Midsize Trucks with Best Towing Capacity

The 2025 Ford Ranger may not be available in the same number of models and trim levels as its GM and Toyota competitors. You can also only get it as a crew cab with a 5-foot bed. What it may lack in total variety, however, the Ranger makes up for with a well-rounded competence from its humble XL base truck to the wildly capable (and fun) Ranger Raptor.

The Ranger was redesigned last year, although it was not quite a complete redo as the engine and frame largely carried over. That’s OK, though, as they weren’t nearly as old as the body and bed that sat upon it. The new body is wider, its cabin is packed with up-to-date technology, and the design is a lot tougher in appearance. The high-performance Raptor was also introduced last year with its 405-horsepower twin-turbo V6, extra-wide body stance, 33-inch tires, and long-travel suspension that’ll cushion big-air landings off road and big bumps on the Interstate.

It’s hard not to focus on the Raptor since it’s so enjoyable, but the rest of the 2025 Ranger lineup impresses with its strong towing and hauling capability, powerful and refined base engine, and the even-more-powerful turbo V6 upgrade. The interior boasts above-average quality, competitive feature content and user-friendly technology. Pick an area, and the Ranger is almost certainly competitive against Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma. All have pluses (OK, less-so the Nissan), so it’s worth checking them out, especially their more distinctive variants that the Ranger doesn’t quite match.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator is technically a midsize truck, and if you size it up with other midsize trucks, it probably won’t come out so hot. It’s generally slower, less comfortable, less efficient, more cumbersome to drive on-road, and less capable of hauling stuff in its bed. It also carries a higher price tag.

Yet, the Gladiator is quite obviously not just another midsize truck. It’s more like a Jeep Wrangler that’s been stretched (a lot) to accommodate a truck bed. That means it’s rocking the same iconic style and old-school solid axles that help define the Wrangler as an automotive mountain goat (and contribute to that less comfortable, more cumbersome driving experience). It is a convertible with multiple roof styles, plus doors that come off, and a windshield that drops down onto a hood opened by undoing some clasps. The interior designs are identical, including the standard 12.3-inch Uconnect touchscreen. The model lineup is even similar.

There are differences beyond what’s going on behind the back seat, though. The Gladiator has never offered the powertrain selection of the Wrangler, and that’s even more true for 2025. The Gladiator loses its standard manual transmission, leaving the eight-speed automatic as the only choice to pair with the obligatory 3.6-liter V6. You can’t even get that combo in the Wrangler any more. The Gladiator’s longer body and Ram-related rear suspension also result in a smoother, more composed ride, although that is definitely relative.

Basically, if the idea of a Wrangler pickup is appealing and you can live with the various resulting drawbacks we’ll detail below, the 2025 Jeep Gladiator should deliver exactly what you hope. If, however, you’re mostly looking for a midsize pickup, chances are the impressive lineup of recently redesigned competitors are going to perform better on road and when lugging around stuff. Plus, the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma are all available with wildly capable off-roading versions in their own right. The Tacoma TRD Pro and Ranger Raptor even have engines that quite simply blow the Gladiator’s V6 out of the water. Then again, you can’t take off their roofs and doors.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is distinctive among midsize trucks, using unibody underpinnings instead of a body-on-frame construction. Pickup truck purists will tell you that difference means it's not a "real" truck. Still, in reality, this distinction enhances the driving experience in the Ridgeline, making it better suited to daily driving. The Ridgeline has impressive handling, a quiet and refined interior, and a comfortable ride, and when there are truck tasks to complete, it's still capable.

Powered by a 3.5-liter V6, the Ridgeline offers over 1,500 pounds of payload capacity on all its trim levels, standard all-wheel drive, and the ability to tow 5,000 pounds. Its bed is wide enough to carry 4x8-foot sheets of plywood, and inside the bed, the Ridgeline has a proper storage bin. The in-bed bin is lockable, and it comes with a built-in drain, allowing it to double as a large cooler for tailgating or a storage compartment for wet or muddy gear.

However, there are some areas where other midsize pickup trucks outperform the Ridgeline substantially. Off-road capability with the Ridgeline's rugged TrailSport trim level is impressive, but competitors such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma all offer real-deal off-road-oriented four-wheel-drive systems that are more robust and capable of tackling the toughest terrain. The Ridgeline also falls behind regarding maximum towing capacity, as several rivals can tow over 6,000 pounds, and class leaders top out with over 7,000 pounds of towing capacity.

There’s no question that Ford knows something about building pickup trucks. Its full-size F-Series is not only full of innovation and impressive capability, but it has also been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for decades. But Ford had never built a compact unibody pickup until the Maverick.

The small but versatile Maverick was an instant hit when it arrived in 2022, and its popularity continues to grow. Sales in the first half of 2024 are up 81 percent compared to a year earlier, and the Maverick is now one of the best-selling pickup trucks in the country. Its small size and car-like ride make the Maverick the perfect option for buyers who need light truck capability but don't want to drive a big truck.

The Maverick comes exclusively as a four-door, five-passenger crew cab with a 4.5-foot bed and plenty of innovative cabin storage options. Ford offers a wide range of accessories, such as power outlets in the bed and tie-down cleats to keep loads secure. The compact truck can haul up to 1,500 pounds of cargo and tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Two powertrains are offered: a 238-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine or a fuel-efficient 191-horsepower hybrid powertrain. For the 2025 model year, the hybrid is available with front- or all-wheel drive. There’s even a Tremor version for those looking to venture off-road, and the new Lobo adds a performance version to the mix.

The 2025 Maverick also gets a fresh face with a new grille, available LED projector headlights, and new wheel options. New colors are available inside, and the Lobo version adds distinctive stitching for a sportier look.

As most pickup trucks have grown in size over the years, the compact Maverick is unusual in the U.S. market. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is its closest competitor, with the Honda Ridgeline offering the unibody solution in a larger size. If the Maverick is too small for your needs, midsize pickup truck options include the Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier.