The mid-size truck scene is booming. While some drivers still want that full-size experience, many others want the utility of a truck without all the bulk. But with so many options such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado available, how do you decide which one? The right one is the one that does what you want it to do and is available at a price you want to pay.
The Ford Ranger – A Lean, Mean, Adrenaline-Pumping Machine
The Ford Ranger arrives for 2025 with just a few minor updates. It still has the proven 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine under its hood with 270 horsepower and offers a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 with 315 horsepower for the higher trims. Whether you use the Ranger for work or play, it can tow 7,500 pounds.
If comfort is your priority, check out the lariat with leather-trimmed seats with power-adjustments and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Toyota Tacoma – A Combination of Power, Capability, and Technology
The Tacoma lineup has a model for every driving need. This truck is a long-time staple in the mid-size truck market and recently underwent a complete redesign. Every 2025 model gets power from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out either 228 or 278 horsepower. Towing power maxes out at 6,000 pounds.
The Tacoma’s cabin feels a little more cramped than the Ranger’s, but the power-sliding rear window and tall center touchscreen are both big plusses.
The Chevy Colorado – Ready for Anything
The Colorado is a perfect example of how capable midsize trucks can be. A 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower comes standard, but you can get a version of this engine tuned to put out 237 horsepower.
The Colorado lineup has a trim for everything from the basic WT to the rugged Z71 and the full-on off-road-ready ZR2 and ZR2 Bison.
The Nissan Frontier – Rugged and Practical
The Frontier doesn’t fit into one mold. It can be outfitted to achieve almost any task. The SV can serve as an upscale-feeling work truck, and on the other end of the spectrum, the Pro-4X is ready to tackle any type of terrain.
Every Frontier uses a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that puts out 310 horsepower. And since we are talking pickup trucks, towing power will most likely come into play. The Frontier can pull up to 7,650 pounds.
The Honda Ridgeline – A More Mainstream Pickup Truck
The Honda Ridgeline is different from other trucks in the midsize segment. It made more for overall practicality than towing and hauling on the worksite. The 3.5-liter V-6 generates 280 horsepower and helps the Ridgeline tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The small details are what make the Ridgeline useful. The five-foot bed has a tailgate that can open down like a standard tailgate, but it can also swing open to the side. It has a large lockable trunk with a drain plug for some extra storage space.
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