While I agree that more and more folks can't drive stick, there should at least be an option for a manual in what is, really, a base-line runabout truck. Especially in the 4wd versions.

Now - as to the Jetta TDi mpg figures - sorry, but it's a small truck, it's aerodynamically limited, it (being a load-carrying tool) consequentily weighs more as well. My Dad has owned two Toyota's (2wd, reg-cab, 4-cylinder, 5-speed) and the 1990 managed only about 24mpg. His '08 - which is quite a bit larger) is getting around 26mpg. Whereas my Honda accord with roughly similar engine output as the '08 Toyota gets 34 - 36 routinley on the highway.

It's physics, and it's a little tough to get past them. I would be happy with a small truck that could break the 30mpg figure. Good luck with that and an automatic transmission.

 

Excuse me?

chaikwa.

 

every time i think about this i get ****** off. Thanks to the epa we dont have squat for a nice diesel compact picup. They sell 4 door ford rangers with small 4 cylinder diesels in other countries and have for years, they sell ford superduties in a swb regular cab with a 4 cylinder cummins.... along with things like brand new jeep wranglers with 4 cylinder diesel...it would be nice to be able to go out and buy a truck like that.

The truck in the test i would buy in a heartbeat...i guarantee the 2.2 that is going to be sold here doesnt get the mileage the 2.5 does...

 

I would have to disagree with you because the old Isuzu diesel in the 2wd configuaration would get 40-50 mpg depending on driving style. The newer jettas are only getting in the 37-47 MPG range which a small lightweight diesel truck without the emissions choking it down should be able to get.

 

I would hope it would, however a lot of it comes down to the emissions as you said. It's puzzling how we're so much more concerned with emissions in general than with actual fuel use. Maybe California needs a much larger financial crisis to occur - so that we go back to valuing the basics once again.

For more on this thought, just stop by your local builder's supply and try buying a new gas can. All I can find anymore are CARB-Certified cans, and they redefine "user-unfriendliness."

 

where are these made at?

 

India.

 

22k for that? Don't think so. Up here they want 41k for a Suzuki 4x4 truck that is not even a full size truck. They have not sold too many...

 

Some may like the idea of getting 30 mpg from a small pickup as not everyone needs big HP/TQ to haul a few bricks or 2x4's from Home Depot to there house

 

i was thinking it looks like a brand new courier

 

The bed looks like it came off a Chevy LUV truck.

 

I have to agree. Most all items built in 3rd world countries are designed for their lifestyles. Creature comforts rank very low. Power isn't necessary. Size is for them-not overfed Americans!!

I tried to get into one of those imported miniature trucks that are suppose to replace a 4x4 Ranger with the benefits of a cab. I could barely get in it. No wiggle room for sure. And if I hit a bump I'm not sure what part of my body would hit first, knees, head, shoulders...... I'm 6'-4" and those things are built for the folks you usually see being chased on "COPS"----about 5'-8" and 165 lbs.

Kinda like buying clothes made in Bangladesh, they just don't fit!

 

Where does it way that there's only an automatic in these trucks for the U.S. market? I read that the automatic they're going to be providing is a six speed, which is a first for this niche of trucks in the American market... Not that it's the only transmission offered.

Did I miss something?

 

Yep - it does. It says "the 5-speed manual tranmission will not make the trip over." It also says somewhere a bit later that "only the 6-speed automtaic will be offered." Unless they have changed the article since I read it.

Such as: The 2.5-liter diesel and five-speed manual aren’t coming here, but they are well matched to the Pik-Up’s needs.

The six-speed automatic transmission (coming to the U.S. as an exclusive in the small pickup truck segment) executes shifts smoothly and doesn’t hunt for the right cog, at least on the flat ground that we drove it on, but there’s noticeable turbo lag at times. We’ll be very interested to see what impact diesel engineering firm AVL has as a key supplier and consultant for Mahindra in tweaking the mHawk to meet the performance expectations of U.S. buyers. In the Scorpio, we wish we could combine the mHawk with the Pik-Up’s 5-speed manual to improve the performance band a bit more.

 

I like the idea of small diesel pickup, but for this price point on a foreign truck, no thanks. American manufacturers are missing the boat on this market.