Here are 5 of our Favorite Used Midsize Trucks

The midsize truck market gets looked down on sometimes by other truck guys that think a pickup has to be full-size to count. While there is certainly something to be said about a powerful full-size truck and the kind of towing it can offer, midsize trucks have become increasingly impressive over the last decade or so. At this point, if you are looking at used trucks for sale, then you should definitely take a look at the midsize market and what it has to offer.

Here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, we certainly see a lot of trucks of all shapes and sizes. While we might be a bit partial to GMC models ourselves, we can still see the value in a lot of other pickups out there too. With that in mind, we thought we would offer some thoughts and guidance to help anyone looking at used trucks for sale with a lot of questions about which ones to choose.

We did not want to get too bogged down in specific years – that sort of list can go on for days – so we focused instead on our favorite models. That being said, you’ll find a few suggestions on particular years to keep your eyes open for.

#1 – The GMC Canyon

Rather than start from the bottom and work our way toward our favorite, we’re going to make this simple for you and get things rolling with our top pick when looking at used trucks for sale in the midsize category. It’s our list, and we get to start with the best. And to us, the best midsize truck on the road is definitely the GMC Canyon.

With the GMC Canyon, you just get everything you could want in a midsize truck with power and performance that could make you do a double-take and think you were looking at a full-size model for a moment. Recent Canyons have had enough power to offer nearly 8,000 pounds of towing capacity for truly impressive performance from a midsize pickup. Plus, GMC is a leader in comfort and luxurious interiors, particularly at higher trim levels, so this is a great choice if you want a sophisticated ride.

While we like pretty much every GMC Canyon out there, you might keep your eyes open for models from 2015 to 2018. These models marked the second generation for the Canyon and introduced a lot of great features. By sticking to 2018 or earlier, you can save some money on this amazing truck – though more recent models are well worth going for.

#2 – The Chevy Colorado

In many ways, the Chevy Colorado offers most of the same features and the same terrific level of performance that you can get with the GMC Canyon. That should come as no surprise considering they are built on the same platform and are basically pickup truck siblings. That being said, the Colorado tends to lack some of the sophistication and niceties that you can find on the GMC Canyon. While this is a bit of a drawback, it also means you can save some money on the Colorado when shopping used trucks for sale.

If budget is a big concern for you, look for an LT model, which is a mid-tier trim for the Colorado and offers a great middle ground. The ZR2 is an off-road trim, which is a great choice if you are interested in hitting up some trails in your midsize truck. You can find some great engines in used Chevy Colorado models with fantastic towing capacities when properly equipped.

Much like the GMC Canyon, we like to watch for models from between 2015 and 2018. These are second-generation pickups with great features. Going back to 2015 or 2016 can save you some money, but more recent years are certainly fantastic.

#3 – The Ford Ranger

There is a lot to like about a used Ford Ranger, and after it went missing from the market for so long, we were certainly happy to see its return here in the US. That being said, it’s definitely not a perfect choice for a midsize model when looking at used trucks. You can get some impressive power and performance with the Ranger, though some drivers have found its acceleration and braking to be a bit rough and not quite as refined as some other trucks.

Perhaps the biggest drawback with the Ford Ranger is that it was just revived for 2019, which means you are not going to find any models from three of four years ago. The advantage to that is that any used Ranger you find is going to be a recent release. The drawback, however, is that you won’t find a massive selection of them, and because they are still pretty new, they are typically more expensive than some other models.

#4 – The Toyota Tacoma

Of course, we had to mention the Toyota Tacoma, which is one of the most popular midsize trucks out there and a decent choice when looking at used trucks for sale. The Tacoma has typically been very well rated for reliability, which means they hold onto pretty decent resale value. When you get a used model, you can trust that it will typically be in great shape. Although not quite as powerful as some other midsize models on the market, the Tacoma has nevertheless proven itself time and again.

When we look for a used Toyota Tacoma, we are very careful about the years we choose. In general, we like to find models from 2012 to 2015, as well as from 2016 to about 2018. The second generation of the Tacoma ended in 2015, so those years offered some excellent models. There was an issue with rust on Tacoma frames from 2005 to 2010, however, so we prefer to look at ones from after that. Third-generation models from 2016 and after are good, but a bit more expensive.

#5 – The Nissan Frontier

Although it has some fans, the Nissan Frontier is certainly not as beloved as some other midsize trucks out there like the GMC Canyon or Ford Ranger. The biggest problem with the Frontier is that although Nissan introduced a new generation for it in 2014, that version is not available in the US. So we are stuck with a holdover version that is still part of the second generation, which started all the way back in 2004.

There have been some facelifts here and there, but ultimately used Nissan Frontiers are simply outdated. The plus-side to that, however, is you can often find used Frontiers for a very good price. We like to watch out for models from at least 2010 or more recent, but honestly, we would usually skip a Frontier for something more modern.

Special Mention – The Jeep Gladiator

Speaking of more modern, we just had to mention the used Jeep Gladiator, which is a midsize truck from Jeep with the heart and soul of a Wrangler. If you want a pickup for going off-road above all other things, then we certainly can’t argue with the appeal and design of the Gladiator. It has a lot going for it, but if you don’t care about off-roading, then it’s really not a great choice. The biggest problem with it is that it just released for the model year 2020, so the few used ones that are out there are priced closer to a new pickup.

If you’re ready for your next used truck, come visit us at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth. Whether you live here in Duluth, closer to Atlanta, or further into the surrounding area, we’ll help you find the perfect option for your needs.