Midsize truck advice?
Posted by CornyDogga@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 97 comments
Im looking advice on picking a midsize truck, I wanna use it for occasional outdoor stuff and diy work, I like Toyotas but not the way Tacomas are heading now. Any oddball suggestions are welcome.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
They all differ so much but each has something that puts them over the top. The Toyota is the bestselling and arguably the most reliable. Ford Ranger has a more generous back seat than others but very generic looking. The Gladiator is more of a lifestyle choice being very expensive for what you get. The Nissan is fine but does not excel in any category over the others. I like the looks and combination of features on the GMC Canyon the most but hesitant about its reliability.
coreyjdl@reddit
"The Gladiator is more of a lifestyle choice being very expensive for what you get. "
WTF are you talking about?
I paid $27k for a brand new Gladiator. For a nearly 300hp, body on frame, 4x4 truck, with Dana 44 based straight axles (only straight axle option.) 7000+ towing capacity, which beats everything, except the Colorado, which it's tied with. 1700lbs+ payload, which is beat only by the Ranger.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
Exactly! The off-road, rugged, doors off lifestyle.
And what you pay vs MSRP will always differ. Just compare straight MSRP. The reason you can get a Gladiator cheaper doesn't help your argument.
coreyjdl@reddit
The reason I got a Gladiator cheaper was because it was a manual, with hand crank windows, and low on "features" I don't give a shit about.
All the clowns on the reddit want a "simple truck" and then never actually buy them, so they get discounted and rebated to hell.
I'm not using mine "offroad rugged" It's a narrow truck that is excellent for all sort of utility. You don't have to lift them or put stupid giant tires on them.
Doors off is amazing though; I generally prefer to be on a motorcycle, so It's a fair comprimise when I'm in a cage.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
So again, it makes it a perfect "lifestyle" truck not comfortable daily driver for the whole family.
coreyjdl@reddit
No, it makes a truck, not a Buick sedan. You want comfortable daily driver for the whole family, midsize truck is the wrong category entirely.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
Lol..have you ridden in the new Ranger or a Ridgeline? More comfortable than most sedans.
coreyjdl@reddit
That's a shame.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
Yep. I prefer my CJ7 that rides like a buckboard wagon on the smoothest road.
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
Ranger pulls 7500lbs.
coreyjdl@reddit
Tow package Gladiator tows 7700lbs.
ONE1-ZERO@reddit
First Gen tundra.. end of story
Due_North3106@reddit
A normal 1/2 ton pickup is hard to beat. A no frills F150 with the 5.0 or a Silverado with the 5.3 will serve well.
Tried the Tacoma, and it’s just not a pickup.
f700es@reddit
Nissan Frontier. Dead simple and super reliable 3.8 VQ V6. The only mid size with a V6.
T20sGrunt@reddit
Frontier would get my vote. Can get a Pro4x for a very reasonable price and it has the damn near bulletproof VQ. They also offer long or short beds. It’s a very Nice looking truck too.
Monster51915@reddit
Yeah seriously, I’ve seen that on average on the website a Pro-4x long bed can top around 46-50k.
I’ve seen SR5 Tacomas at that price.
f700es@reddit
My 26 year old son is moving out next year and I'll lose access to his '23 F150 for truck duties so I'll be looking for a used extra cab Frontier 4x4
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
The Ranger has the best engine in the midsize category with its 2.7L twin turbo V6. It's the base engine in the F-150 and lasts forever in that application.
f700es@reddit
The Ranger V6 ? I like the 2.7 but JFC $44K for a fucking V6 truck. LOL sure just get a damn F 150 then, it will be $9k-$10k less.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
F150 is too long for the trails I am on all the time. But I also bought a used Ranger bc fuck that price.
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
Similarly optioned F-150s are significantly more, but sure you can get a stripper F-150 for less than a well optioned Ranger. Go off boy.
There's still a ton of value in the Ranger and it outperforms the F-150 from not that long ago.
f700es@reddit
I can get a 2.7 4X4 for $9k or so less. Never said anything about options or equipment. I like the Ranger as well but I'm not paying that for a mid size.
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
Sure, you can get a base F-150 with no options for less than a mid spec Ranger with a lot of bells and whistles. That's not a fair comparison. Base Ranger is still cheaper than base F-150, similarly optioned models are still $10K+ difference between the two.
f700es@reddit
Power windows, locks, ac, auto, 10" screen are all standard iirc
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
None of those are "options" in 2026. These are standard equipment on the cheapest cars and trucks you'll ever find on the lot.
Options would be power seats, heated seats, ADAS systems, lockers, etc. Again, option out a Ranger identically to the F-150 and it's still significantly cheaper.
But yes, you can get a fleet spec stripper F-150 for less than a loaded Ranger. That's not a fair comparison.
rwebell@reddit
I have had Nissans since the 80s and was always a fan. I had a 2011 Frontier that was a great truck other than some electrical issues. However, I needed parts (airbag sensors) and Nissan couldn’t source them and didn’t make any effort. I heard that the Frontiers are no longer being manufactured for Canada and the company is in rough financial shape….i went out and found a 23 Tacoma with 19k km on it. Doesn’t feel as powerful as the Frontier but I assume I can get parts for the lifecycle of the vehicle.
f700es@reddit
Oh the last Taco with the V6 is another answer but they are made of gold and platinum according to their prices. Yes, they will easily last 20 years as well. I'm just saying new options.
rwebell@reddit
Yeah can’t say I am a fan of the « Tacoma tax » and honestly I think the frontier is a solid truck just unsure of how solvent the company is and I was pissed off at their attitude over sourcing parts.
f700es@reddit
I feel ya. Mom (74) is still rocking her '07 Xterra that she bought new. Just tripped 200k and purrs like a cat. The best vehicle that she has ever owned.
rwebell@reddit
That 4l v6 in the Frontier was bulletproof.
f700es@reddit
Still going.
otterland@reddit
X100. A base Frontier is as close as you can get to a 90s truck. Simple in the best way and not all jacked up which you don't need for a road going hauler. Just a truck truck. They got it right. Great engine and transmission.
My second and nearly equal choice would be a hybrid Maverick. If you can deal with a smaller bed, don't tow, and you want to use your truck as a city vehicle without a horrendous fuel penalty, it's pretty brilliant.
f700es@reddit
I mean the 4x4 versions are pretty good as well.
otterland@reddit
I live south of the Ohio river in the city so plain RWD works fine for me. The month of snow we get my little Honda Fit with fresh AS tires does great as does our FWD 2010 CRV. But in Minneapolis, sure.
Doos-and-Ducs@reddit
I get disrespecting the Honda, but it’s only engine option is a v-6
f700es@reddit
Well I forgot about the 2.7 option for the Ranger but perhaps I should have said the only N/A (non turbo) option. I have nothing against Honda but I was also thinking frame-on truck as well.
EntrancedOrange@reddit
My friend had one, he put over 300k miles on it before he bought a new one. And his old one still ran fine, at that point he just didn’t want to risk it on long drives. Last I knew the kid next door was still driving his old one. A guy I golf with hit 200k last year.
I know almost nothing about them, but they are definitely something I’m going to look at for my next truck.
Joe_B_Likes_Tacos@reddit
I wish they would make it two-door with a longer bed. I think they would sell tons of them considering no one else has them available.
Monster51915@reddit
Nissan frontier is really good. In all honesty I’d even say all of them are good, people give every brand and vehicle a bad reputation for something but I haven’t heard a lot of bad stuff about the Colorado, Ranger, or Canyon recently.
People will hear “Ford, GMC, Chevy” and say they are unreliable but not all their vehicles are
TikiTribble@reddit
Everyone has made great suggestions here. Some of the are probably “best value” or “most comfortable on highway” or “best gas mileage”. But I have a different angle: “Most Fun”. Thats the Jeep Gladiator. Hardtop for winter, convertible top (or no top) for summer. Doors off? Windshield folded down? More aftermarket accessories than every other brand added together. Frankly, no two are alike after a couple of months.
doobersthetitan@reddit
If you need a city truck, thats good for Costco and grabbing some wood or big piece of Furniture....I've enjoyed my Honda Ridgeline. It does what I need a truck to do. The AWD has served me well in the crazy rain and some snow we get. One time I took it on the beach it did great too.
The bed is super flat and Honda has tents you can put in the bed. The Trunk is kinda cool too, I keep my gym bag in there. Back seats fold up so the back seat becomes a cargo area. Smooth ride...but defently doesn't sound like a truck. But it does get 23ish MPG.
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
Our work fleet has mostly been tacos and before that whatever they were called for (oh god I’m old) 40 years. The current gen, we have two and the big boss bought a personal one, and we have now switched to Rangers bc the tacos are awful. The transmissions especially. Go up a hill with any sort of slip and the transmission overheats and releases. The rangers have been fine but they are all still pretty new. If you are buying used and don’t mind the tax, the pre-Atkinson Tacos were the best if you didn’t mind it driving like shit. The Atkinson last gen were reliable enough but worse mpg than the non Atkinson version, even with more gears, if you carry any weight. Unloaded idk.
I personally have a Santa Cruz and I love it, and a used ‘20 ranger that I tolerate but I needed something taller bc I’m on rough trails a lot and the SC was dragging bumpers everywhere.
Overall-Avocado-7673@reddit
Wait for the Ram Dakota to come out next year. From what I've read, it's going to have an available 400hp engine option with towing capacity higher than any truck in that size.
MagnusAlbusPater@reddit
There really aren’t that many choices available.
Tacoma, Colorado / Canyon, Ranger, and Frontier.
I guess the Ridgeline would be the oddball choice since it’s a transverse engine FWD biased unibody platform which is an odd choice for a truck.
The Maverick would be the most fuel efficient though it’s perhaps a size down from midsize.
CornyDogga@reddit (OP)
How would you rank them in reliability?
JollyGreenGigantor@reddit
Ranger uses really proven hardware. Engine and transmission are proven in other Ford applications. Axles are solid Dana units that have been in production forever.
Nissan hasn't changed much in a while. It's also simpler. I trust turbos but a lot of people don't and if you don't, the Frontier is the only midsize without a turbo
Chevy and Toyota are both newer engines and transmissions.
HenryLoggins@reddit
Honestly, they’re all in the same categories for his reliability. The only one that would come on top for most reliable in my opinion would be the Honda.
MagnusAlbusPater@reddit
I don’t have a ton of experience with them. I considered the Colorado but the fuel economy isn’t what I’d expect from a small turbo four truck so ended up with a Silverado 3 liter Duramax which gets better fuel economy and is a lot more comfortable. I believe the Colorados are supposed to be pretty reliable since the redesign though.
I used to see a ton of Rangers but I haven’t seen many on the road lately, I see a lot more Mavericks. I believe those are supposed to be reliable as well.
SkiyeBlueFox@reddit
Maverick is at the point id almost call it a compact pickup
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
Perhaps the compact pickup, at least in the US market!
SkiyeBlueFox@reddit
Yeah only one in NA and it pisses me off. At least the maverick is exactly the type of thing I'm looking for (car with light duty truck things) but I want more options. At least Toyota has plans for a competitor
soundpuma@reddit
That list made me throw up in my mouth a bit. Just realized where trucks are at if that is now the midsize.
RobsHereAgain@reddit
I’d look at used say 5-10 years back. You could find a nice older tundra and have roughly the same mpg as a Tacoma with way more comfort and towing capacity
ZaphodG@reddit
Car with a receiver hitch. I’ve hauled away fallen trees in a U Haul 6 x 12 trailer. I moved a few 6x8 fence panels last month. I rented a 5 x 9. I bought a sofa in November. I rented a trailer for that. I can hurl things in a rental U Haul and not worry about trashing my car.
I have a turbo Outback. 3,500 pound towing capacity. I filled the thing with 12 bags of cedar bark mulch yesterday. I have a real back seat. I have ample enclosed cargo room behind the back seat and have more than 6’ of cargo bed length with the seats folded. I can air down and drive it on the beach. It’s fine in the ski resort parking lot when it’s a mud bog or has two feet of unplowed slop.
It’s not for everyone but I personally don’t want an open bed in my daily driver.
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
You would probably be happiest with a Ridgeline unless:
A. You have a specific use case (e.g. frequent heavier towing) that the Ridgeline is inappropriate for, or;
B. The truck is a vanity purchase to impress your neighbors or make you feel more masculine.
If either A. or B. are true, go with a Frontier. Don’t believe Redditors’ cow-brained takes on Nissan. Most years of the Frontier are good trucks.
As with any purchase, check Consumer Reports, IIHS.com, or whatever resources you prefer to make sure the year you’re looking at isn’t a dud. There are years of both the Ridgeline and Frontier that are best avoided.
Remember that, assuming you’re over 25, you can easily rent a heavy duty truck in the US. Don’t get sucked into buying an $80k truck for a use case you can address with a $300 truck rental every couple years.
Good luck!
rwebell@reddit
I used to pull a boat with my Honda pilot (same drive train as Ridgeline) and it was not happy. 19ft aluminum, under 3500lbs. If I was towing anything I don’t think I would pick a Ridgeline…and I’m a Honda guy.
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
Good to know!
I think that the solid rear axle, ladder frame, RWD platform, and traditional longitudinal transmission all make the Frontier the right choice for someone that’s regularly towing a race car, boat, or camper around.
Those types of use cases are where the Frontier really starts to pull ahead of the Ridgeline.
atlasbarfed@reddit
Would add you can get a Frontier with a 6 foot bed vs the Ridgeline's 5. I think both trucks have a similar payload though.
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
Yeah, I think the biggest capability delta between the two is towing, but if you regularly carry 4x8 sheets of plywood or sheet rock that extra foot of bed/tailgate length is going to be nice, too.
Still, if we’re talking regular suburban pickup duty—hauling the recycling, taking the bikes to the park, some mulch in the spring, occasional odds and ends from Lowe’s—then I think the Ridgeline wins.
coreyjdl@reddit
" I like Toyotas but not the way Tacomas are heading now"
where are they heading? don't want to recommend a vehicle heading the same way.
Past_Strength_5381@reddit
Used ranger, with the 2.3 and the Ford performance tune is a great truck!
GovPattNeff@reddit
If you don't need it to do any heavy lifting, the Ridgeline really is the perfect truck IMO. I really wanted to make it work for me, but it wasn't quite stout enough for me to feel comfortable towing a camper with the bed loaded up, which was the primary reason I was truck shopping. Very comfortable, handles great for a truck, decent gas mileage, and uses the Honda J series engine which has been in production since like 2001 and is dead reliable. Plus you get the cool hidden trunk in the bed
Aromatic_Effects@reddit
Wish more folks would acknowledge this. Ridgeline (throw Maverick and Santa Cruz in there) meets the use case for probably 90% of non-commercial buyers.
There's some weird stigma around them, but if you're secure in yourself this is a great option.
Dangerous-Sock-3688@reddit
Current generation Colorado and Canyon are excellent trucks. Go test drive one.
skylanemike@reddit
My current company pickup is a 2025 Z71 Colorado, and it's been great!
Enough-Reindeer1033@reddit
Ford Ranger. Great truck. If that's too much, check out the Maverick which is a lower price point
Cdn_Nick@reddit
Does it have to be a truck? For 'occasional' use, the Subaru Outbacks offer considerable utility. With the rear seats folded down, it's got close to 80 cubic feet of usable space. The AWD will handle all but the most extreme road conditions, and the turbo versions haul ass.
CornyDogga@reddit (OP)
I love Subarus but a truck bed is something I need, bring back the Baja lol.
FlounderKind8267@reddit
Get a used one. Whatever you decide. New trucks are a ripoff
Equal-Fee770@reddit
The Ranger, with the 2.7 is the best all around midsize right now, since the taco isn’t as nice as it used to be. And I agree, the frontier is a top tier choice too. The 4 cyl Ranger isn’t bad either, it just isn’t really saving you any fuel in that application
Classic-Quote3884@reddit
Chevy Colorado or gmc canyon. Higher payload and towing capacity, they do have the 4 cylinder, but still a better value than Toyota or Nissan. Unless you get a really base model, they all have four wheel drive.
tuckedfexas@reddit
I went with an older Ranger. 5k for one in good shape, I could do a half dozen motor and transmission swaps before it costs what the newer mid-size trucks cost.
Were I looking for new I’d go base model F150 before any of the mid-size on the market.
rwebell@reddit
Old Rangers were gold. F150 is a nice truck but doesn’t hold its value and there are so many different engines now you need a guide to figure out which one is which. (5litre still rocks). Lightning was also a nice rig but doomed now I hear.
spiderminbatmin@reddit
I’m in the same boat and going to get a ridgeline. Won’t ever tow, mostly just need a bed for the stuff I wanna do at home that doesn’t fit in the back of a station wagon. Don’t mind having “not a real truck” because don’t need anything a truck has beyond the bed
otterland@reddit
Oh forgot about those and I own two Hondas. Bulletproof drivetrain and they drive so nice. It's a Passport with a bed. It's a shitty truck if you're hauling lumber unless you get a rack, but if you're doing camping, gardening, house stuff, and the like, very nice to live with. They're often a crazy deal used and maintained buying one with over 200k isn't the worst idea.
Datboi_Markus@reddit
I wish more people thought like you. So many people buy way too much truck for their needs and just spend way too much money on fuel and maintenance and they can’t figure out how to park them.
rwebell@reddit
Ridgeline gets some seriously good reviews….hondas are always well thought out
SkeletorsAlt@reddit
There are some bad years for the transmission, so just check into that.
Still, they’re great trucks. It feels like Honda sat down and figured out exactly what kinda truck a suburban dad actually needs. I love the tailgate and under-bed trunk!
NoodlesRomanoff@reddit
Ridgeline. No question.
Or, if minimal highway driving- Honda Acty or Suzuki Carry.
nerfwarhero@reddit
Idk what your budget is, but Rivian R1T is my daily driver, and I love it. I'm a ski instructor, mountain biker, fly fisher, and DIYer and it handles all those tasks marvelously + I don't go to the gas station. You can find them used under $50k... and they're gonna have the nicest interior of all of the mid-size trucks because they're basically a luxury car with a truck butt.
ResponsibleBank1387@reddit
There are a lot of fleet sales of GM 1500. So they are used, maintained and can find for reasonable/cheap. Comparable sized to some of the midsized.
TheReal_BucNasty@reddit
2010 frontier here with 198k on it.
Still has og transmission/radiator. Thing is a tank. Awful gas mileage though.
LowEmergencyCaptain@reddit
Similar boat but with a Tacoma
RvstiNiall@reddit
Only occasional stuff? Rent one from your local Lowes. Its like $20 and will get you back to your home with whatever you bought without needing to spend extra on insurance for a vehicle you don't drive but once a month or so. This is cheaper than buying a truck by a long shot.
If you live in an area where its legal to drive them on the street, look for Japanese Kei Trucks. They actually have beds the same size as a full size truck, and can carry more weight than a midsize truck in their beds.
If you actually NEED a truck, look for something used from the 90s. Most "small trucks" from the 90s will carry more than you need and you can get one for under $7000 with super low insurance payment.
Oakumhead@reddit
If you haven't driven a Tacoma with the hybrid drive train you should at least try it out, it's so smooth and quick, awesome traction control too. Now that gas is unpredictable it's another reason to at least consider it IMHO.
doc-sci@reddit
My neighbor has a Ranger and it is actually larger than my first F-150 back (used 1978 model bought in 82) and it gets worse gas mileage that the F-150 Supercrew he traded in for it.
Sbeast86@reddit
Ridgeline. More comfort, more storage, better handling, better reliability, bigger cabin.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit
Ford maverick? The new ones obviously
Past_Championship827@reddit
Full-size RCSB trucks
EventHorizonHotel@reddit
One factor to consider is that if you want a 6 foot bed option, the Tacoma and the Frontier are the only options unless you go back to previous gens of trucks like the Colorado or Ranger.
jstar77@reddit
Nissan Frontier is the mid size truck value pick. If you want something in between a midsize and a half ton then Honda Ridgeline. If you want to move up to a half ton F150 with the 2.7. If you want to move down to a compact truck Ford Maverick. If you are on a tight budget and don't mind a little wrenching hop in the wayback machine and from the late 90s to late 2000s any of the midsized truck's except for the Dodge Dakota were pretty solid: Ranger/Taco/Frontier/S10/Colorado.
f700es@reddit
Laughing at 3rd transmission in a Dakota LOL
GeT_NiCE_@reddit
Man, if you’re gonna be doing “truck stuff” all the time: Frontier. It’s the truck flavored truck in the segment.
If you’re gonna be driving highway miles frequently, commuting, family hauling, and doing homeowner truck things on the weekend: Ridgeline. It’s the “crossover” truck.
Both have great reliability (do your research on years to target) and both are more than capable of being a truck.
Captkarate42@reddit
Do you require that it be absolutely brand new? Third gen tacomas are pretty good. If new, Nissan is the answer imo.
Ok_Today_475@reddit
Ridgelines get a lot of hate in the “truck community”. That being said, the J series V6 is pretty reliable if you maintain them and they’re great bang for buck.
CornyDogga@reddit (OP)
I should’ve mentioned this but I’d also use it as my daily driver.
-ThePaintedMan-@reddit
If you're looking for a great Home Depot-run truck that's plenty capable of all kinds of other things and won't break the bank, may I suggest a 10th generation F-150? That would be 1997-2004 and specifically with the 4.6 V8. Once the intake has been replaced with the upgraded part, these trucks are dead reliable. Never going to win a drag race, but I had one I gave away at 250k miles about 7 years ago and last I heard from the guy, it's still on the road.