Mid-size pickups heating up Canada
Smaller, more affordable, often more fuel-efficient, and great payload, towing
Pickup trucks have long been favoured among Canadians, especially those who live outside of major cities. They’re versatile and capable, able to transport large and dirty loads, and roll through the adverse conditions that northern living often throws at residents.
Increasingly, though, there are those among us who are realizing that half-ton pickups are getting bigger, more expensive, and a lot more capable than some people really need. As a result, mid-size trucks are gaining in popularity. They’re smaller, more affordable, and often more fuel-efficient, but still deliver on payload and towing capacities that meet the typical needs of urban and suburban life.
If this idea speaks to you, the Canadian International AutoShow offers a unique opportunity to check out the newest mid-size trucks on the market in one place. Here’s a look at the major players and where you can find them on the show floor. Jeep Gladiator (FCA, 300 level): This hotly-anticipated addition to the segment is exactly what it looks like: a Wrangler with a five-foot cargo bed.
Due in showrooms in the second quarter of this year, it shares the same folding front windscreen and removable doors and roof as the new Wrangler JL, but adds nearly 50 cm to the wheelbase. Two powertrains will be available: a Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque) with either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, or a late-arriving 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel (260 hp, 442 lb-ft) that comes only with an automatic. The Max Towing package gives it a maximum towing capacity of 7,650 pounds and payload of 1,600 pounds. Ford Ranger (Ford booth, 800 level): The Ford Ranger has been available overseas, but was absent from North America for nearly a decade before the Blue Oval returned it to this market late last year.
There’s one powertrain option for now: a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (270 hp, 310 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and with standard four-wheel drive. Its top payload capacity is 1,860 pounds and towing capability is 7,500 pounds. Standard 4x4 drive is included, and two size configurations are available, either a Supercab with a six-foot box or a SuperCrew cab with a five-foot box.
The available FX4 off-road trim comes with all-terrain tires, off-road tuned monotube shocks and an electronic locking rear axle. Plus, a frame-mounted exposed steel front bash plate, frame-mounted skid plates, Ford’s terrain management system, and Trail Control, which works as an offroad friendly active cruise control to maintain a steady speed below 20 km/h. Toyota Tacoma (Toyota booth, 800 level): The winner of the Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value award for small pickups in 2019, continues to be a perennial favourite and solid investment.
Five-foot and six-foot cargo beds are available in combination with access cab and double-cab configurations. Two engines can be equipped: a 2.7litre four-cylinder engine (159 hp, 180 lb-ft) matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, or a 3.6-litre V6 (278 hp, 265 lb-ft) that can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Maximum payload capacity is 1,650 pounds, and the 4x4 Access Cab V6 TRD Off-Road and SR5 models have a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. A new TRD Pro model for 2019 receives Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, a desert air intake, Rigid Industries fog lights and BBS wheels, and three new TRD Pro-exclusive exterior colours. Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon (Chevrolet/GMC booths, 800 level): The General Motors twins are mid-size pickup stalwarts, both coming with three engine options — a 2.5-litre four-cylinder (200 hp, 191 lb-ft), a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (181 hp, 369 lbft), and a 3.6-litre V6 (308 hp, 275 lb-ft) — with six- and eightspeed automatic transmissions being available in various configurations. In both cases, the maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds (with the diesel) and payload of 1,605 pounds (with the V6). Crew cab and extended cab setups are available in combination with five- and six-foot cargo box lengths.
A Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison off-roader is new for 2019. It comes with a flow-through Chevrolet-lettered grille, five hot-stamped Boron steel skid plates, stamped steel front and rear bumpers with AEV Bison badging, and an available accessory snorkel. Honda Ridgeline (Honda booth, 300 level): The Ridgeline was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It comes with a single engine option, a 3.5-litre V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft), paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Its top towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, peak payload is 1,580 pounds, and the cargo box length is just over five feet.