Forgotten '90s Pickup Trucks That We Want to See Back on the Market
The ‘90s had pickup trucks with personality. Some were tough, some were quirky, and some just disappeared. But here’s the thing: a lot of them were actually pretty great. Here’s our list of 35 trucks that deserve another shot in the spotlight.
1991 GMC Syclone
The GMC Syclone was a muscle car, but in pickup form. It was faster than a Ferrari 348 in its day, going 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. The only problem was that it was expensive and production was limited. Today, it’s a cult legend, and everyone secretly wishes it would roar back.
1991 Chevrolet 454 SS
The Chevy 454 SS was a muscle truck with a giant heart, boasting 454 cubic inches of V8 power. It wasn’t the most practical truck, but if you wanted to burn rubber and turn heads in the ‘90s, this was your ride.
1993 Ford F-150 Lightning
Before the EV Lightning, there was the OG Ford Lightning. It was loud, fast, and unapologetically fun. With a big V8 and street-truck looks, it was built for enthusiasts, not contractors. It may have disappeared for a while, but fans still drool over its old-school muscle charm.
1994 Dodge Ram SS/T
The SS/T was Dodge flexing its muscles in the truck wars. Its big stripes, big V8, and big attitude made it impossible to ignore. A comeback could easily steal today’s truck spotlight.
1995 Toyota T100
Toyota’s “almost full-size” pickup was too big for compact buyers and too small for American truck loyalists. The T100 was the middle child, and it had bulletproof reliability. Today, it feels like a precursor to the Tundra, and a revival wouldn’t be the worst idea.
1993 Mazda Navajo Pickup
Mazda tried to sneak into the pickup scene with Ford’s help, but nobody really noticed. Still, with Mazda’s sporty DNA, a comeback with some zoom-zoom styling could actually work today. Maybe it was just ahead of its time.
1996 Isuzu Hombre
This truck’s name sounds like a rejected superhero. The Isuzu Hombre was basically a Chevy S-10 in disguise, but with fewer sales and less personality. Still, Isuzu trucks had a reputation for being tough, and a modern Hombre could carve out a niche again.
1994 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
The Mighty Max was compact, affordable, and oddly stylish. It was the kind of truck you’d see delivering furniture or cruising to the beach. It quietly disappeared as bigger trucks took over, but today’s market for smaller, more efficient pickups makes you wonder why Mitsubishi hasn’t revived this gem.
1992 Nissan Hardbody (D21)
If you grew up in the ‘90s, you saw these everywhere: lowered, lifted, or rocking neon paint jobs. The Nissan Hardbody is the truck that defined compact cool. A modern revival would ride the wave of nostalgia.
1997 Honda Acty Pickup
The Honda Acty was a kei truck that Americans didn’t get to enjoy. It wasn’t a powerhouse, but it was perfect for city life and light hauling. With today’s obsession with compact and efficient vehicles, the Acty would fit right in.
1995 Chevy S-10 ZR2
The S-10 ZR2 was Chevy’s way of saying, “Yeah, we can play off-road too.” With its lifted stance and wide track, it looked mean for a compact truck. The S-10 ZR2 was not quite a Jeep, but it held its own on the trails.
1992 Dodge Dakota Convertible
Dodge made a convertible pickup that wasn’t entirely practical but was so much fun. The Dakota convertible was the ultimate “why not” truck of the ’90s. Imagine cruising top down with a bed full of beach gear. That would sell like crazy now.
1997 Ford Ranger Splash
The Ranger Splash had wild paint, flared fenders, and graphics that made people fall in love with it. A small truck with a big attitude. Ford could cash in on nostalgia and bring back the Splash, graphics and all.
1996 Mazda B-Series Pickup
Mazda’s B-Series was basically a Ford Ranger with a different badge, but had that little extra Japanese charm. Affordable, simple, and durable, it was the kind of truck that just kept going.
1993 Toyota Pickup (pre-Tacoma)
Before the Tacoma stole the show, Toyota just called it “the Pickup”. And it was exactly that. People still hunt these down because they run forever. A comeback of this tough little workhorse, stripped down and affordable, would be a hit in today’s market.
1997 Isuzu Faster
The name didn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but the Isuzu Faster was a compact, no-nonsense pickup that did its job. It was not flashy but had a reputation for being tough. Imagine if Isuzu came back with a hybrid or electric version. Now that’d be cool.
1994 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel
Before diesels were cool, Dodge dropped the Cummins Turbo Diesel into the Ram, and truck fans lost their minds. It had torque for days and reliability to match. With modern upgrades, this kind of raw diesel power would have fans lining up.
1996 Subaru Brat
The Brat technically faded away in the late ‘80s, but its quirky spirit lingered into the ‘90s as a cult favorite. It was a car/truck hybrid with seats in the bed. In today’s crossover-obsessed world, a Brat revival would actually make total sense.
1998 Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux was sold everywhere but the U.S., which is still a crime. Indestructible doesn’t even begin to cover it; Top Gear literally tried to kill one and failed. Truck lovers would lose their minds if there were a proper 90s-style Hilux revival in the States.
1998 Chevy S-10 Xtreme
The S-10 Xtreme was Chevy’s answer to the Ranger Splash. Not a workhorse but pure fun. Reboot the S-10 Xtreme now, and every millennial would be drooling with nostalgia.
1995 GMC Sonoma GT
The Sonoma GT was compact, sporty, and way cooler than people gave it credit for. Lowered suspension and punchy performance, it was a street truck before street trucks were a thing.
1996 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
The Mighty Max was Mitsubishi’s no-frills workhorse that still had some style. It was simple, affordable, and did the job without complaint. In a world where affordable trucks are back in vogue, a modern Mighty Max would probably sell like hotcakes, especially if they kept the name.
1993 Nissan Hardbody
The Hardbody earned its name. It was the go-to small truck for years, and many are still on the road. Nissan could slap some retro touches on a modern version and instantly win back a lot of nostalgic fans.
1994 Dodge Ram 1500 (First Gen Redesign)
Do you remember when Dodge blew up the truck scene with that big semi-truck grille? The ‘94 Ram was bold, brash, and totally different from the competition. It was the truck that made people take Dodge seriously again.
1992 Subaru Brumby
Technically lingering into the early ‘90s, the Brumby kept Subaru’s quirky pickup DNA alive. It was the anti-truck for people who wanted utility without bulk. Imagine a modern Brumby with AWD and hybrid power. It would sell like kombucha at a farmer’s market.
1995 Chevy C/K 454 SS
The C/K 454 SS was a street beast in an era when trucks weren’t supposed to be fast. By the mid-’90s, it was on its way out, but a modern version would turn every head at Cars & Coffee.
1997 Mazda Proceed
While the U.S. got the B-Series, Japan got the Proceed. It was the same truck, but with a name that sounds way cooler. Mazda has gone all in on stylish crossovers, but a comeback pickup with that “Proceed” badge? That would be one heck of a flex.
1999 Ford F-250 Light Duty
Before the Super Duty came along, Ford tried the “Light Duty” F-250. It was a kind of tweener between the F-150 and the real heavy-duty stuff. It didn’t last long, but it was a cool idea.
1994 Toyota T100
The T100 was Toyota’s first attempt at a full-size truck, and while it didn’t take down the Detroit giants, it showed promise. It was dependable, roomy, and ahead of its time in some ways.
1996 Dodge Dakota Sport
The Dakota Sport looked cool with its bold decals and plenty of attitude. It was a midsize pickup that didn’t feel watered down, giving buyers something between a compact and a full-size. It could slip right back into today’s market and fit perfectly.
1995 Chevy Tahoe Sport 2-Door Pickup Conversion
Some clever folks turned the 2-door Tahoe into a pickup, and it was wild. GM even considered it officially. In today’s world of SUVs, this would be an instant conversation starter.
1997 Nissan Frontier (First Gen)
The first Frontier came out in the late ‘90s, replacing the Hardbody. It was compact, stylish, and reliable, but didn’t have the cult following of its predecessor. A first-gen-inspired revival with modern touches would get Nissan fans excited again.
1993 GMC Syclone
The Syclone was a turbocharged rocket disguised as a small truck. Faster than a Ferrari in its day, it was pure madness. If GMC brought this one back, people would line up around the block.
1998 Chevy C3500 Crew Cab Dually
This Dually was the big dog of Chevy’s lineup. It could haul anything and look mean while doing it. A retro-inspired version today would appeal to anyone who wants their truck to tell others they mean business.
1992 GMC Sierra W/T (Work Truck)
The W/T was the bare bones, no frills Sierra. It had rubber floors, vinyl seats, and not much else. A modern throwback would be a hit today, especially with buyers looking for trucks that aren’t bloated with luxury price tags.
