The midsize pickup market is the hottest it has been in decades. Every truck in the segment is new in the last couple of years — many with next-gen models debuting just this month — making it extremely competitive. We’re here to help you sort out which one is right for you.
Below, we cover which midsize truck is tops for all the major specs, along with a recap of the ever-growing list of off-road special editions.
Horsepower Rules
Power isn’t the most important truck spec, but it is the one you’ll brag about — and that makes it the best place to start.
The weakest truck is also the strongest. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma has a 228 horsepower (243 pound-feet) 2.4L turbo-four in the SR version of its trucks. Not many buyers are going to pick that work-truck spec, though, and most will probably get the 278-horse (317 pound-feet) version of that engine or the top in the class 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet i-Force Max hybrid.
Ford has two engines in the Ranger this time around (not counting the Raptor), a 2.3L four-cylinder and a 2.7L V6. Both are turbocharged engines, with the former making 270 horsepower (310 pound-feet) and the latter 315 (400 pound-feet). Chevrolet’s Colorado and the GMC Canyon have two versions of a 2.7L turbo-four that make 237 (259 pound-feet) and 310 horsepower (390 pound-feet). All three of these trucks have an even beefier engine reserved for the off-road trim that we’ll cover in a minute.
The Jeep Gladiator offers the only diesel engine in the segment. Its 3L EcoDiesel V6 offers 260 horsepower with 442 pound-feet of torque. If you want a gas engine, Gladiator’s delivers 285 horses with 260 pound-feet of torque. Jeep offers a manual gearbox with the Gladiator, and Toyota will have one with its turbo-four. Otherwise, these are all automatic-equipped pickups.
Nissan has just one engine offering to simplify the lineup. The latest Nissan Frontier gets a 3.8L V6 that makes 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. That choice means most Frontiers will have the most power, and that you don’t need more comfort options to get the most shove from your right foot.
Payload & Towing Get the Work Done
The point of all of that power is about more than just acceleration. It is to help you tow and haul.
Towing and payload vary greatly depending on how you spec your truck. Crew cabs and high-spec trims generally have less capacity for both; extended cabs have more.
Nissan Frontier can tow up to 6,720 pounds in King Cab spec. A Crew Cab can tow up to 6,570 or 6,470 for 4×4 trucks.
The 2024 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds with both two- and four-wheel drive. The Tacoma can tow 6,500 pounds with the turbo-four or 6,000 with hybrid drive.
GM’s twins, the Colorado and Canyon, can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the 237 horsepower engine but can tow up to 7,700 pounds with the 310-horse version. Jeep matches that figure for tops in towing, with the right gas model able to tow 7,700 pounds. But watch the spec closely, as picking the wrong grade can quickly drop that as low as 4,000 pounds.
Load up the cab and bed, and the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado can handle up to 1,720 pounds of payload. Ford’s Ranger manages 1,711 pounds in 4×4 form or a top-in segment 1,805 with two-wheel drive. A Jeep Gladiator tops out at 1,710 pounds, but, again, quickly drops to as low as 1,075.
Nissan Frontier maxes out at 1,610 pounds with a 4×2 King Cab, and the 4×4’s best is 1,440 pounds.
So far, Toyota has only announced payload for the 2024 hybrid Tacoma, which maxes out at 1,709 pounds.
Parked at the Pumps
Fuel economy isn’t the first priority for these trucks, but it is important for buyers. However, Ford and Toyota haven’t announced figures for their latest pickup trucks just yet.
Nissan Frontier gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city, 22 highway with 4×4. Colorado and Canyon should see 19/23. The 4×2 Nissan gets 18/24, and the 4×2 GMs 20/25. A gas Gladiator is rated at 17/22 with the automatic (16/23 for manual) with the diesel able to manage 22 city, 28 highway, or 20/25 for a Rubicon trim.
Standard Ride Height & Off-Road Angles
Off-road capability is important for these midsize pickups even if they aren’t the flashiest grade. Many are more capable than their bigger siblings thanks to smaller dimensions and lighter weight, but how do they stack up? If there is a dedicated off-road trim (Raptor, ZR2, etc) with numbers far beyond the rest of the lineup, we’ve left those figures out of this section. Check out the extreme off-road section for those king-of-the-hill numbers.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma offers a maximum of 9.5 inches of ground clearance, along with 33.8-degree approach, 23.5 breakover, and 25.7-degree departure angles. Tire sizes aren’t yet available for most, but TRD Pro and Trailhunter get 33-inch tall Goodyear Territory tires.
Nissan offers up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance, though some trims have as little as 8.6. Its approach angles max out at 32.3 degrees (all trims are above 29), departure at 23 (all above 21.9), and breakover angle is up to 20.6 degrees (all over 19.2). All have 265-wide tires and 70-series sidewalls on the 16s or 65 on the 17s.
The Ford Ranger offers up to 9.3 inches of ground clearance, with 4×2 models getting 8.8. The approach angle is 30.2, departure is 25.8, and the breakover angle is 23 degrees. The 4×2 models are all about one degree lower. Tire sizes are 255-wide with 70-series sidewalls on the 17-inch wheels and 65 on the optional 18s.
Colorado and Canyon offer up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance. The maximum approach angle is 30.5 degrees, departure is 22.4, and breakover is 21 degrees. Lower-trim trucks get 255/65R17 tires, and higher-spec trucks 265/70R17s; 265/65R18 tires are also available, or 275/50R22 all-season tires, as are 275/60R20 A/T tires.
Sport and Overland trims of the Gladiator get 10 inches of ground clearance along with approach angles of 40.8 degrees, and 18.4-degree breakover and 25-degree departure angles. Sport trim gets 245/75R17 all-terrain tires with Overland upping it to 255/70R18. Rubicon and Mojave are covered in the extreme section below.
The Price of Trucking
The cheapest of the new trucks is the Chevrolet Colorado. A WT (Work Truck) spec 4×2 starts from $29,200. The 4×4 is $32,500 while a top-spec Z71 starts from $39,900. The Nissan Frontier isn’t far off, and a King Cab 4×2 starts from $29,370 before destination. Adding 4×4 starts from $32,570 and a Crew Cab SV is $39,300. Jeep’s Gladiator starts from $38,775 for a base sport 4×4 trim. A top-of-the-range luxury High Altitude is $54,080.
GMC drops the entry-spec trims, so its Canyon pickup starts from $36,900 for a 4×2 Elevation. For 4×4, pricing starts from $40,200, and the high-zoot Denali trim starts from $51,000.
Toyota and Ford haven’t priced their new trucks. Expect an update when those figures become available.
Extreme Off-Road Midsize Trucks
Each of these truck builders offers buyers a midsize model designed for extreme off-roading. The capability of these trucks is so far beyond the rest of their lineup that they deserve their own section. Unless otherwise mentioned, the specs for these off-roaders aren’t included with the rest of the trucks.
Ranger Raptor
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is the ultimate version of the Ranger. It gets a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. There are Fox Live Valve 2.5-inch shocks at all four corners, 33-inch BFG KO3 tires, and steel plates under the engine, transfer case, and fuel tank.
Ranger Raptor has 10.7 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 33 degrees, and breakover and departure angles of 26.4 and 24.2 degrees, respectively. Max payload is 1,411 pounds; max towing is 5,510.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon & Mojave
The Gladiator Rubicon starts with a two-speed transfer case with 4.0:1 low range and front and rear electronic locking differentials. This truck gets a front sway bar disconnect, winch-capable bumpers, and 33-inch tires. Rubicon has 11.1 inches of ground clearance and 43.3-, 20.3-, and 26-degree approach, breakover, and departure angles, respectively.
Gladiator Mojave is aimed at desert running instead of the Rubicon’s rock-crawl focus. So, it has Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks and Fox hydraulic jounce dampers. It gets a locking rear diff and 33-inch tires as well as 11.6 inches of ground clearance. The Mojave has an approach angle of 44.7 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.9 degrees, and a departure angle of 26 degrees.
Colorado ZR2 & Canyon AT4X
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and GMC Canyon AT4X get Multimatic DSSV dampers with a 3-inch lift. They have 10.7 inches of ground clearance and 38.3-degree approach angles thanks to special clearance-cut front bumpers. The departure angle is 25.1 degrees and breakover is 24.6.
These trucks have 33-inch tires, cast-iron control arms, locking front and rear differentials, underbody skid plates, and rocker panel protection. Thanks to a high-output 2.7L engine, they make 430 pound-feet of torque in place of the 390 of lower models. They can tow up to 6,000 pounds and max payload is 1,151 pounds.
Frontier Pro-4X
Nissan Frontier’s Pro-4X model isn’t the most extreme, but it does have plenty of upgrades. This includes an electronic locking rear differential and underbody skid plates as well as Bilstein off-road dampers.
Max ground clearance for Frontier Pro-4X is 9.8 inches, with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 32.3, 23.0, and 19.6 degrees, respectively. Frontier Pro-4X can tow 6,270 pounds and haul 1,230 pounds.
Tacoma TRD Pro
TRD Pro is Toyota Tacoma’s top off-road trim and comes only with its hybrid driveline. For 2024, the truck gets 2.5-inch Fox QS3 internal-bypass shocks, along with its forged aluminum control arms. There is a locking rear differential, front sway bar disconnect, and 33-inch Goodyear R/T tires. TRD Pro has up to 11 inches of ground clearance, 33.8-degree approach, 25.7 departure, and 23.5-degree breakover angles.
Even more extreme trucks from Chevrolet and GMC are coming in the form of ZR2 Bison and AT4X AEV Edition models. Those trucks, developed with American Expedition Vehicles, are expected to get segment-first 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, a lift, AEV bumpers, more skid plates, an optional in-bed spare tire carrier, and an available factory winch.
FAQs
2024 Midsize American Trucks Compared: By the Numbers? ›
10 Reasons Why The Toyota Tacoma Is The-Best Selling Mid-Size Pickup Truck In America. The success of the Toyota Tacoma is unquestionable, but why is it the best-selling midsize pickup in America. For nearly two decades the Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling mid-size pickup truck in America.
What is the number one selling midsize truck in America? ›10 Reasons Why The Toyota Tacoma Is The-Best Selling Mid-Size Pickup Truck In America. The success of the Toyota Tacoma is unquestionable, but why is it the best-selling midsize pickup in America. For nearly two decades the Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling mid-size pickup truck in America.
What is the roomiest midsize truck in 2023? ›2023 Jeep Gladiator
It has the largest and roomiest crew cab of any truck in this class, it can be configured to match Chevrolet for the highest tow rating (7,700 pounds) and it offers the most fuel-efficient engine (the optional 24-mpg combined EcoDiesel V6).
The Jeep Gladiator is a burly pickup that can do almost anything the Jeep Wrangler SUV can do off-road. It also boasts healthy payload and tow ratings, and its crew-cab cabin has the most rear legroom of any midsize pickup.
Which midsize truck is more reliable? ›It's the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, according to J.D Power. The company released the results of the 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study earlier this year, which lists the most reliable vehicles for each segment. For the midsize truck segment, the Toyota Tacoma took the top spot, followed by the 2023 Chevy Colorado.
What is the most owned truck in America? ›FAQs. What Is The Number One Best-Selling Truck? The Ford F-Series is still the number one best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years. Ford delivered over 650,000 examples of the F-Series in 2022.
What is the best selling truck in America 2023? ›The Ford F-150, America's best-selling vehicle, is our 2023 Best Buy Award winner in the full-size truck class.
What is the 2023 truck of the year? ›F-150 Lightning Wins 2023 North American Truck of the Year; Third Consecutive NACTOY Truck of the Year Win for Ford. DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 11, 2023 – The Ford F-150 Lightning is charging into the new year as the North American Truck of the Year™.
What truck has most cabin space? ›The Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 best the competition by more than 2 inches of headroom and more than an inch of legroom. Ford's F-150 provides the most front shoulder space and rear seat headroom, while the Ram 1500 provides the most front-seat hip room and rear-seat legroom.
Which truck has the most backseat room? ›The current class leader in rear legroom is the Ford F-150 SuperCrew, followed closely by the Toyota Tundra CrewMax.
Which small truck has the most legroom? ›
- Chevy Colorado.
- GMC Canyon.
- Nissan Frontier.
- Suzuki Equator.
- Chevy Colorado Extended.
- GMC Canyon Extended.
- Toyota Tacoma.
Based on reliability, the best truck to buy in 2022 is the Toyota Tacoma, which comes in with a Consumer Reports score of 74. This truck is followed closely by the Ford Lightning, which received a 73.
What is the predicted reliability of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma? ›The 2023 Toyota Tacoma has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Why mid size trucks are better? ›Midsize trucks also tend to have better visibility for drivers than their full-size counterparts. This is mainly due to the fact that they have shorter front ends and lower hoods. Midsize trucks are given smaller engines which means they'll tend to have lower horsepower and less torque but better fuel efficiency.
What is the most sold truck of all time? ›Best selling truck of all time
Ford F-Series trucks have also been the most popular vehicle including cars in the US, not just most popular truck, for nearly 40 years. The first F-series, the Ford F1, was introduced way back in January, 1948, about 75 years ago.
Ford's F-150 through Super Duty truck series is the only full-size American pickup truck still 100% assembled in the United States.
What is the best American truck brand? ›- Nissan Frontier.
- Chevrolet Colorado.
- Toyota Tundra.
- GMC Sierra 1500.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
- Toyota Tacoma.
- Ram 1500.
- Ford F-150.
Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.
What truck won the best truck of the year? ›DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 13, 2022 – The new F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck adds the prestigious 2023 MotorTrend Truck of the Year award to its trophy case. The win sets a precedent – the F-150 Lightning is the first electric truck to win by a unanimous vote among the judges.
What is the best-selling truck per year? ›Ford F-Series Retains Title Of Best-Selling Truck For 46th Consecutive Year. The Ford F-Series has continued its dominance as America's top-selling truck, with projections to surpass 640,000 vehicles in 2022.
Will new truck prices go down in 2023? ›
There is good news on the horizon in 2023, however. J.P. Morgan estimates that prices for both new and used vehicles are set to decrease as supply chain issues abate and inflation is poised to keep easing.
What will happen to trucking in 2023? ›Truck Driver Shortage
In 2023, the driver shortage issue is expected to become more prevalent as demand for goods increases and the aging workforce looks to retire.
California state regulators approved on Friday a ban on the sale of new big rigs and buses that run on diesel by 2036, going beyond the federal government in issuing requirements to reduce emissions and setting the stage for other states to follow suit.
What is the most attractive truck for a man to drive? ›Ford F-150 pickup truck. Source: Ford Motor Co. According to the study, 32 percent of women feel the most attractive men drive pickup trucks. And with Ford ranking as the most attractive maker for males, the all-new F-150 would be a good pick for men on the market.
Which midsize truck has more room? ›2022 Jeep Gladiator is the roomiest midsize truck, if you take the doors off. The Gladiator is Jeep's midsize truck model. It's more than a Wrangler with a bed, in that it's longer and has some different options, but it's a real truck with a truck bed, can tow several thousand pounds and even has a diesel option.
What trucks are similar to the Toyota Tacoma? ›Midsized pickup trucks are big sellers, and that means that the 2021 Toyota Tacoma has plenty of rivals out there. It goes up against similarly capable pickups such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and GMC Canyon.
Is Honda Ridgeline the same size as Toyota Tacoma? ›Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma dimensions are similar. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is 4.2-inches wider and 0.4-inches taller than the Tacoma, but the Tacoma is 2.1-inches longer than the Honda Ridgeline.
What truck is easiest to get in and out of? ›The Chevy Colorado isn't just a truck that's easy to get in and out of, but it's also a comparably built, happy medium vehicle for anyone looking for a not-so-monstrous pickup. Performance and power typically come first, and Colorado's four-cylinder base engine brings 200 horses to the table.
What truck holds the most gas? ›- 2022 Toyota Tundra – 32.2-gallon fuel tank. 2022 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Sport | Toyota. ...
- 2022 Ram 1500 – 33-gallon fuel tank. Dust settles. ...
- 2022 Ford F-150 – 36-gallon fuel tank. The weekend is here.
2019 Silverado 1500 Durabed Is Largest Pickup Bed.
What truck sits the lowest? ›
If off-roading capabilities are a must-have in your vehicle purchase, the three compact trucks with the most ground clearance are the Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma. The 2022 Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma are tied in second with 9.4 inches of clearance.
Where is the biggest spot in a truck? ›The largest blind spot for trucks is on the right and extends across two lanes of traffic. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't see a truck driver's mirror when you are behind the truck, the driver cannot see you.
What truck has 3 rows of seats? ›When the electric Ram Revolution concept was revealed, its rearmost jump seats made it a three-row pickup truck. Now, new photos provide a closer look at the Ram 1500 EV's third-row seating, which may be useful or useless.
What midsize truck has the most horsepower? ›- 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup. Horsepower: Up to 1,000 hp. ...
- 2023 Ram 1500. Horsepower: Up to 702 hp. ...
- 2023 Ford F‑150 Lightning. Horsepower: Up to 563 hp. ...
- 2023 Ford Super Duty F‑450. Horsepower: Up to 500 hp. ...
- 2023 Ford Super Duty F‑350. Horsepower: Up to 500 hp. ...
- 2023 Ford Super Duty F‑250.
How Big Is a Midsize Truck? Currently, all midsize trucks are at least 210.0 inches in overall length and 73.0 inches in width, making them reasonably smaller than full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
What truck has the best owner satisfaction? ›Nissan Named Top Brand In Truck Owner Satisfaction In J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study. Nissan has been recognized as the number one truck brand in dealership service satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study.
What is the most unreliable truck of all time? ›Even though Ford has been one of the top-selling trucks for numerous years, the Triton motor found in the early 2000s was a huge mistake. Along with those trucks, the 2008 Ford F-250 and F-350 only had a reliability rating of 6 out of 100, making them the most unreliable trucks on the road.
What trucks have the least amount of problems? ›From Ram to Toyota, most companies offer some type of full-size pickup. And these three, including the 2022 Toyota Tundra, 2022 Ram 1500, and 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, might have the fewest problems.
Are there any years of Tacoma to avoid? ›Quick Answer: Avoid Toyota Tacoma Year Models 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017. There have been a lot of issues reported with the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017 Toyota Tacoma year models, and we recommend avoiding them.
What is the average mileage life of a Toyota Tacoma? ›The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size, light-duty pickup truck.
While other midsize pickup truck models taper off at 200,000 miles, you can expect the Toyota Tacoma to last up to 300,000. By prioritizing routine maintenance and vehicle care, you can expect the Toyota Tacoma to last a very long time.
How many miles per gallon does a 2023 Toyota Tacoma get? ›
2023 Toyota Tacoma Gas Mileage by Configuration
Toyota Tacoma SR: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway* Toyota Tacoma SR5: 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway* Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway* Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway*
- Toyota Tacoma.
- Honda Ridgeline.
- Ford Ranger.
- Nissan Frontier.
- Jeep Gladiator.
- Chevy Colorado.
- GMC Canyon.
Best selling truck of all time
Ford F-Series trucks have also been the most popular vehicle including cars in the US, not just most popular truck, for nearly 40 years. The first F-series, the Ford F1, was introduced way back in January, 1948, about 75 years ago.
Here are all the results for U.S. pickup truck sales in 2022. General Motors' full-size pickup trucks are still on top when you combine the Chevrolet and GMC truck sales together. Ford F-Series is still the best-selling truck nameplate in the country, but the 2022 Ford trucks number is down -9.9% when compared to 2021.
What is the second best selling truck in America? ›In new sales figures for the first half of 2022 Chevy is trouncing the competition and gaining on the traditional sales leader Ford for new truck sales. The Chevy Silverado is now the second-best selling new full-sized truck in America. Ford keeps its No. 1 sales spot with the F-150, but Chevy is gaining.
What was the best selling vehicle of all time? ›1. Toyota Corolla (50 Million+ units sold by 2021) Since its debut in 1966, the legendary Toyota Corolla has been destined for greatness and has sold over 50 million units through 12 generations.
What truck lasts longer Ford or Chevy? ›Chevrolet is renowned for its consistency across all its models, along with producing long-lasting and reliable cars. When comparing reliability ratings across Ford and Chevrolet cars, on average, Chevy tends to come out on top.
Which company sells the most trucks in the US? ›Ford. Ford reported the F-Series will surpass 640,000 trucks in 2022, making it America's best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years and America's best-selling vehicle for 41 years after selling an average of at least one F-Series Truck every 49 seconds last year.
Do GM trucks outsell Ford? ›GM full-size truck sales decreased 15 percent to 205,353 units in the United States during the second quarter of 2022. Even so, the performance enabled the two GM truck nameplates – Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra – to outsell the Ford F-Series and Ram Pickup.
Which pickup truck will last the longest? ›- Ford F-350 Super Duty. The Car Connection. ...
- Toyota Tundra. Toyota Tundra CrewMax. ...
- Ford F-250 Super Duty. Ford. ...
- Toyota Tacoma. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma. ...
- GMC Sierra 2500HD. GMC. ...
- Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. ...
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500. ...
- Chevrolet Avalanche.
What is the fastest everyday truck? ›
What truck has the best top speed? The Ram 1500 TRX has the fastest quoted top speed of any production truck at 118 miles per hour.
What is the fastest truck of 2023? ›2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R: 3.6 seconds
With its mighty supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 producing 700 horsepower, this big pickup was able to scoot to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. That's quicker than its chief rival, the Ram 1500 TRX.