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Best midsize trucks for 2024

Pickup trucks are hugely popular in the United States, but most of them carry huge dimensions and huge price tags to match. That's where the rapidly expanding midsize truck market comes into play. With options from nearly every major manufacturer in America, there are plenty of midsize trucks to consider, but the best midsize pickup trucks are more comfortable, more capable off-road or more luxurious than the rest of the crowd. Put simply, there's an excellent midsize truck for every buyer, whether they want to save money with a low starting price and strong efficiency, tackle technical trails, surround themselves with leather and wood or even hit the road with the wind in their hair on their way to the beach. We've tested all of the midsize trucks in America available for 2024 and picked out the best choices for any type of buyer. Read on to find out which option is the best midsize truck for you for 2024 or 2025 (expect more versions of the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator in 2025, too). If you're needs don't require a midsize truck, you may want to consider a compact. There are only two for sale in 2024, and we break down our rankings here.   Best midsize trucks for 2024 2024 Chevrolet Colorado  Why it stands out: Good ride, handling; powerful engines; strong towing; refined interior; Google infotainment Could be better: Only one cab/bed combination (four door, short bed) Starting Price: $31,095 Read our most recent Chevrolet Colorado review Suffice it to say, we're big fans of the latest Chevy Colorado. In fact, we think the Colorado is the best midsize pickup truck in America overall. Thanks to the base WT offering, the starting price is reasonable, but the Colorado is really at its best in one of its more specialized forms. The Trail Boss expands its off-road capabilities with a suspension lift and chunky tires, the ZR2 adds an even larger suspension lift and a gaggle of off-road special bits and the ZR2 Bison tops the range with sensational Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, special bumpers and underbody cladding for rock-crawling prowess. In between those specialist packages lie the LT and Z71 trims, which is what will make up the majority of sales. A low-power turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque is standard, while the more common engine is a more powerful version with 310 HP and 390 lb-ft. A High-Output engine option keeps the same 310 HP but boosts torque to 430 lb-ft.

Opel's own ad shows Ampera-e beating Opels in drag race

The Opel Ampera-e isn't expected to set any world records on a quarter-mile drag strip. But when it comes to crossing a major boulevard, though, the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle will more than hold its own, potentially scaring inattentive pedestrians everywhere. According to a 35-second video posted by General Motors' Opel division, at least. Opel set up the Ampera-e against four other small-and-sporty vehicles, including racing versions of the Opel Adam and Opel Astra as well as stock versions of the Opel Insignia and Corsa (what, you expected a Corvette to be in there?). With the EV's off-the-line torque as a selling point, Opel showed the Ampera-e beating the other vehicles in a 30-meter (100-foot) drag race. Of course, the video also shows the EV getting passed by some of the others soon after, but the point was made. Opel doubled down by adding the tagline "Fun to Drive" at the end of the video. While Opel hasn't revealed the single-charge range of the Ampera-e, it should be roughly the same as the Chevrolet Bolt, which will be about 200 miles. In addition, the Ampera-e, like the Bolt in the US, will get 200 horsepower from its electric motor, and will be able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than seven seconds. The Ampera-e will debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show later this month. General Motors said in February that Europe would get the Ampera-e by next year. Opel had previously used the Ampera name with the Euro version of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in. Related Video: News Source: Opel/YouTube via Green Car Reports Green Chevrolet GM Opel Electric opel ampera-e ampera-e

Chevy Volt sales drop in June, Nissan Leaf inches upwards

Different month, same story. That's the gist of the monthly US sales numbers from the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. These were the first two mass-market plug-in vehicles to go on sale in the US and we've been comparing their sales numbers for what seems like ages now. So far, the 2014 tale of the tape shows the all-electric once again trumping the plug-in hybrid. The last time the Volt outsold the Leaf was in October 2013. Chevrolet sold 1,777 Volts in June. That was good enough to be the Volt's best sales month of the year, but it's down 34 percent from the 2,698 units sold in June 2013. In fact, it's on par with the 1,760 Volts sold in June 2012. Given the steady sales, General Motors might need to push up the release of the next-gen Volt to gin up excitement, especially if it also offers some of the things that current Volt drivers say they want improved: more range, a lower price and a fifth seat. GM also said it sold 85 Spark EVs in June, an increase of 215 percent over June 2013 Nissan sold 2,347 Leafs last month. The good news continues for Nissan, which says it sold 2,347 Leafs last month. That's an increase of 5.5 percent over 2013 numbers and makes 2014 the best June ever for Leaf sales. Let's credit Texas. Toby Perry, Nissan's director of EV sales and marketing, said in a statement that, "Since the Texas state incentive went into effect in May, we've seen a big jump in Leaf sales in the Austin, Dallas and Houston markets. Our dealers are telling us that they saw more traffic in their stores, and they had their best Leaf sales performance in the last weekend in June." Even with that increase, Atlanta remains the top Leaf market. Nissan has sold 12,736 Leafs in the US so far this year; Chevy 8,615 Volts. Our detailed monthly sales write-up of green cars in the US, including plug-in vehicles, hybrids and diesel cars, is coming soon. For now, we invite you to discuss these numbers in the Comments. Related Gallery 2013 Nissan Leaf View 55 Photos News Source: GM, Nissan Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid PHEV ev sales