The Blurry Future of the Mid-Size Truck Segment?

I've had my 88 Toyota for almost 25 years. I've always been biased towards another Toyota truck (time is fast approaching) for years now. But I have to admit some things have changed to give me pause.

First I always liked to do 'due diligence' and look at the competitors options. Whoa - there's almost no options left in mid-size particularly 4 door crew cab trucks! (Ever since I lived abroad in the 80s and got exposed to 4-door HiLuxes I've wanted a Toy crew-cab) Tacoma has pretty much taken over this segment in the US with the demise of the Ranger (who never bothered to make a 4 door for the US market). I think the mid-size segment is getting pretty small these days too or at least smaller or less significant than it's historically been in the US.

Second - so-called 'mid-size' trucks are, in many cases including Tacomas, getting downright on the big side of mid.

Third - full size trucks are getting pretty darn efficient. I don't really need or really want a full-size but I saw an article on the Ram for example that caught my attention - enough so that I stopped in to a dealer (right next door to the Toy dealer) and check one out. V6 has 305hp and gets an EPA 25mpg - that's pretty impressive. The quad cab has a turn radius almost identical to the Taco. Options? I glazed over trying to figure that out - from work truck to sporty and comfortable to opulent pimp-mobile. I'd ball part this one at a couple few grant more in price if comparably equipped to an SR5 let's say.

I think Toyota is serious about the mid-size segment (but more competition would be good for the consumer).

What do you think?

 

Here's what I think:

- Ford, Chevy, and Ram are making the best trucks they've ever made
- Ram trucks are a pretty darn good value
- Toyota trucks continue to boast great re-sale
- Toyota owns the mid size market
- Toyota needs to start making a smaller truck again, dammit

There it is.

 

VW Amarok TDI diesel

 

Mid-Size market ain't ever gonna die out. Not everyone needs a full size pick up truck.

 

I'm down with that

 

Chicken-Tax, won't happen.

 

You have the Tacoma and the Frontier.

Next year you will have the Colorado again.

 

Not in the US , but I don't care about that

 

No manufacturer is going to go back to a small truck to be offered in the US.

 

Looks like Hyundai wants to jump in the game too.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/04/rumors-continue-about-hyundai-small-pickup.html

ummm no thanks hahaha.

 

Hot damn those are ugly!!! who ordered a minivan with the top chopped off?

 

The French

The Global trucks all look like that now because of European safety regulations that require crash testing for pedestrians against the front of the vehicle. The more rounded fronts cause less injury and offer better aerodynamics.

They are fugly.

 

Where is that barf icon? Horrible, absolutely horrible.

 

Reminds me of this:

 

I'd Say It Already Has, I Wouldn't Really Consider The New tacomas Mid Sized.

 

2nd Gen is still smaller than the T-100 and 1st Gen Tundra.

I really liked my '03... wish I'd never traded it.

 

Suzuki

 

True, But Barely. I Haven't Looked At The Specs But The 13 Looks pretty Big.

 

That's Actually not A Bad Looking Truck.