In the fiercely competitive landscape of mid-size pickup trucks, the Toyota Tacoma continues to reign supreme, leaving its counterparts far behind. As the current year progresses, the Tacoma is on an impressive trajectory to achieve its highest sales figures in a decade. This remarkable performance underscores the enduring preference of American buyers for Toyota's offering over its domestic and international rivals.
As the final quarter of 2025 approaches, the Toyota Tacoma has firmly established itself as the top-selling mid-size truck in the United States. Through September of this year, an astounding 204,464 units of the Tacoma were sold, marking a substantial 61.2% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in sales is largely attributed to the successful introduction of the fourth-generation Tacoma for the 2024 model year. Experts anticipate that the truck's annual sales will comfortably surpass the 257,000 units sold in 2021, solidifying its market leadership.
Despite the Tacoma's overwhelming dominance, the mid-size truck segment has generally experienced an upturn in sales during the third quarter. The Chevrolet Colorado secured the second position in sales, though with a significant margin behind the Tacoma, tallying 77,390 units by the end of September. Following the Colorado, the Ford Ranger captured the third spot with 48,278 pickups sold, a respectable 57.4% increase over the same period last year. Interestingly, the Nissan Frontier was the only truck among the top contenders to report a decline in sales, with 47,630 units sold, down 12.2% from the previous year.
The Jeep Gladiator ranked fifth, with sales climbing 18.0% to 38,513 units. The GMC Canyon, despite finishing in last place among the listed models, also saw a positive trend, with sales rising 3.4% to 27,878 units. The overall growth in the segment suggests a healthy demand for mid-size trucks, even as the Tacoma continues to widen its lead.
Looking ahead, the market is poised for increased competition, particularly with the impending launch of Ram's mid-size truck offering. However, given Toyota Tacoma's deeply entrenched popularity and strong sales momentum, any new entrant will face a formidable challenge in attempting to displace the current leader.
The continued success of the Toyota Tacoma in the competitive U.S. mid-size truck market highlights the importance of innovation and consumer loyalty. Its ability to consistently outperform rivals, even as other brands introduce new models and upgrades, speaks volumes about its quality, reliability, and market appeal. For other manufacturers, the Tacoma's enduring popularity serves as a clear benchmark and a testament to what discerning truck buyers truly value.