6 Used Midsize Trucks You Absolutely Need to Check Out

Midsize trucks don’t always get the most love since they are usually overshadowed by their full-size counterparts. People looking for a high-performance truck with a big V8 or a powerful diesel don’t have a whole lot of options in the midsize space. However, midsize trucks are still quite popular, and for good reasons. If you shop around for the right kind of used trucks for sale, you can find affordable midsize models that fit every niche.

That’s exactly what this article is all about: cool midsize trucks you should check out because they capture what you want from light-duty pickups without the drawbacks you typically associate with the compact truck segment. We’ll cover some of the highlights of trucks in the midsize category that you might find enticing if you are looking for something affordable and suited to your driving tastes. Let’s jump right in and explore the top six used midsize trucks you absolutely need to check out.

#1 – 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS

The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup that isn’t always in the spotlight because it’s not really a big performer, but it does have some of the best fuel economy in its segment. The Ridgeline manages to not only make some good miles to the gallon, but it can still tow and haul as a pickup truck should. It’s a compact, affordable, practical truck designed to get the job done without siphoning everything from your bank account and then some.

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is definitely worth checking out because it’s one of the most affordable available used trucks for sale on the market, and you get a reliable pickup for that price. Also, in the following year, Honda culled the RTS trim from the line-up, so if you can find the slightly more feature-rich RTS for sale, you can get a few more perks with it compared to the base RT trim. If price is your biggest factor in buying a used midsize truck, then the Honda Ridgeline is the way to go for sure. It’s that nice middle ground of giving you all the necessary pickup truck functions while working great as a daily driver.

#2 – 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

On the completely opposite end of the spectrum of the Honda Ridgeline is the Jeep Gladiator. This beast is somewhat baffling to be in the midsize category and absolutely dominates the segment when it comes to off-road capabilities. The Jeep Gladiator is still a relatively new nameplate since returning to the market in 2020, but it’s fast becoming one of the most popular models found at used truck dealerships.

The Jeep Gladiator is the way to go if you’re in the market for a used midsize truck that is entirely themed around off-roading. It’s primed to tackle everything from dirt trails and muddy paths to rocky roads and long stretches of loose gravel. Thanks to the powerful 4×4 systems that the Gladiator includes standard, this truck basically carries over all of the Wrangler’s functionality into a midsize pickup, so it’s great for hauling and towing appropriate loads. The Rubicon is the trim to go with if you want a midsize pickup with unbeatable off-road capabilities thanks to its unique Rock-Trac 4×4 system and lots of interior tech and external protection.

#3 – 2020 Ford Ranger XL FX2

It may not be the easiest to find, but the 2020 Ford Ranger XL FX2 is a lightweight, off-road-themed, performance midsize pickup truck. The Ford Ranger has always been considered the more cost-effective little brother of the F-150, but if you wanted to spruce up that experience with something that adds more oomph to your midsize driving experience, the XL FX2 is the way to go. It comes with off-road tires, undercarriage protection, upgraded suspension, and more.

The highlight here for the FX2 is that it adds all of these sporty features to the two-wheel drive version of the Ranger. That’s why it pairs nicely with the base XL trim. If you’re looking for sporty used trucks for sale that are affordable, accommodate your wallet with good fuel economy, and also offer great performance gains, then the 2020 Ford Ranger XL FX2 checks all the boxes. It’s a unique combination aimed at a specific kind of audience in the market for a midsize truck, but if affordable sports appeal is your thing, this model hits all the right notes.

#4 – 2019 GMC Canyon All Terrain

The GMC Canyon is the sibling of the Chevy Colorado and can frequently find itself passed over for its more popular relative. Yet the Canyon offers some unique features that help separate it from other midsize trucks and make it well worth checking out. In particular, the GMC brand has focused a bit more on specialty trims for some of its vehicles, such as the Denali, AT4X, or in the case of the 2019 Canyon, the All Terrain.

The Canyon All Terrain is no longer available on newer models, but it was a featured trim up until 2020, meaning you can find this trim at many used GMC dealerships. However, it’s the 2019 model year of the GMC Canyon you’ll want if you’re searching for purpose-built midsize used trucks for sale because it not only features the All Terrain trim but it’s also much cheaper than the 2020 model year. What’s more is that 2019 comes with a bunch of modern tech, driver-assist features, navigation software, and smartphone projection. The All Terrain trim sweetens the deal even more with off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, special exterior design cues, skid plates, and more.

#5 – 2020 Chevy Colorado LT

The Chevy Colorado is a great midsize truck, and Chevy has consistently found new ways to reinvent its appeal. However, if you want a specific kind of truck with a very dedicated purpose, then the 2020 Chevy Colorado is worth checking out. It is new enough to offer you some great features and modern amenities but still affordable enough for those working on a budget. But there’s something else worth considering: the powertrains.

The 2020 Colorado offers both a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel as part of its line-up. If you want to get all that torque and great gas mileage out of the Colorado, a 2020 Colorado LT is a great used truck to go with because you can get it with the Duramax turbo-diesel. It makes for a great off-road truck and midsize work truck and is roomy enough for daily commutes with multiple passengers. As a high-performance used midsize truck, this is definitely the one to go with.

#6 – 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

When shopping for a used midsize truck, you often want something new enough to get a lot of the amenities that come with more recent model years but old enough to save a lot when buying used. There’s that fine balance between cost and convenience. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is that perfect sweet spot, as the 2020 model year introduced a ton of new standard features, but if you’re buying a used 2020 Tacoma, you can get it for an absolute steal.

If you want a truck that can handle the towing, hauling, and off-roading to match an adventurous lifestyle, then the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is the way to go. Sure it’s more expensive than the base trims, but you get a lot of great features. These include a panoramic view monitor, off-road upgrades, and upgraded infotainment features that include everything from Apple Carplay and Android Auto to Amazon Alexa compatibility and an upgraded HD touchscreen. There’s really no drawback here when it comes to wanting a feature-rich, highly functional, reliable midsize pickup, as the Tacoma TRD Pro nails all the right spots without overburdening your budget.