Seems like the best-rated are Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and the redesigned Honda Ridgeline. Looking for crew cab with comfortable back seat. Seems like none have stellar gas mileage in 4x4 versions. Anyone with real-world experience with any of these? TIA!
OT...Buying advice on compact pickup
- Thread starter grayhairedfreak
- Start date
The non-4 wheel drive versions used to be horrible for winter driving. Not sure if that's improved over time, but I don't think I've ever seen a review of a non-4 wheel drive compact truck that didn't warn about performance in ice and snow.
I have been driving a Tacoma in one form or another since 1997 and you can't go wrong with it either way.
I've got a Frontier. Had it for about 6 years. Overall pretty happy with it. I would have gone with a Tacoma, but they are expensive.
my son drove a Ford ranger for school in Lincoln and it worked out fine. Lots of trips between there omaha, kc, and wichita - in all kinds of weather. came to OKC to see the thunder in an ice storm. it was just basic transportation. my nephew drives the living sh*t out if an older Honda ridgeline in omaha and loves it. just a couple thoughts I thought I'd pass on...
I would for sure go with the Tacoma. It definitely is best quality of those you listed, but probably pricier. I drive a 4runner and it has been great.
Another vote for the Taco.
I had a Ranger, 11 to 12 miles a gal. in the city!
Best on the Interstates was 19 per gal @ 65mph!
Gas guzzler, sold it.
I had a Ranger, 11 to 12 miles a gal. in the city!
Best on the Interstates was 19 per gal @ 65mph!
Gas guzzler, sold it.
Have. A Nissan Frontier, 53oo miles in 2yrs . Of having. rides a little rough. 4 wheeler. Gas mileage is almost what they said it would be. Have never driven far. Once to Lincoln game; Volcano Red of course.Probably sell shortly. Would like a little more room inside, getting older. I like it for driving and parking. Also serves my purpose of having a pickup/
My son drives a Tacoma and that has been a pretty good vehicle for him. I drive a 2012 GMC Canyon and beat the hell out of it on the farm and gravel roads. Pull 3000+ trailers and haul up to about 1500 lbs in the back of it. I've got about 70,000 miles on it I think and have had virtually no problems with it other than a transmission gasket of some kind. I'm anxious though to see the new Rangers when they come out. The whole GMC, Chrysler bail out thing pissed me off so I'm gonna try a Ranger the next time around if it fits what I need. One of my other trucks is a Ford Expedition with 100k on it and it has been a great vehicle. Resale on the Tacoma is tough to beat.
Ford does not make the Ranger anymore which is a shame. I have had two Ranger 4 x4's and one Tacoma. The Tacoma is the better truck, but not by that much.
I still think, for the price, the Ranger is a great option if you are looking for used trucks. I beat the living hell out of both of mine and they were indestructible
I still think, for the price, the Ranger is a great option if you are looking for used trucks. I beat the living hell out of both of mine and they were indestructible
Buy the full size version and not the mini one. Only reason not to is if the full size wont fit into your garage. Same if not better gas mileage, more power, more room the list goes on and on.
One thing a lot of people overlook when choosing a sport utility or truck, is longevity and reliability versus fuel mileage. I personally don't care if my AWD Toyota gets 13mpg, because what I lose on the gas mileage I make up many times over by never having to call a tow truck, and virtually no expensive repair bills, or in other words, no disruption in my daily life due to my truck. Sure an old S-10 will get better mileage, but it's a pile of shit at 90K and will have probably needed a lot of work, and if not, it's well on it's way. Look at trucks for sale on craigslist right now, there is a 285K Tacoma for sale at $11K (they won't get it but you get my point). You couldn't give away an American truck with that many miles, and the Toyota is still good for several more years. To many people are hung up an fuel mileage. I like good mileage to, but I value my car starting every time I turn the key, and knowing as long as I do my part with maintenance, it will do it's part and not let me down.
Thanks for all the tips, everyone! My wife and I have been very Toyota loyal. We both drive RAVs currently, but my 09 has been more problematic/recalls/random squeaks than her 04 so I wondered if their quality had started to slip. Most intrigued by the Tacoma and new Ridgeline at this point.
I drive an '09 Camry. Reliable. That's why I bought it. I have a friend who has a newer Tacoma. Nice vehicle, but i was surprised at the cabin noise. It's still reliable as one would expect, just noisy at highway speed. JMHO.
According to my Ford dealer. Ford is coming out with a new Ranger in the 2018 model year I believe. That likely means some time next year.
if you get a GMC Canyon, you don't have the words colorado on your truck, but it's still American. I still put around in a 2001 S-10 2 wheel drive I like no payments. a lil weight in back during snow helps, and it's fun doing fishtails....what ever you do always get the extended cab though.
This is the correct answer. I'd do a used full sized if I had to over a new small pickup.
I just bought an F150 after looking at them all. I loved the Tacoma and the resale value is insanely good. In the end it was too small and rode too rough. I'm 6'4" so the most important consideration was legroom and 2nd was MPG. The F150 rides 10x better, is much more spacious and with the 2.7 Turbo gets 26 on the highway again better than the Tacoma. I live in Atlanta so didn't get the 4x4 since I figured I might use it just a few times in the life of the truck.
Owned a 2015 GMC Canyon SLT. Fantastic truck EXCEPT that the power-steering went out on it twice - while I was driving. Scared the sh** out of me...
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