should want. As this article explains, these smaller pickups bring back the spirit of classic trucks from the 1980s and 1990s. They are versatile, cheap, and practical, like they were before they became luxury status symbols.

What do you think? Would you buy a compact pickup truck?