Buying a new midsize truck is a challenging task. There are many excellent models in the segment, some of which are brand new. Ranging from potent engines to smooth-riding luxury drivers, it’s no wonder these pickups are popular. However, some of the best 2022 midsize trucks are less popular than you expect. Why aren’t more buyers interested in the best 2022 midsize trucks like the Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, and GMC Canyon?

One of the best 2022 midsize trucks is the Nissan Frontier

According to J.D. Power‘s rankings, the Nissan Frontier is one of the best midsize trucks. Using JDP’s scoring, it’s tied with three other models for the top spot overall. Highlights of the Nissan truck include great resale value, high quality, reliability, and an excellent driving experience. JDP uses information from previous and current owners to determine the quality of each vehicle. That information shows that the Nissan Frontier is obviously better than its sales suggest.

Next, GoodCarBadCar‘s sales information for the third quarter of 2022 has the Frontier moving 13,187 units. Although it is a slight bump over its 11,668 from Q3 2021, that’s primarily due to an improvement in production. Compared to other midsize trucks, the Frontier isn’t doing as well. For example, the best-selling Toyota Tacoma sold 45,754 units during Q3 2022. That’s nearly four times the number of Frontiers dealers moved during the same period.

Why aren’t more buyers choosing the Ford Ranger?

Next, JDP awarded the same score to the Ford Ranger as the Frontier. With an 83 out of 100, it’s also one of the four top-ranked models. However, it starts at $25,285, which is $3,000 less than the cheapest Frontier, making it one of the most affordable midsize truck models. Although it fell short regarding the driving experience, the Ranger excels in resale value, quality, and reliability. They’re what make it one of the best models in its class.

However, the sales don’t show the same results. According to GCBC, very few people are buying the Ranger. It sold 12,453 units during Q3 2022, making it the second-worst-selling midsize truck. Only the GMC Canyon sold fewer units during the same period. We’re not counting the Hyundai Santa Cruz or Rivian R1T since they’ve only been available for a short period. It’s surprising that even the Nissan Frontier outsold the Ranger. We’d think a smaller version of America’s best-selling F-150 would do very well.

Did you forget about the GMC Canyon?

Finally, one of the best overall midsize trucks is the 2022 GMC Canyon. Although it’s similar to the Chevy Colorado, it stands out on its own as a little more luxurious. Additionally, it’s good enough to earn the number two spot on J.D. Power’s rankings. Like the Ranger, it received a high score for resale value, which usually helps sell vehicles. Additionally, the quality, reliability, and driving experience are about average. However, they do fall short of the four-way-tied top-ranked rivals.

In terms of sales, the Canyon is as bad as it gets. For the third quarter of 2022, only 7,751 people purchased a GMC Canyon. That’s 16,654 fewer than the Colorado, its Chevrolet equivalent. Of course, even the Colorado sold just half of the Toyota Tacoma, making the Canyon’s numbers even worse. Does the Chevy Colorado overshadow GMC’s offering?

Why aren’t buyers interested in the best midsize trucks?

In conclusion, it’s interesting that buyers aren’t interested in some of the best midsize trucks. Models like the Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, and GMC Canyon received excellent review scores from J.D. Power. JDP uses current and previous owners’ opinions to determine a vehicle’s quality. As a result, some of the best models didn’t sell very well during Q3 2022. Do you think sales will pick up for these midsize trucks during the year’s final quarter?