It’s 2019, and customers have a plethora of midsize pickup trucks to choose from. They’re a far departure to the midsize trucks from 20 years ago—growing in size and functionality. Thanks to cheap gas, plentiful credit, and a truck and SUV craze that’s taking the world by storm, automakers are scrambling to enter the flourishing midsize truck market. Motor Trend recently pitted four midsize pickup truck offerings—the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Ranger—against each other in a comparison test to see which was the best lifestyle and work pickup truck. The Chevrolet Colorado earned first place in the comparison.
The Toyota Tacoma earned last place due to its cramped cabin, narrow bed, and lackluster powertrain. Power comes from a 278-horsepower V6. Third place went to the newest entrant—the Ford Ranger. Motor Trend knocked the Ranger for its unruly suspension tuning, cramped cabin, and dated interior. The Ranger was also the only pickup tested with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 270 hp.
Second place went to the Honda Ridgeline, which the publication praised for its ability to be not only a lifestyle truck but also a capable pickup truck for when work needs to be done. Power for the Honda comes from the 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 hp to the FWD-based drivetrain. First place went to the Chevrolet Colorado because it best blurred the line between a dedicated work truck and a lifestyle vehicle, according to the publication. It praised the Colorado for a composed ride, rear passenger room, and functional bed. The Chevrolet Colorado tested featured a 3.6-liter V6 making 308 hp, but remains the only truck in the segment with a diesel option in the 2.8L Duramax.
“It’s the uncompromised pickup—the one that drives like a compact but hauls like a heavy-duty,” the publication wrote.
The competition, which will soon grow with the addition of the Jeep Gladiator, will only move the segment forward as automakers compete for new customers. The new era of midsize pickups are here, and they offer customers functional lifestyle pickups that can work hard when necessary.
Comments
Nice to see that a GM vehicle came out first in a comparison test. The problem I see is that GM has a tendency of letting their vehicles get stagnent. Toyota is already ahead in sales and working on an upgrade for the Tundra. Don’t know if Colorado will ever take over the sale lead over Tundra but the do need to do whatever is nessary to stay ahead in the comparison tests. If the continue to stay ahead in the comparison tests maybe just maybe they will win the sales contest. Perceptions are hard to overcome but hey one can hope.
Dude you should have said Tacoma. Not Tundra !
I stand corrected.
Colorado is a nice truck, and deserves this prize. I don’t know how the Ridgeline wasn’t placed 1st. MotorTrend and Car and Driver love every japanese garbage.
Lol at “Lapanese garbage.” Get out of the 40’s grandpa, Japanese vehicles are fantastic.
GM midsize = crap. I’ve lived with GM midsize from 2016-2018, and have been enjoying my Ridgeline ever since.
I love my Canyon.
The test here was surprising on how much the Ford lags back being the newest model.
The Toyota just has brand loyalty
The Ridgelike is a CUV with a birth defect not really a truck. It is for people who need a truck but hate trucks.
GM is due for updates in styling and some features like 360 cameras and the new cruise.
The interior would not be hard to fix. Just make the dash pad from GMC standard on the Chevy. Replace the door panel tops and the console overlay with better material.
The door bottoms take a beating so the plastic is fine there.
Also upgrade the seat design. A little more support would help.
The test results will vary depending on how they test them. If they test them as a CUV the Ridgeline will shine. If they test them as trucks that really work the GM models will shine.
Oh GM needs to relocate the 4×4 knob.
Not Sure the Jeep Gladiator falls into the same category. I saw it at the Los Angeles auto show and it is one hell of a Long truck. I own and love my Wrangler unlimited…but would not consider the Gladiator since it seems as long as a full size pickup and looks out of wack some how.
The Jeep is a Jeep thing. It will not be a vehicle for everyone. The ride will not be like a truck and will be more Jeep like. Some will love it some will hate it.
I see the Gladiator being more a lifestyle vehicle and will eat more Wrangler sales than Taco sales.
Jeep will be ok as they will not gain many customers but they will not lose any either. They will just migrate over like they did on the short Wrangler.
The Gladiator will hold all the advantages of the Wrangler but also all the drawbacks. It should only be compared to the TRD and ZR2.
Ridgeline 2nd? I’d drive any truck on the list before it. The Honda Ridgeline is for people who hate trucks and then finally realize they want one. For the people who complain about trucks getting more power, becoming more capable, and having bright headlights that scare them.
Motor Trend is just a magazine you buy to be advertised to. I remember when the chevy vega was Motor Trend car of the year and the pinto was great. It’s nothing more than an advertising agency, they seldom say anything bad about thier sponsers.
I’m not a gm guy at all, but I give huge props for the new Colorado, it’s fantastic.
As far as I know, unless Canyon/Colorado move to another factory they are constrained in volume and thus will never catch the Tacoma. I believe the target capacity was 120,000 per year at launch and they push about 150,000 out now. Also likely the reason there is no SUV based on the platform. Taco sales exploded when they added production to San Antonio a few years back.
“As far as I know, unless Canyon/Colorado move to another factory they are constrained in volume and thus will never catch the Tacoma.”
What the heck does that even mean?! You make it sound as if Chevy could never ramp up production on both vehicles even if they wanted to.
Instead of closing plants how about converting those plants to increase capacity of the vehicles that areas max capacity at other plants. Just an idea.
My own research:
Taco, great off road vehicle, but horrible on road, uncomfortable and a difficult ingress and egress, even for someone who is just 5’8. If you can’t wear a cowboy hat in a truck, then it is not a truck.
Ford Ranger: have not tested, has nice looks and do like the tech stuff the collie does not have. Does have capable tow/haul and off road capability.
Honda: nice riding and comfortable car….. but again, a car with a bed, not a true pickup for towing or hauling or off roading. The real “life style” vehicle before life style was cool. The choice for metro sexual men and binary people.
Colorado: great ride, good looks, capable off road, easy to get in and out of, good tow and haul capability, and most importantly, can wear a proper hat without hitting banging the headliner. But is in need of update of convience features like ambient lighting, Emergency braking, push button start, keyless entry, etc…..
That is your free unbiased opinion, as I have zero loyalty to any manufacture.
Holy cow, don’t get too geeked about this award. Recall former “Car of the Year” winners (I use that term lightly) included the Vega, Citation, PT Cruiser, Mustang ll, Renault’s, K cars and all sorts of automotive dreck. Anyone with a brain knows these automotive awards (you too jd power) are a meaningless joke.