Here on Truck Trend, the definition of "truck" is somewhat broader than on some of the more purist titles with which I have the honor of working. For some individuals, if it isn't body-on-frame, with a separate bed box and rear-wheel drive, it's not a "truck." I recently got into a discussion with a fellow co-worker about whether or not the Chevy Avalanche was actually a truck. He said no, because it had an integrated, pass-through cargo area. It was indeed body-on-frame and rear-wheel drive, but because it didn't have a traditional cargo box, it wasn't a "truck."
Well, whether the purists like it or not, we may soon be witnessing the re-definition of the truck once more. Actually, the coming breed of mini urban transporters is not altogether unprecedented. Those of us old enough to remember the 1980s may remember the unibody, front-drive haulers from Chrysler and Volkswagen. The Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp were both Dodge Omni-based haulers, the Omni itself being ChryCo's answer to VW's wildly popular Rabbit. Likewise, Volkswagen offered a utilitarian variant of the Rabbit as well. Know as the Caddy or simply "Pickup," many were sold with diesel engines in the fuel-conscious early 80s.
Reportedly, Scion is looking at the possibility of a unibody hauler to add to its lineup. And with the clock ticking on the implementation of the 35 mpg CAFE standards, it's likely Toyota's youth-minded brand isn't alone.
Although the purist Bubbas might not be happy at the prospect of little four-cylinder, front-drive, unibody "trucks" driving the streets of America, the return of the mini-"ute" probably isn't so much a matter of "if" anymore, but a question of "when." Personally, a mini-Camino would suit me fine. Even today's midsize trucks (let's face it, "compact" trucks are essentially an extinct breed) are on the large side of what I'd want to drive & own on a daily basis.
What do you think? Is America ready for the return of the compact urban hauler?