We are aware of the login problems affecting the forums, and appreciate your patience as we work on a fix.
Did you recently purchase a new Tesla, Rivian or Lucid vehicle directly from the manufacturer and willing to share how your experience compared to previous vehicle purchases made through a traditional dealer? A reporter would like to speak with you; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 2/19 for details.
First Impressions — Better Ride, Touchy Brakes - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test


After driving our 2016 Toyota Tacoma for the first time, I came away impressed with its improved ride quality. Here's why.
Tagged:
0
Comments
You're right about it being no small feet. The "small" (or "mini") trucks became "mid-size" trucks in the early 2000s. Now, the mid-size trucks are nearly as large as full-size trucks from 20 years ago. As the trucks have gotten larger, their wheelbase has increased. Increase the wheelbase, and you increase the weight. Increase the weight, you adjust the suspension, tuning it to ride like you want.
They feel like a full-size truck because they nearly are a full-size. The Colorado is what, a foot shorter than a comparable Silverado? That's not much of a difference, in my opinion. You could actually get a regular cab short bed full size that was smaller than the Mid-size Colorado or Tacoma. Car companies have lost their way when it comes to small affordable trucks.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
1996 Chevy C1500 VS 2016 Chevy Colorado:
Wheelbase = 131.5 VS 128.3 (3.2 inches difference)
Length = 213.1 VS 210.5 (2.6 inches difference)
Width = 76.8 VS 74.1 (2.7 inches difference)
Height = 73.2 VS 70.1 (3.1 inches difference)
That seems to me to be pretty strong indications of a comparable full-size truck (by standards of 20 years ago).
Now, if you were to compare a 2006 Chevy Colorado VS a 2016 Chevy Colorado:
Wheelbase = 128.3 VS 126 (2.3 inches)
Length = 210.5 VS 207.1 (3.4 inches)
Width = 74.1 VS 68 (6.1 inches)
Height = 70.1 VS 65 (5.1 inches)
Doesn't seem TOO much bigger from a ten year old Mid-size pickup, until you remember than GM marketed the Colorado/Canyon as the largest mid-size you could buy (whether it's true or not, I don't know).
My actual point in my original posts was that the car designers have gotten crazy stupid with their truck dimensions. When they were making huge boats as cars back in the late 60s thru the 70s, no one really seemed to say "wow...that's too big." Now, the car companies are repeating themselves with pickup trucks and SUVs.
Ummm there was a huge demand for compact cars during the late 1950s, that is why the Valiant, Falcon and Corvair were introduced for the 1960 model year. Along with Rambler, compact car sales were HUGE for American car makers in the 60s and 70s. Because not everybody wanted a big car. They also made huge cars because there was a market for them. The market follows demand and since Ford sells 3/4 million F150 year after year, I think they know the market......along with GM and Ram. Big SUV sales are decent but compact CUV/SUVs are the hottest thing on the market and mid sizers are the meat of the market.