Coming Soon – PickupTrucks.com 2012 Midsize Shootout

It is becoming apparent to most everyone that the North American midsize (compact) truck market is changing/shrinking. While sales data may be pointing toward a decline, PickupTrucks.com decided to showcase the models left on the market with a “full segment test.”

The three-day Shootout will see seven trucks run in the high and low deserts outside of Los Angeles, CA. The results of 10 different tests will be released in mid-January.

The competitors are:

Competitors/Engines/Trans

• Chevy Colorado / 5.3L V-8 / 4-spd
• Ford Ranger / 4.0L V-6 / 5-spd
• GMC Canyon / 3.7L I-5 / 4-spd
• Honda Ridgeline / 3.5L V-6 / 5-spd
• Nissan Frontier / 4.0L V-6 / 5-spd
• Suzuki Equator / 4.0L V-6 / 5-spd
• Toyota Tacoma / 4.0L V-6 / 5-spd

The test categories are:

Scoring Categories/Percentage Value

• 0-60 mph empty / 10%
• 0-60 mph loaded / 10%
• 60-0 mph empty / 10%
• 60-0 mph loaded / 10%
• Dyno run, max. hp / 10%
• Fuel economy, mpg / 10%
• Max. payload, lbs / 10%
• Off road / 10%
• Value / 10%
• Expert impressions / 10%

Why conduct this test? To have fun, of course! And also PickupTrucks.com believes that the small pickup market will make a comeback with higher gas prices fueling demand. Also they say that “there is a need for a smaller-than-fullsize pickup (maybe with a small turbo-diesel) that could service a good chunk of the truck-buying public.”

Maybe by putting more spotlight on this segment, auto makers will take note and realize there still is a large need for these trucks.

Related Posts:

• Chevy’s New 2013 Colorado – What To Expect
• 2012 Tacoma – No Major Changes
• GM Engineer Says Tacoma Is Truck Of The Future