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Top 15 Cars That Should’ve Been Pickups (And Almost Were)

Cameron Eittreim June 4, 2025

Imagine your favorite sedan, sleek coupe, or family SUV transformed into a rugged, versatile pickup truck—sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Over the years, automakers have toyed with the idea, conceptualizing pickup versions of popular cars to combine style, performance, and practicality. However, despite promising prototypes and enthusiastic market research, many of these imaginative conversions never saw production. Whether due to financial constraints, market uncertainty, or shifting corporate strategies, these fascinating “what-if” vehicles remain tantalizing visions of automotive innovation. Join us as we explore fifteen iconic cars that nearly became pickups, uncovering the stories behind their almost-realized transformations.

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1. BMW E30 M3 Pickup

In the late 1980s, BMW engineers surprised enthusiasts by transforming the iconic E30 M3 into a functional pickup truck. Initially conceived as an internal company project, it served primarily as a practical transporter for carrying equipment and parts around BMW’s headquarters. Despite its unconventional appearance, the M3 pickup retained impressive performance capabilities, featuring the same powerful four-cylinder engine and sporty handling characteristics of its sedan counterpart. Unfortunately, BMW never intended this innovative vehicle for mass production, considering it too niche and unconventional for mainstream markets. Today, it remains a beloved curiosity, symbolizing BMW’s playful yet practical approach to automotive experimentation.

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2. Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

Pontiac G8 V6 02 04 2012 2 — Pontiac G8 Sport Truck blends V8 power and utility, but financial crisis halts its launch. Wikipedia

In 2008, Pontiac excited car enthusiasts by unveiling the G8 Sport Truck (ST), a modern revival of the legendary Chevrolet El Camino. With sleek styling, a powerful V8 engine, and car-like handling, the G8 ST promised a perfect blend of performance and practicality. General Motors even launched a naming competition to build excitement around its anticipated 2010 release. Unfortunately, the 2008 financial crisis severely impacted GM, leading to restructuring and drastic cost-cutting measures. In early 2009, just months before its scheduled debut, GM canceled the Pontiac G8 ST, leaving American enthusiasts to wonder what could have been.

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3. Volkswagen Jetta Pickup

Volkswagen once seriously considered turning their popular Jetta sedan into a compact pickup truck, aiming at the niche market successfully tapped by vehicles like the Subaru Baja. This Jetta pickup concept envisioned blending the sedan’s refined driving dynamics and fuel efficiency with the versatility of a small cargo bed, presenting an attractive option for urban drivers and weekend adventurers alike. However, despite initial enthusiasm, Volkswagen ultimately shelved the project due to uncertain market demand and concerns about profitability. With compact pickups becoming increasingly scarce, VW’s hesitation left enthusiasts speculating whether the Jetta pickup could have filled the void effectively.

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4. Mini Paceman Adventure Concept

MINI Cooper - MINI — Mini Paceman Adventure concept blends urban style with rugged off-road features for adventurous drivers. Wikipedia

In 2014, Mini revealed the striking Paceman Adventure concept, a compact yet rugged pickup designed to capture the imaginations of adventurous urbanites. Featuring a raised suspension, off-road tires, a roof-mounted cargo rack, and even a functional snorkel intake for water crossings, the Paceman Adventure combined Mini’s signature charm with genuine off-road capability. It targeted a niche market seeking both city-friendly dimensions and weekend escapism—an appealing blend of style and practicality. However, Mini ultimately decided against production, viewing it as a creative experiment rather than a profitable venture, leaving fans to envision what a Mini pickup could have achieved.

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5. Dodge Rampage Concept

Unveiled at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, the Dodge Rampage concept turned heads with its strikingly futuristic design and versatile functionality. Blending the qualities of a pickup truck, SUV, and minivan, the Rampage featured innovative elements such as sliding rear doors, a flexible cargo area, and a passenger cabin designed for maximum comfort and adaptability. Its bold styling attracted considerable attention, promising to redefine the pickup segment with family-friendly convenience. Ultimately, Dodge opted not to pursue production due to economic uncertainties and a lack of clear market positioning, leaving the Rampage as an intriguing glimpse into Dodge’s forward-thinking design ambitions.

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6. Ford Mustang Ute Concept

2003 Svt Mustang Cobra Terminator 03 — Mustang Ute concept merges muscle car performance with practical utility, captivating automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Wikipedia

The idea of transforming Ford’s iconic Mustang into a ute—a car-based pickup popular in Australia—captivated enthusiasts who imagined the perfect blend of muscle car performance and practical utility. Sporting the Mustang’s aggressive styling and powerful V8 engine, the Mustang Ute concept promised a distinctive combination of speed, style, and versatile cargo capacity. While the concept generated significant buzz, Ford ultimately shelved the idea, considering it a niche market unlikely to justify the high costs of production. As a result, the Mustang Ute remained an intriguing dream, leaving car lovers to wonder how this muscle-truck fusion could have changed automotive history.

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7. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pickup

Mercedes-Benz once ventured into the intriguing possibility of an E-Class-based luxury pickup, aiming to blend premium sedan comfort with practical versatility. Envisioned as an upscale alternative targeting affluent buyers seeking refined interiors, advanced technology, and high-end amenities in a versatile pickup design, this concept hinted at an untapped luxury utility market niche. However, Mercedes-Benz ultimately refrained from moving forward, citing concerns about market readiness and doubts about sufficient demand among luxury buyers. While the idea never advanced beyond internal deliberations and concept sketches, the E-Class pickup remains an intriguing example of how luxury automakers continue to explore unconventional vehicle segments.

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8. Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak Pickup

During the late 1980s, Nissan introduced the Pulsar NX Sportbak, an innovative vehicle offering modular versatility. Its unique design allowed owners to transform the compact coupe into a hatchback, convertible, or even a small pickup truck by swapping removable rear sections. This forward-thinking concept aimed at capturing youthful buyers seeking adaptable, multipurpose transportation. Despite its compelling versatility, the pickup variation never fully materialized commercially due to limited consumer interest and manufacturing complexities. Nevertheless, the Pulsar NX Sportbak pickup idea remains an imaginative example of Nissan’s creativity, leaving enthusiasts wondering how automotive modularity might have evolved if Nissan had pursued production.

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9. Audi Pickup Concept

Throughout the years, Audi has periodically considered entering the pickup segment, exploring designs that would combine the brand’s signature luxury, sleek styling, and advanced technology with rugged practicality. An Audi pickup would likely have showcased the brand’s iconic single-frame grille, refined interior, and cutting-edge infotainment systems, while delivering capable utility and performance. Despite intriguing possibilities, Audi ultimately decided against production, determining the premium pickup market was too limited and uncertain to justify significant investment. While Audi trucks remain hypothetical, the concept continues to spark enthusiasm among auto enthusiasts who envision a luxury truck that seamlessly blends elegance with versatility.

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10. Subaru WRX Pickup

Subaru enthusiasts have long dreamed about combining the thrilling performance of the WRX with the practicality of a pickup truck. Envisioned as a sporty, compact utility vehicle, the WRX-based pickup would have featured Subaru’s renowned symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, turbocharged boxer engine, and agile handling characteristics. Its unique blend of rally-inspired performance and everyday versatility held strong appeal for those seeking an adventurous yet practical lifestyle vehicle. Despite the concept’s potential, Subaru ultimately chose not to pursue production, citing concerns over limited market demand and profitability. As such, the WRX pickup remains an enticing automotive fantasy among Subaru fans worldwide.

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11. Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pickup

6921210 1980 Chevrolet El Camino Std — Wikipedia

In the early 2000s, Chevrolet briefly explored the intriguing possibility of transforming the iconic Monte Carlo into a stylish, car-based pickup. Inspired by the legacy of the El Camino, the Monte Carlo pickup concept sought to merge sporty coupe aesthetics with practical cargo-carrying versatility, appealing to customers desiring both performance and utility. Design sketches and preliminary engineering studies suggested a vehicle with sleek lines, muscular proportions, and ample power under the hood. However, General Motors ultimately abandoned the idea, citing concerns regarding market viability, production costs, and potential internal competition. Thus, the Monte Carlo pickup remained only an enticing dream.

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12. Honda Accord Pickup

1989 Honda Accord Lx 4 Door Fresh Car Donation 1 — Wikipedia

In the late 1990s, Honda explored converting its trusted Accord sedan into a practical, compact pickup. Combining the Accord’s renowned reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency with a versatile cargo bed could have introduced a fresh option for buyers seeking everyday utility. However, Honda’s market analysis indicated limited consumer enthusiasm for a sedan-based pickup, prompting the automaker to pivot toward developing the more rugged and purpose-built Ridgeline instead. This strategic decision allowed Honda to offer genuine truck capabilities, appealing to a broader audience. Still, the Accord pickup concept remains an intriguing reflection of Honda’s willingness to innovate and explore unconventional automotive ideas.

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13. Chrysler PT Cruiser Pickup

2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Convertible Touring — Wikipedia

At the height of the PT Cruiser’s popularity, Chrysler briefly considered expanding its retro-inspired lineup with a pickup variant. The proposed PT Cruiser truck aimed to capitalize on the vehicle’s nostalgic aesthetics, blending classic styling elements with the practicality of a compact cargo bed. Designers envisioned it appealing to buyers seeking distinctive looks combined with versatile functionality. However, Chrysler ultimately deemed the pickup version commercially unviable, concluding that limited market demand wouldn’t justify the considerable investment required. As intriguing as this retro truck concept was, Chrysler’s cautious approach left the PT Cruiser pickup as little more than an automotive curiosity.

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14. Cadillac CTS Pickup Concept

Cadillac once entertained the possibility of venturing into the luxury pickup segment by transforming its acclaimed CTS sedan into a stylish, high-end truck. The idea was to combine Cadillac’s sophisticated styling, refined interiors, and potent performance with practical utility—targeting affluent buyers seeking an alternative to conventional luxury SUVs or pickups. Potential customers would have enjoyed the CTS Pickup’s blend of luxury appointments and versatile functionality. However, Cadillac ultimately determined that the niche market was too limited to justify production costs, prompting the luxury automaker to abandon the ambitious concept. Thus, the CTS Pickup remains an intriguing but unfulfilled vision.

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15. Toyota Prius Pickup

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid Jt2bk12u810036487 7713 — Wikipedia

At the peak of hybrid enthusiasm, Toyota briefly explored the intriguing idea of converting its iconic Prius into an eco-friendly compact pickup. Intended for environmentally-conscious buyers seeking versatility alongside fuel efficiency, a Prius-based truck would have offered the best of both worlds—green credentials combined with practical utility. The concept envisioned a modest cargo bed paired with the hybrid drivetrain’s efficiency, potentially appealing to urban dwellers and small businesses. Despite initial curiosity, Toyota quickly realized that market demand was uncertain, while production costs and engineering challenges posed significant hurdles. Consequently, the Prius Pickup remained merely an ambitious concept, never progressing beyond preliminary discussions.

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Conclusion

The automotive industry is filled with fascinating “what-ifs,” and these car-to-pickup concepts offer a captivating glimpse into alternative histories of beloved vehicles. While many of these creative designs promised unique blends of performance, practicality, and style, manufacturers typically shied away due to financial concerns, uncertain market demand, or strategic shifts. However, as consumer tastes evolve and niche markets continue to emerge, perhaps automakers will revisit these innovative ideas. Could we eventually see luxury sedans, sporty coupes, or even hybrid icons reimagined as versatile pickups? Only time will tell, but the automotive world remains ripe for bold experimentation.

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Top 15 Cars That Should’ve Been Pickups (And Almost Were)

1. BMW E30 M3 Pickup

2. Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

3. Volkswagen Jetta Pickup

4. Mini Paceman Adventure Concept

5. Dodge Rampage Concept

6. Ford Mustang Ute Concept

7. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Pickup

8. Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak Pickup

9. Audi Pickup Concept

10. Subaru WRX Pickup

11. Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pickup

12. Honda Accord Pickup

13. Chrysler PT Cruiser Pickup

14. Cadillac CTS Pickup Concept

15. Toyota Prius Pickup

Conclusion

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