Everything is expensive these days, but that doesn’t mean you should have to spend your life savings on a new vehicle. That’s also true if you want something more specialized, such as a truck with plenty of cargo room in the bed, an off-road-ready design, and a serious powerplant under the hood. To illustrate that point, it helps to look at some of the top used trucks for sale in the midsize segment—particularly those you can nab for less than $60k. They’re smaller and more affordable than a full-size model, but you still get plenty of cabin and bed space, commendable capabilities, and extra features to make them worthwhile.
Toyota Tacoma
With its long-running history, you had to know the Tacoma would be included on the list. It’s an excellent midsize truck, and there are a ton of different options. (Variety is the spice of life!) If you’re looking to save some money, model years 2021 to 2023 are standouts. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 lbs, making it as functional as it is reliable. You can also choose between five-foot and six-foot bed sizes, figuratively giving you a little more wiggle room in the back. If you’re planning on hauling anything, that larger bed size is going to be a great choice.
But as everyone knows, it’s the whole package that really makes the difference. The Tacoma is a stunner outside and in. The dashboard and safety suite offer some great tech, such as an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lane-departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control. Throw in several impressive powertrain options, and the fact that you can choose between automatic and manual six-speed transmissions, and it’s hard to top. Moreover, the available four-wheel drivetrain can serve you well when you head off the beaten path, as you’re wont to do with a truck of this caliber.
Chevy Colorado
It may not be as intimidating as the Silverado 1500, but the Chevy Colorado is every bit as smooth, powerful, and versatile as its big brother. It also just happens to be a well-rounded midsize truck capable of relaxing city and highway rides, adventurous off-road jaunts, and everything in between. Whether you go with second-generation or third-generation models, you get the same towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. On top of its above-average payload capacity, this swift pickup is ready to rock and roll.
Chevy didn’t use all the good tech outside, as there’s quite a bit to love in the Colorado’s cabin, too. Talk about an oversized infotainment system, stretching beyond 11 inches with a beautiful, crystal-clear touchscreen. Bose audio, a spacious interior, and up to five seats mean you and the family will have a good time, every time, no matter the length of the journey. Standard safety features include rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keeping and departure assists, and more. Honestly, it’s everything you could ever want in a used midsize truck, with a four-wheel drivetrain option to boot.
Jeep Gladiator
One of the more interesting things about the Jeep Gladiator (other than the awesomely rugged design) is the fact that it’s a more traditional pickup truck with a bed size of up to sixty inches with the tailgate closed. It can also boast an open-air design, which is something you don’t see in other trucks. (This is pretty gnarly, in the best way possible.) After returning to market with a muddy splash in 2020, the Gladiator has stolen hearts and minds, and it has likely enabled a ton of high-octane adventures. That’s mostly thanks to its standard 4×4 drivetrain, off-road-tuned suspension, and powerful engine options.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that its towing capacity is as much as 7,700 lbs, while its payload maximum lives around 1,700 lbs. Jeep’s engineers didn’t leave the interior out of the design upgrades, though. Spanning from an eight-inch touchscreen to a 12.3-inch one in the 2024 models, its infotainment suite is off the chain. Rugged materials adorn the cabin, too, serving its open-air environment well; you won’t have to worry about the beautiful seats and interior getting as nasty as the outside when you’re slumming it in the dirt, mud, or gravel. Basically, this beast is ready for anyone who wants to live their life to the fullest.
Honda Ridgeline
This is an excellent option for anyone who wants a truck with all the capabilities of a midsize truck but doesn’t want to feel like they’re driving one. If you like a smooth, quiet cabin ride to and from your destination, surrounded by luxury and exhilaration, the Honda Ridgeline is perfect for you. It’s sleek and modern yet powerful, with a reasonable towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and a payload capacity of 1,583 lbs. The 5.3-foot bed offers plenty of room for tools, camping gear, or building equipment. Meanwhile, there’s 33.9 cu.ft. of cargo space, which could be just what you need for a long road trip.
This truck’s design is attractive yet understated, so you’re not going to stand out in a crowd of vehicles, but that’s okay. Its cabin is roomy enough for four adults, too, so you can bring friends for a night out, or the kids for a trip out of the state. Practicality is really the name of the game here. With standard all-wheel drive, a potent V6 engine, and around 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway in more recent models, there’s plenty to enjoy about this midsize pickup’s performance, even if it does favor comfort.
Ford Ranger
This stunner has been around since the 1980s, and the most recent generation (its fifth) launched in 2024. The Ranger is affordable, reliable, and, frankly, one of the most accessible midsize trucks on the market today. Even generations older than the third (up until 2011) are still in great shape, which is a testament to this model’s build quality. It can be used for casual rides, rugged activities, hauling, towing—you name it. Sure, you’ll get such mobility with other trucks from other manufacturers, but certainly not at as affordable a price point.
The fifth-gen models can handle a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs and a payload capacity of 1,805 lbs. Even on the low-end trims, models from the two most recent generations have a touchscreen infotainment system. Plus, there is plenty of seating and cabin space, as well as several modern safety features. Every Ranger is as powerful or more powerful than its rivals, and it’s also probably more accessibly priced.
Acquire Your Next Midsize Truck Pre-Owned
While this list includes five popular options, there are many more, with some honorable mentions being the GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier. Midsize trucks strike the ideal balance between practicality and fun, making them the best option for people who want a manageable truck that offers utility without the extended cab restrictions.
You’ll never have trouble parking these models, on road or off. You’ll still have plenty of cargo room for luggage, bed space for material or gear hauls, and cabin room for passengers. Plus, you’ll get the run of the land with four-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain options, and robust engine power to back it all up. Anyone looking for a used midsize truck can’t go wrong with one of the five models listed above.
