Chevrolet's Montana, also known as the Nova Montana, is a unique vehicle that combines the style of an SUV with the practicality of a pickup truck. The Nova Montana can very well be mistaken for merely a lifestyle truck because of its sleek appearance. But its actually quite tough and capable. Given its competitive price, Chevy outfitted this mini-pickup with the best extras and features.

​​​​​And with its introduction, the market can see a lot of competition. Most likely between Montana and the Ford Maverick. The Ford Maverick is another compact pickup truck that is built to take on any challenge, and it's a formidable contender in its class. Yet the $25,000 Nova Montana, which can be a worthy challenger for the Ford Maverick, is not sold in the US.

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Why Chevy Montana Is The Perfect Pickup For America?

Rear 3/4 Look At The Green 2023 Chevrolet Montana Pickup Cargo Bed
Chevrolet

​​​​​​Americans' obsession with trucks is nothing new. And also, Americans have a thing for SUVs. Chevrolet's Montana checks both boxes because the vehicle looks trucky but is styled like an SUV, offering comfort and some truck functionalities. So, yes, this little guy can be included in Chevy's lineup in the US.

Although many would argue that the Nova Montana is a Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) hack job. And most typical truck owners may not want to buy it because the Nova Montana doesn't have a stronger engine and an all-wheel drive option. Plus, it's not cut off for heavy-duty tasks. But then again, not every American prefers a large, heavy, and bulky mid to full-size truck. Some people prefer smaller and more agile pickup vehicles. And this has been proven by the fame of Hyundai Santa Cruz.

One of the main attractions is Chevy Montana's bold and sporty exterior and interior design. Its slightly aggressive front end and proud bowtie emblem make a bold statement. Inside, the cabin is quite spacious and comfortable. To truly appreciate the beauty of this truck, you need to see it in person. It measures 185.8 inches (4.72 meters) in length and 70.9 inches (1.8 meters) in width, making it both compact and practical.

Obviously, we can't talk about a pickup truck without bringing up its cargo space. For the Nova Montana, the bed storage is well-designed to hold 31 cubic feet (874 liters) of items, which isn't much. It is slightly less than the 2023 Ford Maverick but actually more than Hyundai Santa Cruz's 27 cu-ft.

However, Chevy elevates things further with its Multi-Flex bucket, which has multiple board dividers, and customized accessories used to arrange cargo items neatly. Its advanced tonneau sealing system protects your cargo by sealing them against rain and other elements. Whether you're going for a weekend getaway or a daily commute, don't consider the Nova Montana to be too small because it has enough space to store and transport bulky items and materials.

Related: Why The Hyundai Santa Cruz Is No Match For The 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor

Chevy Montana Pickup: Performance And Technology

Front Look Of The Green 2023 Chevrolet Montana Compact Truck
Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Montana offers a lot of versatility for only $25,000. It's one of those trucks that will remain sturdy on the road and still look good for years. The 2023 Chevrolet Montana is equipped with a four-wheel drive and offers both manual and automatic six-speed transmission options. Its 1.2-Liter turbocharged inline-3 engine produces 133 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.

This mini-pickup truck is perfect for those who want to tackle light-duty tasks and occasional hauling. Also, it offers better mileage and is a great option for your daily commute. The Nova Montana comes in two trims, the LTZ and Premier, and is designed to be both durable and safe. Inside the small crew cab, you'll find a Chevrolet MyLink 8-inch integrated system, OnStar, and built-in Wi-Fi, as well as safety features such as six airbags, parking sensors, and a blind spot warning system.

The truck also features 17" aluminum wheels, full LED headlights, wireless charging, and keyless entry. With its compact size, it will fit perfectly in both the garage at your house and the downtown parking garage. It can also maneuver around the city with ease.

Related10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2023 Ford Maverick

2023 Chevrolet Montana Vs Ford Maverick​​

Green 2023 Chevrolet Montana Compact Truck Rear Three Quarter View
Chevrolet

With a 2.5-liter engine producing a robust 191 horsepower and 155 torque, the Ford Maverick is sure to make you envious. This implies more power than Nova Montana. However, Montana is a fuel-efficient and agile vehicle with the best acceleration and lowest fuel consumption in its class. Ford Maverick has dimensions of 199.7 inches in length and 72.6 inches in width, which makes it 14 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the Chevrolet Montana.

In terms of cargo capacity, Nova Montana also trails behind the Maverick, which has a maximum cargo volume of up to 33.3 cubic feet in the truck bed. However, these two compact pickup trucks have a unibody frame that helps offer better on-road performance. Both pickups are well-rounded vehicles that offer a lot of bang for your buck.

Sadly, the 2023 Nova Montana won't be available in America. According to Chevrolet, it will only be available in the South American market. Resultantly adding to the list of pickups America never got. But don't lose hope just yet. Keep your fingers crossed, and maybe Chevrolet might just surprise us all.