Prospective truck buyers looking for a modern midsize pickup made in the United States will have to choose between a Dodge, a Ford, and a GMC. But American manufacturers no longer have the lion’s share of the market when it comes to pickups. Japanese manufacturers have been making inroads in that department since the late 1990s.
Enter the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. Both arrived on American soil prior just before the 21st century, slated to compete with the midsize offerings such as the Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger. Nearly two decades have passed, and both Dodge and Ford have ended production on their midsize models. Meanwhile the Frontier and the Tacoma are still going strong.
It’s still somewhat puzzling to try to understand what unique need is driving the expansion of the midsize pickup in the U.S. After all, if you’re going to get a truck, why not go full-size? Whether you’re using it to haul, tow, or head off-road, you’re not going to regret the extra space.
We’ll chalk it up to the fact that both Toyota and Nissan must be doing something right. Where performance is concerned, a midsize will do just fine. So which one should you choose? Let’s find out.
The Nissan Frontier
Source: Nissan
The Nissan Frontier ranks poorly relative to other compact and midsize pickup trucks. You don’t have to be a genius to see that this model is outdated and ready for a redesign. But it also happens to be one of the most affordable midsize pickups on the market—there’s a good chance it will meet your needs at the most basic level.
The Frontier is similar in size to the Tacoma, but it comes with a range of trim styles—the Desert Runner package is certainly an upgrade on the Frontier’s look. Both extended and crew cab models are available, though upper trim isn’t available on the former.
The Toyota Tacoma
Source: Shutterstock
Meanwhile, the Toyota Tacoma is still riding on the glory of the major redesign it underwent in 2016. With its newly plush cabin and superior driving and handling, it’s a contender for best in its category—especially given the price. The exterior got a makeover, too. It’s more of a muscle truck, now, but the designers didn’t forget the Tacoma’s humble roots. Another advantage? Buyers can choose between several body styles, including crew and extended cabs that seat up to five passengers. Not bad for a midsize.
The Tacoma’s four-cylinder engine delivers 159 horsepower with 180 pound-feet of torque. We recommend upgrading to a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower if you want to tow.
The Winner? Tacoma
All in all, the Frontier doesn’t have the Tacoma’s capabilities, but for some buyers it might make sense. The Tacoma is the winner of this round, but who knows what we’ll see when the Frontier gets that long overdue redesign?
Clearly, these two trucks are proof that midsize pickups belong on America’s roads. They may even become more popular as more drivers look for the perfect compromise between power and size—after all, we still need to be able to fit into those tiny spaces in the grocery store parking lot.
