If you're not looking for a car that's as big as a full-size truck, yet you need that spaciousness, you can opt for the 2011 GMC Canyon. The Canyon can haul up to 37.0 cu. Ft. of cargo and tow up to 4000 lbs. of cargo easily. The vehicle is also equipped with a 3.5-liter DOHC 20-valve inline-5 capable of producing 220 horsepower. The engine performance has received a boost with a four-speed automatic transmission system.

The Canyon has also got some great standard equipment like a 6-disc CD changer, brushed aluminum side steps, front bucket seats with leather seating surfaces, and off-road suspension. Besides the standard features, a drawback is that the interior materials feel cheap such that it might not hold up for the long run. Safety features on the 2011 Canyon could still be improved, but so far it includes front airbags with passenger deactivation. Bottom line is that the Canyon is the most ideal choice of a compact pickup.