This guide is continuously updated to ensure relevance, accuracy, and the latest information.
Looking for the best small pickup truck? The answer depends on how you use it. Instead of ranking winners and losers, this guide looks at every midsize pickup truck on sale today, from key features to the latest updates.
Toyota Tacoma
Who’s it for: Buyers who want a midsize truck that can legitimately do everything: daily driving, towing, and serious off-road use (without many compromises).
Key features:
Available i-FORCE MAX hybrid with up to 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque
Trailhunter and TRD Pro offer factory-built, no-compromise off-road setups
Optional 14-inch touchscreen with Toyota’s latest multimedia system
The Toyota Tacoma heads into 2026 with momentum firmly on its side, building on its recent ground-up redesign and doubling down on capability, tech, and choice. Power now comes from a turbocharged 2.4-litre i-FORCE engine as standard, with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid sitting at the top of the range, delivering serious torque and improved efficiency. Updates for 2026 are subtle but meaningful, including new exterior colours like Heritage Blue and the bold TRD Pro–exclusive Wave Maker, added standard equipment on lower trims, and refinements to off-road-focused packages. With everything from work-ready SR models to factory-built overlanders like Trailhunter and desert runners like TRD Pro, Tacoma remains the most configurable midsize truck on the market — and the segment’s benchmark for off-road credibility.
Chevrolet Colorado
Who’s it for: Buyers who want a capable, well-rounded midsize truck that’s equally at home hauling gear, towing trailers, and tackling weekend trails.
Key features:
Standard 2.7L TurboMax engine with strong torque
Trail Boss and ZR2 offer factory off-road capability
Modern interior with large infotainment display
The Chevrolet Colorado heads into 2026 largely unchanged but refined, carrying forward the rugged redesign introduced a few years back while sharpening its versatility and tech offerings. Every 2026 Colorado now comes standard with Chevy’s 2.7-litre TurboMax four-cylinder engine, producing a healthy 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic for a balance of capability and daily comfort. The midsize truck lineup sticks with crew-cab packaging and a five-foot bed, and is offered across trims from the no-nonsense Work Truck to the trail-ready ZR2, each tuned for different roles on and off the pavement. New wheel designs, subtle exterior tweaks, and a suite of tech and safety gear help keep Colorado competitive in a crowded midsize segment, especially against its main rival, Tacoma.
GMC Canyon
Who’s it for: Buyers who want midsize truck capability with a more upscale look, feel, and interior experience.
Key features:
Standard 2.7L turbo engine tuned for high torque
AT4 and AT4X trims deliver factory off-road capability
More premium interior and styling than its GM sibling
The GMC Canyon carries forward its redesign with a sharper focus on refinement and off-road credibility, positioning itself as the more premium alternative to the Chevrolet Colorado. Like its GM sibling, Canyon is powered exclusively by a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine tuned for strong low-end torque, but the experience is elevated through materials, styling, and trim strategy. The lineup is streamlined around crew-cab models and five-foot beds, with off-road capability baked in, especially in AT4 and AT4X trims. For buyers who want trail-ready hardware without giving up comfort or design, Canyon continues to strike a confident balance between rugged and upscale.
Honda Ridgeline
Who’s it for: Drivers who want pickup utility without giving up car-like comfort, space, and everyday drivability.
Key features:
Unibody construction with fully independent suspension
Standard AWD across all trims
Lockable in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate
The Honda Ridgeline enters 2026 with subtle updates that reinforce what makes it different in the midsize pickup space. New exterior choices headline the refresh, including TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green Metallic and an available contrasting black roof for the Black Edition, while the core formula remains unchanged. Ridgeline continues to lean on its unibody construction, fully independent suspension, and standard all-wheel drive to deliver a ride that’s noticeably more refined than traditional body-on-frame trucks. But it’s considerably more expensive than the Tacoma. With clever packaging, a spacious cabin, and uniquely useful features like the in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate, Ridgeline remains the most comfort-focused and lifestyle-oriented truck in the segment.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Who’s it for: Drivers who want a compact pickup truck that offers curb appeal and practicality in a city-friendly package.
Key features:
Two engine options: 191 hp and 281 hp turbo
Innovative bed with underfloor storage and tie-downs
Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and tech suite
Since its first arrival in 2022, the Santa Cruz has carried on through 2026 with its unique “Sport Adventure Vehicle” formula largely intact, blending crossover-like comfort with open-bed utility in a compact footprint. The unibody platform delivers a smoother on-road feel than traditional midsize trucks, and buyers can choose between a standard 191-hp 2.5-litre engine or an available 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-litre powertrain, both paired to an eight-speed automatic. The bed is thoughtfully engineered with tie-down points, a sealed underfloor storage bin, and available accessories like an integrated tonneau cover and power outlet. Technology includes a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and available digital instrument cluster, while a robust suite of safety and driver-assist tech supports confident driving in a range of conditions.
Nissan Frontier
Who’s it for: Buyers who want a straightforward, durable midsize truck with classic proportions and proven mechanicals.
Key features:
3.8L V6 with 310 hp paired to a 9-speed automatic
PRO-X and PRO-4X trims tuned for off-road use
New Dark Armor appearance package and drive modes
Following a complete (and long-overdue) 2022 overhaul, the Nissan Frontier enters 2026 building on its recent refresh with a sharper focus on style, value, and off-road credibility. New for the year is the Dark Armor package, which gives SV trims a more understated, blacked-out look, along with fresh paint options like the high-impact Citrus Strike on PRO models. Frontier continues to lean on its proven 3.8-litre V6, paired with a nine-speed automatic, while new selectable drive modes add more control across varying terrain. Offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with multiple bed lengths and trims ranging from work-ready to trail-focused, Frontier remains one of the more traditional, no-nonsense choices in the midsize truck segment.
Ford Maverick
Who’s it for: Drivers who want pickup versatility in a compact, affordable, and fuel-efficient package that works just as well in the city as it does on weekends (or the track with the Lobo).
Key features:
Available full-hybrid powertrain for standout fuel efficiency
Compact unibody design with four-door practicality
Flexible bed with clever storage and accessory options
The Ford Maverick remains the outlier in the pickup world, proving that truck utility doesn’t have to come with full-size dimensions or full-size fuel bills. Since arriving in 2022, this little hauler has been a money-maker for the company, crushing the sales reports each year. Built on a unibody platform, Maverick blends compact proportions with real usability, offering a four-door cabin, a flexible bed, and car-like driving manners. Powertrain choice continues to be a big part of its appeal, with a fuel-efficient hybrid option alongside a more powerful turbocharged engine for buyers who want added capability. It’s not designed for hardcore off-roading, but for urban drivers, commuters, and weekend adventurers, Maverick delivers a smart, accessible entry point into truck ownership. For more flair, there’s also the low-slung, lowrider-inspired Maverick Lobo.
Jeep Gladiator
Who’s it for: Drivers who value trail capability and open-air freedom over ride comfort or daily-driving efficiency.
Key features:
Wrangler-based platform with removable roof and doors
Rubicon and Mojave trims built for extreme off-road use
Strong towing and payload for an off-road-focused truck
The Jeep Gladiator carries into the 2026 model year largely unchanged, continuing to stand apart as the only midsize pickup built first and foremost for serious off-road use. Based on the Wrangler, Gladiator prioritizes trail capability and open-air driving over refinement or efficiency, with solid axles, removable doors and roof panels, and Jeep’s proven four-wheel-drive systems. Recent updates brought larger screens, improved interior tech, and expanded off-road trims like Mojave X and Rubicon X, and those upgrades continue to define the truck today. While it’s not the most comfortable or fuel-efficient option in the segment, Gladiator remains unmatched when the pavement ends.
Ford Ranger
Who’s it for: Buyers looking for a versatile midsize truck that blends everyday comfort with strong towing and global-proven capability.
Key features:
Available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 for added power
Advanced towing tech including Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Practical bed features like Integrated Box Side Step
The Ford Ranger continues into 2026, carrying forward the global redesign that marked its 2019 return to North America after nearly a decade, combining modern tech with traditional midsize-truck capability. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder as standard, with an available 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 for buyers who want more muscle. Ranger’s strength lies in its balance: it’s comfortable and well-equipped for daily use, yet properly capable when tasked with towing, hauling, or light off-roading. With advanced trailering tech, a thoughtfully designed bed, and the high-performance Ranger Raptor sitting at the top of the lineup, Ranger remains one of the most well-rounded options in the segment.
