Yahoo Autos Every Midsize Pickup You Can Buy New Today, Ranked Worst to Best
- 1/6
From their larger-than-life dimensions to their gas-gulping engines, full-size pickup trucks have some major downsides to ownership, especially for those who don't need such high payload or towing capabilities, or would like to find something that has a better chance of fitting in the garage. For many buyers, a mid-size truck could fit the bill while providing fuel- and space savings to boot. The industry is seeing a resurgent interest in these size-smaller pickups—although, like many vehicle segments, today's mid-size trucks have grown substantially—no doubt driven by fluctuating gas prices, the ever-greater gigantism of standard pickups, and a bevy of refinements recently made to trucks occupying the segment.
- 2/6
5. Nissan Frontier
The old stone that is the Frontier keeps on rolling—its basic design dates to 2005, it's had only minimal changes since 2009, and a replacement won't arrive until sometime next year. Its utilitarian interior, antiquated powertrain, and dated design may appeal to some, but in our eyes, the Frontier is simply outdone by its rivals. They certainly don't make them like they used to, and perhaps that's a good thing.
The Frontier offers extended-cab (King Cab) and crew-cab variants, with a base 152-hp four-cylinder with 171 lb-ft of torque or an optional 4.0-liter V6 making 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft. A six-speed manual is standard and a five-speed automatic is optional. Rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions—and trim levels ranging from base to the Baja-inspired Desert Runner—round out the rest of the variants. The Frontier's maximum towing capacity, when equipped with the V6 and rear-wheel drive, is 6500 pounds.
Nissan - 3/6
4. Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma's ruggedly handsome looks and available off-road gear don't really make up for its tight interior and so-so fuel economy. A 159-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 180 lb-ft of torque is standard and teams up with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic; a 3.5-liter V6 (278 horsepower, 265 lb-ft) is optional and pairs with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
When properly equipped, the V6 can tow as much as 6800 pounds. Access Cab and Double Cab body styles can be had with either a 6.1- or 5.5-foot bed. The Tacoma's functional and purposeful interior blends a little style in too. The Tacoma's ride is plush, but we find seat comfort to be sorely lacking.
Marc Urbano - 4/6
3. GMC Canyon
The Canyon shares far too much with its downmarket twin, the Chevrolet Colorado, to be deemed truly upscale. Extended and crew cabs—as well as five- and six-foot beds—offer decent passenger and cargo room. A 200-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 191 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional 3.6-liter V6 (305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft) and 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four (181 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) are more suited to heavy lifting; the diesel can tow up to 7700 pounds, and is rated as high as 31 mpg on the highway.
If you want a premium mid-size truck, consider waiting for the Canyon Denali to hit dealer lots as a 2017 model. Otherwise, the Canyon is a capable, comfortable, and contemporary mid-size rig with a wide range of configurations and very few compromises versus a full-size truck.
- 5/6
2. Chevrolet Colorado
The quiet, clever, and capable Colorado offers nearly as much utility as full-size pickups—minus the lane-hogging size. Powertrains mirror those of the GMC Canyon. A 200-hp, 2.5-liter four with 191 lb-ft of torque is standard; optional are a 3.6-liter V6 (305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft) and a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four (181 horsepower, 369 lb-ft), which has a maximum towing capacity of 7700 pounds, and a lofty highway fuel-economy rating of 31 mpg for the rear-drive model.
Other choices are extended- or crew-cab body styles, two bed lengths, and rear- or four-wheel drive. A six-speed manual is available on base models, while others get a six-speed automatic. The cabin is quiet and comfortable, although a bit cramped for rear-seat passengers. The Colorado also offers thoroughly modern features such as rear backup camera, optional 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, and available 4G LTE internet connectivity.
Zach Bowman - 6/6
1. Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline's roomy interior, ample storage, smooth ride, and innovative touches make its rivals seem outdated by comparison. The 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft and powers the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. With a max tow rating of 3500 pounds for the front-wheel drive version and 5000 pounds with the optional all-wheel drive, it's clear there are better options if tugging a trailer is part of your regular routine. Out back, the 64-inch bed not only hauls cargo, but also has the makings of a great tailgate party with its available bed-mounted audio system and a power inverter for a big-screen TV.
An innovative in-bed trunk provides a unique and secure storage solution, and second-row seats flip up and out of the way to allow bulky items to be stashed inside the cabin. Optional adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking features help the Ridgeline outpace its competition in the safety department. It's the combination of the vast and flexible cargo innovations and the truck's excellent driving dynamics that help make the Ridgeline our favorite in this class of right-sized haulers.
Honda
From their larger-than-life dimensions to their gas-gulping engines, full-size pickup trucks have some major downsides to ownership, especially for those who don't need such high payload or towing capabilities, or would like to find something that has a better chance of fitting in the garage. For many buyers, a mid-size truck could fit the bill while providing fuel- and space savings to boot. The industry is seeing a resurgent interest in these size-smaller pickups—although, like many vehicle segments, today's mid-size trucks have grown substantially—no doubt driven by fluctuating gas prices, the ever-greater gigantism of standard pickups, and a bevy of refinements recently made to trucks occupying the segment.
