Five Used Midsize Trucks You Need to Test Drive

Midsize trucks are quickly gaining popularity among drivers who want a rugged and versatile vehicle but do not need the incredible towing and hauling capabilities of a full-size truck. That’s not to say these smaller pickups are weak––in fact, many modern midsize models have towing and payload ratings that match those of full-size trucks from not that long ago. However, they are easier to handle on narrow roads, burn less gasoline, and are considerably more affordable, especially when you are looking at used trucks for sale. Whether you want a daily commuter that can pick up a load of lumber from the hardware store or an off-road adventurer to hit the trails on the weekend, a midsize truck can be the perfect option.

Here at Crossroads Chevrolet GMC, we have a large selection of used trucks on our lot, including plenty of affordably-priced midsize pickups. Although we are a Chevy and GMC dealer, we see used models from every brand pass through our inventory, from the Toyota Tacoma to the Jeep Gladiator. That means no matter what you are looking for, there is a good chance that we can help you find it. Even if we don’t have a particular vehicle in our current online inventory, it’s worth contacting us to see what we can do. In order to give you a headstart on your used truck shopping journey, here are five used midsize trucks that are worth a test drive and why you might want to consider them.

#1 – Chevy Colorado

As a Chevy dealer, it probably comes as no surprise that our favorite midsize pickup is the Chevy Colorado. The second-generation Colorado hit the streets in 2015 and was produced until 2022, making it a solid choice for anyone shopping for a used truck. One of the big selling points of the Colorado is that it offers a 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine in addition to its base 2.5L four-cylinder and available 3.6L V6. This engine provides 369 lb-ft of torque and is rated for 33 MPG on the highway in the 2020 Colorado. You won’t find many diesel options for the other midsize used trucks for sale, so if you are looking for exceptional torque and fuel economy, the Colorado should be at the top of your list.

The other big draw of the Colorado is its incredible off-road options. The Z71 trim is the basic off-road variant, adding upgraded suspension, an automatic locking rear differential, hill descent control, and front recovery hooks. With these features, you’ll have no problem tackling dirt roads on fishing or hunting trips. However, if you want to take your off-roading to the next level there is the Colorado ZR2. Introduced for the 2017 model year, the ZR2 has a wider stance, front and rear locking differentials, and exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers to provide an unbeatable ride on backwoods trails. In 2019, the ZR2 was further upgraded with the optional Bison Package, which adds skid plates, rock rails, steel bumpers, and more.

#2 – GMC Canyon

If you like the looks of the Chevy Colorado, you may also want to consider a used GMC Canyon. These two midsize trucks share the same basic platform and engine options but have a few differences that tailor them to different types of buyers. Like the Colorado, the second-generation Canyon was produced from 2015 to 2022. However, while the Colorado leaned into its off-road performance with the ZR2, the Canyon aimed to provide a more sophisticated ride with a higher level of styling and luxury. This culminated in the debut of the luxurious Canyon Denali in 2017.

Like every member of the GMC Denali family, the Canyon Denali stands out with its massive bright chrome grille, 20-inch machined alloy wheels, and other chrome accents. Inside the standard crew cab, the Canyon Denali is filled with standard luxury features from automatic climate control to an eight-inch infotainment display with built-in navigation. While these features might be nothing special in a new truck, you won’t find them in many six-year-old used trucks, making the Canyon a high-value option for any driver seeking luxury at an affordable price.

#3 – Toyota Tacoma

While Chevy and GMC are our favorite brands, no list of midsize pickup trucks would be complete without including the legendarily reliable Toyota Tacoma. Unlike many of the models on this list, the Tacoma has been around for a long time. Although the Tacoma name was officially introduced in 1995 for the American-market model, Toyota has been building its family of small pickups since 1968. The highest-value used models tend to be from the third generation, which ran from 2016 to 2023, but a used second-generation Tacoma can also be a great purchase since these trucks are known for their longevity.

The third-generation Tacoma offers two engine options: a base 2.7L four-cylinder with 159 hp and an available 3.5L V6 with 278 hp. One of the attractions of the Tacoma is that it offers a manual transmission option. The 2.7L engine can be found with a five-speed manual up through the 2017 model year, and the 3.6L V6 was available with a six-speed manual throughout the entire production run. Toyota also offers several off-road variants of the Tacoma, including the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro, making it a favorite of adventurous drivers.

#4 – Nissan Frontier

While it’s not as popular as the Toyota Tacoma, another Japanese midsize truck worth mentioning is the Nissan Frontier. The second-generation Frontier was sold without any major changes from 2005 until 2021, which contributed to its lack of popularity when new, but makes it a great value option if you are shopping used. The truck did receive a styling update in 2009, so we would suggest starting there when you are looking at used models. For most of the second generation, the Frontier was offered with the choice of either a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 152 hp or a 4.0L V6 with 261 hp, and both engines could be optioned with either a manual transmission (five-speed for the 2.5L and six-speed for the 4.0L) or a five-speed automatic.

However, the Frontier saw some major powertrain upgrades for the 2020 model year. All of the old engine and transmission options were dropped in favor of a brand-new 3.8L V6 producing 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, making the Frontier the most powerful model in the midsize segment. The new engine was paired with an equally-new nine-speed automatic transmission for enhanced performance and efficiency. This is the same powertrain you will find in the brand-new Frontier, which makes used models from 2020 to 2022 a particularly high-value buy if you don’t need the latest styling and tech features.

#5 – Jeep Gladiator

The final truck on our list is the Jeep Gladiator. This model was introduced in 2020, so you won’t be able to find budget-priced older used models, but it offers a truly unique experience. Based on the iconic Jeep Wrangler, the Gladiator has a boxy design with a removable roof and doors. It also comes standard with 4×4 and solid axles, making it the most off-road-ready used truck you can buy. Every Gladiator model is Trail Rated, but for maximum performance look for the Rubicon or Mojave trims. The Rubicon is designed for technical rock crawling with front and rear locking differentials, an ultra-low crawl ratio, and disconnecting front sway bar. The Mojave is intended for high-speed desert running with reinforced suspension, wider track, and added ground clearance. But whichever model you choose, the Gladiator is sure to impress on the trail.

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