Top 3 Best Midsized Trucks of 2021

The midsize truck market continues to grow each year with more models coming from brands we don’t always think about offering a truck.

The Honda Ridgeline sits on one end of the spectrum with a unibody construction and an SUV-like build while the Jeep Gladiator is the hardcore off-road truck in this class. Between these two, you’ll find a few different trucks sit at the top of the market as some of the best models you can drive and enjoy. Let’s take a look at three of these trucks and see if one of them has what you’re after.

Chevrolet Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado is rated as the best midsize truck in the market. This truck checks off a lot of boxes to be right for you to drive. When you want an affordable truck, the Colorado offers a great starting price. If you want a lot of options, there are more for this Chevy truck than any other in the market. When you’re looking for a great off-roader, the Colorado gives you what you’re after. Overall, this truck does an amazing job of blending everything you want together so that you can have a great drive.

What’s New?

The latest version of the Colorado offers you a dealer-installed Trail Boss package for the LT and Z71 models. This new package gives you a one-inch suspension leveling kit, added skidplates to protect the underside of the truck, 17-inch ZR2 accessory wheels that are painted black, red tow hooks, and the elimination of the front air dam. These items allow you to have more of what you want in a truck that delivers the drive and quality desired when you’re out on the road or trails. Of course, with the Trail Boss package, you’ll hit the trails more often.

What Does the Colorado Bring to the Market?

Pros

• Smooth ride
• Attractive diesel option
• A trim for every driver

Cons

• Lackluster interior materials
• Thirst four-cylinder base engine
• Limited number of active safety features

The Chevrolet Colorado is highly capable, built right, and filled with excellent features for your drive. This truck is similar to the larger Silverado but in a more enjoyable midsize truck package to give you the driving pleasure you want. If you’re looking for the best of the midsize trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado is the truck you want to drive.

GMC Canyon

With the Colorado reaching the top of the lineup its not a big surprise that the GMC Canyon comes in second only to its platform sibling. The GMC model delivers the benefits of being a bit more upscale and luxurious than the Chevy version. With a top trim called Denali and a new special trim that’s ideal for off-road driving, the GMC Canyon can make driving much better on any road. Like the Colorado, the Canyon offers three powertrains, one of with is a diesel model that delivers excellent power and fuel mileage out on any road.

What’s New?

There are a couple of special edition models for the GMC Canyon that add more to the mix, giving you more of the drive you want on any road. These new special models are the Denali Black Edition version which adds a full package of black exterior accents to this truck. The High Elevation package has been renamed to Elevation Premium but with the same gear. Both of these new packages add more of the quality driving performance and functions you want when you’re behind the wheel. If you want the off-road version of the Canyon, the AT4 is the trim you’ll want to drive.

Which Trim Should You Drive?

If you’re going to buy a GMC Canyon, you want to enjoy a truck with more comfort and quality. That means you’ll want to head upmarket to the top-spec Denali trim. This is truly the only luxury truck in the entire segment of midsize trucks. With this trim, you might wonder why this truck is not rated above its platform sibling. The Denali model comes to you with high-quality leather upholstery, open-pore wood, and chrome accents to make sure you can have the right truck for the driving experience you’ll enjoy every day. If you’re looking for the proper differentiator between the Canyon and Colorado, the Denali and ZR2 models give you the difference makers you’re sure to admire.

Honda Ridgeline

Some experts put the Honda Ridgeline higher in the market than third place, but for the purposes of this article, that’s where it resides. The Ridgeline is not a truck made for hardcore off-roading, its not a model that brings you a luxury drive, but it does have the smooth, unibody build you want and a great ride. Get behind the wheel and feel just how impressive the Ridgeline can be when you’re out on the road.

Something Unique in the Ridgeline

The bed of this Honda truck is nearly five feet long and the tailgate can either fold or swing to give you the space you need for the stuff you’ll want to take with you on the road. Under the floor of the bed is a lockable, watertight storage area that measures 7.3 cubic feet. This is enough room for a lot of drinks and plenty of ice, making the Ridgeline the truck that’s right for the party. This unique feature means lots of time at the tailgate if you have season tickets to your favorite football team.

Should You Drive This Honda Truck?

Pros

• SUV-like road manners
• Quick acceleration
• Smart packaging

Cons

• Not many variations
• Not a true off-roader
• Ride quality is poor when towing

The Honda Ridgeline only tows 5,000 pounds, which is pretty low in this class. If this truck isn’t an off-roader and it can’t tow much, why is it one of the best midsize trucks in the market? This Honda delivers the smoothest truck ride you’ll find and it gives you a great place to take a ride to the game with a cooler-bed filled with drinks for you and your friends.