MT Compares 2024 Ranger vs 2024 Tacoma - Which Is Better?

[oxi]

Ford Ranger looks too gurly, no thanks

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[Planoman]

I like the ranger, but the one thing that I dislike in fords is the chime and the antenna seems like a point of failure waiting to happen. Why not a shark fin antenna like most...the Ranger and Chevy antennas just look like they are waiting on a car wash to break them...I know... weird, but that is what I see when I look at them...

and the Ranger Raptor is badass but the gas mileage? No thanks!

 

[timoeich]

Obviously a limited amount of demand for a M/T Taco, but Toyota still eyes toward an enthusiast who wants a third pedal. I never drove an A/T Taco before purchasing my M/T OR Taco, but rowing gears have been fun. I came from a 2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with a M/T and it feels much different, but still been a blast to drive. And the comment of the seats being to hard are confusing to me. The seats feel very plush and comfortable for long drives.

 

[Carolina Buckeye]

Great, it sounds like you have it all figured out. I think you should definately buy that Ranger! For me personally I will take a Toyota product (with it's tons of problems) over a Ford every time. I couldn't care less what one costs versus the other.

My new Tacoma is quiet inside. I don't understand where they're coming from on some of their statements. Definitely no bias in this thread. lol

 

[tacorancher]

My new Tacoma is quiet inside. I don't understand where they're coming from on some of their statements. Definitely no bias in this thread. lol

I’ve driven both. The Ranger Raptor is in no way quieter or more advanced / new feeling. It actually feels much less refined. And the owner of the Ranger Raptor said the same thing when he drove in my truck. The Ranger Raptor is faster at higher RPM, as the Tacoma tops out sooner. Low end torque on the Ranger Raptor actually doesn’t feel as good imho. The Ranger Raptor suspension is superior over really big hits at high speed. They did not skimp on the dampening. Everything else I found better in the Tacoma.

Tacoma has a larger rear axle by the way:

 

[DENNISD]

I’ve owned many Toyotas over the years, along with quite a few domestic-brand vehicles. In my personal experience, Ford, GM, and Dodge — at least since the late 1970s — have consistently fallen short compared to the Toyotas I’ve owned. Every time I’ve gone back to a domestic brand, I’ve ended up regretting it almost immediately. I always hope things will be different, but so far, that hasn’t been the case.


For example, my dad had a Ranger, and when I compared it to my Tacoma from a similar year, there was simply no comparison. Granted, that was back in the day, but I’ve been burned too many times to take that chance again. Life is too short to keep making the same mistake — I don’t think I could ever bring myself to buy another Ford product. Just my two cents.

 

[MJB4450]

The problem with MT or C&D or any "professional" reviewer is that they have their own personal likes and dislikes and they test a particular trim when the things they judge a vehicle on could be drastically different from trim to trim.

I drove both the Ranger and Tacoma before buying. They say the Tacoma had a harsh ride. Yep, that's because they tested a Sport. The SR5 is a much less choppy ride and felt far better than the Ranger. I almost passed on the Tacoma because of the choppy Sport ride but research showed me the suspensions are not the same so I went back and drove an SR5 after the Sport.

They say the Ranger brakes are "typical Ford". I've owned three Mustangs, four F-150s and two Rangers in the past and I never even noticed the brakes as being much different from any other vehicle until I drove this latest Ranger. It had the worst brakes of any vehicle I've ever driven in 55 years. I though they were dangerous. I almost rear ended a few vehicle on the test drive because when I pressed on the brake pedal it had feedback like it was braking but nothing happened as I pushed further and further until the pedal was more than half way down.

They thought the Tacoma steering "lacked feel". It seems all these reviewers have a penchant for overly stiff steering. The lighter steering i the Tacoma was a huge plus for it to me. I don't like fighting power steering that feels like manual steering, especially when navigating tight parking spaces.

They're right that the Tacoma does not have and should have softer interior panels instead of hard plastic.

I thought the Tacoma had a better seat. The interior in the Ranger was cramped, dark and old looking to me while the Tacoma looked more modern, brighter and roomier.

Transmission was OK with the Ranger but I had with the test drives and have with my purchased Tacoma, not noticed any of the dislikes they mentioned. I don't even notice the shifting in my Tacoma and it certainly does not hunt for gears.

Engine wise, again, the Tacoma won in my book. Power felt the same between the Ranger and Tacoma but the Ranger has direct injection only, big negative for me. The Tacoma's engine is a far, far better layout and after looking into it's design, I am very confident it is the better engine with a much better turbo.

So this is why I gave up on comparison reviews long ago. When I loo at reviews, I try to find one done by the Car Care Nut. His reviews are aimed at people who know something about vehicle and go into depth regarding details and individual suspension parts. No cup holder reviews.

 

[Airborne]

Well, i think ford makes junk long term, the design team creates interiors as well as features that make the 3-year lease owners happy, i think if you lease a vehicle its kind of like “ well ne biggie ill dump in 3 years. Having said that domestic vehicles suck owners into the truck with the ohhs and ahhs , useless features but so many love , this ofr that, the seats, or dashboard plastics, or the little things like memorey seats , Now own the Toyota Tacoma for 3 years, the truck gets abused in every country in adverse conditions, all over the world. Deserts, some mount gun turrets in the beds, jungles, artic conditions….and the tacoma isnt as popular for no other reason but reputation of longevity……..ive never seen a Ford ranger gun mounted, ive been all over these countries, i never seen rangers, f 150, or colarados. Being abused on day to day life needs………The magazine articles written by these reveiwers is just endorsing manufactures for kickback, Consumer reports, Daxstreet and the rest of them………….Theres my opinion, i have owned Toyotas since was 18, im now going to 60…….its all ive owned, never left me stranded, always held value, so this equation works for me……..There are a lot of new Tacoma owners out there, many ran to the toyota pros, trailhunters.
Most seem happy with them, realizing many leased them, this group will drive, play then move on to next flavor of the day, some will stay and keep buying new trucks every few years, because although toyota may have fit and finish flaws like interior plastics, or shitty paint , some how we just still love our Tacomas
David

 

[Idaho-Taco]

Maybe. But it's still a Ford…

Exactly. I’ve owned one Ford in my life and it will be my last.

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