Midsized Trucks

American consumers are hungry for mid-size pick-up trucks with sales above pre-virus forecasts by up to 3%.  Auto sales predictions have been way off this year thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak. Most segments are down significantly, but not midsized trucks. They have become the hot ticket on dealer lots.

America wants more utility. Years ago when you jumped into a small pick up truck you might have got a bumpy ride, not so today. Riding inside a new mid-sized pic-up truck is so much better now.  If you drove a Jeep Wrangler, that was the last generation, you would have experienced being uncomfortable after around 15 mins.  I drove the truck version of the wrangler, the gladiator.  It is smooth and confident and handles better than many SUVs.

According to iseecars.com, used pick up truck sales are up by nearly 50% as a segment and new pick up trucks are hot on their tail. When it comes to the midsize truck market these vehicles hold their value so much that it’s hard to find a good deal on a used, so America is turning to buy new pick-up trucks instead. 

There are only 7 news midsize pick-up trucks on sale in the USA; The Jeep Gladiator, The Nissan Frontier, The Ford Ranger, The Toyota Tacoma, The Honda Ridgeline, The GMC Canyon, and its sister truck the Chevy Colorado.  Only 3 are offered in performance trims and the Jeep Gladiator Mojave is specifically built for speed in the desert.  Not every offroad adventurer wants to rock crawl, some want a much faster-paced adventure.  Enter this new Mojave.  Its is equipped with adventure Fox internal bypass shock for a better ride, big wheels, a one-inch lift and reduced weight, so it’s a more agile performer. 

One of the downsizes to small pickups can be on-road twisties when driving.  In the past mid-size pick-up trucks had a reputation for not handling well.  Not newer vehicles like the Jeep Gladiator Mojave. This Jeep takes a curvey road flat and steady. 

Americans want more utility in their vehicles especially since COVID 19, but they also want something that can be used for every aspect of life: Day to Day use, Weekend use, and Adventure use.  The Gladiator Mojave fits the bill and gives buyers the ability to do some desert racing as well.

It is important to note that with that extra one-inch lift, getting in and out may not be for little kids and small pets.  It’s a step up for me at only 5 foot 4 inches 

Midsized trucks are the most city-friendly trucks available for those looking for utility.  They are around 15 inches shorter and 5 inches narrower than the full-size trucks and that can be a godsend in a city parking lot. 

Another big mid-size fan favorite is the Honda Ridgeline.  It’s a hybrid of a Truck and SUV with many car features. Honda Ridgeline buyers like the built-in safety with honda sensing, the smooth drive from the , 

9-speed automatic transmission, which is standard on all Ridgeline trims and the displayed, along with apple carplay®and android auto™ which again is standard. 

The wider-opening rear doors  and remote-locking tailgate add owner convenience, but it’s the bed trunk and the rear power outlet that has enough juice to power a blender that makes this even more appealing. Get it out on the road and it drives more like a car than a truck.  Exactly what America wants.  These mid-size trucks are hot and a sort after commodity in this new time of driver favorites.