Anytime we take 4x4 pickup trucks out for a week of head-to-head testing we like to squeeze in some time at a local off-road park. During our recently conducted 2016 Midsize Pickup Challenge (publishing later in August) we put all five contenders on several 4x4-required obstacles at the Bundy Hill Offroad Park, about an hour southwest of Ann Arbor, Mich.

As you might suspect, we had a pretty good time learning how well or not so well each of the players performed on the park's sand and dirt hills and trails. And we have to admit, we discovered a few surprises. Although off-roading accounts for only a small part of our scoring, it did tell us quite a bit about what engineers were thinking when developing their pickups.

The off-road testing also certainly helped us discover the personality of each pickup. Without giving away the winner, here's what our judges had to say.

Cars.com photo by Angela Conners

Whoever builds the first mid-size truck with diesel, manual and a basic interior will be working overtime to build them.

Well, we atleast know the tacoma won the offroad portion. Afterall, that was all toyota pushed in their ads.

Looks like a nice trail to test on. I don't understand why you all test off road with street tire pressure. Don't you adjust it when towing? Why wouldn't you adjust it for off road. 1 pound of air =5 pounds of spring pressure. So not only do you get more traction you get a softer ride. Win Win.

"old school ladder frame and suspension"

aren't all of them ladder frames and old school suspensions on these trucks?

i think the only company that has slightly steep away form the same engineering is ford a little and RAM with ether 4 coil suspension.

So who won? That Honda Ridgeline is terrible looking. Ugly

aren't all of them ladder frames and old school suspensions on these trucks?

i think the only company that has slightly steep away form the same engineering is ford a little and RAM with ether 4 coil suspension. Posted by: Nicolas Restrepo | Aug 18, 2016 3:56:25 PM

The Tacoma, Colorado/Canyon, and Frontier are "old-school" ladder frames and leafspring rear suspensions.

The Ridgeline is a unibody "frame" (Ridgeline guys will point out that theoretically the chassis has ladder frame-like elements) and coil spring rear susp.

The Frontier is the best off-road purposed truck. It's cheap, performs well offroad, and considering how long the truck has been around, it's pretty reliable. A lot of midsize fans will assume the new Tacoma is the best offroad midsizer. Unfortunately, Toyota put zero effort in the new Tacoma and it shows. Same flimsy weak frame, antiquated brakes, weak drivetrain, etc.

Thought you might have the GM Diesel in the Colorado or Canyon to test with the others.

I want the AWD Canyon, wish they offered it in the Colorado as I think the Colorado looks better. AWD is great on wet black top

One other thing, I hope you did acceleration and gas mileage test with the same guy driving each of the vehicles. Looked like over a hundred pounds difference in some of you, which would effect numbers considerably

Toyota Tacoma wins the only category that I care about and distinguishes trucks apart from grocery getters!

A lot of midsize fans will assume the new Tacoma is the best offroad midsizer. Unfortunately, Toyota put zero effort in the new Tacoma and it shows. Same flimsy weak frame, antiquated brakes, weak drivetrain, etc. Posted by: HD RamKing | Aug 18, 2016 4:45:15 PM

That's why oxi says he only cares about off-road. He knows the rest of the truck is junk!

I'd be very interested in seeing how that Ridgeline went. I'm thinking it might be surprising.

I would like to see the diesel Colorado or Canyon take on this four wheeel drive course.

The Tacoma will be good. The Nissan will be okay. GMs small pickups will be okay to good.

What's needed are more of these smaller pickups. VW with the Amarok, Ford with the Ranger. Izuzu with a Colorado based pickup with an Izuzu engine. Mitsubishi with a small pickup as well.

I suppose we can't have it all, what a pity.

WilWilly A Ranger doing a wading test https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8WYDv6VL-Z8

@WildWilly 2000kg (4,400lb )being dropped from about 10ft into the low box. Then driving away with Max for the CrewCab 2,400lb https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOMLIznu9c

@WildWilly VW Amarok, tackling steep descent and creek https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Isp4L0JeF2o

@WildWilly Isuzu Pickup towing a lightweight 26ft 5th Wheeler https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=71g3wfiqYME

The midsize challenge... its like finding out which Power Ranger is the "best". Not my thing. Good luck.

Considering I don't off-road, the Ridgeline is everything I need for winters in Wisconsin.

They should have done this with all the half tons as well, they are all grocery getters, half tons and mid sizers

I think the offroad tests are kind of ridiculous. What is the point of going off road? How many people actually do it? Most places it is illegal to travel off of designated roads. In my experience elk and deer hunting and off road on my farm 90 percent of what matters are tires, 4wd, ground clearance, and knowing how to drive. And I've driven many of the steepest, rockiest, muddiest ruttiest roads in idaho. Ive very rarely had any problem getting where i need to go with a stock 4x4 pickup. And I've come across and pulled out many idiots like oxi that got stuck trying to prove something with their extreme off road vehicles. Last year deer hunting i was talking to one of those oxi types at the top of a rocky mountain road bragging about how easily he made it to the top when a 2wd ford fusion pulls up. Made me laugh out loud.

Is this another teaser video or is this the entire review? The last clip hints at more to come. I really hope that is true. This video lacks any real substance.

I agree with you Beebe

Oh by the way, not bashing anything but a couple buddies work at the local Toyota dealer and they hve had 2 of the 2016 Taco's come ine with cracked rear leaf springs. They think they lightened them up to save weight and not cracking...

You can get an after market PCM for the GM Twins that will make it shift better and has a eco and tow mode. It is what GM was going to put in them but for some reason decided not to, you can find them on the Colorado forum.

Maybe Ram will come out with something in between the Ridgeline and Tacoma. Great on road and okay off road.

Nissan Frontier continues to be the most under-rated truck in the segment.

I think that looking at sales figures people are starting to figure that out though.

Be cool to read the whole review soon.

I am the 4-cylinder Toyota guy that typically pulls out those beasts off-road and on-road! This past winter I pulled out a 4x4 Dodge Ram full-size that got stuck in the snow!

Posted by: oxi | Aug 19, 2016 10:45:38 AM

I would pay to see you pull my Ram out of the dune sand with your 4 banger. lol

Hemi V8 I don't have a dog in this back and forth fight but you don't need 400hp to pull out a truck from a rut. When in low range and going 5mph you just need 100hp to nudge free another truck.

I work at the airport. I routinely push and pull 875,000 lb Boeing 747s from the gate. And my vehicle only has the old 6.5 liter GM diesel of the 1990s. It puts out 160hp and 325 torque but i am very very low geared. And I can tow 875,000lb at 7mph around the airport.

@ Robert Ryan - thanks for the global Ranger vids; I own a '14 model w/over 60 000 kms; still trouble/rattle free & that 3.2 TD is as power house. I use it for weekend off-road with friends & often cross rivers so I can attest/confirm the video how well this truck performs even with heavy loads etc.

Not bad for a platform that is approaching 6 yrs old & I'm certain Ford will take the previewed US version (F100?) to the next level & certainly mop the floor with all current mid-sizers.

I'm assuming Ford will also need to be careful not to make this truck to capable & hurt F150 sales. It will be interesting how they will balance it...ummm

@ joe i wonder why they use full size truck for tow trucks. Never seen a Toyota tacoma or tundra tow truck. Are they missing out? .lol

Hemi I never said towing on the hwy or long distance. I said to pull a truck out that is stuck, any truck can do it specially in low range. Back in the 80's I used to go off roaring with my dad. We had a S10 Chevy with the crappy 2.8 engine. We pulled and pushed tons of people along the way. And that 2.8 engine from the eighties was a dog.

@jor really depends on how stuck you are. Where you are stuck. Always better off with the same or bigger size vehicle for recovery. Here is a great example,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWXeJvGK9R4

How a 2016 Tacoma equipped like mine gets it done off-road!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frW04GnB1qU

How a 2016 Tacoma equipped like mine gets it done off-road!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frW04GnB1qU Posted by: oxi | Aug 19, 2016 10:34:32 PM

There's literally nothing that Tacoma did that any other midsize couldn't do when equipped with decent tires and a $100 spacer kit. Unfortunately, Toyota that use cheap/weak differentials and CV's. Limited slip isn't a substitute for a locker.

Oh and then there's the whole Toyota rusting issue. http://www.tacomahq.com/2538/another-toyota-truck-rust-recall-this-time-for-tacoma/

Full disclosure I own a 1st gen Ridge and plan on a 2nd Gen RTL-E shortly when supply get better and the over MSRP prices come down.

I know this about the ridge. It was been mechanically bullet proof and handles every task I need on my small Ranch. Tows my 4500 lb sail boat all day without complaint and tows my John Deere Tractor 6000 lbs on the short trips to the dealer for service. (yeah that is over the rating but level country roads and moderate speeds and it does just fine.

Ugly? Maybe but as an engineer I value function over looks. It is comfortable, quiet and drives very well on long vacations and for general around town commutes. Calling the 2017 Ridge Ugly is just sour grapes. Frankly I think the hood and grill on the Taco looks like it has a big stupid grin. Just saying.

With my biases acknowledged I am as interested as all of you to see which platform wins. You can tell from the comments of the testers that they are predispose to dislike the Honda but maybe they will grudgingly give it it's due. I heard a hint that in the timed off road course it took the flag. The clever AWD torque management, power and traction control combined with the independent suspension seems to be very effective.

If your needs are only met by a truck that tows more than 5000 but less than 7000 then maybe you need something else and of course if you are into serious extreme off road play then the customization of the Toyota is unmatched.

I was disappointed that the reviewer discounted the off road ability partly because of the street tires that come stock. Any Taco owner I know that goes off road has long since change its tires. It would be nice to see what the Honda limits are with decent off road and possible a larger diameter tire.

My need is 4x4 thru heavy snow on unplowed roads. In my past experience a heavy truck is better. A 2 wheel drive full size heavy pickup is better thru deep snow than any 4x4 compact pickup and good wide tread winter tires are a must. The Honda Ridgeline has NO switch to activate the 4x4, the traction control will kick in BEFORE the 4x4 Plus not all 4x4 drive trains are the same, most trucks are 2x2 or 3x4 drive systems, not a true 4 wheel drive. Most people don't understand how a differential and a 4x4 system works and what you think they demand from a 4x4 pickup they get the same thing with a 2 wheel drive truck.

"I was disappointed that the reviewer discounted the off road ability partly because of the street tires that come stock. Any Taco owner I know that goes off road has long since change its tires. It would be nice to see what the Honda limits are with decent off road and possible a larger diameter tire. "

It's doubtful that tires alone would help the new Ridgeline. Honda abandoned that when they went with an independent rear suspension. Any modification that increases ground clearance will either lead to rapid rear CV joint wear or ball joint issues. The new Ridgeline is a minivan with an open bed. Also, towing 6k lbs with a Honda transmission is ridiculous and bad advice.

"The new Ridgeline is a minivan with an open bed."

But it's not. You should iterate that the new Ridgeline is a reinforced Pilot crossover with a bed, in other words, it's a unibody truck with all the elements of a ladder-frame truck in terms of off-road performance, capability, refinement, and engineering.

Azusa mud ,my light weight taco passes everything out there . except the guys who have tiny dicks and 40"+tires.love watching heavy trucks get stuck.toyota haters r just jealous girls.

The the Frontier still manages solid all around performance is testament to how well it was designed 12 years ago, I personally need an off road truck I have cars for transportation my truck has to be rugged and off road worthy. That is why only Nissan and Toyota are the real contenders for my money. unlike most people though I delve into the details that is why Toyota does not get my money Toyota still does not use high strength steel in any part of the Taco's construction. which tells me it will have rust out problems . In the 4x4 club I belong to no one wants Toyota due to rust out of frames which is attributed to low grade steel being used. What I will be buying next will be the next version of the Nissan Frontier . I looked at the Titan and it is nice but inferior to the Frontier on off road trails here in the north east of the Americas Definitely stay away from what the heard is buying

The new Ridgeline is a minivan with an open bed. Also, towing 6k lbs with a Honda transmission is ridiculous and bad advice.

9 years and 130K without any mechanical issues. It might be different in a mountainous region but here in Flat Florida it works just fine. I tow my JD 3320 with loader and backhoe to the dealer maybe once every three years and he is about 12 quiet back road country miles from me.

The ride does have a fully enclosed laddered box frame. It just happens to be integral with the Cab and bed. i.e. welded not bolted. In say a Tacoma the frame is still open C channel and it carries the entire load alone with no help from the body or bed.

In contrast the Right Body and bed add additional strength .

So I guess it seems like the Nissan and Toyota were the best trucks off-road here.

You can stop with your childish nonsense Toyota hater!

That is about the only thing we know who you are THUS cannot be trusted with your opinion!

Nothing is factual expect, you are a hater!

A Colorado 4x4 would have to be pulled up that rock, it lacks anything decent to off-road something simple like that hater! Posted by: oxi | Aug 20, 2016 12:10:39 PM

I'm biased and untrusted but you're opinion is completely neutral and 'fair'? Give me a f-cking break!!

You drive a 'yota. The only reliability advantage a Taco has today is that you can rely on it's ability to RUST ROT. Combine that with the current trend at Toyota dealers to deny warranty coverage when you bust your differentials driving a TRD Taco offroad and you've got a POS. Yes that's correct. I witnessed first hand how Toyota denies warranty coverage when a diff blows out and the truck shows evidence of MUD on the frame. Yes that's correct. Toyota will deny warranty coverage on a TRD if it shows evidence that it was driven offroad via mud on the frame. Perhaps the new engine will run for 300k miles, but the same can be said for any of the major competitors these days. And Toyota's transmissions definitely DON'T have an advantage over its competitors, especially their recent manual transmissions. You can RELY on that Toyota manual trans needing a clutch job before 100k regardless of driver abuse. I owned 2 different Taco's since the late 90's, one new and one with a mere 20k miles on it. It's an extremely common issue. Painfully obvious on the forums, yet Toyota does NOTHING to improve it. These days, as painful as it is to admit, the Colorado is looking like the midsize leader for quality. Like I said, a cheap spacer kit and removal of the air damn and the 'rado runs the offroad midsize scene. The Frontier even makes the Taco look weak.

This review reeks ! The 4x4 selector dial in Colorado is in an awkward position, but not on the Canyon? And its so friggin' difficult to locate the dial, (which is pretty close to the head light switch), in a mid size truck? Geez, its a wonder they were able to find the gas pedal! Old school frames as compared to? Oh, yes, the Taco and the Frontier ? You take a Canyon SLE without Z71 and a Ridgeline and complain their street tires don't grip like that of the Pro 4 X or the TRD?

When the Diesel Powered Jeep Wrangler pickup comes out ... these tests will be dominated by it. I just hope it does not grow in size to be a RAM 1500 with a widened Jeep body. Keep it smaller and put the 3.0l EcoDiesel in it.

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