In case you weren’t paying attention, pickup trucks are selling like hotcakes. Statista says retail sales of light trucks increased to 12.4 million last year. That’s up 13.7% year-over-year.
The king of the hill as far as pickups are concerned is the Ford F-Series lineup, and it’s been that way for decades. But while there are many popular trucks from different automakers, some trucks over the years have divided motorists. Many of which had short production runs.
Divisive Doesn’t Necessary Mean Bad
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But this list highlights trucks that stir up strong emotions among those who think they’re great and those who don’t. Continue reading for 15 of the most divisive pickup trucks ever.
Chevrolet SSR
The Chevrolet SSR is the first entry on our list of the most divisive trucks. Some truck owners will probably scoff at the notion that it’s a real truck at all.
Speaking about the 2004 Chevrolet SSR, one online poster on Edmunds says, “This truck is fun to drive, has great power, and turns heads as you go down the road. It’s not practical as a truck, but I don’t think anyone who buys one is going to use it for hauling equipment.” Whatever you think of it, it was only in production from 2003 to 2006.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is a divisive monster of an electric truck. Hitting the market last November, the electric truck has made headlines, and not for all the right reasons. Still, it’s a unique vehicle that turns heads. As Tesla puts it: “Built for any adventure, the Cybertruck has a durable exterior, spacious interior, and technological capabilities so you can pack up your gear and hit the road.” If you’re a fan of the Cyber Truck, you’ll be happy to know that Tesla plans to sell a cheaper model in 2025.
Dodge Rampage
Remember the Dodge Rampage? Most people don’t. Its short production run spanned from 1982 to 1984. A car-based truck featuring pretty good fuel economy, the Dodge Rampage isn’t rugged enough for people who want a capable truck. “A front-wheel-drive pickup based on the Chrysler L platform, it was modestly powered, reasonable on fuel, and small in stature,” says Hagerty Insurance. It’s a cool-looking vehicle, though.
Honda Ridgeline
You can add the Honda Ridgeline to the “that’s not a real truck” list…that’s an unofficial list by truck enthusiasts who’ll never buy a Ridgeline.
Owners love the vehicle’s car-like handling. While it doesn’t feature many pickup trucks’ towing and hauling capabilities, what it offers is good enough for people who don’t need a full-size work truck. Despite what some truck enthusiasts say, it’s been available since 2005 and is still going strong.
Hummer H2 SUT
The Hummer H2 SUT (Sports Utility Truck) was manufactured from 2002 to 2009. In reviewing the 2005 Hummer H2 SUT, Car and Driver says, “It works out to an H2 with four doors and a pickup bed instead of the enclosed cargo area.”
It adds that the ride is good and the seats are cozy, but the vehicle sometimes feels “big and cumbersome.” While the SUT has a commanding presence, it looks oversized for most environments.
Chevrolet Avalanche
When considering the Chevrolet Avalanche, which was built from 2001 to 2013, it’s clear the truck is divisive. While some people dislike the vehicle, others love it. To be fair, it is innovative in many ways.
For instance, Car and Driver said this about 2013 models: “For a monster truck, the Avalanche drives pretty well, with good steering and brake-pedal feel. Based on the same platform as the Chevy Silverado full-size pickup, this truck has GM’s innovative Midgate feature, which allows pass-through capability between the cargo box and the cabin, vastly increasing versatility.”
While many love its versatility and innovation, some critics dislike how it looks.
Dodge Dakota Convertible
The Dodge Dakota Convertible didn’t last long. Manufactured from 1989 to 1991, the vehicle was an interesting novelty but lacked the practicality and popularity to last.
A Car and Driver reviewer said, “On the surface, a pickup truck with a flop top makes about as much sense as a steel baseball mitt. Pickups are designed for hard work, after all. But everyone knows that most pickups actually live a life of leisure.”
Lincoln Blackwood
The Lincoln Blackwood luxury pickup truck was a one-and-done affair since the 2002 model year was the only year it was available in the U.S.
It’s a luxury truck featuring a carpeted bed capped with a hard tonneau cover. It’s designed for consumers who prioritize luxury over functionality. However, the limited market appeal makes it a tough sell. Edmunds sums it up nicely, saying the truck is “Just the thing for the country-club set; a useless pick-em-up that’s no good at carrying cargo and little better at shuttling people.”
Subaru Baja
Available from the 2002 to 2006 model years, the Subaru Baja isn’t what a die-hard truck enthusiast would call a real truck. It’s a passenger car with a small and barely usable truck bed. But, again, it’s the sort of vehicle that could appeal to someone who wants a truck but doesn’t need one. AWD functionality is a bonus.
GMC Hummer Pickup EV
Available from 2021 to the present, the GMC Hummer Pickup EV is a vehicle that’s impossible not to notice. It’s a larger-than-life electric truck with a price tag to match. But it’s the utter absurdity of the humongous vehicle that has some truck enthusiasts shaking their heads. “The 2025 Hummer EV pickup is larger than life, and heavier too. It’s highly capable off-road and yet quicker than a Corvette Stingray to 60 mph,” says Edmunds.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Available from 2022 to the present, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is what Hyundai calls a sports adventure vehicle. It features a unibody construction that combines elements of a crossover SUV and a pickup truck. If you want a car-like vehicle with some pickup truck functionality, it’s a winner. However, many consumers wish it would be one or the other rather than trying to be both.
Chevrolet LUV
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you haven’t heard of the Chevrolet LUV before. Manufactured from 1972 to 1982, the Chevrolet LUV was appreciated for what it was. But some wanted it to do more.
“The Chevrolet LUV was a compact and light pickup that was essentially a rebadged Isuzu,” says LS1Tech. “In fact, LUV stands for ‘Light Utility Vehicle,’ so you would not expect it to be packing a large and powerful engine.”
Mazda Rotary Pickup
From 1974 to 1977, Mazda manufactured the Mazda Rotary Pickup. Its rotary engine was a unique feature, but reliability issues and low torque made it a no-go for some consumers.
Mazda USA says just 15,000 Mazda Rotary Pickups were produced for the American and Canadian markets: “With a four-port 1.3-liter 13B four-barrel carbureted engine, flared fenders, and distinctive round taillights, the [Mazda Rotary Pickup] was the world’s first—and only—rotary-engined pickup truck.”
Chevrolet El Camino
“From 1959-60 and 1964-87, the Chevrolet El Camino was a vehicle hybrid, combining the practicality of a pickup truck, passenger car comfort, stylish design, and, with the Super Sport package, high-performance muscle,” says Muscle Car UK. For some people, the half-car, half-truck nature of the Chevrolet El Camino was too much.
GMC Syclone
According to J.D. Power, the GMC Syclone was manufactured from 1991 to 1993. Some consumers complain that it offers limited utility because it prioritizes speed over towing and hauling capabilities.
These Are Some of the Most Divisive Pickups Ever
If you’re into pickup trucks, you may be familiar with some vehicles on this list. But it’s possible you haven’t heard of all of them. While there is a market for any truck, the 15 on this list are particularly divisive, with people loving or hating them.
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