Buyers Guide: The Best Midsize Trucks for 2023

Midsize trucks are the ideal combination of strength, quickness, and utility in today’s automotive landscape, where these qualities are highly prized. These midsize trucks have versatile features that make them suitable for various drivers and situations, from commuting to camping to off-roading. 

These pickups have all the power and utility of full-size vehicles without sacrificing the comfort and convenience of a smaller vehicle. This article will take you on a tour of the best midsize trucks on the market to help you make a well-informed purchase.

1. 2023 Honda Ridgeline
2. 2023 Chevrolet Colorado
3. 2023 Nissan Frontier
4. 2023 Jeep Gladiator
5. 2023 GMC Canyon
6. 2023 Ford Ranger
7. 2023 Toyota Tacoma

2023 Honda Ridgeline

Via Honda

Specifications

• MSRP: $40,170 USD / $47,100 CAD
• Engine: 3.5L V6
• Power / Torque: 280 hp / 262 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: AWD
• 0-60 mph: 6.2 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 21 MPG combined / 11.5L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile 

Our Take

From outdoor adventures to city driving, you can do it all in the 2023 Honda Ridgeline. Its unique unibody configuration gives the Ridgeline the comfort of an SUV while having the towing capacity and cargo space of a smaller truck. 

Although it is less capable off-road than some competitors, it does a terrific job as an everyday truck, offering excellent ride quality and decent fuel economy.

2023 Chevrolet Colorado

Via Chevrolet

Specifications

• MSRP: $29,200 USD / $34,300 CAD
• Engine: 2.7L Turbocharged I4
• Power / Torque: 237 hp / 259 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: RWD
• 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 20 MPG combined / 12L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 5-year/100,000-mile Limited

Our Take

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is now one of the best mid-size cars on the market. It has more power, better technology, better looks, more features, and better handling than any other car on the market.

Both on and off-road, it provides a comfortable ride; the base powerplant is greatly enhanced and has plenty of power. One notable enhancement is the cabin, equipped with a massive 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard.

2023 Nissan Frontier

Via Nissan

Specifications

• MSRP: $30,670 USD / $40,900 CAD
• Engine: 3.8L V6
• Power / Torque: 310 hp / 281 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: RWD
• 0-60 mph: 7.9 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 20 MPG combined / 12.3L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile

Our Take

With its many improvements, the new Frontier can compete with other midsize pickups. Its powerful and refined V6 engine, plush cabin, and driving experience are its most vital selling points. 

The cabin is more modern and has significantly superior materials, while the ride quality and handling in the curves are vast improvements over the previous generation. The most recent innovations in both entertainment and safety systems have been incorporated.

2023 Jeep Gladiator

Via Jeep

Specifications

• MSRP: $47,325 USD / $53,295 CAD
• Engine: 3.0L Diesel V6
• Power / Torque: 285 hp / 260 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: 4WD
• 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 28 MPG combined / 12.6L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile

Our Take

When properly outfitted, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator is capable of towing 7,700 pounds, and it provides exceptional off-road capability. The truck’s ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is seamless and offers excellent torque at low revs. 

On paved roads, the Gladiator’s Command-Trac permanent all-wheel drive system can be activated. The driver, however, has the option of using only the rear wheels for propulsion. 

2023 GMC Canyon

Via GMC

Specifications

• MSRP: $36,900 USD / $45,600 CAD
• Engine: 2.7L Turbocharged I4
• Power / Torque: 310 hp / 430 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: RWD
• 0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 20 MPG / 11L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile 

Our Take

The 2023 GMC Canyon is vastly improved, luxurious, and off-road focused than its predecessor. Only a crew-cab short-bed version of the GMC Canyon is available, and the only powertrain is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. 

Overall, the Canyon is an enhanced and capable mid-size pickup vehicle that moves closer to full-size trucks in terms of its capabilities.

2023 Ford Ranger

Via Ford

Specifications

• MSRP: $28,898 USD / $36,295 CAD
• Engine: 2.3L Turbocharged I4
• Power / Torque: 270 hp / 310 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: RWD
• 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 23 MPG combined / 11.5L/100km combined
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile

Our Take

Although it has the power we’d expect from a turbo-four, the 2023 Ford Ranger’s fuel economy falls short. It compensates with a respectable maximum towing capability of 7500 pounds.The powertrain is refined, and there are several optional mild-off-road packages.

The Ranger has base rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. Overall, the 2023 Ranger is a decent midsize pickup with adequate towing capacity and a comfortable cabin.

2023 Toyota Tacoma 

Via Toyota

Specifications

• MSRP: $28,600 USD / $41,000 CAD (V6)
• Engine: 2.7L I4
• Power / Torque: 159 hp / 180 lb-ft
• Drivetrain: RWD
• 0-60 mph: 10 seconds
• Fuel Economy: 22 MPG combined / 11.8L/100km combined (V6)
• Basic Warranty: 3-Year / 36,000-Mile 

Our Take

If you’re looking for a midsize pickup truck that can handle rough terrain, the Toyota Tacoma is a great option. For the 2023 model year, the Tacoma has been the best-selling pickup in the midsize truck class. 

It offers many amenities, including standard automatic dual-zone climate control in every V6 model, a standard power-adjustable driver’s seat in V6-powered SR5 models, the Limited trim level, etc.