When first setting my eyes on a GMC Canyon, I wonder who would buy it. It looks small for a truck and doesn’t seem practical. Wouldn’t somebody rather have the heavier payload and trailer weight capacity of a nice, big 2016 aluminum-bodied Ford F-150? With similar gas mileage (18/25 est. city/highway) and a comparable purchase price to these midsize pickups, who wouldn’t prefer the bigger truck? Then again, maybe I’m missing something.
Suddenly, I realize it’s not all about hauling and towing much as possible. There are different lifestyles, driveway sizes, and maybe the desire to fit that truck in your garage. It’s about comfort, style, and as GMC’s brochure states, a truck that’s “smart-sized”. Come to think of it, my 3/4-ton 2012 Ford F250 nearly dominates the front yard!
Dodge isn’t competing in this mid-sized truck space, neither is Ford. A U.S. market re-introduction of the Ford Ranger in response to the Chevrolet Colorado is possible, although it could threaten sales of the F-150. Since it’s exit here in 2011, a global Ranger has been selling overseas. Meanwhile, Ford’s F-series remains America’s best selling pickup and overall vehicle. After all that marketing into the new aluminum bodies, I’m not convinced they’ll bring a smaller truck here to potentially compete with it. A popular rumor is that the Detroit area Michigan Assembly Plant may serve as the new Ranger factory in 2018. We’ll have to wait and find out.
For now, let’s explore the 4 midsize trucks battling it out in this exciting, re-emerging segment. My best pick concludes each make description, and I end with an overall winner. Let the games begin!
-22/31 est. MPG city/hwy (w/Duramax 2wd) 20/29 est. mpg city/hwy (4wd).
Selling better than anticipated last year with roughly 115,000 trucks combined finding buyers, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are GMs hot mechanical twins. The big news for 2016 is the 2.8L Duramax 4-cyl LWN turbo-diesel. Featuring up to 7,700 lbs. trailer capacity and a maximum payload of 1,620 lbs., it’s the top power choice for haulers. Fresh off last year’s Motortrend truck of the year award, the Duramax-engined Colorado wins the prize again for 2016. There’s 181 hp @ 3400 rpm and 369 lb.-ft. torque @ 2000 rpm at your command. The Colorado and Canyon are best in class with no other diesel midsize trucks available to compete…for now. Other engine choices are the 2.5 I-4 (200hp @ 6300 rpm/191lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm) and 3.6 V6 (305hp @ 6800 rpm/269lb.-ft. 4000 rpm), with up to 7,000 max towing. Colorado trims include a BASE, WT work truck, LT and Z71. Canyon trims are SL, Canyon, SLE & SLT. Both offer extended cab long box and crew cab with a short or long box. For now, Colorado diesels can only be had in LT and Z71 crew cabs or WT extended cab if you’re a fleet buyer. Canyon diesels are in SLE and SLT crew cabs. An integrated brake controller (adjusts the brakes on your trailer) and exhaust brake (slows the truck down with engine compression) are great features with these GM diesels.
Is diesel right for you?
Unlike the noisy and smelly motors of yesterday, current turbo-diesels provide efficient, cleaner and faster vehicles. For any truck, it means loads of torque and better fuel efficiency under load. However, there are typical additional diesel maintenance costs and fuel expenses. You know how cheap regular gas is. Ultimately, I believe engine choice comes down to how much you plan to tow. If you’re going to trailer a lot, I suggest the Duramax. If not, I would imagine the 3.6 V6 is ideal for most.
Both trucks employ a 6-speed automatic. A six-speed manual drives Colorado’s 2WD 2.5L I4 extended-cab base and WT. The SL and Canyon 2WD Extended Cab SL 2.5L I4 also get three pedals. Rolling through the gears is a dying art, and I like that GM embraces it.
While the Chevy Colorado offers nice seating with optional leather appointed seat trim (LT), I prefer the GMC Canyon’s fancier interior with contrast stitching, soft-touch surfaces, Axiom Aluminum and Smoked Mahogany wood tone accents (SLE & SLT). Leather appointed seats are also available (SLT).
Both trucks have great available Infotainment systems. The Colorado’s MyLink and Canyon’s IntelliLink feature 8″ diagonal color touch screen with Bluetooth and available navigation. A Denali trim Package for the Canyon is slated for 2017! How about beautiful Mulan leather, heated and ventilated front buckets, 20″ rims and a special chrome grille? Exterior goodies on both trucks include a fully boxed frame support, an integrated corner step rear bumper and available E-Z lift and lower tailgate.
Driving impressions:
Based on my test drive in a 2016 Chevy Colorado Z71 4wd short bed crew V6, steering feel is great and road handling remains smooth. Power is decent but there’s somewhat sluggish acceleration from a standstill…although this isn’t a Camaro SS, you know. When making turns, the truck felt tight with very little body roll involved. The braking is fantastic. Inside is spacious, comfortable, with a roomy rear seat that fits my nearly 6′ 2″ body. There’s great accessibility to all areas of the pickup bed. Overall, it’s a terrific midsizer.
My GM pick:
I like the GMC Canyon for it’s flashier interior, and that desirable “GMC” truck name recognition. The extended cab doesn’t provide enough room in the back seats, and none of the trucks on this list do. I believe a regular cab should take it’s place. The crew cab, short box, SLT, 4wd Duramax is my pick for highest in roominess, torque, towing and fuel economy. I also recommend the Denali!
19/24 est. MPG city/hwy
Selling the most midsizers in 2015 at nearly 180,000 units, the Toyota Tacoma continues with a new, and attractive, design this year. There’s access cab and double cab long, or short bed configurations. The SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD off-road and Limited (double cab only) is your model lineup. Gone is that old 4L, while a more desirable 3.5 L DOHC V6 Atkinson-cycle (278hp @ 6000 rpm/265 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm) and 2.7L 4-cylinder (159hp @ 5200 rpm/180lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm) constitute engine choices. Maximum towing capacity is a respectable 6,800 lbs., with payload capability at 1,620 lbs. It’s a wonderfully designed 3-piece bumper protecting the 4 & 7 pin connector. You roll thru the gears with 5 or 6-speed manual transmissions or a 6-speed automatic, in rear or 4wd. Body support consists of a fully-boxed sub-frame and one-piece frame rails with 8″ cross members.
The Tacoma has a fair share of desirable features like push-button start, QI compatible phone charging and easy lower tailgate. Watch the ads and notice how Toyota is targeting the wildly-adventurous outdoor life. I like the available crawl control for off-roading, which automatically modulates the throttle and braking as you just focus on steering. Handling the infotainment duties is Entune, with touchscreen and available Integrated navigation with App Suite.
Despite the nice interior arrangement and a fine gauge layout, I think headroom is lacking. The steering wheel and seat adjustment need to work better for us taller guys. A GoPro windshield mount is utilized with your GoPro HERO camera to capture all the adventure.
My Toyota Pick:
The Tacoma TRD sport access cab looks like a blast with a 6-speed manual stick shift, standard V6 and color-keyed hood scoop. “Quicksand” is a unique color choice. Keep your eyes open for a 2016 “Back To The Future” tribute!
19/23 est. MPG city/hwy
The new Nissan Frontier isn’t all that new, but it’s still a well-designed truck. A fully boxed ladder-framed king cab or crew cab (standard or long bed) comes in rear or 4wd. Trim lines are S, SV 4 and 6-cyl, Desert Runner, Pro-4X and SL. A 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder (152hp @ 5200 rpm, 171lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm) drives the S and SV, while a 4L DOHC V6 (261hp @ 5600 rpm, 281lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm) powers the remaining trims. Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic, or 5 and 6-speed manual stick jobs.
Despite tight quarters, even for midsize pickup standards, there’s some desirable features inside. A great NissanConnect with Navigation System, 5.8″ color touchscreen, and Mobile Apps come standard in Pro-4x and SL. With a sizable glove compartment and rear seat storage capacity, you’ll keep plenty of stuff out of the elements.
A yearly sales decline to roughly 63,000 trucks sold in 2015 indicates competition has clearly heated up. At a maximum 6,500 lbs. towing and 1,471 lbs. payload, the Frontier registers lowest in class. The competition also gets better estimated mileage. A re-design is in order.
My Nissan Pick:
The Frontier Pro-4X crew cab with the luxury package gets you leather appointed seats.
The nonconformist:
A 2017 Ridgeline returns this spring with a unibody construction and front wheel drive (AWD optional) configuration. A very cool in-bed speaker system, trunk storage and 2-way tailgate still raises eyebrows. A 3.5L V6 motor with 6-speed automatic powers the 4-door midsizer. Will sales improve this time around for Honda?
Who wins?
The choice is clear. For the best combination of function, capability, style and comfort, I think the best midsize truck on the market is one of the GM offerings. I prefer GMC’s Canyon for it’s more upscale interior. If you don’t care about the fancy stuff though, go for the Chevrolet Colorado. With the Duramax diesel available, you get best in class towing, payload and MPG. Hats off to the General!
The 108th edition of the Chicago Auto Show 2016 is open to the public Feb. 13-21 at McCormick Place. More details at www.ChicagoAutoShow.com and hashtag #CAS16 on Twitter.
