Sam Krahn 
Here is the cutest pickup truck in the world, known in Brazil as the Fiat Strada. Or in Mexico, as the Ram 700. Most intriguing is the chance this bite-sized pickup could come to the U.S. market, with rumors of compact pickups circulating. But before that, FCA has released full details of the tiny Fiat Strada pickup.
Even though we don’t get the Fiat Strada in the United States, or the Ram 700 for that matter, it’s significance is huge for FCA and Brazil. The Strada has been the best selling pickup truck in Brazil for the past 20 years, dominating the class like the mighty Ford F-150.
The 2021 Fiat Strada starts fresh on an all-new platform, called MPP, which boasts 10 percent improvement to torsional rigidity. The new architecture also allows for a new suspension setup that has better ride and handling, plus increased ground clearance. Along with the exterior redesign, front approach and rear departure angles are up by 24 percent and 28 percent respectively. Despite its small size, the Strada has an impressive payload capacity of up to 1,587 lbs.
It’s just as cheap and cheerful on the inside as it is on the outside. The Strada isn’t winning any design or material contests, but it’s not trying to with a $11,630 converted base price and $14,628 fully loaded. Still, there’s a 7.0 inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity on offer, plus a whole suite of active safety systems.
Strada’s won’t be winning any drag races, unfortunately, as the engine in the base level ‘Endurance’ trim makes just 85 hp. Step up to the mid level ‘Freedom’ or top-level ‘Volcano’, and you get a 109 hp four cylinder. And yes, the trim levels actually are Endurance, Freedom and Volcano. It may even be worth going for that base level Endurance model to get the cheapest truck possible.
The Fiat Strada is expected to go on sale in Mexico as the Ram 700 as well. With Ford rumored to launch a compact pickup using the ‘Maverick‘ name in America, there’s a chance FCA will join the market and bring the Ram 700 to the U.S. If so, it’ll probably get more power, slightly changed (less cutesy) styling and nicer interior materials, but still undercut mid-size pickups in size and price. At the bare minimum, if it comes to the United States, FCA must bring it with the rad ‘Moparized‘ decals and accessories pictured below. We can take it or leave it if they call it the Dakota.
They should go old school and call it the Rampage. It is probably about the same size.
We are restoring my dad’s rampage for my daughter. I want something if the Luke for myself.