Midsize trucks continue to gain sales steam as shoppers look for ways to streamline their garages. Today's midsize trucks offer roughly the same size, features and overall capabilities as the full-size trucks from just a decade ago. The cabins are roomier, more luxurious and offer a sense of sedan-like civility that the older full-sizes just didn't offer. And then there's the two pivotal points which truly help make the case to buy a midsize truck: fuel efficiency and packaging.
Gaining Market Share
As reported by Automotive News, shoppers are voting with their checkbooks, as the market share for midsize trucks jumped 2.1 percent within the entire light vehicle category through July of this year. To the casual observer, that number might not seem high, but is a marked improvement over last year's 1.5 percent. The Tacoma, even in it's prehistoric 16-year overcoat dominates monthly sales. However, that will change shortly as the launch of the newly-redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma looks to fan the flames of the midsize truck market even more.
2015 Midsize Truck Sales
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | |
| Toyota Tacoma | 11,409 | 12,372 | 15,885 | 15,656 | 17,520 | 15,959 | 17,033 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 5,942 | 6,563 | 6,621 | 7,010 | 8,881 | 6,558 | 7,209 |
| GMC Canyon | 2,205 | 2,513 | 2,434 | 2,432 | 2,901 | 2,532 | 2,654 |
| Nissan Frontier | 5,868 | 6,106 | 7,128 | 5,827 | 5,439 | 4,437 | 4,194 |
GM Puts Their Midsize Stake in the Ground
But make no mistake about it: the initial spark came from GM's new midsize truck twins, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon. Both were responsible for the reinvigorated interest in the midsize segment as shoppers realized that they now had the option to not only buy a truck that was as capable as their old full-size, but that the newer models were as fuel-efficient as sedans. Buyers are also snapping them up without incentives, which proves that they are priced just right.
Add in relatively low gas prices, and the stage was set for a breakout year, which we are already seeing now. Although these trucks are big--roughly the length of a Chevy Suburban--they are extremely easy to drive and offer a commanding view of the road.
Drivers Making the Switch
New Tacoma buyers are coming from three interesting models: the Ford F-150, the Toyota Camry and even more surprising--the Toyota Corolla. Proving that once again, the midsize truck offers the tempting combination of utility, fuel efficiency and packaging, making it the perfect daily driver for households everywhere.
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