When thinking of work trucks, light-duty full-size or heavy-duty pickup trucks or vans are usually the first to come to mind.<\/p>\n
Topping the list are the Ford F-series, Ram 1500 and HD, Chevrolet Silverado\/GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. However, the ever-popular term \u2018right-sizing\u2019 comes into play for many businesses. The size and cost of LD and HD models can be cost prohibitive for many, and this is where mid-size pickup models come in.<\/p>\n
The mid-size was once a dying breed of the pickup market, with fewer models produced as consumers wanted larger models. However, the mid-size market is increasing as more consumers are finding the 1500 and larger are getting out of reach. Many new mid-size vehicles are the same size as their larger full-size cousins once were (with LD trucks looking like HD models used to).<\/p>\n
Currently, the main players in the midsize pickup space include Ford, which offers two mid-size trucks in the Ranger and the smaller Maverick. General Motors offers two in the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, but they are both the same size in different guise. Nissan offers its Frontier, the only pickup it currently sells in Canada, while Toyota sells the popular Tacoma. Other players in the midsize space include Stellantis with its Jeep Gladiator, and two who offer unibody models, Honda with its Ridgeline and Hyundai with its Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n
Focus is paid to vehicles that are updated for 2025. However, some vehicles saw major changes for 2024 and continue into this model year.<\/p>\n
FORD MAVERICK<\/strong> For 2025, the front grille and bumper are updated, each trim having a unique grille.\u00a0LED Projector Headlamps with LED Signature Accent Lighting are standard on Lobo, Lariat and Tremor. LED reflector headlamps, including auto LED high beams and auto lamp (auto on\/off LED headlamps) are standard on XL and XLT, with XLT also adding wiper-activated LED headlamps.\u00a0The Hybrid models will have the option of having all-wheel drive with an optional towing package. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now wireless, and the touchscreen is now a 13.2\u201d unit (replacing the outgoing eight-inch screen).\u00a0Maverick comes standard as a Hybrid FWD, while Lariat offers Hybrid AWD standard.<\/p>\n For those who depend on their work truck to transport items, the Maverick has a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds on FWD hybrid models, and AWD EcoBoost models (AWD Hybrid is 1,400lbs, and Tremor EcoBoost is 1,140lbs). The bed has molded pockets allowing for better cargo organization, along with a multi-position tailgate. The bed also has a 110V\/400W outlet (along with another in the cab), as well as being prewired for 12V connections.<\/p>\n Power for the Maverick is brought by way of a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor offering 191hp and 155 ft\/lbs of torque mated to a CVT transmission, \u00a0the other option is a 2.0 litre EcoBoost (turbocharged) four-cylinder engine with\u00a0250\u00a0horsepower and 277 foot\/pounds of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both engines provide the same towing capacity at 2,000lbs, which can be increased to 4,000lbs with the 4K towing package (requires AWD, excluding Tremor).<\/p>\n \u201cEarning this recognition celebrates our team\u2019s dedication to continuously raising the bar for midsize truck customers,\u201d said Jim Baumbick, vice-president, advanced product development, cycle plan, and programs, Ford Motor Company. \u201cWe rigorously tested Ranger in challenging environments around the world to deliver the Built Ford Tough durability our customers demand. This award is a tribute to our customers who inspire us every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Or those who need more power from their truck than the smaller Maverick, the Ranger provides this via two EcoBoost (turbocharged) engines, with a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four-cylinder engine with 270hp and 310 ft\/lbs of torque, or a 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 engine offering 315hp and 400 ft\/lbs of torque. Both are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and have auto start\/stop. Both engines provide max towing of 7,500 lbs, with a max payload of 1,711 lbs with SuperCrew 4\u00d74 models, and 1,805 lbs with SuperCrew 4\u00d72.<\/p>\n On the inside, the Frontier now has a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen packaged with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a telescopic steering wheel is now standard. Also, the rear sliding window is now standard. Other trim level changes also occur.<\/p>\n Other updates for 2025 include an improved off-road view for the 360 cameras, which now work up to 12 mph; a long-wheelbase configuration is now available with a six-foot bed on PRO-4X trims; and all trims now increase towing capacities by 500 lbs., with a max tow rating of 6,850 lbs. Max payload ranges between 1,050 and 1,200 lbs (on crew cab), and 1,340 lbs (on king cab).<\/p>\n The towing improvements help work truck drivers to be able to do more, with more capacity, they may be able to do less trips, the camera update allows for more comfort when it comes to driving through terrain while on a job site.<\/p>\n Frontier continues into 2025 with its 3.8L V-6 engine (with 310hp and 281 ft\/lbs of torque) mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and offers engine stop\/start. Active brake limited slip is standard on all grades, PRO-4X gets electronic locking differential. Two bed lengths (five or six feet), and two cab lengths (crew cab and king cab) are available this year. Giving companies the flexibility to equip the truck the way they need.<\/p>\n Safety comes standard, with lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, high beam assist and intelligent cruise control, available on all trims. SL trim and above adds traffic sign recognition.<\/p>\n The Canyon has a payload capacity from 1,010 and 1,590 lbs depending on trim level. Towing capacity tops out at 7,700 lbs (with other trims offering 6,600 lbs and 5,500 lbs).<\/p>\n The Canyon comes with standard automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, lane keeping assist and warning, and buckle to start; while available features include blind spot steering assist, rear cross traffic braking, rear park assist, and rear pedestrian alert.<\/p>\n General Motors also offer the Chevrolet Colorado, which is the Canyon\u2019s stablemate. With a similar package but with different looks, in Chevrolet guise.<\/p>\n One interesting fact is that the Tacoma is now the only pickup truck sold in Canada that can still be bought with a manual transmission (in this case a six-speed). While many will opt for the automatic transmission, for those that want or need a manual transmission, this is now your only option.<\/p>\n Two engine options are available, each with a 2.4L i-Force four-cylinder turbocharged DOHC engine. All manual transmission models offer the 2.4L engine with 270hp and 310 ft\/lbs of torque, while the eight-speed automatic transmission models get a small bump in power, at 278hp and 317 ft\/lbs of torque. The i-Force Max version (with the addition of the hybrid powertrain) offers 326hp and 465 ft\/lbs of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.<\/p>\n Apart from a capable engine, towing and payload are the most important aspects of a pickup truck. The Tacoma offers max payload of between 1,380 lbs. and 1,705 lbs, depending on trim, and max towing of 6,400 lbs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Tacoma is more than a truck: It is an invitation to go where you want to go, to do what you want to do and to see what you want to see,\u201d said Cyril Dimitris, vice-president, Toyota Canada Inc. \u201cWhen Toyota introduced this newest generation, we took great care to retain everything that has made Tacoma a legend for nearly 30 years, while raising the bar with more capability, more features, more comfort, and modern style \u2013 plus the advanced power and awesome torque of Toyota\u2019s hybrid powertrain technology. With 12 grades \u2013 including several that we have enhanced for 2025 \u2013 there\u2019s a Tacoma for every adventurous Canadian.\u201d<\/p>\n Safety is always top of mind for fleets and the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system on the Tacoma includes pre-collision system (with pedestrian and bicycle detection, intersection support, and emergency steering), radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Also included is a backup camera, eight airbags, the blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring system, among others.<\/p>\n OTHER OPTIONS<\/strong> Hyundai <\/strong>produces the Santa Cruz<\/strong>, another pickup that is geared towards recreational use. It also offers 5,000 lbs of towing and offers standard AWD. It has a 2.5L four-cylinder engine offering 281hp and 311 ft\/lbs of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.<\/p>\n On the other end of the spectrum is the Jeep Gladiator<\/strong>, which is based on the off-road Wrangler utility vehicle. While not seen as a work truck for many, it is a capable option, as it offers 7,700 lbs of max towing and 1,725 lbs of max payload. It will also not have any issues going to a job site that is off the beaten path.<\/p>\n WHAT TRUCK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?<\/strong> Mario Cywinski has worked in the automotive industry for over 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and has been a judge for the Canadian Truck King Challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
One of two mid-size pickup trucks at Ford, the smaller Maverick, made its debut in 2021. It is the only truck in Ford\u2019s stable that is a unibody, with the rest all using a body-on-frame. As a result, it is a smoother ride.<\/p>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadiancontractor.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-Ford-Maverick-Tremor-copy-630x435.jpg\")
FORD RANGER<\/strong>
The Maverick\u2019s bigger brother, the Ranger, which is a body-on-frame truck, was redesigned for the 2024 model year, and was recently named the North American Truck of the Year by the 2025 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards committee.<\/p>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadiancontractor.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2025-Nissan-Frontier-13-copy-630x420.jpg\")
NISSAN FRONTIER<\/strong>
As the only pickup truck left in the Canadian Nissan stable, the Frontier has been given some attention and updated for the 2025 model year. The exterior is redesigned with an updated front fascia with revised grille and bumper, new tailgate finisher for PRO-4X models, new 17-inch wheels, and the addition of an in-your-face orange colour.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>The Canyon is a body-on-frame model, which is seen on most full-size pickups. The Canyon is one of the smoothest riding mid-size pickups available. It comes with a 2.7L turbocharged inline-four engine offering 310hp and 430 lb\/ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and includes active fuel management and start\/stop.<\/sh><\/sh><\/p>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadiancontractor.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2024_Toyota_Tacoma_Trailhunter_Bronze-Oxide_112-copy-630x420.jpg\")
TOYOTA TACOMA<\/strong>
What do you need in a work pickup truck? For many, having choices would be the number one concern. In that regard, the Tacoma comes in 12 trim levels, from the entry level SR5 to the top end Hybrid i-Force Max Trailhunter, and everything in between. This year all models are double cab, and offer two bed lengths, five or six feet.<\/p>\n
Honda <\/strong>offers a unibody truck, the Ridgeline<\/strong>, that while it is considered more of a recreational pickup truck, can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and has a payload of up to 1,583 lbs. It also offers an underbed trunk, which offers 206L of storage.<\/p>\n
Unlike their larger stablemates, which are all body-on-frame and are offered in similar sizing, mid-size pickup trucks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. With both unibody and body-on-frame options, smaller more efficient engine, and larger more powerful engines, some offer robust off-road packages, while others are more geared toward on-road driving. In the end, the right truck is the one that fits your daily purpose for a work truck. Luckily, many options are available.<\/p>\n