Back in 2014, the landscape for Compact Pickup Trucks in the U.S. seemed sparse. With models like the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon absent from the market at the time, options were limited to just Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. This scarcity raised a pertinent question: just how “compact” had these so-called small trucks become? Consider the Nissan Frontier of that era, stretching up to 220 inches long and weighing a hefty 4400 pounds in its long-bed crew-cab configuration.
Fast forward to 1989, a time when the term “compact” truly meant something different in the pickup truck world. Nissan’s compact offering, then simply named the Pickup, measured no more than 190 inches and weighed under 3200 pounds in its heaviest form. This era, 25 years prior to the article’s original writing, existed before crew-cab configurations dominated the small truck segment. In 1989, consumers enjoyed an impressive selection of 11 distinct compact pickup models. Let’s take a nostalgic trip back to this golden age of smaller trucks and explore the variety that once defined the market.
1989 jeep comanche side view parked
Chevrolet S-10
Front view of a red 1989 Chevrolet S-10 parked on a paved area
1989 Chevrolet S-10
Base price: $7874
Base engine: 92-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 125-horsepower 2.8-liter V6
Optional engine: 160-horsepower 4.3-liter V6
Fun fact: Rear antilock brakes became standard for 1989
Dodge Dakota
Side profile of a beige 1989 Dodge Dakota parked outdoors during daytime
1989 Dodge Dakota
Base price: $7879
Base engine: 100-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 125-horsepower 3.9-liter V6
Fun fact: The Dakota Sport convertible was introduced in 1989, and remained available through 1991.
Dodge Ram 50
1989 Dodge Ram 50
Base price: $7919
Base engine: 90-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 109-horsepower 2.6-liter 4-cylinder
Fun fact: Assembled for Dodge by Mitsubishi, the Ram 50 was a mechanical clone of the Mighty Max (see below)
Check out all of our used pickup reviews
Ford Ranger
Angled front view of a blue 1989 Ford Ranger parked in a studio setting
1989 Ford Ranger
Base price: $8093
Base engine: 100-horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 140-horsepower 2.9-liter V6
Fun fact: Extended-cab “Supercab” Rangers started at $10,749
GMC S-15
1989 GMC S-15
Base price: $7927
Base engine: 92-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 125-horsepower 2.8-liter V6
Optional engine: 160-horsepower 4.3-liter V6
Fun fact: Apart from a $53-higher base price, very little separated the S-15 from its corporate cousin Chevrolet S-10
Isuzu Pickup
Front quarter view of a silver 1989 Isuzu Pickup truck parked on pavement
1989 Isuzu Pickup
Base price: $7908
Base engine: 96-horsepower 2.3-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 120-horsepower 2.6-liter 4-cylinder
Fun fact: The Isuzu Pickup boasted standard 4-wheel disc brakes
Jeep Comanche
Front angled shot of a red 1989 Jeep Comanche pickup truck outdoors
1989 Jeep Comanche
Base price: $8111
Base engine: 121-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 177-horsepower 4.0-liter 6-cylinder
Fun fact: Comanche shared its basic architecture with the Jeep Cherokee
Mazda B-Series
Front view of a white 1989 Mazda B-Series pickup truck in a studio shot
1989 Mazda B-Series
Base price: $8068
Base engine: 85-horsepower 2.2-liter 4-cylinder (B2200)
Optional engine: 121-horsepower 2.6-liter 4-cylinder (B2600)
Fun fact: Mazda B2200 models came only with rear-drive, B2600 models only with 4WD
Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Front view of a red 1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max pickup truck
1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Base price: $7864
Base engine: 90-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 109-horsepower 2.6-liter 4-cylinder
Fun fact:Extended-cab versions of the Mighty Max were officially branded “Macrocab”
More on used Mitsubishi trucks
Nissan “Hardbody” Pickup
Front angled shot of a gray 1989 Nissan Hardbody Pickup truck outdoors
1989 Nissan “Hardbody” Pickup
Base price: $7799
Base engine: 106-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 145-horsepower 3.0-liter V6
Fun fact: The Nissan Pickup was available with power sliding rear glass and a pop-up sunroof
More on compact Nissan pickups
Toyota Pickup
Front quarter view of a red 1989 Toyota Pickup truck parked on pavement
1989 Toyota Pickup
Base price: $8248
Base engine: 103-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 116-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder
Optional engine: 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V6
Fun fact: With an available 150 horsepower, the Toyota Pickup was the must muscular of the Japanese-built pickups
In conclusion, 1989 represented a peak for the compact pickup truck market, offering a wide array of choices that catered to diverse needs and preferences. This era showcased truly compact and efficient trucks, a stark contrast to the larger, heavier models that would later dominate the segment. The 1989 model year remains a benchmark for those who appreciate the practicality and manageability of smaller pickup trucks.
