The truck segment is about to get more interesting in America. Several automakers are developing new options to take advantage of our pickup obsessed culture. We’re going to see everything from compact electric trucks to larger, gas-powered beasts. 

Seven future pickup trucks to expect by 2030

1. The Slate Truck 

Slate Auto is working on a small electric truck. It will offer two seats and hardly cover the basics in an attempt to maintain an affordable price. Don’t expect a radio to come standard. 

However, the Slate truck is highly customizable with a variety of wraps, wheels, and available tech. From roof rails to lift kits and ambient interior lighting, you can build exactly what you want. You can even turn it into a five-seat SUV. 

It offers an estimated range of 150 miles with the standard range battery. The extended range battery provides about 240 miles. It’s currently expected to start at $27,000. 

2. The Hyundai body-on-frame truck 

Honestly, Hyundai is making an incredibly confident move by targeting the Toyota Tacoma with its own rugged truck. It’s building a mid-size truck with a body-on-frame build. It will be larger and more capable than the compact, unibody Hyundai Santa Cruz. 

Plus, it could provide an SUV variant to tackle the Toyota 4Runner. This Hyundai truck is being developed specifically for Americans. It’s expected to gain the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four hybrid powertrain from the Palisade with 329 hp. 

This truck could debut by the end of 2027. To be competitive in the market, it will need to start around $31,000, like the Toyota Tacoma. However, the average truck price could continue rising due to inflation and supply chain shortages. 

3. The Ford EV truck 

It’s a little difficult to predict what to expect with the new electric Ford truck. However, the new Ford EV truck will be a compact model to battle the Slate Auto truck. It’s compact yet mid-size at the same time. 

This new truck will be the first model to be built in three pieces, and Ford CEO, Jim Farlet has shared that it’s not really a pickup. It can be compared to the Ford Maverick. Also, it’s expected to have more passenger and cargo space than the Toyota RAV4. 

That figure doesn’t include the space in the frunk (front trunk) or bed. It should start at about $30,000 to offer similar amenities as the RAV4 in a smaller package. Ford seeks to target drivers in the used market with this truck. 

4. The Ram Dakota 

I know, I’ve been going on and on about Ram Dakota rumors for years. But the new Ram mid-size truck is finally in motion. However, as a Ram Dakota exists in South America, it may have a different name. 

It will be a body-on-frame truck to compete against rugged rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado. Also, this truck will be built in Ohio, alongside the Jeep Gladiator. They might share components. 

The new American Ram truck could be gas-powered, hybrid, or PHEV. Perhaps it will offer a variety of powertrains by the time it debuts by the end of 2027. Rumors suggest that it will start around $35,000. 

5. Scout Terra 

The Scout Terra is another electric truck that will soon grace American roads. But don’t be so quick to judge the Scout Terra EV as a weak option. It’s coming to dominate the wilderness with a solid rear axle, locking differentials, and body-on-frame construction. 

According to Scout Motors, this beastly mid-size truck is expected to start under $60,000. It also aims to debut by the end of 2027. The standard range is an estimated 350 miles. But extended-range models offer roughly 500 miles. 

The built-in gas-powered generator will help you in a pinch. Storage space includes the 5.5-foot bed. Like the smaller Slate EV, this electric truck is highly customizable as it targets the Rivian R1T. 

6. The Toyota compact truck 

Have you ever thought that the Toyota Tacoma is just too big? Well, don’t fret because Toyota is building a smaller option. The compact Toyota truck wants to destroy the Ford Maverick and is working to debut by the end of 2027. 

The Ford Maverick is based on the Ford Escape, and the new Toyota truck could be based on the Toyota RAV4 or Corolla Cross. Plus, it’s expected to borrow the hybrid powertrain from the RAV4, which provides 236 hp. The PHEV option generates 324 hp. 

The compact truck will have a unibody construction with similar capabilities to the RAV4. It’s expected to start around $30,000. However, fans wouldn’t mind if the entry-level truck is even more affordable. 

7. The Nissan and Mitsubishi truck 

Love is in the air as Nissan and Mitsubishi partner to co-develop a new truck for America. Rumors originally suggested that the new truck would be a compact EV model, but now things aren’t so clear. 

The new truck could be a mid-size option to replace the Nissan Frontier and Mitsubishi Triton. But the Frontier serves as a fine work truck in my humble opinion. I’m not sold on the rumors. The truck could still be a compact option. 

Also, rumors claim that this new joint venture ride will arrive by the end of 2026. I’m thinking it will be pushed back until 2027. It’s not a bad idea to base a truck on the Nissan Rogue instead of the Nissan Ariya as interest in electric trucks declines.