Dominating the Dirt in 2025: The Ultimate Mid-Size Off-Road Truck Showdown
For a decade now, I’ve navigated the shifting sands and rocky trails of the aut
omotive industry, witnessing firsthand the relentless evolution of off-road capability. The mid-size pickup segment, once a utilitarian workhorse category, has exploded into a battleground for extreme adventure vehicles, each promising unparalleled trail prowess. As we barrel into 2025, the competition for the title of “best mid-size off-road truck” is fiercer than ever, pushing manufacturers to innovate with cutting-edge truck technology features, advanced truck suspension systems, and bespoke off-road specific designs. This year, our team put the top contenders through a grueling test regime to crown the king of the dirt.
We’re not just talking about spirited drives down a gravel road; our assessment delves deep into the core of what makes an extreme off-road pickup truck truly excel. We’ve meticulously evaluated these 4×4 trucks across a spectrum of challenges designed to simulate real-world overland adventures 2025, from technical rock crawling to high-speed desert blasting. The goal: identify the vehicle that delivers the most confidence, capability, and composure when the pavement ends. This isn’t just a comparison; it’s a definitive guide for serious enthusiasts looking to invest in a performance pickup truck that won’t just meet, but exceed, their wildest expectations.
The 2025 Off-Road Gauntlet: Our Rigorous Testing Protocol
To truly differentiate these formidable machines, we orchestrated a multi-faceted testing protocol at Michigan’s renowned Holly Oaks ORV Park. This isn’t a casual joyride; it’s a scientific examination of mid-size off-road truck capability. Our expert panel, seasoned with years of off-road driving and engineering analysis, scrutinized every detail across four primary off-road disciplines:
High-Speed Off-Road Course: This test pushed the trucks’ suspension dampening, stability control, and steering precision to their limits over undulating terrain, jumps, and sweeping dirt corners. It’s where Baja off-road truck DNA truly shines.
Technical Rock Crawling: Here, we assessed low-range gear reduction, locking differential engagement, ground clearance, and the finesse of throttle modulation over challenging boulder fields and sharp ledges. This is the realm of precision and articulation.
Steep Hill Climb: Traction, power delivery, and forward visibility were paramount. We evaluated how effectively each truck could ascend formidable grades without losing momentum or grip, highlighting their climbing prowess.
Controlled Hill Descent: This test focused on the efficacy of hill descent control systems, evaluating their ability to manage vehicle speed smoothly and predictably down steep, uneven slopes, crucial for safe and controlled descents.
Beyond the dirt, we also conducted an extensive 30-mile on-road loop. We understand that even the most dedicated off-roader spends significant time on pavement, and a truly great truck must offer a comfortable and capable daily driving experience. Factors like ride quality, powertrain performance, interior ergonomics, and driver assistance technologies were all meticulously scored. Each off-road category’s score was weighted triple to reflect its primary importance in this specialized comparison.
Our contenders for the ultimate 2025 mid-size off-road truck challenge included:
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor (considered the current market offering for 2025)
The 2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
The Final Verdict: Ranking the Best Mid-Size Off-Road Trucks of 2025
After the dust settled and scores were tallied, a clear hierarchy emerged. While all these trucks represent the pinnacle of mid-size truck off-road engineering, one rose above the rest, demonstrating a holistic mastery of diverse terrains.
2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor
2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X
Let’s dissect these results and delve into the nuances of each contender, offering an expert’s perspective on where they truly excel and where they might leave a bit to be desired.
2025 Jeep Gladiator Mojave X: The Desert-Rated Enigma
As-Tested Price: $66,905
Powertrain: 285-hp, 3.6-liter V-6; eight-speed automatic
Ground Clearance: 11.6 inches
Key Angles: 44.7° Approach, 25.5° Departure, 20.9° Breakover
Jeep markets the Gladiator Mojave X as a mid-size desert runner, boasting its unique Desert Rated badge and a sophisticated Fox suspension setup. On paper, it’s built for velocity and conquering endless dunes. In practice, however, our extensive testing revealed a fascinating dichotomy: the Mojave X, despite its high-speed aspirations, fundamentally remains a slow-speed crawler at heart. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it defines its niche within the competitive off-road vehicle market 2025.
What the Mojave X Excels At:
The Gladiator Mojave X shines brightest when tackling technical, slower-speed obstacles. Its best-in-test approach angle (a remarkable 44.7 degrees) makes navigating tight, challenging terrain a breeze, allowing drivers to clear formidable obstacles without risking costly front-end damage. In 4-Low, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, paired with the eight-speed automatic, delivers highly controllable throttle response, enabling the truck to scale rocky obstacles with remarkable finesse. This analog feel, with its abundant physical controls for climate and audio, is a refreshing throwback in an increasingly digital world. The interior quality stands out, with rugged, high-quality materials that feel genuinely purpose-built. Furthermore, the Mojave X offered superior hill-climb visibility, thanks to its low, narrow hood and a clear forward camera perspective, allowing for precise wheel placement when cresting inclines.
Areas Where the Mojave X Stumbles:
Despite its “Desert Rated” moniker, the Mojave X struggled significantly on our high-speed course. The solid front axle and somewhat vague steering made it feel clumsy and less composed than its rivals when pushed to higher speeds over rough terrain. This isn’t a Baja off-road truck in the same vein as the Ranger Raptor. The extended wheelbase, while offering stability in some contexts, resulted in the worst breakover angle in our test, leading to frequent underbody scrapes – a noticeable liability when navigating crests or uneven ground. The Selec-Speed Control for hill descent also proved frustrating, often bringing the vehicle to an abrupt halt rather than maintaining a smooth, controlled crawl. On pavement, the steering requires constant correction, lacking the precision and responsiveness expected of a modern pickup, and the seats, while adequately bolstered, were found to be overly firm, contributing to lower comfort scores on longer drives. Finally, the Pentastar V-6, while adequate for crawling, felt underpowered on the highway, struggling to maintain speed and offering limited passing reserves. For those considering Jeep Gladiator modifications for pure desert running, be prepared to address these inherent characteristics.
2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: The Electrified Trailblazer
As-Tested Price: $66,410
Powertrain: 326-hp, turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid; eight-speed automatic
Ground Clearance: 11.5 inches
Key Angles: 35.7° Approach, 25.3° Departure, 27.4° Breakover
Toyota’s redesigned Tacoma for 2025 arrived with significant fanfare, introducing a potent gas-electric hybrid powertrain and innovative features like IsoDynamic front seats. The TRD Pro trim, in particular, aims to marry Toyota’s legendary reliability with modern off-road performance. This is a crucial entry in the Tacoma hybrid off-road segment, signaling a shift towards electrified performance pickup trucks.
What the Tacoma TRD Pro Gets Right:
The Tacoma TRD Pro truly impressed on our high-speed off-road course, trailing only the Ranger Raptor in overall stability and control. Its ability to maintain composure and speed over varied terrain showcases its “go-fast” credentials within the Tacoma lineup. The new gas-electric hybrid powertrain is a revelation on-road, delivering immediate and eager power with quick transmission downshifts, making it surprisingly engaging for daily driving. For off-roading, the advanced off-road camera systems (especially the expansive forward view) were among the best in the test, providing invaluable assistance for precise wheel placement during rock crawling and hill climbs. The unique IsoDynamic front seats earned praise for their ability to keep drivers firmly in place during aggressive maneuvers, minimizing body movement and enhancing control. And, for the audiophiles, the TRD Pro delivers a fantastic exhaust note, feeling much like a “muscle car for the dirt.” This positions it as a strong contender for those seeking Toyota truck reliability with a modern twist.
Areas Where the Tacoma TRD Pro Needs Refinement:
Despite its strengths, the Tacoma TRD Pro stumbled in critical areas. Most notably, the throttle and brake pedals proved overly sensitive in 4-Low and Rock modes, making smooth modulation exceptionally difficult. This “jumpy” behavior necessitated an awkward two-foot driving technique to navigate rocky obstacles with any semblance of grace, a significant drawback for precision crawling. Furthermore, the TRD Pro’s tires struggled for grip at the peak of our hill climb, lacking the outright traction of its rivals. Inside, the new IsoDynamic seats, while effective, severely compromise rear seat space, making it almost unusable for adults on longer trips. The interior quality, while improved, still features a lot of hard plastic, feeling less premium than its price point suggests. The large multimedia screen, despite its size, often felt disconnected from the truck’s core systems, with many vital controls relegated to an unintuitive digital instrument panel and steering wheel buttons. Navigating these menus proved frustrating for our expert team, and the small, hard-to-read gauges for off-road data further hampered usability. For those considering mid-size truck hybrid power, these UI issues are certainly worth noting.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: The High-Speed Desert King
As-Tested Price: $60,730 (2025 equivalent)
Powertrain: 405-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6; 10-speed automatic
Ground Clearance: 10.7 inches
Key Angles: 33.0° Approach, 26.4° Departure, 24.2° Breakover
The Ford Ranger Raptor made its highly anticipated U.S. debut for the 2024 model year, bringing the aggressive Baja off-road truck philosophy of its F-150 sibling to the mid-size segment. Equipped with a potent twin-turbo V6 pickup engine and a sophisticated wide-track suspension featuring Fox shocks, this truck is unequivocally built for speed and aggressive high-speed off-road suspension performance.
Where the Ranger Raptor Dominates:
Unsurprisingly, the Ranger Raptor was the undisputed champion of our high-speed off-road course. Its steering and handling were superb, allowing for incredible composure and easy control through sweeping corners and over bumps. The truck’s ability to land jumps without drama and carry momentum into subsequent turns was truly class-leading. The 405-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 is a masterpiece, delivering linear, predictable power and abundant torque both on and off-road. On the hill climb, its ample and easily modulated power allowed it to conquer the incline with impressive ease. The Raptor’s hill descent system also proved exceptionally effective, smoothly and steadily guiding the truck down steep grades. What truly set the Ranger Raptor apart, however, was its best-in-test on-road ride comfort. In Normal mode, the suspension soaked up imperfections without feeling floaty, providing a level of control and refinement unmatched by its rivals. The front seats also earned top marks for comfort and support, proving ideal for long drives. For enthusiasts seeking Ford Ranger Raptor performance, this truck delivers.
Minor Quibbles with the Ranger Raptor:
Even a king has its quirks. The Ranger Raptor’s prominent side steps, while looking rugged, proved counterproductive off-road, frequently catching on rock obstacles. Given the truck’s already accessible ride height, they felt more like an aesthetic choice than a functional aid. The portrait-oriented 12-inch touchscreen, while large, offered a smaller effective viewing area for external cameras, which felt like a missed opportunity. Our expert drivers also found the transmission gear selector somewhat unintuitive, with the left-side button often mistaken for the release. While the front seats were generally comfortable, some noted a lack of bolstering in the bottom cushion for aggressive lateral support, which could be a consideration for extreme off-road maneuvers. Despite these minor points, the Ranger Raptor stands as a formidable mid-size truck comparison contender for high-speed adventure.
2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison: The Unstoppable Trail Beast
As-Tested Price: $64,915
Powertrain: 310-hp, turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder; eight-speed automatic
Ground Clearance: 12.2 inches
Key Angles: 38.2° Approach, 26.0° Departure, 26.9° Breakover
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, a collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), is nothing short of a purpose-built overland vehicle 2025 right from the factory. With its colossal 35-inch mud-terrain tires, towering 12.2 inches of extreme ground clearance, and comprehensive underbody protection, it entered our test as the undisputed monster truck of the group. This isn’t just a trim level; it’s a declaration of intent in the mid-size off-road truck arena.
Why the Colorado ZR2 Bison Reigns Supreme:
The ZR2 Bison absolutely dominated our slower-speed off-road tests, securing outright wins in rock crawling, hill climbing, and hill descending. The advantages of its massive 35-inch tires off-road were immediately apparent, providing an almost unstoppable surge over ledges and boulders. The combination of these tires and the Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) shocks resulted in an incredibly composed ride, effectively damping large impacts and delivering supreme grip in challenging conditions. On our steep hill climb, the Bison’s superior ground clearance and second-best breakover angle allowed it to crest with ample room to spare. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison review highlights its exceptional off-road tech usability; activating various drive modes and systems is remarkably straightforward thanks to simplified controls and a large, horizontal display with crisp, clear graphics. Chevrolet has truly mastered the truck technology features balance, offering a blend of intuitive touchscreen controls for less frequent adjustments and physical buttons for critical functions like climate and audio. The customizable digital instrument panel is bright and vivid, and the Google Built-In infotainment system is both responsive and intuitive, effortlessly integrating Apple CarPlay. Crucially, the underbody cameras are a game-changer, making precise wheel placement on technical terrain significantly easier, enhancing driver confidence immensely. This makes it the clear best rock crawling truck 2025 in our estimation.
Considerations for the ZR2 Bison:
While the Bison’s massive tires are a boon off-road, they inevitably compromise its on-road manners. The large rubber contributes to a bouncier, floatier ride on pavement and a noticeable vagueness in handling, requiring more steering input compared to the more precise Tacoma or Ranger. This meant it wasn’t as eager or composed on our higher-speed off-road course, where its elevated center of gravity also limited confidence and pace – the only off-road test it didn’t win outright. Getting into the driver’s seat of the ZR2 Bison is also a considerable climb, even for taller individuals, and a driver’s-side grab handle would be a welcome addition. Finally, a significant ergonomic oversight is the lack of a rearview camera mirror. The truck’s bed-mounted, full-size spare tire severely obstructs the rear view, making highway driving less safe and more stressful than it should be. Despite these criticisms, its unparalleled capability where it matters most cements its position at the top.
The Evolving Landscape of Mid-Size Off-Roading
The 2025 mid-size off-road truck market is vibrant and diverse, offering highly specialized tools for equally specialized adventures. From the Jeep Gladiator off-road capability for slow, technical crawls to the Ford Ranger Raptor performance designed for high-speed desert runs, and the Tacoma hybrid off-road’s blend of power and efficiency, there’s a formidable option for nearly every preference. However, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison review clearly demonstrates its comprehensive mastery across the most challenging scenarios, solidifying its position as the ultimate all-around performer for 2025. Its blend of extreme capability, advanced yet intuitive technology, and sheer brute force makes it the most confidence-inspiring and capable mid-size off-road truck available today.
Ready to embark on your next great adventure? The world of mid-size truck off-road has never been more exciting. We invite you to explore these incredible vehicles further. Visit your local dealership, schedule a test drive, and experience firsthand the power and prowess of these 2025 contenders. What trail will you conquer first?
