Midsize Trucks
Trucks are among the best-selling vehicles in America, offering the ability to travel almost anywhere while hauling plenty of cargo. Midsize trucks tend to be easier to maneuver and more fuel efficient, while remaining very utilitarian vehicles. Moreover, they now offer many of the features that cars do, like adaptive cruise control, infotainment systems with large touchscreens, and upscale leather-trimmed interiors. You’ll have a fun time sampling them and realizing how usable they can be. Get the latest information and reviews on the current crop of midsize trucks here.
Nissan Frontier
With a revised design for 2022, the Frontier continues to combine both affordability and maneuverability that makes it ideal to take on projects in both urban and rural environments. All Frontiers get a 310-horsepower V-6 standard paired to an automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is optional and is shift-on-the-fly with 2WD, 4HI, and 4LO modes. Off-roaders can get the PRO-4X trim level, which brings an electronic locking differential and Bilstein shock absorbers. A notable option is the Intelligent Around View Monitor, which lets the driver spot potential obstacles to the truck on trails, minimizing the need for a spotter.
Chevrolet Colorado
Accounting for more than a quarter of all midsize truck sales, the Colorado is Chevrolet’s popular midsize truck offering. There are four different models of the Colorado to choose from: Work Truck (WT), LT, Z71 and off-road oriented ZR2. Cab and bed configuration choices include an extended cab body style with a long box, a crew cab with a short box, and a crew cab with a long box. There are three engines to choose from: a 4-cylinder making 200 horsepower, a 308-horsepower V-6, and a diesel V-6 generating 181 horsepower. For 2021, the WT, LT, and Z71 trims get updated center bars, lower fascias and front skid plates.
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma has led the mid-size truck market in sales for 12 straight years. As a popular work vehicle, the Tacoma can be ordered with the choice of a 159-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or a 278-horsepower V-6, two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual, an extended Access Cab with 2 small back doors or Double Cab with 4 full-size doors, and a 5-foot bed or 6-foot bed. Buyers can choose from 6 different models, from the work truck-spec SR, mid-range SR5, upscale TRD Sport, off-road-oriented TRD Off-Road, luxury-oriented Limited, and the off-road-dedicated TRD Pro. Toyota Safety Sense P comes standard and includes a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, and lane departure alert.
Jeep Gladiator
For 2021, one of the most off-road capable trucks on the market, the Jeep Gladiator, gets the option of a diesel V-6 engine rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine is a gasoline-powered 285-horsepower V-6 paired to a 6-speed manual transmission, with an 8-speed automatic optional. Shoppers have five models to choose from: base Sport, midrange Sport S, comfort-oriented Overland, desert running-oriented Mojave, and off-road-dedicated Rubicon. Notably, owners can remove body panels like the roof and doors for an open-air driving experience. In addition, there will be a Willys Edition in 2021 which offers some off-road features standard at a more attainable price.
Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is ideal for sporting events, picnics, and other gatherings, sporting a tailgate that can be opened down or to the side as well as a lockable, weather-sealed in-bed trunk. Customers have six trim levels to pick from: base RT, Sport, midrange RTL, well-equipped RTL-T, high-end RTL-E, and top-end Black Edition. All Ridgelines come with a 280-horsepower V-6 paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission with the choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive depending on chosen trim level. Features available on higher-end trims include Honda Sensing with a collision mitigating braking, road departure mitigation, and lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, as well as a 540-watt Truck Bed Audio System, which utilizes six exciters in the bed wall to deliver outdoor sound.
Ford Ranger
Ready for adventure, the Ranger is packed with the tech to enable easier driving both on- and off-road. The sole powertrain option is a turbocharged 4-cylinder making 270 horsepower mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Customers have the choice between two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive and there are three trim levels to pick from: base XL, midrange XLT, and top-end Lariat. In addition, buyers can select between SuperCab (6-foot bed and 2 small back doors) and SuperCrew (5-foot bed and 4 full-size doors) body styles. For 2021, buyers can make their Ranger even more off-road capable with the Tremor package that brings FOX dampers and 32-inch all-terrain tires along with a host of exterior upgrades. Standard features include the SYNC infotainment system with 4.2-inch color LCD screen, anti-theft system, and automatic emergency braking.
GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon is a midsize truck available with features found on much more expensive vehicles. Trim levels are the base Elevation Standard, midrange Elevation, off-road-oriented AT4, and upscale Denali. Cab and bed configuration choices include an extended cab model with a 6-foot 2-inch bed (Long Box), a crew cab with a 5-foot 2-inch bed (Short Box), and a crew cab with the Long Box. There are three engines to choose from: a 4-cylinder making 200 horsepower, a V-6 generating 308 horsepower, and a diesel turbocharged V-6 putting out 181 horsepower. The top-line Denali comes with 20-inch aluminum wheels, and lane departure warning as well as heated and ventilated front leather-appointed seats, while the all-new AT4 model has 31-inch tires, off-road tuned suspension, and a rear locking differential.