Light trucks: The basics

"LIGHT TRUCKS" include pickup trucks, vans, mini-vans and sport-utility vehicles. These vehicles are generally larger than cars and able to take on additional tasks. Over the past decade, millions of consumers have discovered the extra utility available in light trucks, which cars can no longer provide. More than 7 million light trucks are sold in the U.S. each year -- nearly as many as cars.

Most light trucks have some or all of the following characteristics, which distinguish them from cars:

• Built on steel frame rails;
• Stronger engines;
• Higher ground clearance;
• Rear-wheel- or 4-wheel-drive;
• Space for large cargo items or extra passengers.

Those features are some of the principal reasons why millions of consumers choose light trucks.

Pickups

Sport-utility
vehicles

Vans &
mini-vans