If you don't need a truck to do truck things, the 4Runner is the pretty awesome.
I went through much of this same search last year and bought a Ram 1500.
I didn't want a Ford as I didn't want to deal with aluminum body issues. I drove more than a few Sierras/Silverados as I like the body style(I think it looks aggressive) and my few "car guy" buddies are big GM fans. I was underwhelmed when driving them (all the way up to the Denali/High Country trims); I found the throttle response lagging, the fuel economy sucked and the steering wheel is offset in the driver's seat (once I realized that it drove me nuts!). Plus, there are no rear facing A/C vents to blow air at the rear passengers (I have 2 kids who get car sick) so out with the GM model. The in-cab amenities of the higher trim sets is pretty awesome. I sat in the Colorado for about 10 minutes before realizing it felt the same size as my wife's Kia Sportage. We wanted something bigger.
I really wanted a Tundra, but man did the gas mileage suck on those...
My Ram (Laramie trim with convenience package) has rear facing A/C vents, push start, auto-dimming mirrors, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a few other bells and whistles that I never thought I'd get in a $36k truck (no 4WD though). If we went to a compatibly equipped Ford/GM/Toyota we'd have spent nearly another $20k. I like the coil spring suspension, even though it does reduce the tow/haul capability compared to similar sized trucks. I don't feel like my ground clearance is any different than similar half ton trucks either.
I've driven my friends' Fords, Chevys and Toyota trucks but never owned a truck myself until this one. I have no regrets with my Ram other than not going with the EcoDiesel (would have put me out of my price range). I do a lot of highway miles and my mileage is pretty consistent at 18MPG (hand calculated) using 89 Octane gas. My neighbor has a '15 EcoDiesel for his lawn company, so he's towing a 2 ton trailer everywhere and he's getting 25MPG around the city. Around here, 89 Oct & Diesel are the same price.
Turn the MDS off, use 89 Octane gas and you'll get rid of the lag throttle response. At least that is what eliminated mine.