The midsize pickup is a popular segment that appeals to buyers who don’t need a ton of room or towing ability but still desire a useful and capable truck.
These smaller trucks are more affordable, easier to maneuver, and are usually the go-to pickup for off-road enthusiasts. Many models still have decent towing and payload ability so they can work when needed.
Leading the Pack
The Toyota Tacoma continues to lead the pack for midsize trucks. It’s the bestselling option in the segment for good reason. It comes in a wide range of trims, including three geared directly at off-roading, and has been recently redesigned. The new models include a hybrid powertrain. Many buyers also look for the Toyota Tacoma used, and its reliability shines compared to rivals.
Returning to Market
The Ford Ranger has returned to the US market after a long absence and offers three turbo engine options, plus an aggressive Raptor edition. With fully modern tech inside and plenty of safety features, the Ford Ranger is a solid entry in the segment. Like the Tacoma, the Ranger faces off against rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and GMC Colorado.
But if you’re considering these two trucks, which is the better choice?
Prices and Features
To sum up, the base Tacoma costs about $1,000 less than the base Ranger. The base Ford Ranger comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, cruise control, cloth seats, power features, and vinyl floors. The base Tacoma is similar, but the touchscreen is smaller at eight inches. Adding 4WD to the base model costs roughly $400 more with the Ranger. At the top of the range, the Tacoma TRD Pro costs roughly $9,000 more than the Ranger’s top Raptor model.
Powerful Capability
The Toyota Tacoma comes with a base 2.4-liter turbo-four that makes 228 horsepower. The upgraded version of this engine checks in at 278 horsepower. With the hybrid powertrain, the Tacoma makes 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The Ranger’s base 2.3-liter engine makes 270 horsepower and its midrange 2.7-liter makes 315. The Raptor model is equipped with a twin-turbo V6 that makes 405 horsepower. This translates to the Ranger providing roughly 1,000 pounds more towing capability than the Tacoma.
Off-Road and On-Road
Compared to the Ranger, the Tacoma uses coil springs and a multi-link rear suspension on its Double Cab models for a much nicer ride. Most Ranger models use part-time 4WD with the Raptor getting a full-time system. The Tacoma offers three off-road models compared to only one for the Raptor. To sum up, if you want a bevy of upgraded off-road equipment with the Tacoma, you have multiple options. For the Ranger, the Raptor is it.
Choosing Between the Ranger and the Tacoma
The Ford Ranger offers strong powertrains and good interior space, but it only has one bed size available, and less comfortable seats. The Toyota Tacoma has way more variety in off-road equipment, a much nicer interior, and multiple bed sizes. More options tend to appeal to buyers and that’s why the Tacoma continues to outsell the competition in its segment.
The Ford Ranger is a good truck, but there’s a reason that the Toyota Tacoma leads the midsize truck segment.
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