The new top end 1/2 tons, be it Ford, Toyota, or GM (not sure about Dodge and Nissan); all have lots of power and good brakes for starting and stopping. Some of the these new 1/2 tons are more powerful than 3/4 and 1 ton trucks of 10-15 years ago.
However, the Achilies heel of any 1/2 truck is the weight of the truck itself. A 1/2 ton typically come in at about 2000 lbs less than a 3/4 ton and 3000 lbs less than a 1 ton. This means the 1/2 ton will be much more prone to being pushed around by the trailer and won't be as stable. Guys who have only towed with 1/2 tons may not notice, but if you have towed with a 3/4 ton or larger, you'll definitely notice. I know the manufacturers rate their half ton towing capacity at up ton 10,000 lbs, but I'd not make it a habit of towing over 6000 lbs with any 1/2 ton.
BTW, if you think a new 1/2 ton is impressive, then drive any of the new diesel 3/4 or 1 tons. Dodge, GM, Ford--it doesn't matter. They have significantly greater capability than any 1/2 ton, and with the diesels, the mileage is around what a large engined 1/2 ton gets, sometimes better. The downside is the diesels are spendy.
I am on my second diesel pickup. I owned 1/2 tons for 19 years and in 2002 got a Duramax. I wound up lifting it, beefing the tranny, and running a 500 RWHP tuning program. This pickup was insane. It could break the tires loose at 50 MPH. It was good for 19-20 mpg (at 70-75 mph) on the freeway at that HP level. By 2009 I managed to get all of 100,000 miles on it, when a taxicab traveling 50 mph rear ended me while I was stopped at a light. The impact totalled both vehicles--bent the frame on the DMax. The taxi driver broke his pelvis, I was uninjured.
After the insurance settled I tried to get a 1/2 ton (looked at a Tundra) but just couldn't make myself do it. I wound up with a GMC DMax, extended cab, long bed 4x4. I didn't go as crazy on this truck. I went up one tire size to Toyo Open Country ATs in 285/70R17 and raised the nose of the truck 1.5." I am running a Banks chip--which has been absolutely troublefree and set it at the 100ish HP level. I figure I am at 400-415 RWHP, but because the tranny isn't beefed I have left all the Banks safeties in place i.e. defuels at the shift).
This truck does not get as good of mileage as the 2002 due to the emissions controls. The 2009 is not yet broke in either. Going to and from work, which is half highway and hald city, my old truck would give me 14-15 MPG. This one gives me 13-14 MPG, and I am sure the loss in mileage is mainly due to DPF regeneration. I haven't made enough solid freeway runs to get a good freeway mileage, but it looks like it is running between 17 and 19. Speed is a huge factor. When I cruise at 60 mph mileage is a couple mpg better than crusing at 70 mph.
Anyway, I don't think a guy used to a 3/4 or 1 ton will be happy very long in a 1/2 ton if he decised to work the 1/2 ton. With my 3/4 ton, I can put 2000-2500 lbs in the bed and the truck doesn't notice. A half ton isn't even safe to drive with that much payload.