The truck market in 2026 is as diverse as it is popular. While full-size pickups remain the most popular configurations out there, midsize and compact trucks are proliferating and gaining new fans every day. Here’s a look at two ends of the truck spectrum—and a glimpse at why you might choose one or the other.
The contenders in this match up are the full-size 2026 Ram 1500 Express Crew Cab 4×2 and the compact 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo. In spite of their size difference, the two models’ base prices (before options) are within $3,000. The explanation for that is the Ram Express is a “value” trim package in the middle of the wide range offered by Ram, while the Maverick Lobo is a high-end package for the smaller truck.
Another key note. These are far from the widest range of the pickup spectrum. Full-size pickups have heavy-duty and highly optioned models that can hit close to $100,000 when fully loaded, but also have incredible capabilities in performance, towing and hauling. On the other end, Ford Maverick starts under $30,000 for its base model. In addition, Hyundai offers its car-based Santa Cruz pickup starting around the same price, and Slate, a new car maker, is promising a barebones mid-$20s electric pickup later this year.
Why go big
The Ram 1500 Express gives you a good taste of why you want to opt for a full-size pickup. The bed is 5-foot-7 inches long, capable of hauling roughly 54 cubic feet of whatever you want to put in it. Inside, the Ram is a bit retro, with a hidden seat in front that means six people could comfortably travel in the big truck. It can tow 6,500 pounds. You can opt for bigger beds and bigger engines with more towing capacity, but we also like the fact that this Ram can deliver 25 mpg on the highway while still packing 420 horsepower and a robust 469 foot-pounds of torque from its twin-turbo Hurricane inline six.
Another added plus of the 2WD Express we drove is that it sits on 20-inch wheels. That can present ingress/egress issues, but it gives the truck more than eight inches of ground clearance, enough for mild off-roading.
Let’s get small
While the Ram has a bit of a split personality—a 2WD truck with great ground clearance that could make it a decent off-roader, the Maverick is a 4WD dedicated to the street. The Lobo package is billed as a “performance street truck,” and its 250 horsepower and 277 foot-pound of torque EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is geared for spirited on-road driving. That said, it’s also capable of towing a 2,000 pound trailer.
Good luck getting more than four people comfortable riding in the Maverick. In fact, large folks in the back seat may never find comfort on anything but short trips. Even with its sporty engine, the EPA certified the Lobo’s fuel economy at 21mpg city, 30 highway and 24 combined. The Maverick also has a hybrid model that sacrifices a bit of horsepower, but bumps the fuel economy over 40 mpg in the city.
The choices are there. Pickups are incredibly useful tools either for work or the active homeowner. They also can function as day-to-day around town transportation. There are many pickup models tailored specifically to your needs, your budget and your desired image. Choose wisely, based on what you really plan on doing (towing, off-road adventures, etc.), and enjoy!
