Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma
It’s common knowledge: When you have a tough job to do, you get a tough truck. If you’re looking for hefty power and capability, then both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma fit the bill. The only question is, which one offers more of what you need around Geneva, Canandaigua, and Rochester?
To help you decide, the team here at Friendly Ford created this Ranger vs. Tacoma comparison.
Standard Powertrain and Towing Capacity
Whether you’re driving the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma, you’ll get a powerful engine with plenty of capability. They both let you choose between a 2-wheel drive (4×2) or a 4-wheel drive (4×4) system.
While the 4×2 system ups your towing capacity in both pickups, the 4×4 systems improve off-road capabilities. They even include a terrain select system that lets you customize your handling for your exact conditions.
We see a bit of a difference when we consider their engine power, however. The Ford Ranger comes standard with a 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 engine that generates 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Tacoma, on the other hand, has a standard 2.7L I-4 engine that produces 159 horsepower.
This disparity in engine output may be why the Ranger can tow a maximum of 7,500 pounds with its standard powertrain and 4×2 drivetrain. The Tacoma can only tow 3,500 pounds under the same conditions.
Even with an engine upgrade, the Tacoma only reaches a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, which is still less than what you get right out of the gate with the Ford Ranger.
Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma: Dimensions and Payload
Both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma give you a variety of ways to load up your truck and hit the road. They each have two different cab styles available and can accommodate up to five passengers including the driver.
Both also have two bed styles that are approximately six feet in length and five feet in length, respectively. When it comes time to load up the bed, though, you may be able to load more into the Ford Ranger.
The Ranger has a maximum payload capacity of 1,860 pounds when properly equipped. Compare this to the lesser 1,620-pound payload capacity you get with the Toyota Tacoma.
Smart Safety Features: Ranger vs Tacoma
When you hit the highway, both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma offer a full selection of available and standard smart safety systems that can help you drive with even more control and confidence.
Features you’ll find available on both trucks include:
- Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping and lane departure warning
- Automatic high beam headlights
They also both have a blind spot monitoring system. This provides a visual cue on your sideview mirror when another vehicle enters your side blind spot.
If you’re towing, you might find merging or changing lanes easier in the Ford Ranger, which extends its blind spot coverage along the full length of the trailer.
The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t offer this additional length of coverage, so you may be more surprised by vehicles in the path of your trailer when changing lanes.
Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma: Which Is Your Favorite?
After comparing the Ford Ranger vs. Toyota Tacoma, our team at Friendly Ford liked what the Ranger had to offer in terms of engine power, capability, and driver-assist features. If you want to try it out for yourself, contact us and we’ll have you by to test it out.
Drivers near Geneva, Canandaigua, and Rochester, NY, can contact us to test drive the Ford Ranger today!