If you’re someone who is interested in a mid-size pickup truck, you might want the power of six cylinders. Although it seems like many manufacturers are leaning away from a V6 engine, some mid-size trucks still come standard with a V6. 

Which trucks have a V6 engine?

While most trucks do offer a V6 engine, just three mid-size pickups come with a standard V6. These include the 2023 Nissan Frontier, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, and the 2023 Jeep Gladiator. And despite that only being three models, they are all fairly different. So, there is likely a mid-size truck with a standard V6 that works for you. 

Most of these trucks bring something to the table that makes them worthy of consideration. And that starts by offering a V6 engine. 

Should you buy a mid-size truck with a V6?

Generally speaking, V6 engines are ideal for mid-size pickups. Some truck manufacturers are moving to turbocharged four-cylinders, but among truck owners, those can seem unreliable. Old-school V6 engines have a reputation for being able to pack on the miles. Plus, they can handle things like hauling and towing. 

A truck with a V6 may cost more, but that might be worth it to some. Of course, efficiency is also something to consider. With gas prices the way that they are, you might be wanting a fuel-efficient truck. And smaller, turbocharged engines can be better in that regard. 

Do they make 6-cylinder trucks?

While many manufacturers offer a V6 as an option, some opt to make six cylinders standard. The new Jeep Gladiator uses a V6 engine that is found in a range of FCA products. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is well-regarded to be fairly reliable. Plus, parts are plentiful. 

In 2022, Nissan gave its mid-size truck a standard 3.8-liter V6. This engine was first seen in the 2019 Frontier, and it seems like it is a decent powerplant. But, it has not been around as long as the Pentastar engine. You can get a 2023 Frontier with things like 4WD. But, unlike the Jeep Gladiator, you cannot get it with a manual transmission. 

There’s also an unlikely pickup that comes with a standard V6. Honda’s mid-size truck, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. This engine makes 280 horsepower, plus you get standard AWD. So, it is a fairly good package. Even if it seems like most truck owners are not interested in this mid-size pickup. According to Car and Driver, the Ridgeline could be the best mid-size truck. 

Which mid-size trucks don’t have a V6?

Believe it or not, some trucks don’t even offer a V6. Those include the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon. Even if you want a V6 engine, you can’t get it with these pickup trucks. It is possible that the Ranger will offer a V6 engine in the future, but for right now, that’s not the case. 

But, GM is set on offering its four-cylinder engine in its smaller trucks. And that might be a bit of a disappointment to some.