Most Reliable Midsize Truck Isn’t a Ford or Honda: Tough as Nails Legend!
One of the most desirable qualities for a pickup truck is reliability. It’s ideal to have one that you can depend on — whether for towing a load, off-road excursions, or simply driving across town. A midsize truck that has a reputation for toughness is the Ford Ranger. And with Honda’s dependability, the Ridgeline is a solid choice too. However, the most reliable midsize truck isn’t either of these models, according to J.D. Power. It’s the 2023 Toyota Tacoma — a tough-as-nails legend.
2023 Toyota Tacoma is the most reliable midsize pickup truck, according to JD Power
A reliable midsize pickup truck has multiple benefits. The high reliability translates to less frequent and severe repairs. This, in turn, lowers the cost of vehicle ownership, along with fewer hassles. Additional advantages include longevity and better performance and safety.
And for midsize truck reliability, the best choice isn’t the 2023 Ford Ranger or the 2023 Honda Ridgeline. It’s the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, according to J.D Power. The company released the results of the 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study earlier this year, which lists the most reliable vehicles for each segment. For the midsize truck segment, the Toyota Tacoma took the top spot, followed by the 2023 Chevy Colorado. And neither the Ford Ranger nor the Honda Ridgeline were honored.
Toyota Tacoma: Least number of issues in the Vehicle Dependability Study
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma earned the most reliable midsize truck award because it did well in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. Over the previous 12 months, J.D. Power collected thousands of surveys from owners. In the surveys, owners identified various problem areas, such as the driving experience, powertrain, driving assistance, exterior, interior, seats, infotainment system, controls, and climate system.
The Tacoma had fewer issues in the problem areas compared to other models in the segment, including the Ford Ranger and the Honda Ridgeline. As a result, J.D. Power named it the most reliable midsize pickup truck.
The selection of the Tacoma as the top choice is not a shock, though. It’s the best-selling midsize truck — and a big reason for this is that it’s very durable — with a much-deserved reputation for lasting many miles and years. It can take a beating and keep going strong — even with hardcore off-road use.
Also, Toyota is one of the most reliable car brands — and is well-represented in the 2023 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study awards. The data analytics company named the Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover SUV the most reliable vehicle overall, tying with the Lexus RX luxury SUV.
Additionally, the Highlander earned the reliability top spot for the three-row midsize SUV segment, while the 4Runner placed third. Furthermore, the Sienna was named the most reliable minivan. Plus, two Toyota vehicles earned second-place spots: the Tundra for full-size trucks and the Corolla for small cars.
The Tacoma is the best-selling model in the segment
Despite not getting a full redesign in seven years, the Tacoma Tacoma continues to sell very well. In 2022, it was the best-selling midsize pickup truck in the United States — with 237,323 units sold, per Motor1. This sales total is considerably more than the next most popular model, the Chevy Colorado (89,197 units).
Here were the best-selling midsize trucks in 2022:
- Toyota Tacoma: 237,323 units
- Chevy Colorado: 89,197 units
- Jeep Gladiator: 77,855 units
- Nissan Frontier: 76,183 units
- Ford Ranger: 57,005 units
- Honda Ridgeline: 42,762 units
- GMC Canyon: 27,819 units
- Rivian R1T: 20,332 units
The popularity and reliability of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma go hand in hand. It’s the most reliable midsize pickup truck, according to J.D. Power — which contributes to its status as the best-selling model in the segment. The Tacoma easily tops the Ranger and Ridgeline for sales — due in part to its incredible durability.
