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Pickup trucks seem to be one of the most popular vehicles to buy for Americans. We seem to love the beefiness and utility that things offer, even if the only thing you do with your truck is go to the grocery store or commute to work. While full-size trucks tend to be fairly popular, mid-size pickups do bring a lot to the table. And there are a few key reasons why you should consider a mid-size variant rather than a half-ton truck. 

Mid-size trucks are cheaper than full-size trucks

Although the price differences are not as big as they used to be, mid-size trucks are typically cheaper than full-size pickups. Typically speaking, most of these vehicles start under $30k, but that is going to get you an extremely basic pickup. 

A 2022 Toyota Tacoma midsize truck driving in the dirt
2022 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

On the flip side, if you want a full-size pickup, you will likely be paying over $30,000. In fact, the average price paid for a full-size truck is around $60,000. Clearly, these vehicles are not cheap. At the same time, you can certainly pay well over $40k depending on what mid-size pickup you are looking for. Really, it comes down to things like options such as four-wheel drive and safety tech. 

Mid-size pickups are powerful enough

Although it’s easy to get caught up in having the largest hauling and towing capacities, do you actually need that? According to The Drive, most truck owners rarely haul or tow anything with their pickups. Because of that, the kind of power offered by a mid-size truck should be enough. 

A 2022 Nissan Titan full-size pickup truck towing a trailer on a highway
2022 Nissan Titan | Nissan Motor Corporation

Mid-size trucks like the Chevy Colorado and Jeep Gladiator can handle ample weight. And although you will not be able to tow as much as a full-size, you just might save some money in the process. And that is something that is likely to be appreciated. 

Smaller trucks are easier to navigate

If you live in a city or urban environment, navigating the roads with a full-size truck can be quite a difficult task. Especially when it comes time to park. With a mid-size pickup, you will have a vehicle that is slightly smaller. And that should help you when dealing with tight spaces. 

There’s no arguing that today’s pickups have become quite large. Full-size trucks of the past seem almost comparable to the mid-size segment of today. Still, unless you really need a large vehicle, the size of a new mid-size is a solid selling point. 

Full-size or mid-size: which is right for you?

When searching for a new pickup, you should spend time accessing your specific needs. If you do not plan to haul or tow often, something like the 2022 Toyota Tacoma or 2022 Nissan Frontier should be able to do what you need it to. Plus, because most trucks offer things like 4WD, you can even get a mid-size pickup that can tackle some off-road trails. 

A red 2022 Ford Ranger small pickup truck is parked outdoors.
The 2022 Ford Ranger | Ford

But, at the end of the day, if you want a big pickup, there is no replacement for size. So, maybe it turns out that a full-size truck is right for you.

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