Ford’s Upcoming Compact Pickup Truck: What You Need to Know

The rumors are true. Ford is adding a new compact pickup truck to its lineup. Rather than resembling the car-based Ford Courier coupe utility sold in other markets, this unibody pickup will adopt a more rugged look to satisfy American tastes.

Design and Styling

Underpinned by Ford’s front-wheel-drive-based compact car platform, this new trucklet will slot beneath the Ranger in Ford’s truck lineup, filling the gaps left by the Focus, Fiesta, and the cancelled Focus Active hatch-crossover. The exact name of the vehicle remains unknown, but it could potentially revive the Courier moniker last seen in the 1970s on a pre-Ranger rebadge of a Mazda B-Series pickup.

Expect the small Ford truck to be anything but cute. It is anticipated to borrow styling cues from both the Ranger and Bronco Sport, featuring an upright, blocky front end and an unmistakable truck profile.

Drivetrain Options

Moreover, drivetrain options will likely be shared with the Bronco Sport. According to leaked Ford documents, the Bronco Sport is set to receive two EcoBoost engines: a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbo-four. These engines are also available in the mechanically related Escape crossover, delivering 180 hp and 250 hp, respectively.

Production Plans

This compact pickup truck will reportedly be built in Mexico, possibly at the same plant where the Bronco Sport will be produced. It must include a certain percentage of North American-sourced parts to comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal. Consequently, it should be able to navigate around the “chicken tax,” which has historically hindered many foreign-made trucks from entering the U.S. market.