Midsize pickups are attractive to shoppers who do not require the enormous room or high capability of larger trucks yet desire a functional vehicle. They are more nimble, economical, and can outperform in off-roading scenarios.
The top-selling midsize truck is the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, presented in diverse trims including three for off-road adventures. It has undergone a redesign for the 2024 year and now incorporates hybrid variants.
The 2024 Ford Ranger has also experienced an overhaul. It boasts a selection of turbocharged engines along with a more robust presence, large touchscreen monitors, and contemporary safety features—plus, there’s a pioneering Ranger Raptor version.
These trucks compete with the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline. When contemplating between the Ranger and Tacoma, which emerges as the superior option?
How Much Does a Ford Ranger Cost?
Ford offers the Ranger in XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor variants. The starting price for the base Ranger is roughly $34,000, featuring standard cloth seats, vinyl flooring, powered amenities, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and cruise control. Adding four-wheel drive is about $3,645 extra.
Opting for the XLT 4×4 around $40,000 adds features like blind-spot monitoring, cordless smartphone charging, remote ignition, and LED cargo and cabin illumination. It also includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio components.
The $45,120 Lariat includes powered front seating, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a panoramic camera system, dual 12.0-inch displays, and adaptive cruise management. The $56,960 Ranger Raptor enhances the Lariat features with comprehensive mechanical enhancements and a towing kit.
All Range models come with a standard 3-year/36,000-mile guarantee.
How Much Does a Toyota Tacoma Cost?
Toyota presents a broader array of Tacoma models which include the SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro.
The standard Tacoma is approximated at around $33,000 and comes with cloth interior, powered amenities, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Four-wheel drive adds $3,200 and selecting the crew cab/short bed combination costs an additional $2,200.
Our preferred choice is the $39,195 4×4 SR5 Double Cab with the extended bed—or the TRD Sport which, for roughly $48,800, features the hybrid system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, alongside options for a sunroof, ventilated synthetic leather seating, and towing capabilities.
The $65,985 TRD Pro with its off-road gear also incorporates a 14.0-inch touchscreen, seating with heating and cooling, 18-inch alloy wheels, and high-end audio.
The Tacoma provides the equivalent warranty as the Ranger, yet Toyota offers two years/24,000 miles of complimentary regular maintenance.
Advantage: Toyota Tacoma models come in at a lower cost, yet the formidable Ranger Raptor stands peerless.
The Tacoma’s starting 2.4-liter turbo-4 with its 228 hp delivers robust thrust for a midsize vehicle, available with either the 8-speed automatic or the 6-speed manual. It presents a significant step up from the previous year’s weak 159-hp inline-4 Tacoma. An enhanced configuration of the same engine produces between 270 and 278 hp; found in the higher-grade variants. Despite sounding somewhat like a diesel with its noise and tremors, it couples with an astute automatic gearbox and fine-tuned accelerator and braking responses.
With an additional hybrid motor and battery system, the Tacoma pushes out 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, ideal for towing and off-road expeditions—but ultimately, it barely distinguishes itself in fuel economy, topping at 23 mpg combined.
The base Ranger is equipped with a 2.3-liter turbo-4 that generates 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the basic Toyota power plant. It is also matched with a more current 10-speed automatic gearbox that transitions seamlessly, albeit sometimes it may search for the correct gear. A 2.7-liter turbo-6 releases 315 hp but scales at 400 lb-ft, advantageous for towing necessities. The Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 produces an authoritative 405 hp, catapulting it to the forefront of the field among these trucks.
The Ranger is also capable of towing 7,500 pounds, which is 1,000 pounds more than the Tacoma in its prime configuration. Additionally, it includes a trailer backup assist resembling a video game mechanism. The shootout is narrowly matched in payload terms, where the Ranger can transport up to 1,805 pounds in its bed, with the Tacoma peaking at 1,710 pounds.
Both vehicles use rear leaf springs and solid rear axles, leading to a somewhat uneven ride in the lower-tier models. The Ranger’s improvementsThe Raptor’s suspension does not significantly mitigate the heavy-duty feel of other models—yet Toyota introduces coil springs and a rear multi-link suspension for all Double Cab models, offering a considerably smoother experience.
Superiority: Ranger excels in horsepower, whereas the Tacoma Double Cab provides gentler conveyance.
The Ranger proposes a part-time all-wheel-drive mechanism and two kits for off-road enthusiasts. The Raptor is equipped with a permanent system that includes a dual-range transfer case. It also comes with Fox dampers, 33-inch all-terrain boots encircling 17-inch rims, electronic locking differentials at both ends, and a rear Watts link suspension with coilovers for superior stability at high-speed desert runs. Thus equipped, it’s a thrilling, adept terrein maven—outrunning all variants in the Tacoma lineup.
Tacoma likewise proffers a straightforward part-time all-wheel-drive system, alongside three models focused on off-road performance and a year-round system on its hybrid top-tier trims. It comes with an array of extra equipment for the trail, including a locking differential at the back, a multitude of traction modalities, and a function for crawling at low speed that retains the truck’s pace methodically in severe off-road predicaments.
The TRD-Off-Road model boasts a ground clearance of 11.0 inches and 32-inch all-terrain rubber, with an elective sway-bar disconnection feature. Meanwhile, the TRD Pro flaunts robust underbody armor, an increased stature, bespoke Fox dampers, and selectable driving modes for Mud, Dirt, and Sand—whereas the Trailhunter may be outfitted with an elongated cargo bed, aligning more as a leisurely-paced rock navigator compared to the more rapid off-piste features of the TRD Pro.
Superiority: Toyota Tacoma for its assortment, the Ranger when it’s in Raptor guise.
What are the dimensions of the Ford Ranger?
The Ranger is sold exclusively as a five-passenger crew cab model with a 5-foot bed. Internally, the area is modestly expanded, adding nearly an additional cubic foot. The anterior region is accommodating, featuring plush seating and ample storage for smaller items, which includes a top-tier dual glovebox and sizable door pockets accessible in all versions. However, the rear, with its upright seating and compact build, is less versatile for quintuple occupancy. Four individuals can settle more pleasantly, and the 34.6 inches of legroom at the back offers marginally more comfort than the competing Tacoma.
Its cargo bed has widened internally, now measuring 48.2 inches across, enabling it to transport sheets of plywood. While missing an ingenious tailgate like its F-150 relatives, the Ranger’s gate incorporates a built-in ruler and bottle openers, and the bed provides six tie-down points and fender steps for added practicality.
What’s the size of the Toyota Tacoma?
The truck is available as both an extended cab and a crew cab, alongside a 5-foot or 6 foot–bed contingent on the chosen model. Both variants have sufficiently roomy front seats—and the front passenger area is organized to offer even greater comfort. The previous seating layout, characterized by extended leg stretching, has been retired. Comfort for front occupants has been enhanced with available storage ranging from dashboard bins to door and console adapting spots equipped with Molle grid storage.
Conversely, the Tacoma’s extended-cab edition, known as the Xtracab, is best utilized for canines or cargo rather than people. The Double Cab versions are more human-friendly with 33.7 inches of rear legroom, though this is still a notch below what the Ranger offers. Despite the rear seats’ upright stance, they can be folded to create larger storage due to an elongated wheelbase.
Tacoma’s longer cargo bed spans 73.5 inches in its 6 foot–model, with the 5-foot version providing a surprisingly spacious 60.3 inches. The Tacoma complements this with a full gamut of optional enhancements, from bed protectors to electrical ports, including a tailgate with a quick-release mechanism.
Advantage: Tacoma.
Which prevails: Ranger or Tacoma?
What was once a narrow contest has turned into a clear triumph for the Tacoma. The Ranger earns a TCC Rating of 5.6 out of 10, while the Tacoma secures a 6.3 out of 10. (Discover more about our car evaluation process.)
To what can this difference be attributed? The Ranger offers ample internal space and robust engine options but is limited to a single cargo bed size and less accommodating seating. In contrast, the Tacoma brings a greater assortment for off-road pursuits, markedly enhanced interior ease, and hybrid propulsion solutions.
Champion: The Tacoma.
Image Source: alexgo.photography / Shutterstock
