The Top 5 Used Trucks for LA Drivers

Life in Los Angeles usually revolves around driving for long stretches, and you might think owning a truck in the city would be difficult to manage for parking and dealing with traffic. On the contrary, trucks offer a raised driving height that often rivals or bests that of SUVs, the interior can border on luxurious, and there are certain trucks that offer capability without being quite so large. If you’re willing to give a midsize truck a look, there are a number of brands offering smaller trucks that still have a lot of power and off-road presence. Since new trucks tend to be expensive you might want to consider used models that will still offer a lot of perks buyers want in a vehicle today. Before you head to an LA used truck dealership, check out our list of midsize trucks that are friendly to city life.

#1 – 2018 GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon is a sibling to the Chevy Colorado, but despite the similarities between the two trucks, the Canyon is favored by drivers. With more luxurious comfort on the inside, particularly with the uppermost Denali trim, buyers can expect this midsize truck to make a good daily driver. It came standard with rear-wheel drive, and the option to add four-wheel drive was available. This is a tough truck with a high-end appeal that has two bed lengths and two cab sizes, though both choices are the same length at 212.4 inches. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired to a six-speed manual transmission, with an available 3.6-liter V6 paired to an eight-speed automatic.

Standard features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are accessed via a seven-inch touchscreen, and entry-level models are likely to have vinyl floors and seats as basic work truck models. For an interior that has cloth or leather seats, buyers will want to search for SLE trims or higher to gain tech upgrades and more convenience features. The off-road All-Terrain trim includes a specially tuned suspension, hill descent control, and skid plates as part of its packaging, and the uppermost Denali will spoil you with luxurious leather seats, Bose sound system, and wireless charging.

#2 – 2018 Toyota Tacoma

Now in its third generation as of 2015, the Toyota Tacoma is a midsize truck with a large fan base. It’s especially popular for off-roading with its TRD lineup available as capable climbers when properly fitted with the right equipment. Durable and reliable, the Tacoma is true to the Toyota moniker with its long-lasting engines and quality build. For 2018, the Tacoma was available with two engine options, including the standard 2.7-liter inline-four and the available 3.5-liter V6, both paired to either an automatic six-speed transmission or a manual. Six trims could be found for 2018 models, including three TRD trims which feature different equipment for off-road handling. Buyers willing to look for 2019 models will be rewarded with Fox shocks as part of TRD equipment, making the Tacoma even more capable off-road. At a length of 212.3 inches, it comes in incrementally shorter than the Canyon.

Other options include two cab and two bed choices and features like cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth. Ranging into upper trims could include options like a JBL sound system, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster screen, or dual-zone climate control. While the Tacoma makes a great choice for buyers who want to bank on the Toyota reputation for long-lasting and safe vehicles, this is not a truck for those who want an interior that will offer comfort for long rides. The Tacoma tends to have a stiff ride quality most appropriate for trail riding and short daily rides but may not be best for long trips.

#3 – 2019 Ford Ranger

Ford ended its production of the Ranger for many years, only to bring it back for the 2019 model year as a welcome member of the midsize truck segment. Both durable and comfortable, the Ranger straddles a line of being capable as a work truck yet offering interior comfort for long drives. The standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and it can come in two cab and bed sizes. Options to add four-wheel drive were available across the trims with the FX4 package, and the truck could be found in three trims for 2018, starting with the entry-level XL.

Standard features like auto emergency braking, manual lumbar control for the driver’s seat, and a basic audio system with four speakers are found in the base trim. Choosing an upper trim can offer comforts like leather seats, a Bang and Olufsen audio system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. In its first year back to the production line, the Ranger did not offer an off-road trim level. To gain such features, buyers will need to seek a new 2021 model with the Tremor Off-Road package. However, if you simply need a comfortable cab with an open bed for light work duty, the Ranger is one of the better models for long drives. With a length of 210.8 inches, the Ranger will make parking duty easier than the slightly longer Canyon or Tacoma.

#4 – 2018 Nissan Frontier

For 2018, the Nissan Frontier won the JD Power award for quality, though it only ranks third in that model year for the “Best Midsize Pickup” category. Though there are trucks that have more comfortable interiors and better ride quality, the Frontier does have rugged capability on its side. It runs on a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Only rear-wheel drive is available for the four-cylinder engine, but the Frontier could have the available 4.0-liter V6 engine, which allows four-wheel drive.

Two cab sizes and two bed sizes are available, as is the norm for midsize trucks. Standard features such as Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and a five-inch touchscreen are found on the entry-level S models, which is a basic work truck. Moving into upper trims adds features like heated leather seats, NissanConnect capability, and dual-zone climate control. PRO-4X models are readily capable with Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case that allows for hi and lo gearing. Length for the Frontier comes in at 205.5 inches, making it one of the shortest midsize truck models available.

#5 – 2018 Honda Ridgeline

In its second generation as of 2017, the Honda Ridgeline has excellent ratings for reliability in most model years, and the updated frame for its second generation has improved torsional rigidity for more strength. The Ridgeline still comes as a unibody frame, as opposed to the typical body-on-frame construction of most trucks, which does limit the Ridgeline’s capability for towing and hauling duty. The standard engine is a 3.5-liter V6 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, but it is front-wheel drive. Again, this is unusual even for midsize trucks, which typically favor rear-wheel drive, the better choice for towing duty.

All-wheel drive, rather than four-wheel drive, is available across the nine trims, and standard features like the Ridgeline’s Dual-Action tailgate, cloth seats, and a 5-inch touchscreen are found at entry-level. Upper trims open up features like LED headlights, leather seats, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ride quality in the Ridgeline is extremely comfortable and feels more like a smaller vehicle due to its build, which will lend itself to daily driving comfort. Tailgate parties could enjoy the in-bed trunk that can double as a cooler, and the Ridgeline’s length of 210 inches means it is fairly easy to park on city streets.