I know the auto companies make $$$ on trucks and they push the monsters, but a simple 4-cylinder, manual transmission 2WD small truck is, imo, a fantastic recipe for a vehicle.
They have such a thing in India called Mahindra Pik Up.
Regular Cab 3/4 truck. The only options are airbags, power brakes and a/c. No automatic transmission. And no, you can’t have power windows too.