Now that most "small" pickups have swollen in size to become midsizers, the only two genuinely compact pickups that remain seem to have gotten a new lease on life: sales of the B-Series (and its Ford Ranger cousin) grew significantly last year. That's all the more remarkable considering the age of their design, which gets another year older for 2007; some standard equipment upgrades are all that's new. Powertrain selections continue to include a modern 2.3-litre "four" and antique 3.0- or 4.0-litre V6s. The 2.3 propels the base regular cab SX, and there are three extended cabs: Cab Plus 3.0, Cab Plus 4.0, and SE 4.0 4x4. The B-Series still plays the value card well, at just over eighteen grand to start.

Great value, compact but capable

Dated dynamics, poor passenger space