Full-size pickups do have their advantages, most notably some impressive towing capabilities over smaller vehicles. However, midsize pickups are easier to drive and maneuver, especially in crowded parking lots. Plus, any smaller truck is usually a cheaper one.
However, finding a pickup truck that meets practical needs and price range is difficult. Ideally, you also want a truck that can do its job without excessive maintenance. According to Kelley Blue Book, here are a few of the best midsize books you can buy for 2023.
He says that half of the rear doors are not very wide. While the back row may be too tight for some adult passengers, this cab option offers the best towing conditions.
The Toyota Tacoma Access Cab is available exclusively with a 6-foot-2-inch bed that can hold up to 1,525 pounds. That’s assuming your truck has rear-wheel drive, a towing kit equipped, and an optional V6 engine.
You can tow up to 3,500 pounds with the base engine, which makes 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is more capable and gives the Tacoma better acceleration, capable of 278 and 265 lb-ft of torque. With the proper specs, it can tow 6,800 lbs.
Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, though the engine has a standard six-speed manual. The manual gearbox is programmed with selectable driving modes to traverse various terrains without any hassle.
The Tacoma TRD Pro also has a standard locking rear differential, off-road suspension, 4WD, Bilstein shocks, and more adventure equipment. One of my favorite Kelley Blue Book features is the multi-terrain camera system.
As long as your Toyota Tacoma has AWD, it can be optioned with a manual transmission. This gearbox has fuel economy estimates as low as 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. The standard four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission earns 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
2. The Toyota Tacoma Double Cab is another mid-size big truck
Kelley Blue Book also liked the Double Cab version of the Toyota Tacoma because it can seat five passengers. Rear seat passengers get approximately 33 inches of legroom and enjoy easy access thanks to the full-size rear doors. The double cab is also available with a 5-foot cargo box.
The Tacoma bed is very functional, with tie-down cleats and hidden storage compartments. Neither cabin has a lot of interior storage options, but Kelley Blue Book says interior quality is acceptable overall. Seats are available in either cloth or faux leather, and front passengers can have heated seats.
A 7-inch infotainment screen is standard inside both cabs, equipped with smartphone integration and Amazon Alexa support. Well-equipped models also feature fun extras like the JBL sound system and navigation. Kelley Blue Book estimated that even the most basic truck has many ADAS features.
3. The Ford Ranger SuperCab is one of the best midsize trucks out there
The Ford Ranger’s SuperCab is smaller, but it’s also the only way to get a larger cargo box. It is 6 feet tall and has a maximum load capacity of 1,905 lbs. The Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 lbs.
Every Ford Ranger is powered by a 270-horsepower turbo-four engine and mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The base part has a small 3.5-inch infotainment screen with no support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Fortunately, smartphone integration and an 8-inch touchscreen are standard on the XLT model.
The Tremor package gives you control over off-road speed and nearly 10 feet in ground clearance. Prices for the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger start around $27,000, making them some of the most affordable cars in their class. Combined with its attractive options and good reliability ratings, it’s hard to go wrong with the purchase, too.
