There’s no denying that there are several benefits to owning a pickup truck. Not only can they drive over rough terrain and haul heavy or bulky items, but trucks can also tow a trailer. But when it comes to selecting the best midsize truck, which pickup should you choose? Edmunds suggests checking out the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma if you’re after a midsize truck that provides the best value.

2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline has a unibody construction that makes it more comfortable to drive than other midsize trucks. The midsize truck also features an independent rear suspension, which provides better handling and improves ride comfort. 

It also features a storage trunk in the bed, which is excellent for storing food and drinks for tailgating, dirty or wet clothing, or even cleaning supplies. Edmunds included it in its list due to the standard all-wheel drive on all the models, the excellent ride it provides, the in-bed trunk mentioned above, the dual-action tailgate, and the payload rating.

There are a few drawbacks to the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, however. It tows slightly less than its rivals and has less underbody clearance than most trucks. Additionally, Edmunds reports its driver assistance aids can sometimes be overly sensitive. “The forward collision warning system, in particular, can be overly eager in issuing alerts,” the outlet explained.

2022 Jeep Gladiator

You might wonder what a Jeep is doing on Edmunds‘ list of midsize trucks. It’s a convertible pickup that’s both a Jeep and a truck. It’s the only convertible truck you can buy. Despite that, the Jeep truck has a useful bed design, a bigger back seat than other midsize trucks, and good payload and tow ratings. 

As for why it landed a spot on Edmunds’ list? For its upgraded axles and suspension, which maximizes its off-road capability. However, there are some downsides to choosing this midsize truck. The 2022 Jeep Gladiator isn’t the most fuel-efficient pickup truck on the road today. In fact, according to the EPA, this pickup manages 19 mpg combined city/highway.

2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma is one of the best-selling trucks in its segment. It has a standing reputation for being able to go anywhere and for its durability. If you’re after a manual transmission truck, the Tacoma is a good pick as it comes standard with one. 

Of course, a manual transmission isn’t all the Tacoma has going for it. It’s on Edmund’s list for its tough reputation, towing and payload figures, and off-roading capability.

How the best value midsize trucks compare

When choosing a truck, it all depends on what you need or want and comparing it to the price. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline has an Edmunds rating of 8.5/10. It offers fully independent suspension, a roomy cabin, an in-bed storage trunk, and other excellent features. Downsides include distracting driver aids and less towing capacity compared to rivals. MSRP for the Honda Ridgeline ranges from $38,140 to $45,570.

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator has an Edmunds rating of 7.9/10 and is the only convertible pickup truck you can buy. It has a 5-foot cargo bed, good payload and tow ratings, and a spacious back seat. Some downsides include slow steering, a noisy interior, and a bumpy ride. MSRP for the Jeep Gladiator ranges from $37,170 to $54,080.

As for the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, with its 7.7/10 Edmunds rating, it’s hard to bet against the best-selling midsize truck for a reason. It has a reputation for durability, and it can go anywhere, drives smoothly, and has the clearance and traction to handle the terrain. A few downsides include grabby brakes and slow steering on the pavement. MSRP for the 2022 Toyota Tacoma ranges from $27,980 to $49,290.

Which midsize truck should you buy?

As much as we all love the idea of a convertible pickup truck, a combined 19 mpg for fuel economy, noisy interior, slow steering, plus the higher price, is going to be a deal breaker for a lot of people despite what the 2022 Jeep Gladiator brings to the table.

The average price for the Honda Ridgeline is $41,885, and the average price for the Toyota Tacoma is $38,635, so it mainly comes down to the features you want and what downsides you can handle. If you’re not the easily distracted type, but prefer not to have slow steering on pavement, then you might want to go with the Honda Ridgeline. 

However, the Toyota Tacoma is for you if you’re easily distracted by driver aids but don’t mind grabby breaks or slow pavement steering. If you’re choosing solely on average price, then it’s the Toyota Tacoma.