The midsize truck discussion thread

Discussion about midsize trucks have popped up in a few threads in the past weeks. There have been complaints about bed size, price and overall size. There have been kudos about capability and practicality. Lets use this thread to talk about 'em all in one place.

The use cases I have for a truck/SUV aren't terribly unique.
I need to
1. Fit everybody and all of our stuff in it while driving 1k miles and being comfortable doing it
2. Be able to drive on the beach
3. Tow a 20' boat and gear.

I'd like to be able to:
1. Drive the off-road trails at Uwharrie, which are tight in places. Getting a full sized truck or SUV down them can be challenging.
2. Sleep in the back.

This is all being done currently with a 2003 Toyota V8 4Runner, and it's pretty good at all of it. I have a utility trailer I can use to haul things that the 4Runner can't handle, like mulch or riding mowers. Currently, I have no reason to switch vehicles, but looking to the future there may come a point where I may not be able to lift a 100 pound kayak onto the roof of the 4Runner. Being able to throw a 12-14' into the bed of a truck with a hitch extender on it will be nice.

Which brings us to the modern mid size trucks, which would be the ones I'm looking at. I'm defining modern as the generation available sometime this year and used models back 5-6 years or so.

Chevrolet Colorado: 2011-2023

Long bed (6') only available with extended cab.
Can tow 7k pounds with the right options.
Comfortable seating for 4 means getting a stubby 5' bed. 
Standard engine is a V6. It worked. There was also a diesel engine available.
ZR2 package is very capable off-road, but can only tow 5k pounds.
Pretty comfortable to drive.

Chevy Colorado: 2023-?

All of the above, with the following changes:
Long bed isn't even available.
Gets the same turbo 4 used in the full sized trucks standard. This engine has a bunch of efficiency and power features. I worry how reliable it will be after reading about failures with these features on other vehicles.

Ford Ranger: 2019-2023

Turbo 4 engine
7500 towing capacity
Long bed (6') only available with extended cab
Comfortable seating for 4 means getting a stubby 5' bed. 

Honda Ridgeline: 2006-2017

FWD base, AWD available
V6 Power
5 Foot bed (only), extends over 6 feet with the tailgate down
Has a lockable in bed trunk with a drain. 
Seating for five
5000 pound towing capacity
4 wheel independent suspension, so it may drive well on the highway
Only truck with a five-star safety rating for both front and side impact, getting it a Top Safety Pick

Honda Ridgeline: 2017-present

FWD base, AWD available
V6 Power
5 Foot bed (only), extends over 6 feet with the tailgate down
Seating for five
5000 pound towing capacity (may be under-rated)
4 wheel independent suspension, so it may drive well on the highway
More rigid and tough, larger bed, more storage than the 1st Gen Ridgeline, along with other improvements
 

Ford Ranger: 2024-?

Not much is out there, but there is a Raptor package available. 
 

Jeep Gladiator: 2018-present

Since it is a Jeep, some people won't understand.
3.6 V6 or 3.0 diesel
4WD with solid axles
5' bed only since launch
7650 towing capacity with correct options
Actually a convertible with correct options
Ridiculous aftermarket
Jeep tax.

Nissan Frontier: 2004-2021

That's a long model run without an update.
I4 and V6 engines
Available with 4 doors and a 6 foot bed
6300 tow rating
Apparently greatly overlooked

Nissan Frontier: 2022-present

Available V6
6690 tow rating with proper options
Crew cab means a small bed.
Apparently greatly overlooked

Toyota Tacoma: 2015-2023

Most available cab/bed configurations
6' bed available with crew cab
I4 or V6 engine
Many trim levels
Good aftermarket
6800 lbs. max towing capacity with correct options
Best off-road trim has reduced towing capacity
Ergonomics aren't the best
Toyota Tax


Toyota Tacoma: 2023-?

Not released yet
2.4 I4 Turbo engine, Hybrid drivetrain available


 

I like the idea of a Tacoma but I've driven a 3rd Gen TRD Offroad and I just can't get into it. 6' bed and towing capacity is good though. The 4.0 is a surprisingly gutless lump and inefficient. It was assertively "fine" and nothing more. I didn't really consider one for myself due to weird options that negate other options. Only drove it on highway or snow so I can't speak to sand performance.

My father had a V6 Colorado Z71. The 3.6 was plenty powerful and got us a little over 20mpg highway. I towed up to it's full capacity when I moved. It towed a loaded Uhaul car trailer with 3500lbs on it plus a full bed. Drove much better than the Taco, but the back seat is less comfortable. It went great on the NC beach with 15lbs in the tires. Dad only sold it after the Chevy dealer pissed him off. Replaced it with a Crew Cab 7' box F150 which is a whole different can of worms.

I decided on a Gladiator. Much roomier back seat than the other two, but you only get the 5' bed. For my uses, that makes more sense. All the controls actually feel connected, unlike the Taco. Way better ride than the Taco and Colorado, however I've only driven a Mojave which has all the good suspension bits. Won't see the beach so I can't comment there. The 3.6 is not crazy powerful but I'm interested to see how it measures up to the EPA rated 23mpg highway.

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:

1. Drive the off-road trails at Uwharrie, which are tight in places. Getting a full sized truck or SUV down them can be challenging.

If physically constrained spacial maneuverability is a consideration, that actually plays in favor of short beds. The 'long' box adds ~4' to the turning circle, and increases the front vs rear tracking difference... And the short box turning circle is already like 2'-3' larger than your 4Runner.

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

2nd gen Canyon was available in crew cab long box, not all years though IIRC. Pretty rare tho.

What about the Nissan Frontier?

I had a Mojave Gladiator, and it did everything well, only complaint was no guts. I supercharged it, and it helped some, but not enough to say it was worth the $$. I currently have a Rubicon Gladiator with the 392 and love it. I thought the Gladiators were strange when they came out, because who needs a convertible truck? Once you realize it's a Wrangler with the convenience of a truck bed for dirty stuff, it makes sense. 

Did you do the 392 swap yourself? That's a boat load of work.

In reply to buzzboy :

I had Rubitrux do it, they're the experts in those swaps. It's a ton of work, but comes out looking factory. 

Might be worth looking into a Nissan Frontier Pro4x. I have a 2015 dessert runner and really like it. I was shopping between the Nissan and the Toyota Tacoma and with similar features the Nissan came in way cheaper. 

If shoulder mobility is an expected or possible issue - then I'd plan to build or buy a low sitting kayak trailer. A folding 4x8 HF trailer with kayak racks mounted to it should work great.

In my experience, even mid-size truck beds have a tailgate height that limits their utility for those with strength/mobility issues. 

In reply to DocRob :

The shoulders are fine at the moment, I'm just worried about general age issues.

In reply to yupididit :

I just plain forgot about it. Which is funny, because I remembered the Titan when I was looking at full size trucks. I put it in there now.

Driven5 said:

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:

1. Drive the off-road trails at Uwharrie, which are tight in places. Getting a full sized truck or SUV down them can be challenging.

If physically constrained spacial maneuverability is a consideration, that actually plays in favor of short beds. The 'long' box adds ~4' to the turning circle, and increases the front vs rear tracking difference... And the short box turning circle is already like 2'-3' larger than your 4Runner.

 Good points. It's the tradeoff for being able to sleep in the bed. 

I had a 2018 Colorado crew cab with a 6ft bed. It also had the Duramax diesel. I put 65k miles on it and never once had any issues with it. I sold it because I got a really high value for it at a dealer, and I got a free SUV from my parents. It should drive fine on the beach, but I never tried. It towed all sorts of things from a 5k lb loaded open car trailer to 6x12 enclosed trailers without any complaints. You will find that backseat room lacks, especially for 1k mile road trips.

Have you considered a Ridgeline? My parents had a first generation Ridgeline that was more comfortable than my Colorado due to the IRS and massive back seats. The bed is only 5' which makes the overall length also shorter than the Colorado. It was wider, which made the interior as a whole much better. A second generation one would probably be even more refined, but I've never been in one.

I shopped the Canyon AT4 and it looks like what the taco has always tried to be. Seems really cool, and 7700lb tow capacity.  Funny that the Sierra 1500 gets the 3.0 diesel and far better mileage though. 

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

The shocking thing about all midsized trucks is they cost the same as full sized trucks while not getting better fuel mileage. 
     How can that be?  Look at the price tag!  Well the sticker only tells part of  the story.   Full sized trucks work on 22% markup  while mid sized trucks work on a 16% mark up. 
     Then there is the development budget.   Full sized  represents the most popular  purchased vehicle . Competition is intense.  So a lot better development  is spent on them.  
       Compare fuel mileage.   Fuel mileage in full sized often is as good as midsized.  While allowing more comfort and ability.  
           Finally, anyplace you can park your midsized  you'll be able to park your full sizer.    
     I fought against full size everything.  Preferred compact to big.  Even though as a car salesman I had access to costs.  
   When I finally broke down and bought my first full sized  I found the reason.  
   All those I've listed. Plus just shear reliability. 
 Nearly 400 thousand miles and it only cost me $1000 in repairs.  ( repairs , not normal maintenance)  when rust finally got it the original engine trans etc had never been touched. 
     

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

Gotcha.

In this case, I'd probably wait for the new Ranger and Taco to actually drop. For two reasons, 1) you can evaluate each of them. 2) It could cause a decent depreciation on the "old generation" models, particularly in the "newsed" category.

While my FJ Cruiser does everything I need. I do find myself wondering what I will do if/when it goes. I'll admit to having built a few Mavericks, Rangers, and Ridgelines to evaluate costs. 

In reply to MINIzguy :

I worry about driving a Ridgeline on the beach. I see that some have a sand mode. If I could rent one and try it out, I'd feel better about it.

Just went through a similar exercise last spring, and had similar requirements, including even the beach driving.  

I picked up a Gladiator Rubicon last spring and haven't looked back.  Tested most of your use case last summer with three full size adults and their gear going to the 4x4 beach on the Outer Banks for the week.  It performed admirably.  And you simply can't beat no top no doors when you get on the beach.  Pure joy.  I do agree that the Pentastar engine is simply adequate, though. Not a detriment, it just won't pin you to your seat.  

If you're in the new truck market, there are dealers that still deal with factory orders sold below MSRP,  you may just have to travel a bit.  That's how I ended up going new over used, it was simply cheaper.  

Since others are posting theirs, here's mine. 
 

and the one I sold a few days ago 

Puddy46 said:

Just went through a similar exercise last spring, and had similar requirements, including even the beach driving.  

The Outer and Core banks are where it would be hitting the sand, and as you know that sand can get you stuck in a very capable vehicle if you're not doing things right.

It would be epic if  you could remove the rear seats and wind up with a pass through to the bed in a Gladiator. A quick web search showed me this isn't possible, but it did put the thought of an Unlimited with the rear seats removed. Hmmm...

Also, if the I posted this photo, and said "Beat This!" your pic would be a good attempt.

yupididit said:

What about the Nissan Frontier?

I rented a '23 Frontier 4x4 this week from Enterprise Rental.  Overall not bad but I don't see myself buying one nor a Tacoma but I do like how they look.  Felt a bit gutless for a 301hp V6.  Headroom wasn't great - the rest for a new design didn't blow me away.  

I'm used to a Silverado - I'm 6'4" @ 275#'s and the Silverado fits me well., I don't like the trend to have plastic running both sides giving you a separate cockpit feel.  My right leg or knee gets sore on that.  Hit my head getting in a few times.  But I like the size - finding a parking spot is easy as you're not docking the Queen Mary.  

The Silverado just has long legs and goes distances.  Yesterday was 600 miles to bring junior home from college.  Tuesday is a 500 mile 2-day run to Indianapolis and Friday brings a 400 mile round trip to Milwaukee and Elkhart Lake.  Clicking off 1500 miles in 8 days in my Chevy is comfortable.  

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

The old guys here have photos and love to talk about beach driving "back in the day." Plenty of photos of FWD Cadillacs and RWD Vans, and everything in between, out driving on the beach by Cape Point. They'd tell you it's not about the vehicle, but the driver and the tires. I've never been stuck *knock on wood* in a 4x4 but I sure have in a RWD car.

A first gen Tundra would be good, but they are getting long in the tooth now.  The gas mileage isn't very good.  I don't know much about the V6 models, but that wouldn't scratch my itch.  

Steve_Jones said:

Since others are posting theirs, here's mine. 
 

 

and the one I sold a few days ago 

 

Man I don't like those, but Damn! I love yours! Nicely sorted.