You needn’t go all out to get your hands on a capable pickup, as many of the best midsize trucks offer competitive towing and hauling capacities. Thanks to their more reasonable dimensions, they are better suited for driving around town, but they can still go off-road when needed since 4×4 drivetrains are common in the segment. You also get a variety of engines to choose from, like a gas V6 or a diesel that offers better gas mileage. This segment has no shortage of great choices, so it takes a lot to stand out from the pack. Just take a look at our ratings of the best midsize pickup trucks of 2025 sold in the USA if you doubt it.
Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.
1
Honda Ridgeline
U.S. roads are flooded with half-ton trucks or larger, but not everybody needs something that big. Midsize trucks, like the Honda Ridgeline, help buyers who want some bed space for larger items without taking up too much room themselves. The Ridgeline is the best midsize truck on our list with a score of 8.4 out of 10. To start, it’s priced at $40,150 before destination and other fees and options. Honda keeps the powertrain simple by only offering its midsize pickup with one engine: a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It comes with standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission at all trim levels. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That’s not a class-leading figure, but the Honda’s unibody construction does make it the nicest midsize truck to drive on normal roads.
“Steering is smooth and direct, and the chassis well balanced for hustling back roads. Rolling onto a dirt track, that smoothness translates well, and the Ridgeline is happy to build pace without rattling any of the occupant’s teeth. Most noticeably, the independent rear suspension means there’s little to no chatter from the back as it rolls over uneven surfaces.”
– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
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2
Ford Ranger Raptor
The Ford Ranger Raptor might be the best midsize truck if money is no object. It’s not cheap, but this truck comes with big power for its size, an off-road-tuned suspension, and much more that will make your time on the trails or in the sand more fun. Ford is aiming to be your go-to off-road brand, and this is a great attempt at winning the hearts and minds of potential buyers. The Ranger Raptor is the most extreme version of the truck, so it starts at $55,820—more than $20k over the base model. However, you get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 405 hp and 430 lb-ft, 4WD, and a max towing capacity of 5,510 pounds – it can’t tow as much as other Rangers due to the specialized off-road-tuned suspension.
“Ford has delivered the goods. Period. The Ranger Raptor is an extremely well-engineered and well-designed off-road-ready weapon that doesn’t necessarily require a ton of driver experience to fully enjoy. Sure, having off-road credentials helps, but the Ranger Raptor is so good that you’ll immediately enjoy it straight out of the box.”
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3
Nissan Frontier
Another competitor for the best midsize pickup is the Nissan Frontier. It’s a simple truck, but that’s partly why it’s great. There isn’t much to over-complicate the Frontier—it has minimal features, only one tested and proven powertrain, and it looks good with fairly rugged styling while not being over the top. There are a few trims to choose from, but the cheapest is the S trim, which starts at $32,050. Under the hood is a 3.8-liter V6 that makes 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. It comes with either RWD or 4WD, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 7,150 pounds.
4
Ford Ranger
2025 Ford Ranger
- Base MSRP
-
$33,080
- Engine
-
2.3L I4 Turbo | 2.7L Twin-Turbo V6
- Horsepower
-
270 hp (2.3L) | 315 hp (2.7L)
While the Ranger Raptor is a great truck for off-road enthusiasts, some people don’t need all that craziness. In our midsize truck comparison, the regular Ford Ranger does just fine against the competition. There are a few trims to choose from, with the XL being the most affordable at $33,080. Depending on how you spec your Ranger, you can have either a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 315 hp and 400 lb-ft. You can also choose either 4×4 or 4×2 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The larger engine is capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds. To add further appeal, the Ranger won the award for North American Truck of the Year.
“The Ford Ranger is an easy truck to drive. Its size makes navigating parking lots and narrow city streets less of a challenge, and it has the power you need to make short work of highway merges. It’s not outright aggressive, but it’s not a slowpoke and is happy to deliver the speed you need without hesitation.”
– Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz
5
Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
While it’s more expensive than pretty much any other mid-size truck, the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is a fun, rugged, and back-to-basics option when you compare midsize trucks. When we recently drove one, our test driver found it a comfortable cruiser that’s capable off the pavement. For those with at least $83,900, you can get your hands on an instant classic. Under the hood is a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 281 horsepower, 331 lb-ft of torque. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive. It’s not exactly built for towing, but this makes for a fun off-road adventure vehicle.
“On-road, it was surprisingly well-mannered for an off-roader. Taking this on a long-distance trip wouldn’t be a chore, although potholes will announce their presence. Road and wind noise are well-controlled, and the ride is smooth. You’ll know it’s an off-road vehicle but not in an intrusive or annoying way.”
– Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz
Other Midsize Pickup Trucks
The following midsize pickup trucks will be added to our list once their ratings become available:
- 2025 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2025 Toyota Tacoma
- 2025 GMC Canyon
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Characteristics Of Medium-Size Trucks
As one of the most versatile and customizable vehicles on the road, midsize pickup trucks can fit just about any role. That being said, there are some similarities you can expect, for better or worse. These qualities might be more muted on some models, but they are almost always present:
- Power: Even smaller pickups boast impressive powertrains, so it makes sense that medium-size trucks are even better equipped. Most automakers will give you a choice of four-pot or V6 engines when creating a build. There are usually diesel options, too, but some brands have even started introducing completely electric setups. Unfortunately, the lack of any V8 options means that power falls short of what you’d find in a full-size truck.
- Ruggedness: One of the most appealing aspects of a pickup is the bold, aggressive design, with a lifted body that makes it great for off-roading. But that ruggedness extends to workhorse applications, making these cars ideal for towing. They are also built to be reliable and stand the test of time, so they don’t break down easily. To top it all off, their size and sturdiness make them among the safest cars, with most rated at five stars by the NHTSA.
- Practicality: Aside from their towing capacity, the top midsize trucks offer a great deal of room for onboard cargo. They may not have traditional trunk space, but they have long cargo beds. You may have to sacrifice a foot or two in order to equip a 4-door cab, but you’ll still have more room than you’d find in just about any other type of vehicle.
- Cost: Pickup trucks are generally quite pricey, and the larger they are, the more you should expect to pay. However, the overall cost of ownership goes up further once you factor in their poor mpg. The price of fuel is unlikely to go down anytime soon, so it’s important to consider the gas bill. This can be mitigated, to some extent, by opting for a diesel engine and a more efficient automatic transmission.
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What To Consider Before Buying Midsize Pickup Trucks
Buying a new car is a big decision, and a pickup truck even more so. They are expensive and are not particularly well-suited for the city. Other cars like SUVs or wagons can tow a fair amount, too. This means you should carefully consider if a truck is what you need, and if so, is a midsize the right one? Here are some pros and cons to help you figure it all out:
Pros
- Plenty of power
- High towing and hauling capacities
- Rugged construction makes them ideal for off-roading
- Excellent safety ratings
- Slightly more maneuverable around town than a full-size truck
Cons
- Poor fuel efficiency
- Still cumbersome to drive
- Can’t tow as much as the biggest trucks
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Is a midsize truck worth it?
When it comes to doing heavy work, a full-size truck is still king. In comparison, midsize trucks can’t tow or haul as much, though they are still hardier than your run-of-the-mill SUV. You won’t find any ludicrously powerful V8 engines under the hood, but these cars still do a fair amount of work. None offer conventional trunk space, but the cargo beds can usually be customized to suit most requirements. And, if you wish to accommodate the entire family, you can generally opt for a larger cab and a 4-door body.
Sources: Ford, Honda, Nissan, Ineos
