2019 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2019 Ford Ranger
Ford has long been known for its brawny pickups and powerful SUVs, while Toyota has long been known for its dependable and affordable compacts and sedans. But Toyota has been making huge inroads with its line of trucks, and it has overtaken many of the big names in many cases.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma is one of the most exciting offerings from the nameplate, and it is a major competitor for the 2019 Ford Ranger. If you are looking at truck options, you may be deciding between these two. Here's a closer look at what these two trucks have to offer to help you make your choice:
Exterior Comparison
Both the Tacoma and the Ranger have a muscular aesthetic that matches their power. But when you look closer, you notice that the two do have subtle differences that contribute to a unique, overall aesthetic.
The Tacoma has a beefier front end that includes a deeper grille with more pronounced details. The lines around the wheel wells and down the sides of the body are more angular, rather than the smooth, curving lines on the Ranger. Overall, the two powerful trucks have a similar design appeal.
The 2019 Ford Ranger comes in either a Super Cab or a Super Crew, and buyers can get a Sport Package or a Chrome Package that enhances the overall look. The Super Cab has a longer bed of 72.8 inches, and the Super Crew cab has a shorter bed of just 61 inches. Both have the same overall length.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma comes in either an extended Access Cab or a crew-type Double Cab. The Double Cab has a bed that is 60.5 inches long, or you can get an extended bed of 73.7 inches, which is the same length as the bed on the Access Cab. Overall, the bed lengths are about the same as those of the Ford Ranger, but you get just a bit more space with the Tacoma's longer beds.
Interior and Technology
Large trucks aren't usually known for their comfort or their enhanced interior features. They are typically focused on practicality, such as keeping the floors and seats clean when you are doing hard work or hauling heavy equipment. But the Tacoma and the Ranger both offer comfort and convenience features that make driving a more pleasurable experience.
The Tacoma and the Ranger both come with a large display screen for the infotainment system, but the Tacoma has a touchscreen. It comes standard with a six-inch touchscreen, or you can upgrade to a seven-inch screen. The Ranger offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smart phone integration, but the Tacoma still doesn?t offer this technology.
The Tacoma offers three USB ports, Bluetooth streaming, and wireless charging for phones and other devices. These features are only available at an extra charge with the Ranger.
Safety features on the Ranger include blind spot detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assistance, and emergency braking.
No matter which truck you choose, you will enjoy more comfort and convenience features than you would with many other trucks in this class. If you like, you can upgrade features with options packages or higher trim levels.
Performance
When buying a truck, the decision usually comes down to brass tacks: What kind of power does the truck offer? Both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma offer superior performance.
The 2019 Ford Ranger comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, 2019 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2019 Ford Range and fuel efficiency is estimated at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. You can get the Ranger in rear-wheel drive or can upgrade to four-wheel drive with 4Hi and 4Lo settings. You can also upgrade with an electronic locking rear differential.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. That's less than what comes standard with the Ranger, but the Tacoma offers more choice. You can upgrade with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. You can choose between a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and you can get rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with high and low gearing. The standard configuration has an estimated fuel efficiency of 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
It's also important to consider towing capacity when you evaluate the performance of a truck. The Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, and payload ranges between 1,560 pounds and 1,860 pounds. Meanwhile, the Toyota Tacoma can tow a maximum of between 6,400 pounds and 6,800 pounds, and it has a payload between 1,120 pounds and 1,620 pounds.
Which is Right for You?
The base model 2019 Ford Ranger starts at $24,000, while the 2019 Toyota Tacoma starts at $25,550. You can get additional features by adding on packages or by opting for a higher trim level on either model. You can get more convenience features, a more powerful engine, and increased towing capacity.
To decide which truck is right for you, you'll need to think through what you'll need in the truck, such as how much you'll need to haul and whether you'll realistically be taking on rough terrain. Then you need to visit your local dealership to take a test drive of both trucks to see for yourself what kind of performance they offer and how well they handle. You'll quickly know which truck feels right for you.
Based on the beautiful styling, reputation for dependability, and great features, we know we'd recommend the 2019 Toyota Tacoma. And right now, you can get some great financing offers that make the Tacoma affordable for just about any budget. Visit your local Toyota dealership to find out what offers are available for you.
View Toyota Tacoma Inventory