Let’s take a look at what are some of the best midsize trucks for the 2023 and 2024 model years. There were a lot of remodels and refreshments recently in the pickup game. Most of those are midsize pickups since people can use them for their everyday agenda and not just for heavy lifting.
The small pickup category had only two minimal pickups but the midsize segment seems to be much more interesting. Most of the changes that we saw were style-related, while few were in the powertrain segment.
We saw a lot of manufacturers releasing hybrid pickups and slowly aiming toward full electrification.
Best Midsize Trucks For 2023
2023 Ford Ranger Raptor
This pickup was made for the off-road, and definitely, this is one of the best midsize trucks for 2023. It is a downscaled version of the F-150 Raptor. It still uses a boxed ladder frame but Ranger Raptor will have improved long-range suspension to accommodate the off-road. This Ford midsize truck comes in a crew cab only with a five-foot cargo box.
Under the hood, it has a twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter V6. This gives the Ford Ranger Raptor a whopping 392 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Automatic transmission with 10 speeds is available with all-wheel drive. It has locking differentials, both back, and front. The tires are off-road ready with 33 inches. There are no fuel economy stats but we don’t reckon it will be devastating for the driver’s wallets.
Inside it is stylish and features racing seats along with some cool and modern technology. Starting price should be around $52.000 for the basic version, with all the amenities it could soar up (source: FordAuthority). Next year it is expected that Ford will announce and reveal their 2024 Ford Ranger Hybrid. This creation has long been awaited and drivers are anxious to see what it will look like.
2023 Chevy Colorado LT
This midsize pickup got the Luxurious Touring treatment from Chevy. We all know trucks are not just for work anymore and people tend to use them for their everyday agenda. On the outside, we don’t see many changes from current Colorado. Bumpers are more prominent, and 17-inch wheels come as standard.
The ride height is increased. New LED headlights are used on newly designed headlights. The truck has new lines and looks cleaner and smoother. This improves ergonomics and aerodynamics and decreases fuel expenditure. The Colorado LT first spy shots you can find at GMAuthority. There is a new powertrain for the 2023 Chevy Colorado LT.
It runs on a 2.7-liter turbo-four engine. This gives the Colorado 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The standard automatic 10-speed transmission is available and all-wheel drive. Starting price is estimated at around $30.000.
2023 Nissan Frontier
The upcoming Frontier is even mightier than before. It has redesigned bumpers which are more prominent. Wheels are 20-inches wrapped with off-roading tires. There is some extra ground clearance which points to an off-roading centered truck. It has smoother lines and looks sleek.
It is more aerodynamic by design and offers better mileage. Headlights are more linear and use the latest LED technology. Under the hood, we have a 2.5-liter engine that produces 181 horsepower. There is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 236 horsepower as well. The transmission is automatic and it offers all-wheel drive. The new 2023 Frontier can tow around 6.700 pounds and haul 1.450 pounds. In the city expect 18 mpg and 24 mpg on the open road. Starting price for the 2023 Nissan Frontier is $27.885. With some better technology and gadgets, it could spike.
2023 Honda Ridgeline
The pickup from Honda is a perfect sports truck between a crossover and an SUV. It offers the interior design and style of an SUV and on the outside the ruggedness and utility of a pickup. It has lightweight 18-inch wheel rims.
There is a hybrid version on the road ahead and it looks even more stylish than before. On the front, we get a large fascia with Honda’s logo. Bumpers are big and mad. Under the hood, it has a 3.5 liter V6 that gives the Ridgeline 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid model should offer more power with its electric motor and there is even word about a fully electric Ridgeline. Starting price for the new Ridgeline is $39.000, for the basic version of the course.
2023 GMC Canyon AT4X
Another off-roader is coming from GMC. This time around it is the Canyon AT4x. It pushes the limits of off-road performance. There are a lot of speculations and not a lot of confirmed information. As far as the engine is concerned the most probable engine is the one from Sierra 1500.
It is a 2.7-liter gasoline engine with 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. It comes with 10 speed automatic. There is also a chance of a hybrid powertrain, but we will have to wait on that one. It will come with 17-inch wheels as standard wrapped with beefy off-roading tires. More ground clearance is given and bumpers are made bigger. The price and release date are still unknown.
Best Midsize Trucks For 2024
2024 Toyota Tacoma Electric
There is no doubt that the best midsize trucks for the upcoming years will be electric ones. Therefore, Toyota fans are thrilled that the upcoming Tacoma EV will be run by batteries. It will go on sale in 2024 and will battle the Ranger EV directly. The driving range is estimated at over 200 miles on a single charge which is quite good. Batteries are under the cabin which means a better center of gravity and better steering.
Aerodynamics are also improved so that means better mileage. The grille is closed since there is no engine under the hood, instead, we get a big storage compartment. There are 3 trims in the offer. SR5 will cost you $50.000, TRD off-road which costs $55.000, and the Limited edition at $60.000. These are all estimates of course. The truck has 19-inch wheels as standard and looks like a futuristic version of a pickup.
2024 Jeep Gladiator
Gladiator resembles its Wrangler cousin in many regards. It comes in crew cab only and has a 5 feet cargo bed. It seats five people without issues. If there was a pickup for the off-road, then it is the Jeep Gladiator.
It runs on a V6 engine and gets from zero to sixty in 8.5 seconds. Not really drag racing material but still good. It is a 3.6 liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. More than enough to move the big Gladiator around the wild. There is also a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 on offer. It puts out 475 horsepower. Automatic transmission is available, 8-speed one and all-wheel drive off course.
For 2024, we are expecting to see Jeep Gladiator 4xe Plug-In Hybrid version.
Don’t expect too stylish interior here since the Gladiator is all about tackling the wild environment. It should cost around $37500 for the basic version.