Do you ever compare items while shopping and realize that for just a few extra bucks, you can get so much more? This happened to me while looking at a list of the cheapest trucks. It turns out the second cheapest mid-size truck is value packed. 

What is the second-cheapest mid-size truck? 

Drum roll, please! The second-cheapest mid-size truck is the 2025 Nissan Frontier. It starts at $33,560, and this price includes the $1,510 destination fee. 

According to Cars.com, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma is currently the cheapest mid-size truck available. It has a starting price of $33,185, including the $1,595 destination fee. 

So, getting started with the Frontier can cost as little as $375 more than the Tacoma. The entry-level Tacoma SR could be more spartan than you expect. 

For example, it has two doors and can be ordered without a back seat. The standard 2.4-liter engine cranks out 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. 

The 2025 Frontier starts with a decent sized cabin with more space in the backseat than more expensive Tacoma trim levels. Plus, the standard 3.8-liter V6 engine provides 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. 

With the standard Tacoma, you can tow up to 6,500 lbs. The standard Frontier can tow up to 7,150 lbs. But 4×4 isn’t standard with either truck. 

Standard features with the Tacoma include a composite cargo bed construction, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Class IV trailer-hitch receiver with seven-pin wiring connector. 

The Frontier starts the party with 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, rear parking sensors, adaptive high beams, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

For a little extra, you get more space, power, and more comfort and safety features to enjoy.