10 Best Midsize Truck Options for Canadian Drivers
If you’re shopping for a new or used pickup, you might be interested in what’s available for midsize options, especially if you don’t need a full-size but a compact truck is too small. Learn which pickups have a reputation for being the best midsize truck for drivers.
Driving a truck as opposed to a car might be right up your alley if you routinely navigate rough terrain or you want something that stands up to Canadian winter weather conditions. A mid-size pickup could meet your needs if you’re looking for that just-right option for size and price, while also choosing a vehicle that gets good gas mileage. The challenge is choosing the right truck to fit your lifestyle as well as your car-buying budget. We’re here to make your final purchasing decision easier. We’ve done the research for you to find the best midsize truck options on the market. Read on to see which medium-sized trucks made the cut.
10 Best Midsize Truck Options for Canadian Drivers
- 2015 Toyota Tacoma
- 2017 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
- 2019 Chevy Colorado
- 2016 GMC Canyon
- 2015 Nissan Frontier
- 2019 Ford Ranger
- 2019 Honda Ridgeline
- 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
- 2017 Honda Ridgeline
1. 2015 Toyota Tacoma
The 2015 Toyota Tacoma is a best midsize truck option thanks to its reputation for being reliable and sturdy. It’s also one of the most popular Tacoma models overall, as Toyota shifted the design from Regular Cab to Double Cab with this model year. At around 19 miles per gallon, the 2015 Tacoma’s fuel economy is on par with what you can expect from other midsize pickups. This truck is designed for maneuverability and handles well on the road, while the interior comfort and exterior styling are crowd-pleasers. It also packs plenty of value with two-wheel drive models starting at around $17,000, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.
2. 2017 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
As medium-sized trucks go, the 2017 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is built to last and features a rugged exterior design. Four-wheel drive makes this midsize pickup suited to off-road driving and the Pro-4X model comes with additional features, such as high-performance shock absorbers and a locking differential which make navigating rough terrain easier. It rated as the best midsize truck in 2017 for value according to J.D. Power and it also won awards for quality in back-to-back years. The suggested MSRP is $18,390, which may be ideal if you’re looking for a good midsize pickup for under $20,000.
3. 2019 Chevy Colorado
The Chevy Colorado is the midsize counterpart to the Silverado and the 2019 model features an outstanding design at an affordable price. The suggested MSRP for this model year is $21,900 and at 30 miles per gallon, it’s hands-down one of the most fuel-efficient midsize pickup trucks you can buy. The 2019 Colorado has a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 lbs., along with a best-in-class 308 maximum horsepower so it’s got plenty of power when you need it. In 2019, the ZR-2 Bison model was voted the best off-road truck of the year by Popular Mechanics and it’s equipped to handle a variety of terrains including asphalt, sand, mud or mountainsides.
4. 2016 GMC Canyon
After a three-year hiatus, the GMC Canyon returned to the market a few years ago with a redesigned 2016 model. The 2016 Crew Cab model shines for its combination of horsepower and towing capacity, along with updated powertrain capabilities that make it stand out in the midsize pickup crowd. The Canyon offers a combination of a comfortable ride and a fuel-efficient diesel engine, with a suggested MSRP of $22,995. It’s maneuverable enough for everyday driving while also being powerful enough for hauling and towing, putting it in a comparable class with the Chevy Colorado.
5. 2015 Nissan Frontier
If you’re interested in getting a midsize pickup in the $12,000 to $15,000 range, the 2015 Nissan Frontier is worth a look. This is one of the highest-rated midsize trucks for its model year, thanks to its reputation for being reliable and packing a punch when it comes to driving off-road. The interior and exterior designs aren’t quite as flashy as some of its midsize competitors but it compensates for that by being one of the safest midsize trucks on the road. The fuel economy is typical of what you’d expect, averaging 15 to 19 miles per gallon in the city and 21 to 23 miles per gallon on the highway.
6. 2019 Ford Ranger
After a lengthy break, the Ford Ranger made a comeback in 2019 with a completely redesigned look. Starting at $24,300, the 2019 Ranger gets an estimated 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. It’s got the durability of a full-size Ford pickup with the styling of a midsize truck. The 2019 Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs. and it features a best-in-class 1,860-lb. maximum payload. It’s got the power you need to handle heavy-duty jobs. If you want to take the Ranger out of the city and into the desert or hills, you can upgrade with an optional off-road package.
7. 2018 Honda Ridgeline
The 2018 Honda Ridgeline is part of the second generation rollout of Ridgelines that began in 2017. Some of the features that make this one of the best midsize truck 2018 models include independent rear suspension, a roomy crew cab, all-wheel drive and a two-way tailgate that you won’t find on competitor trucks. The base model MSRP is $29,730, which makes it slightly more expensive compared to what you might pay for another used middle-range pickup or even a new Chevy Colorado. With towing capacity of 5,500 lbs., it’s a solid buy if you’re looking for a good all-around midsize truck.
8. 2020 Jeep Gladiator
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is a brand-new entrant into the field of midsize pickup competition. The Gladiator was introduced in the spring of 2019 and one of its biggest selling points is the fact that it’s a pickup truck built on the rails of traditional Jeep 4×4 engineering. Some of the features that make this innovative new midsize pickup ideal for sport driving include front and rear locking differentials and a best-in-class 7,650-lb. towing capacity. Inside, the Gladiator’s design is big on comfort and style while the exterior offers a unique take on the traditional Jeep image. The starting MSRP for the basic Sport model is $33,545 and you’ll pay around $10,000 more for the upgraded Gladiator Rubicon.
9. 2019 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
If you’re a fan of the Tacoma but you want something a little newer, there’s a lot to like about the 2019 Double Cab. This is one of the best years for fuel economy, getting about 21 miles per gallon and it’s a good buy for the money. Like earlier Tacoma models, this is one of the best midsize pickup options for retaining its value and the MSRP starts at $26,680, so it’s reasonably priced if you have a moderate truck-buying budget. As part of the TRD Pro series, which also includes the full-size Tundra and the 4Runner, the Tacoma is equipped for off-road driving and it’s billed as a midsize pickup that’s perfect for weekend adventuring.
10. 2017 Honda Ridgeline
The final midsize truck to make the list is the Honda Ridgeline’s 2017 model. Unlike previous generations of the Ridgeline, the 2017 model was the first to offer front-wheel drive standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. It packs 280 horsepower under the hook and has a fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon, which isn’t out of the ordinary for a midsize pickup. The interior features make it feel more like a sport utility vehicle than a truck and it offers a quiet, smooth ride. In terms of price comparisons, the 2017 Ridgeline typically sells for between $25,000 and $29,000, putting it at the more expensive end of the scale compared to some of the midsize pickups highlighted here.
As you compare your new and used midsize truck buying options, take time to consider your choice of lender if you’re planning to finance your purchase with a truck loan. It’s important to connect with a lender that understands your unique financial situation. At Birchwood Credit, we work with buyers from all credit backgrounds, including those who are new to Canada as well as those recovering from bankruptcy. We’ll help you find the right financing solution for your needs.
Birchwood Credit features an extensive inventory of midsize pickup trucks for sale. Stop in today to view our selection of new and used vehicles or begin the financing process to make your next truck purchase by completing a loan application online.
