Mid Size Trucks

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Mid size truck comparison part 1

Before we begin the comparison lets see what type of vehicles these trucks are. In the current market the trucks are generally grouped in five major classes – Compact trucks, Muscle trucks, Mid sized trucks, and Sports utility vehicle. The muscle trucks and SUVs are usually considered higher priced and more luxurious since they offer more space and overall comfort.

The trucks which are considered compact are four-seaters with small engines and relatively small cargo area while the trucks which are considered full-sized have larger engines and relatively large cargo space. These trucks are also quite large in size and usually consume more fuel as well.

The mid size trucks in this case are sitting somewhere between full-sized and the compact-sized trucks, they are smaller when compared to the full-sized ones but their engines are lager than those of the compact ones. These trucks can be categorized by the following features:

1. Engine cylinders ranging from 5 to 6 with a lock engine designs of V6 and aslo V8 holding 2.5 to 4 liters as their engine capacity
2. The cargo space is as large as 4ft by 8ft and in other cases it even exceeds that a little
3. Payload differs in different models but average one is ½ ton

So when comparing mid size trucks, these are the things that people usually look at – engine size, all-wheel drive versus 2-wheel drive, cargo area, safety features.

Lets look at some of the more popular models currently available on the market:

Chevrolet Colorado
Estimated MPG
City: 14 to 18
Highway: 19 to 25
Engine Types
242-hp, 3.7-liter I-5 (regular gas)
185-hp, 2.9-liter I-4 (regular gas)
300-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 (flexible; E85)
5.3-liter V-8 available
Transmissions
4-speed automatic
5-speed manual

Ford Ranger
Estimated MPG
City: 14 to 22
Highway: 18 to 27
Engine Types
143-hp, 2.3-liter I-4 (regular gas)
207-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 (regular gas)
Transmissions
5-speed manual
5-speed automatic

Toyota Tacoma
Estimated MPG
City: 14 to 21
Highway: 18 to 25
Engine Types
236-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 (regular gas)
159-hp, 2.7-liter I-4 (regular gas)
Transmissions
6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
5-speed manual

In the upcoming part2 of the comparison we will look at other models and the upcoming selection of the 2012 class.

Cons and pros of pickup trucks

Pickup trucks of all types and sizes have always been popular across the world. In Asia for example in the largest and over-populated cities you can find tiny pickup trucks that have engine compartment under the cabin and are able to carry cargo of only up to 200kgs. And even though they rarely have max speeds over 100km/hr, they are extremely maneuverable and are perfect for packed roads.

In North America however, the pickup trucks have always been known for their size and massiveness. Most pickup trucks follow the rule of “three fives” – they are at least 5 meters long, the engine needs to be at least 5L large, and they must weigh at least 5000 pounds. The perfect examples of such monstrosity are the more recent models – Ford F250 and Chevrolet Kodiak. But with their size comes their biggest disadvantage – fuel consumption. That’s why with the recent gas price increases the midsize trucks became more and more popular on the market.

The modern midsize pickup trucks are great for daily use. They are perfect for a small business owner or someone who enjoys outdoor recreational activities. The cargo space is usually good enough to carry a bunch of boxes, or an ATV or a set of bicycles. The advantages of such trucks are increased comfort while driving offroad, they are usually made to last, they look good and they often are very affordable. Also body repairs and paint work will be cheaper if you owned and SUV. As far as cons go, there are only a few – for example, the ride might seem not as smooth on the regular road as that in a usual car, especially when the truck is unloaded.