Top 5 Mid-size Pickup Trucks

Top 5 Mid-size Pickup Trucks

 

1 . Chevrolet Colorado

The Colorado is Chevy’s first new mid-size pickup in ages, with fresh looks, new tech, and convenience features galore. It’s quieter, more solid feeling, and civilized. Power comes from a 200-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 lb-ft of torque or an optional 3.6-liter V-6 with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft. The V-6 offers an optional 7000-lb tow rating. Extended or crew cabs, five- and six-foot beds are available, as is a six-speed manual for base models; LT and Z71 models get a six-speed automatic.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $38,870 (base price: $28,995)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT:217 cu in, 3564 cc
Power: 305 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 269 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION:6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 140.5 in
Length: 224.9 in
Width: 74.3 in Height:70.5 in
Passenger/cargo volume: 107.0/49.9 cu ft
Curb weight: 4536 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 90 mph: 15.1 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.2 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 4.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.5 sec @ 91 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 98 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 174 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.78 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 17/24 mpg
C/D observed: 18 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited

2 . GMC Canyon

The Canyon is the upscale twin to the Chevy Colorado; like its sibling, it offers the utility of a pickup combined with a somewhat smaller footprint. Appealing to modern buyers, the Canyon offers tons of tech and convenience features. Extended- and crew-cab styles as well as five- and six-foot beds are available; so is a six-speed manual for base models while the rest get a six-speed automatic. A 200-hp four-cylinder is standard; a 305-hp V-6 is available with an optional 7000-lb tow capacity.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $39,090 (base price $34,935)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 217 cu in, 3564 cc
Power: 305 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 269 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 128.3 in
Length: 212.4 in
Width: 74.3 in Height: 70.6 in
Passenger/cargo volume: 107.0/41.3 cu ft
Curb weight: 4571 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec
Zero to 90 mph: 17.4 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.9 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 5.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.0 @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 99 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 187 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: N/A

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 17/24 mpg
C/D observed: 17 mpg

3 . Toyota Tacoma

The tried-and-true Tacoma is a mainstay of the mid-size truck world, with three body styles to meet the demanding needs of equally demanding drivers. A 159-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder is standard; a 236-hp 4.0-liter V-6 is optional. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available as are rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. The rough-and-tumble TRD Pro Series adds a locking rear differential, raised suspension, and an extra dose of visual machismo. An all-new Tacoma will go on sale for 2016.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front engine, rear- or four-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door truck

PRICE AS TESTED: $38,300 (base price: $37,320)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 241 cu in, 3956 cc
Power: 236 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 266 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 127.4 in
Length: 208.1 in
Width: 74.6 in Height:70.1 in
Curb weight: 4338 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 24.7 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.5 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 5.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.9 sec @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 109 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 200 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.66 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 16/19 mpg
C/D observed: 17 mpg
*Stability-control inhibited

4 . Honda Ridgeline

Honda’s contrarian pickup is equal parts crossover and truck. However long in the tooth it may be (2014 is its last year of production; a new model is due by 2016 or so), the Ridgeline blends the cabin comfort of the Pilot SUV with a short, high-walled cargo bed, a nifty under-floor trunk, and a dual-action tailgate. Its 250-hp V-6 is average, but its fuel efficiency is decent. For people who want truck utility and crossover drivability, the Ridgeline is worth a look.

Price: $30,405 - $38,335

5 . Nissan Frontier

The old stone that is the Frontier keeps rolling—its basic design dates to 2005, it’s had only minimal changes since 2009, and a replacement probably won’t arrive for a few more years. To meet the needs of buyers today, the Frontier offers extended-cab or crew-cab versions, with a base 152-hp 2.5-liter four or optional 261-hp 4.0-liter V-6, a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic, rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive versions, and trim levels ranging from base to the Baja-inspired Desert Runner.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $30,000

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled diesel inline-4, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT (EST): 171 cu in, 2800 cc
Power (est): 200 hp
Torque (est): 350 lb-ft

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 125.9 in
Length: 205.5 in
Width: 72.8 in Height: 70.1 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 4800 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 8.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 25.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 17.5 sec
Top speed: 105 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/DEST):
EPA city/highway: 22/30 mpg