Top 10 Mid-Size Pickup Trucks 2027 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The Best Overall mid-size pickup for 2027 is the Toyota Tacoma, starting around $33,000. It pairs a turbocharged i-FORCE four-cylinder (and an available i-FORCE MAX hybrid good for 326 hp and 465 lb-ft) with class-leading resale, a deep off-road bench, and the broadest trim ladder in the segment.

It is the truck for buyers who want one vehicle that handles weekday commuting, weekend trails, and a 6,500 lb trailer without compromise.

The Best Value pick is the Ford Maverick Hybrid, starting around $28,000. With a standard hybrid powertrain rated at an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined, a sub-$30K entry point, and a usable 4.5-foot bed, the Maverick delivers more truck utility per dollar than anything else here.

It is built for first-time truck buyers, urban drivers, and anyone who wants light hauling without a gas-guzzler. Below, all ten trucks are ranked, with both pills called out so you can match a truck to your real-world needs.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each truck on the six factors that actually decide ownership satisfaction in this segment, drawing on published specs and testing from Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, TFLtruck, IIHS, and EPA. We prioritized verified towing and payload over marketing claims, real EPA fuel-economy numbers, and long-term reliability data rather than first-impression hype.

Unibody haulers and body-on-frame workhorses were judged on their own terms, then ranked head-to-head.

• Capability and towing — 20%
• Off-road and versatility — 20%
• Powertrain and efficiency — 20%
• Reliability and ownership cost — 20%
• Interior and tech — 10%
• Price-to-performance — 10%

1. Toyota Tacoma 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $33,000 | Best for: Buyers who want one do-everything truck with bulletproof resale

The redesigned Tacoma runs a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE four making up to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft, with an available i-FORCE MAX hybrid that jumps to 326 hp and a stout 465 lb-ft. Maximum towing reaches 6,500 lb with the gas engine, while hybrids pull up to 6,000 lb; EPA estimates land around 22 city / 24 highway on the hybrid.

You get a 5-foot or 6-foot bed, standard rear-drive with available 4WD, and serious trail hardware on TRD Off-Road, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro grades. A 14-inch touchscreen anchors the cabin, and Toyota's reputation for durability plus a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty seals its top spot.

Pros:

• Strongest resale value in the segment
• Available hybrid with 465 lb-ft of torque
• Deep off-road trim ladder from TRD to Trailhunter
• Huge dealer and aftermarket support network

Cons:

• Hybrid pushes pricing well into the $50K range on top trims
• Ride can feel firm on base steel-spring setups

Verdict: The most well-rounded mid-size truck you can buy, and the safest long-term money in the class.

2. Chevrolet Colorado

Starting MSRP: $32,000 | Best for: Buyers who want maximum towing from a punchy turbo four

The Colorado leans on GM's 2.7-liter TurboMax four, currently rated at 310 hp and a class-leading 430 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic. That torque translates to a best-in-class 7,700 lb tow rating and payload approaching 1,700 lb. EPA estimates sit near 19 city / 24 highway.

The lineup spans work-ready WT to the trail-focused ZR2, with available 4WD, an 11.3-inch touchscreen, and the off-road-ready Bison variant for hardcore use. It earns strong marks for everyday drivability and a genuinely modern cabin.

Pros:

• Best-in-class 7,700 lb towing
• 430 lb-ft of torque from one turbo engine
• ZR2 and Bison off-road grades are seriously capable

Cons:

• Single engine choice limits powertrain flexibility
• Top trims climb past $50K quickly

Verdict: The towing champ of the segment with a refined turbo-four and a knockout off-road option.

3. Ford Ranger

Starting MSRP: $33,000 | Best for: Buyers who want a balanced daily truck with a wild Raptor option

The Ranger delivers a well-sorted turbocharged four in standard trims and a monster 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in the Ranger Raptor, where output hits 405 hp and 430 lb-ft. Standard Rangers tow up to 7,500 lb; the Raptor trades some utility for 10.7 inches of ground clearance, locking front and rear differentials, and 33-inch all-terrains.

EPA combined figures land around 17 mpg on the Raptor and better on the standard turbo-four. A 12-inch portrait touchscreen, available 4WD, and a smartly packaged 5-foot bed round it out.

Pros:

• 405-hp Raptor is the segment's performance flagship
• Up to 7,500 lb towing in standard trims
• Modern interior with large portrait touchscreen

Cons:

• Raptor fuel economy dips to roughly 17 mpg combined
• Base trims feel plain next to rivals

Verdict: A balanced everyday hauler with the most outrageous off-road halo trim in the class.

4. GMC Canyon

Starting MSRP: $38,000 | Best for: Buyers who want Colorado capability with upscale trim

Mechanically a twin to the Colorado, the Canyon shares the 2.7-liter TurboMax four with 310 hp, 430 lb-ft, and a 7,700 lb tow rating, but dresses it in richer materials and more standard content. EPA estimates sit near 19 city / 23 highway. The off-road AT4X trim adds front and rear lockers, DSSV dampers, and 33-inch tires for trail duty.

With available 4WD, an 11.3-inch screen, and GMC's more premium cabin trim, it appeals to buyers who want capability without stepping into a full-size truck.

Pros:

• Same 7,700 lb tow rating as the Colorado
• Upscale interior and standard equipment
• AT4X is a genuine off-road weapon

Cons:

• Higher entry price than the mechanically identical Colorado
• Limited engine choice

Verdict: The premium take on GM's mid-size formula, ideal if you want polish with the capability.

5. Jeep Gladiator

Starting MSRP: $41,000 | Best for: Off-road purists who want a removable-top truck

The Gladiator is the only mid-size pickup with a removable top and doors, built on Wrangler bones with a 3.6-liter V6 making 285 hp and 260 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic and standard 4WD. Properly equipped with the Max Tow package, it tows up to 7,700 lb and carries up to 1,725 lb of payload, with a 5-foot bed offering 35.5 cubic feet of space.

EPA estimates land near 17 city / 22 highway. Trims like Rubicon and Mojave add lockers, sway-bar disconnects, and desert-running hardware that nothing else here can match.

Pros:

• Removable doors, roof, and fold-down windshield
• Up to 7,700 lb towing with Max Tow
• Unmatched trail credentials on Rubicon and Mojave

Cons:

• Highway ride and wind noise lag the segment
• Fuel economy trails turbo-four rivals

Verdict: The most capable and most distinctive off-roader in the class, if you can live with on-road compromises.

6. Nissan Frontier

Starting MSRP: $32,150 | Best for: Buyers who want a simple, proven V6 workhorse

The Frontier keeps it straightforward with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 making 310 hp and 281 lb-ft through a 9-speed automatic. It tows up to 7,150 lb and carries up to 1,620 lb of payload, with available 4WD and rugged PRO-4X and PRO-X grades. EPA combined sits around 19 mpg in 4WD trim.

IIHS testing returns a Good rating in the moderate overlap front test and Acceptable marks in side and headlight evaluations. A 12.3-inch touchscreen modernizes a cabin built around no-nonsense durability.

Pros:

• Strong naturally aspirated V6 with 310 hp
• Up to 7,150 lb towing
• Simple, proven mechanicals

Cons:

• Fuel economy trails turbocharged competitors
• Interior materials feel a step behind the leaders

Verdict: A dependable, uncomplicated truck for buyers who trust a big V6 over a small turbo.

7. Ford Maverick Hybrid 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $28,000 | Best for: First-time truck buyers and efficiency-focused commuters

The Maverick is the value benchmark of the segment, and the standard hybrid powertrain is why. It returns an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 37 mpg combined with AWD — figures no body-on-frame truck can approach. The unibody platform tows up to 4,000 lb when equipped, hauls roughly 1,500 lb, and packs cargo into a clever 4.5-foot bed with built-in tie-downs.

An 8-inch or available 13.2-inch touchscreen, plus available AWD, make it a genuine daily driver. It is the cheapest way into a new, efficient, genuinely useful pickup.

Pros:

• Class-leading 38 mpg combined hybrid
• Lowest entry price in the segment
• Surprisingly versatile 4.5-foot bed

Cons:

• Lower tow and payload than body-on-frame rivals
• Cabin materials reflect the budget price

Verdict: The smartest dollar-for-dollar buy in the class — efficient, affordable, and more capable than its size suggests.

8. Honda Ridgeline

Starting MSRP: $42,290 | Best for: Buyers who prize ride comfort and a clever bed

The Ridgeline is the unibody comfort champion, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 making 280 hp and 262 lb-ft with standard all-wheel drive. It tows up to 5,000 lb and carries up to 1,583 lb of payload, with EPA estimates around 18 city / 24 highway for 21 mpg combined.

Its in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate remain segment-exclusive party tricks, and the car-like ride and quiet cabin make it the easiest mid-size truck to live with daily. IIHS scored it Good in side-impact and Acceptable in small-overlap front testing.

Pros:

• Best on-road ride and refinement in the class
• Exclusive in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate
• Standard all-wheel drive

Cons:

• Lower tow rating than body-on-frame rivals
• Not intended for serious off-road use

Verdict: The most comfortable and clever mid-size truck, perfect for buyers who rarely leave the pavement.

9. Hyundai Santa Cruz

Starting MSRP: $29,750 | Best for: Style-focused buyers who want car comfort with a bed

The Santa Cruz is a unibody compact that drives like a crossover. The base 2.5-liter four makes 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, while the turbocharged version delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. Turbo trims tow up to 5,000 lb; base models are rated at 3,500 lb.

EPA estimates reach 25 mpg combined on the base engine and around 20 mpg on the turbo. Available AWD, an open-bed design with lockable storage, and Hyundai's standout 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty make it a strong value alternative to the Maverick.

Pros:

• Available 281-hp turbo engine
• Industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• Crossover-like ride and handling

Cons:

• Smaller bed than traditional mid-size trucks
• Turbo fuel economy is unremarkable

Verdict: A stylish, comfortable unibody truck with the best warranty in the class.

10. Toyota Tacoma Hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)

Starting MSRP: $45,000 | Best for: Buyers who want maximum torque and trail capability in one package

The hybrid i-FORCE MAX Tacoma earns its own slot because it changes the truck's character. The electrified 2.4-liter turbo four produces 326 hp (323 hp in Trailhunter) and a commanding 465 lb-ft of torque, available on TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro grades.

It tows up to 6,000 lb, returns roughly 23 mpg combined, and adds low-end punch that transforms both towing and rock-crawling. With 4WD, a 14-inch touchscreen, and Trailhunter's overlanding hardware, it is the most capable configuration Toyota offers — at a premium price.

Pros:

• 465 lb-ft of immediate torque
• Available on the elite Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims
• Better efficiency than rival V6 off-roaders

Cons:

• Premium pricing pushes past $50K on top grades
• Hybrid system adds weight and complexity

Verdict: The torque and trail king of the Toyota lineup, worth the premium for serious overlanders.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Mid-Size Truck

• Real towing and payload — Check the trim-specific rating, not the marketing headline; max numbers usually require a specific cab, bed, and tow package.
• Body-on-frame versus unibody — Body-on-frame trucks like the Tacoma, Colorado, and Gladiator handle heavier loads and trails; unibody trucks like the Maverick, Ridgeline, and Santa Cruz ride better and sip less fuel.
• Off-road packages — Lockers, skid plates, terrain modes, and ground clearance separate true trail trims (ZR2, Rubicon, TRD Pro, Raptor) from appearance packages.
• Fuel efficiency — A standard hybrid like the Maverick's can save thousands over ownership; turbo fours generally beat V6s on the highway.
• Reliability and resale — Toyota and Honda lead long-term dependability data, and the Tacoma's resale is the strongest financial cushion in the class.
• Bed and cab configuration — Match crew-cab room and bed length to your real cargo and passenger needs before chasing horsepower.

Horsepower matters less than marketing implies; torque, towing ratings, real-world fuel economy, and resale value will shape your ownership experience far more than peak power figures.

FAQ

Which mid-size truck has the best towing capacity? The Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Jeep Gladiator all top out at 7,700 lb when properly equipped, with the Colorado and Canyon doing it from a single turbocharged four-cylinder making 430 lb-ft of torque.

What is the most fuel-efficient mid-size pickup? The Ford Maverick Hybrid leads by a wide margin at an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined with front-wheel drive — no body-on-frame mid-size truck comes close.

Which mid-size truck holds its value best? The Toyota Tacoma has the strongest resale in the segment, which is a major reason it earns our Best Overall pick despite higher hybrid pricing on top trims.

Are unibody trucks like the Maverick and Ridgeline real trucks? Yes. They tow 4,000 lb to 5,000 lb, haul 1,500 lb or more, and ride better than body-on-frame rivals; they simply trade maximum capability for comfort and efficiency.

Which mid-size truck is best for serious off-roading? The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter, Ford Ranger Raptor, and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 lead the trail pack with lockers, upgraded dampers, and high ground clearance.

Is a hybrid mid-size truck worth it? For most buyers, yes. The Maverick Hybrid saves fuel daily, and the Tacoma i-FORCE MAX adds 465 lb-ft of torque that improves both towing and trail performance, justifying its premium for serious users.

Bottom Line

The Toyota Tacoma is our Best Overall mid-size pickup for 2027, combining a strong turbo and hybrid powertrain lineup, the deepest off-road bench, and unbeatable resale value starting around $33,000. The Ford Maverick Hybrid is our Best Value at roughly $28,000, delivering a class-leading 38 mpg combined and real truck utility for the lowest price in the segment.

Use the decision tree above to match towing needs, off-road ambitions, efficiency goals, and budget to the right truck for you.

Sources

• Edmunds — Toyota Tacoma
• Kelley Blue Book — Toyota Tacoma
• Edmunds — Chevrolet Colorado 2027
• The Fast Lane Truck — 2027 Chevy Colorado TurboMax
• Edmunds — GMC Canyon
• Edmunds — Ford Ranger Raptor 2026
• Edmunds — Jeep Gladiator
• Nissan USA — 2026 Frontier Specs and Trims
• Edmunds — Ford Maverick 2027
• Edmunds — Honda Ridgeline
• Edmunds — Hyundai Santa Cruz
• IIHS — 2026 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Ratings

*Mid-size truck review — mid-size truck reviews, rating, best mid-size pickup 2027, and a review of the top compact truck picks for buyers.*