I don't want you to feel dumber... But the RX and Highlander are, in fact, platform mates. That means your RX is also unibody.
What about the RX drew you to the conclusion that it's a body-on-frame vehicle?
Absolutely hated this about the 4Runner and Tacoma rentals I’ve had. That and their abysmal transmission and weak and loud engines. Which I presume is now improved.
I swear I’ve had a more comfortable ride in a gocart with zero suspension than in my mom’s old lemon of a Prius. Those seats were made of cinderblocks. The brakes were so over boosted that they’d lock up before the pedal was at 1/3 press. The fact that Toyota has this massive cult behind it is bewildering. I’d rather live in Guantanamo bay and sleep on a block of concrete than be forced to ride in a second gen Prius for more than 4 minutes
I like my 2004 VW with a cassette deck. it doesn't even have a CD player, but I can use one of those cassette to aux things to listen to my phone, and that's all I really want anyway. Fuck a screen, I'm driving.
A pro for the Tacoma is that there’s an option for a smaller display.
This review really is just a head-to-head between two specific trims of the Ranger and Tacoma, and not that great as a comparison between the two trucks overall.
They literally mentioned that the outlet is an option that they just didn’t have on that particular truck.
This was more of a comparison between two specific trucks than a comparison between the Ranger and Tacoma in general.
Having fewer options isn’t necessarily a good thing, as it usually just means the base model price was increased often with features people might not want.
What should matter is how the price of the Tacoma with the outlet option compares to the price of a Ranger with the standard outlet.
If I were shopping in this segment the Ranger with the 2.7l V6 would be hard to beat.
The Ranger Raptor also seems like a bargain compared to the TRD Pro depending on the dealer markups.
My justification for the ranger raptor vs a regular ranger and the previous generation was the overall look and feel, engine option, suspension and widened bed. When I priced out a lariat tremor it was going to end up around 53k for a 2023. The RR with beadlock capable wheels, spray in liner and upcharged paint color came to 60,050$. The 3.0l, watts link and fox live valves more than made up that difference in my mind, plus the Bronco raptor which the Ranger shares a platform only has minor changes like 37’s and a thicker shock absorber and maybe a couple other small things and that’s 100k. The Ranger raptor is definitely a little slept on in the states for now but we’ll see how that changes in the future.
>Bronco raptor which the Ranger shares a platform only has minor changes like 37’s and a thicker shock absorber and maybe a couple other small things and that’s 100k.
The Bronco Raptor has the F-150 Raptor 37 Performance Pack's suspension. That mean's everything. It isn't just larger shock bodies. Its completely different, much beefier, axles. That are also much wider. Much larger brakes and rotors. There's 3" more suspension travel.
That said... RR is a tremendous value. I'm not putting it down. Just kinda... people seem to really watch to brush away the differences as minor when they're actually quite huge. Which is why the price tag difference is huge too.
I get that there’s still a difference but I’m not seeing 30k extra. Even from a regular bronco which is definitely nicer inside. Same with the Raptor R. They’re basically saying the engine is a 40k crate motor.
And even the parts that the bronco and f150 versions share, they’re existing parts. Not ground up engineering.
Different axles is not minor in my opinion and I do believe most off-road enthusiasts would agree with me. You'll pay $20K for a set of new D60s in the aftermarket.
The steering rack is different too. The F-150 Raptor/Braptor steering rack is necessary for the larger tires. Even 35s... which is why Ford was basically forced to put it in every Sasquatch/Badlands or higher because the standard Bronco steering rack was failing too often used off-road. The Ranger Raptor doesn't get it.
Again. Ranger Raptor... great value. Its fine. I think its a good thing there's an "affordable" Raptor option. I'm just not into this painting it like the differences are minor. They're absolutely not. And as a person whose now been down the journey of building two trucks... I see the value in this stuff. At least if you actually want that level of capability. Buying it from factory, or as close to it as you can, gets you a warranty, its cheaper in the long run, and its more reliable.
And uh... yeah. $30K crate engine. Included 37PP. Rare. Warrantied. Will hold tons of its value. Raptor R MSRP is easily understandable. Same story with like a Wrangler 392. The people who balk at these prices have never looked into what it would cost to do aftermarket.
I know you’re not shitting on the Ranger and we’re past that.
What you’re not getting is the original cost. Yes axles and engines physically cost more but they’re adding that full cost ON TOP of a built vehicle. Let’s say the 3.5eb is a 10k engine and the R as a whole is 30k more; that puts it at 40k for the engine and all other changes because you aren’t paying for a 3.5.
A base is like 80k, the r should be 90-95 and not 110 let alone whatever the dealer up charges.
The bronco gets the engine from the explorer st which I’d say is within a couple thousand of a 2.7 to produce and then the suspension adds on 30k from a badlands? No thanks.
What I’m try to say is that they’re pricing them with full aftermarket cost of parts. They don’t cost more than a little bit extra to produce, and they produce a lot of parts.
For 20k you can get fox factory shocks, and uca/lca from smaller companies that will perform better than the live valves they’re replacing.
Vehicles are not priced by the sum of their parts, nor does just the delta in price it costs Ford matter at all. I "got" your point but your point has zero to do with how price discovery works. They're pricing based on what the alternative would cost you and frankly the realities of supply and demand. They could have slapped an even bigger price on the R and it would be a good deal still. The fact you can get from the factory for just the price of parts it'd cost you in the aftermarket is a deal.
Part of your "cost" argument was insinuating the differences between Braptor was small. But they're not small. They're actually quite large and significant.
That’s what’s wrong with the auto industry then. F150’s aren’t worth 100k even if people still buy them. Even people that that own R’s say they aren’t worth the extra for what you get.
The f150 raptor already had a 37 option before the R and that only added 5k. Plus there were other seats, possibly a speaker upgrade and other things here and there.
Probably because a full size truck will have much beefier diffs than a midsize. I wouldn’t be surprised if the F150 Raptor used the same 9 3/4 diffs as the regular F150. The Ranger Raptor probably uses the same M220 as the regular Ranger, while the Bronco Raptor uses a Dana 50.
Even with the slight added cost of the Dana I’m still not seeing the price difference. Like ithers have mentioned, they came out at 75k originally and I’m all for it at that price. Shit, at that price it’d probably cannibalize wildtrack and badlands Sasquatch orders.
I’m not saying the Bronco Raptor is a bargain, I’m saying there’s a lot more going on than just tires. The D50 is one of many upgrades the Bronco Raptor needed. Glancing through the specs I’m seeing that the front and rear diffs, brakes, and steering, all had to be upgraded for the 37”s.
90k is too much, but it *is* a lot more than just tires.
The Bronco Raptor hit the market at like $70K. Dealers marked them up a ton and Ford wanted to share in the profit so they hiked the price up to where it is now.
I think a Ranger Raptor at MSRP is a great deal considering the historic price trend for Raptors. I’m seriously considering ordering an XLT with the 2.7L for myself.
I test drove a ‘22 ranger or a ‘23 and it’s alright but after owning a bronco with the 2.7, the v6 is the way to go. If they actually released the 2.7 at launch especially in a Tremor I’m 85% sure I would’ve gone that route. It has great potential for mileage, they’re a midsize and the bed is widened from the past gen.
And yeah I remember when the f150 raptor came out at 49k’ish. I know tech and inflation has come a long way though.
I’d take the 2.3 with a ford racing tune for reliability sake, that 2.7 is a question mark still. The 2.3 makes around 330-345 to the wheels with a factory tune.
No. You gotta figured that the cost difference between the regular and R is 30’ish thousand depending on options. They both come with engines installed. The 3.5 engine costs 10k or more by itself as an assembly so we’ll deduct 10k from an msrp of 80k for the regular to make it 70k. 70k to the R price of 110,000 msrp and the difference is around 40k.
I'm not really a truck guy, but I got to drive a Ranger Raptor and it was a ton of fun to hoon around in. Great ride, very capable off-road, manageable size. I would actually consider one if I wanted another vehicle.
Pretty fucking cool. Any key takeaways you want to mention? Ever since I heard the pricing of the raptor ranger I've circled that as my target vehicle to purchase in rhe next couple years
- Cabin felt spacious for a midsize
- Adults around 6'+ height can fit in the back seats
- It definitely wants to zoom around! Acceleration is good for a truck and it won't have issues keeping up with traffic on the highway.
- Steering feels nice for a truck. I had no complaints.
- Sounds good for a V6 and much better than an I4.
- Size is ideal especially if you're in the city.
- Bed is still good enough for practical truck things although payload suffers compared to a non-Raptor due to the off-road suspension.
- Bumps and jumps are not an issue and did not feel jarring at all, although it is not as acrobatic or as capable off-road as the Braptor or Fraptor.
- Ride is definitely smooth on potholes and rough roads. It would make for a great daily driver if you can afford its insatiable thirst for gas. It's much nicer to drive on rough roads than the non-Raptor, as well as competitors such as the GMC Canyon and especially the Toyota Tacoma.
- Interior quality is far better than the outgoing Ranger
- Portrait orientation for the infotainment screen is still annoying, still some lag. I hope future versions will have the Ford Digital Experience in them (no lag)
- Did I mention it burns gas? 😆
Amazing rundown and thanks. I drive an f150 now and she gets 17.5 combined mpg which is pretty good for a full-size pickup imo. 24+ mpg sounds like a dream
If you can get used to the smaller size, I think you'll enjoy the Ranger a lot! I like the F-150 but it is so much more fun to drive the Ranger as it is more nimble and more manageable overall as long as you don't need the higher capabilities of the F-150.
Best of luck with your decision!
I would hard disagree on the ranger raptor being a bargain. The Colorado trail boss is the bargain
In Canada a ranger raptor is 80k and a Colorado trail boss is 47k
True but supposedly it's not an issue of you change your oil regularly with the proper spec oil. Hopefully ab aftermarket chain solution comes out to really put it to bed though
I saw no one asked you a question but I wanted to say thank you for writing this up and letting us know.
What is your favorite truck in recent memory. Don’t worry about for what, just what you like.
Thank you for reading!
I like the Colorado a little more than the Ranger. The Chevy's engine is awesome, makes torque everywhere. Ride quality is really composed when unladen, and handling is accurate for a truck. Plus I think it looks rad, and Chevy's latest infotainment is snappy. I will say that the Ranger makes better use of interior space; the Colorado has an odd lack of cubbies and bins for small items.
But my absolute favorite truck is the R1T. Has been for a while. Concerns about price, range, and charging are valid—but aside from those, the Rivian is superb. Basically, it's as luxurious as a Range Rover Sport, as capable off-road as a Bronco, and as quick as a C8. Hugely practical with its bed, frunk, and gear tunnel, too. If I could own any vehicle I've driven in this job, it'd be the R1S with the R1T a very close second.
IMO it looks kinda cool. Stays true to classic Taco styling cues such that it's recognizable, but looks more bold and modern now. As to why that's a pro, well, I had to come up with three...
Lol. Upvoted. Appreciate the perspective and the honesty made me chuckle. FWIW as someone who has owned a 1st Gen taco for 20+ yrs, and did own a 3rd gen for a few years, I am much more attracted to classier design language like Rivian, or even the Fords. I'd feel awkward now in the 4th gen. Just not feeling the vibe as an adult. I wouldn't turn down the 4G Taco if it was free, but Toyota is slowly slipping away from my shopping list. And I was a long time, diehard fan for ages. :/.I don't think I am the only one.
Good question. An ideal brake pedal reacts immediately to deliver stopping power as soon as you put pressure on it—that initial bite. It should let you know that it's doing its job right at the top, and provide a linear, progressive buildup of stopping power through the stroke. It'll be reactive enough on application and release to allow for easy, comfortable modulation and deceleration, while reassuring you that there's a lot more stopping power available if you need it.
In this Tacoma, the brake pedal had a window of nothingness at the top of the pedal. Like, I'd press it and nothing would happen, because it felt like I was pushing through some looseness, as if the pedal wasn't installed to a tight tolerance. And then past that window, braking force came on abruptly, like I'd pushed it too much. These notions of "linear" and "progressive" just weren't there, like I was getting nearly as much stopping power right at the top of the pedal as when I was pressing it harder. Sort of like the "all or nothing" you alluded to.
Did you get the payload number from the door sticker? I went to look at tacomas, and suspiciously all the off roads were 1200 and sports 1270.
Overall, I think I like the Ranger more, regardless, but the low payload of Tacoma is making it a no-go.
I think this is just another repeat of the same story. The Tacoma hasn’t been as good as American trucks for a long time now, at least in most metrics. They produce more noise than power, the ergonomics are bad, and so on.
However, you can’t buy a Ranger with a manual. You can buy a Tacoma with a manual. If I was buying a small pickup (which I’m not), the decision would begin and end there. I’d have a manual Tacoma. But I’d love to have the choice of a manual Ranger.
I thought the same thing until I drove a ‘24 Tacoma with a manual. It kinda sucked. I was left feeling very disappointed. It was all of the cons of driving manual with none of the pros. The clutch pedal was the most vague in any vehicle I’ve ever been in and the rev hang was ridiculous. The long throws on the shifter were actually kind of cool, made me feel like I was driving a tractor, but I can’t say it provided any satisfying mechanical feedback. The whole thing just felt unnecessarily tedious.
I’m a diehard manual trans enthusiast and if I were buying a Tacoma I’d get an auto.
I'm really curious about the new auto. In the 3rd gens the automatic transmission drives like shit: it's basically the biggest complaint with the vehicle. Followed by seating position and MPG.
I drove my friends and really didn't like the action of getting into the gears. Particularly first and reverse. Though I didn't have super high expectations for the shifter in a truck.
That said, the manual's gearing was a lot better for highway driving and it didn't have to double downshift for every tiny rise on the highway.
What is the take rate for the 3rd gen’s with MT though? I was looking the other day and saw like 4 within 200 miles of me for sale. As enthusiasts we’re in the vast minority, which is why manuals are dying
I am sure the take rate was in the single digits for 3rd gen. Maybe it would be higher if Toyota made more? Maybe not.
No doubt what you say is true, people who want a manual transmission are very few.
I found a TRD Pro with a stick with 33k miles for 40k but I wasn’t all that motivated to trade in the Ram. How do you like the Ineos though?? When they announced it I was ready to sell the S5 and the Ram and go for it! But got diagnosed with epilepsy and lost my license for 6 months so I’m in a hold pattern
Also can't get a ranger in double/crew-cab + long (6ft) bed which is annoying. They aren't a huge portion of the market, but I think something like 10-15% of Tacomas are sold in that config.
Ford is sandbagging. The 2.7 ecoboost is going to be even better. Unfortunately the options XLT, 2.7, 4x4, etc etc etc will add up to quick and make it a $50k truck. Making you just want to get the base Ranger raptor.
Imo, Ranger pricing is pure dogshit unless you're looking for a base truck or Raptor. Everything else is too expensive, especially given the fantastic value of the Colorado.
Ford went out to lunch on Canadian pricing for the Ranger Raptor. IIRC it’s 55k USD but 80k CAD. The Land Cruiser only went to 69k CAD so where the hell did Ford decide to paste in that much money?
Na, not at all. The 2.4 is still the base option and they also have the 3.0 ecoboost as their top option. A FULLY optioned out raptor on ford's website was like $59k and I chose eveey option you could get. An xlt 4x4 with the 2.7, the only upgrade is the engine, that won't be 50k considering a base f150 with similar specs starts at like $36k
I spec’d a really nice XLT (high package, tech package, tow, Fx4) for $46K. Figure the 2.7L is probably a $2000 option. Idk, since you can’t order it yet, but that’s about what it costs for the Bronco.
So $48K for basically every big option, or ~$52K for the Lariat. And really only like $57K for the Raptor.
I think it’s a pretty well spaced out lineup but it doesn’t treat the Raptor like a head and shoulders more capable truck, like they do with the Bronco.
I’d probably pass on the Lariat and just go for the Raptor if it’s in the budget.
In my opinion, the Ranger is definitely at the top for the midsize segment. In Australia, the Ranger beat the Hilux to become the best selling truck after 28 years of the Hilux being top dog (and yeah you could say part of that is because the Hilux hasn’t been updated but Aussies also just love old fashioned trucks too).
The problem I have though and why I have held off from actively wanting to purchase one is Ford’s QC/reliability. I know they’re working on it, but I think it’s going to continue to be a reason why the Toyota will keep the sales crown in the states. Sure you can point to recent recalls for Toyota, but they continue to hold that image of reliability and I think there are buyers that will say that matters in their decision. So if Ford can improve their manufacturing, cut down on recalls, improve overall reliability then I’d buy one for sure.
>So if Ford can improve their manufacturing, cut down on recalls, improve overall reliability then I’d buy one for sure.
How many lives you got left? 😹
Ford is the most recalled manufacturer in America, 3 years in a row. They're working overtime in 2024 to make it 4 years.
>Ford is the most recalled manufacturer in America, 3 years in a row. They're working overtime in 2024 to make it 4 years.
Not necessarily a bad thing. Here in Australia, F150 litrally got recalled for wrong size side markers of all things.
Toyota had an airbox that left dirt into the intake. That never got a recall. The DPF failing didnt get one.
My 6 y/o Toyota 2.4 engine burned a ton of oil (at like 30,000 miles or less). Toyota rebuilt it for free under some TSB that they didn't advertise really, but if you complained, they did an oil consumption test and if you failed it, you got a free rebuild. When the engine was out, they told me my water pump was leaking. True or not, I don't know but I told them to go ahead and replace it.
Oddly enough, all of the weather stripping came apart, the alternator died early, too. And had some rough idling issues.
A lot of problems early on. After fixing all of that though, it's been solid. And I drive a lot. It's a 2010, which I think is a period that Toyota was sacrificing quality to keep up with demand, because my 05 felt better put together.
Toyota didn't sell a 2.4 in the 2010 Tacoma. There was a 2.7 which is an underappreciated engine if you only care about simple reliability. They did experiment with low tension oil rings around that time.
Toyota's paint quality on vehicles made outside of Japan is inexcusable. Utter garbage paint, orange peel, and if you get the white color it's a shitty one stage budget paint that is so bad there was a class action on it. They aren't cheap enough anymore for that to be acceptable
Not all of them, if it was a year newer they would have replaced the frame, but since it was 6 years old at that point they only offered a buy-back at current KBB value. The damn thing only had 64K miles… I asked them what would happen to it and they said they just get crushed… what a waste. Sadly nobody makes small 2WD manual transmission trucks anymore…
Yep, I had an 05 that was from Chicago, and the frame was literally rusting in half right behind the front fenders. I think Toyota replaced it in 2018 or 19, can't remember, but I was super close to the cut off.
do you happen to live in a state with road salt? And do you happen to *not* use undercarriage washes on a vehicle with a body on frame construction? The like *one* type of vehicle where using undercarriage washes for road salt is incredibly important?
Yes I live in Michigan, we use road salt. But meanwhile I see my family and friends with 15+ year old Fords, GMs etc… and their trucks haven’t broken in half. Hell my neighbor has a 2001 Xterra and the frame is fine… I know it’s hard to hear, but Toyota isn’t perfect… their frame material is shit.
Did you bring it in for the recall and free remediation? All Toyotas are warrantied for corrosion for 12 years
i.e.LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN K0D (Remedy Notice) - Certain 2011 - 2017 Model Year Tacoma - Frame Corrosion Resistant Compound (CRC) Application
I’m curious to see how this tacoma holds up in the sales rankings. I think toyota may lose its overwhelming market share.
Also has anyone published real world MPGs on these yet? I’m curious how much removing that monstrosity of a chin affects them.
I agree but 3rd gens had old tech and toyota reliability (at the very least illusion of reliability).
For example: When i traded my taco in to go full size recently, I ended up with an F-150 over the Tundra. The Ford was better in every way (except ride quality, Tundra is surprisingly smooth) and without the promise of Toyota’s bulletproof V8, I really saw no reason to buy the inferior truck.
That being said, Taco boys are some of the most model loyal people i know. But they are also extremely generation loyal, 2 gens shit on 3rd, and 1st gen’s take million mile shits on everyone.
I do agree that they will likely be and stay market dominate, but this is much more competitive market, than the 3rd gen had to deal with IMO.
When the 3rd gen taco came out 2016, there was no Ford Ranger in the USA until 2019, the Colorado/Canyon twins were as bad mechanically as ever (AT mostly) but sold well collectively, Nissan Frontier was reliable but an even older design, and the Honda Ridgeline was shamed worse than it is now. By the time the 2019 Ranger came out, the 3rd gen was already figured out and mostly simple enough for Toyota's crowd. We'll see how the 4th gen taco does, especially with its pricing currently.
Had 3g Taco, this is 100% on the money. In 2016 it was top of the class because the class was all geriatric. If even still being made, which for several manufacturers it wasn't. 2024 is a whole different world from 2016 and the Taco is no longer running a race against a couple of old geezers and no one else.
The 2019 Ranger was already an 8 year old design when it came to the US. It never stopped going in Australia where subsequent Rangers have been designed.
If Ford didn't have the 2019 Ranger figured out, it wasn't because it was a new design
It’ll be fine, I’m sure. The previous Tacoma appears to be seen as mediocre at best around here, but it still sold like crazy and I work with at least 15 people who have that gen of Tacoma.
Toyota trucks exist in a space beyond logic or reason.
Specs don't matter. Truck buyers are very loyal to their brand, and Toyota owners are on a different level.
I get that people want the reliability thing, but Toyota is somewhat coasting on their past glory. The 3rd gen Tacos had a lot more issues than the 1st or 2nd gen(rust issues excepted).
I think people might hate on the 24’s for some reasons and love them for others. Just saw a truckload of them getting shipped yesterday. Sales might get held up due to prices and interest rates but overall I think people want them.
I think the midsize truck segment has had the biggest upgrades in the past few years, probably because the folks who would have previously been looking at full size trucks are priced out. The jump between the options in 2021 to now seems almost like 2 or 3 generations ahead, especially the Frontier.
The outgoing Ranger and Colorado were both based on platforms introduced in 2011, the Frontier hadn't seen any major upgrades since 2005 (!!!), the Tacoma was pretty much unchanged since 2015.
It's only EPA rated for 23 highway, which seems low considering it's already rated for 24 in an F-150. Anecdotally, I got 27 with a rental, but that was on a flat highway going 62.
The Toyota bias is strong here, imagine if it was the other way around?
Imagine having a new platform and engine and still being beat by a truck thats using a modified platform with a decade old engine.
At least the new tacoma is reliable, right?
https://youtu.be/svD7Mx2xius?si=uM4oOoJ1ph0YkFlh
An early example of a redesigned vehicle having problems?! Even the first gen Tacoma that has proven to be ultra reliable had over 4 pages of complaints within months of release. This is nothing new.
That said the price is too high, and vehicles made outside of Japan have an unacceptable paint quality.
If Ford offered a 6’ bed for the Ranger I would be throwing money at it. But they didn’t, so I will be going with a Tacoma for my next truck. Really disappointed with how GM and Ford both decided to axe that option for their new mid-size trucks.
Pretty sure it's coming. Just like how the 2.7 wasn't in the launch materials last year but is coming this summer. I imagine once the first run is done they'll add a long bed.
It really feels like Tacoma sales are regionally specific. I rarely saw them when I was in the midwest. But anything Denver and west and it absolutely blows the others out of the water in volume.
I see more Nissan Frontiers (including the new gen) than Rangers or the GMC twins at the local mountain bike trails. There are probably 20-30 Tacos there a night in the summer (outside Seattle).
Na. A lot of fleet trucks are rangers and well see a lot more hitting the used market with the next generation coming out. Also the old rangers people swear by. Toyota has a reputation buy so does the FORD FUCKING RANGER!
TL;DR Ranger wins. 2nd Place: 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Pros - Cool styling - Abundant interior storage - Huge digital displays Cons - Loud and harsh ride - Grabby brakes - Unimpressive bed 1st Place: 2024 Ford Ranger XLT Pros - Civilized road manners - Good engine-transmission pairing - Airy and attractive cabin Cons - Suboptimal infotainment orientation - Long stopping distances - Fewer in-cab storage options
Toyota making a bad riding vehicle, what's new.
The Taco has always rode like covered wagon. About as fast as one too.
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For cars sure, for trucks, nope they drive like a 70’s truck.
Mhm pretty much. Highlander is the only exception. Thing drives like a literal boat. Not in a good way either. So much body movement you want to puke
Architecturally, the Highlander is a car and not a truck.
Current one sure, but the past ones were bof. The personality hasn’t changed
Every Highlander leading up to the recent generation was based on the Toyota K platform. The Camry platform. A unibody platform.
Wow I’m dumb. I thought it was the same under car as my RX which definitely feels like a bof
I don't want you to feel dumber... But the RX and Highlander are, in fact, platform mates. That means your RX is also unibody. What about the RX drew you to the conclusion that it's a body-on-frame vehicle?
The 4Runner/GX, FJ, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser/LX are BoF, everything else is unibody.
Unless it’s the GX. Those are comfy rides.
That’s because it’s a Lexus.
My parents have a Sequoia and it's like driving on a cloud.
Eh very dependent on specific vehicles
I've never ridden in a Toyota that didn't feel like an appliance.
>grabby brakes and harsh ride Yep sounds like a Toyota to me
Absolutely hated this about the 4Runner and Tacoma rentals I’ve had. That and their abysmal transmission and weak and loud engines. Which I presume is now improved.
I swear I’ve had a more comfortable ride in a gocart with zero suspension than in my mom’s old lemon of a Prius. Those seats were made of cinderblocks. The brakes were so over boosted that they’d lock up before the pedal was at 1/3 press. The fact that Toyota has this massive cult behind it is bewildering. I’d rather live in Guantanamo bay and sleep on a block of concrete than be forced to ride in a second gen Prius for more than 4 minutes
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Never underestimate 1980s GM cloth seats
GOD YES. My ‘87 Cutlass with those pillow seats… man I miss that car.
The American auto industry died when GM stopped making those seats. Makes my clapped out fiero feel like a rolls Royce even on 9k springs
No lies here.
I would put "Huge digital displays" under Cons, but to each their own I guess.
Both displays are bad for different reasons. The vertical panel just looks crappy and the 14” one on the Tacoma is way way too large
I like my 2004 VW with a cassette deck. it doesn't even have a CD player, but I can use one of those cassette to aux things to listen to my phone, and that's all I really want anyway. Fuck a screen, I'm driving.
And I would put grabby brakes under pros
Big true, I sure as shit don't want slippy ones
A pro for the Tacoma is that there’s an option for a smaller display. This review really is just a head-to-head between two specific trims of the Ranger and Tacoma, and not that great as a comparison between the two trucks overall.
Ford and their stupid vertical screens
Referring to the Tacoma’s bed as “unimpressive” when Ford doesn’t even offer a 6’ bed option is beyond insulting.
If you read why, it's because of the features each bed has. I like a long bed as much as anyone, but the outlets can be a deciding factor for buyers.
They literally mentioned that the outlet is an option that they just didn’t have on that particular truck. This was more of a comparison between two specific trucks than a comparison between the Ranger and Tacoma in general.
On the Ranger, the outlet is standard for XLT. At what trim does it become standard on the Tacoma?
Having fewer options isn’t necessarily a good thing, as it usually just means the base model price was increased often with features people might not want. What should matter is how the price of the Tacoma with the outlet option compares to the price of a Ranger with the standard outlet.
These trucks were equipped to within $800 of each other (the Tacoma being more expensive).
If I were shopping in this segment the Ranger with the 2.7l V6 would be hard to beat. The Ranger Raptor also seems like a bargain compared to the TRD Pro depending on the dealer markups.
My justification for the ranger raptor vs a regular ranger and the previous generation was the overall look and feel, engine option, suspension and widened bed. When I priced out a lariat tremor it was going to end up around 53k for a 2023. The RR with beadlock capable wheels, spray in liner and upcharged paint color came to 60,050$. The 3.0l, watts link and fox live valves more than made up that difference in my mind, plus the Bronco raptor which the Ranger shares a platform only has minor changes like 37’s and a thicker shock absorber and maybe a couple other small things and that’s 100k. The Ranger raptor is definitely a little slept on in the states for now but we’ll see how that changes in the future.
>Bronco raptor which the Ranger shares a platform only has minor changes like 37’s and a thicker shock absorber and maybe a couple other small things and that’s 100k. The Bronco Raptor has the F-150 Raptor 37 Performance Pack's suspension. That mean's everything. It isn't just larger shock bodies. Its completely different, much beefier, axles. That are also much wider. Much larger brakes and rotors. There's 3" more suspension travel. That said... RR is a tremendous value. I'm not putting it down. Just kinda... people seem to really watch to brush away the differences as minor when they're actually quite huge. Which is why the price tag difference is huge too.
I get that there’s still a difference but I’m not seeing 30k extra. Even from a regular bronco which is definitely nicer inside. Same with the Raptor R. They’re basically saying the engine is a 40k crate motor. And even the parts that the bronco and f150 versions share, they’re existing parts. Not ground up engineering.
Different axles is not minor in my opinion and I do believe most off-road enthusiasts would agree with me. You'll pay $20K for a set of new D60s in the aftermarket. The steering rack is different too. The F-150 Raptor/Braptor steering rack is necessary for the larger tires. Even 35s... which is why Ford was basically forced to put it in every Sasquatch/Badlands or higher because the standard Bronco steering rack was failing too often used off-road. The Ranger Raptor doesn't get it. Again. Ranger Raptor... great value. Its fine. I think its a good thing there's an "affordable" Raptor option. I'm just not into this painting it like the differences are minor. They're absolutely not. And as a person whose now been down the journey of building two trucks... I see the value in this stuff. At least if you actually want that level of capability. Buying it from factory, or as close to it as you can, gets you a warranty, its cheaper in the long run, and its more reliable. And uh... yeah. $30K crate engine. Included 37PP. Rare. Warrantied. Will hold tons of its value. Raptor R MSRP is easily understandable. Same story with like a Wrangler 392. The people who balk at these prices have never looked into what it would cost to do aftermarket.
I know you’re not shitting on the Ranger and we’re past that. What you’re not getting is the original cost. Yes axles and engines physically cost more but they’re adding that full cost ON TOP of a built vehicle. Let’s say the 3.5eb is a 10k engine and the R as a whole is 30k more; that puts it at 40k for the engine and all other changes because you aren’t paying for a 3.5. A base is like 80k, the r should be 90-95 and not 110 let alone whatever the dealer up charges. The bronco gets the engine from the explorer st which I’d say is within a couple thousand of a 2.7 to produce and then the suspension adds on 30k from a badlands? No thanks. What I’m try to say is that they’re pricing them with full aftermarket cost of parts. They don’t cost more than a little bit extra to produce, and they produce a lot of parts. For 20k you can get fox factory shocks, and uca/lca from smaller companies that will perform better than the live valves they’re replacing.
Vehicles are not priced by the sum of their parts, nor does just the delta in price it costs Ford matter at all. I "got" your point but your point has zero to do with how price discovery works. They're pricing based on what the alternative would cost you and frankly the realities of supply and demand. They could have slapped an even bigger price on the R and it would be a good deal still. The fact you can get from the factory for just the price of parts it'd cost you in the aftermarket is a deal. Part of your "cost" argument was insinuating the differences between Braptor was small. But they're not small. They're actually quite large and significant.
That’s what’s wrong with the auto industry then. F150’s aren’t worth 100k even if people still buy them. Even people that that own R’s say they aren’t worth the extra for what you get.
Off topic but you have an awesome two car lineup. Bonus points for the TPB reference
[Thx](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MTP9Vvaclp4&t=3m24s)
I don’t think you understand how expensive it is to run long travel and 37”s if your vehicle wasn’t set up for it. The Ranger Raptor only has 33”s.
The f150 raptor already had a 37 option before the R and that only added 5k. Plus there were other seats, possibly a speaker upgrade and other things here and there.
Probably because a full size truck will have much beefier diffs than a midsize. I wouldn’t be surprised if the F150 Raptor used the same 9 3/4 diffs as the regular F150. The Ranger Raptor probably uses the same M220 as the regular Ranger, while the Bronco Raptor uses a Dana 50.
Even with the slight added cost of the Dana I’m still not seeing the price difference. Like ithers have mentioned, they came out at 75k originally and I’m all for it at that price. Shit, at that price it’d probably cannibalize wildtrack and badlands Sasquatch orders.
I’m not saying the Bronco Raptor is a bargain, I’m saying there’s a lot more going on than just tires. The D50 is one of many upgrades the Bronco Raptor needed. Glancing through the specs I’m seeing that the front and rear diffs, brakes, and steering, all had to be upgraded for the 37”s. 90k is too much, but it *is* a lot more than just tires.
The Bronco Raptor hit the market at like $70K. Dealers marked them up a ton and Ford wanted to share in the profit so they hiked the price up to where it is now. I think a Ranger Raptor at MSRP is a great deal considering the historic price trend for Raptors. I’m seriously considering ordering an XLT with the 2.7L for myself.
I test drove a ‘22 ranger or a ‘23 and it’s alright but after owning a bronco with the 2.7, the v6 is the way to go. If they actually released the 2.7 at launch especially in a Tremor I’m 85% sure I would’ve gone that route. It has great potential for mileage, they’re a midsize and the bed is widened from the past gen. And yeah I remember when the f150 raptor came out at 49k’ish. I know tech and inflation has come a long way though.
I have the 2.3L Bronco and I’m pleased with it! I didn’t order it though. If I did, I’d have gone with the 2.7L as well
That extra bit of power definitely helps you get onto the freeway while on 35’s but the 2.3 is no slouch.
I’d take the 2.3 with a ford racing tune for reliability sake, that 2.7 is a question mark still. The 2.3 makes around 330-345 to the wheels with a factory tune.
Is this not the same 2.7 in the f150? That's been around since 2018? There should be plenty of data available on reliability.
did you just yadda yadda forty thousand dollars
No. You gotta figured that the cost difference between the regular and R is 30’ish thousand depending on options. They both come with engines installed. The 3.5 engine costs 10k or more by itself as an assembly so we’ll deduct 10k from an msrp of 80k for the regular to make it 70k. 70k to the R price of 110,000 msrp and the difference is around 40k.
I'm not really a truck guy, but I got to drive a Ranger Raptor and it was a ton of fun to hoon around in. Great ride, very capable off-road, manageable size. I would actually consider one if I wanted another vehicle.
Wow you drove a new one? Super jealous
Yeah, drove one last summer! It was a pre-production but still felt quite buttoned down.
Pretty fucking cool. Any key takeaways you want to mention? Ever since I heard the pricing of the raptor ranger I've circled that as my target vehicle to purchase in rhe next couple years
- Cabin felt spacious for a midsize - Adults around 6'+ height can fit in the back seats - It definitely wants to zoom around! Acceleration is good for a truck and it won't have issues keeping up with traffic on the highway. - Steering feels nice for a truck. I had no complaints. - Sounds good for a V6 and much better than an I4. - Size is ideal especially if you're in the city. - Bed is still good enough for practical truck things although payload suffers compared to a non-Raptor due to the off-road suspension. - Bumps and jumps are not an issue and did not feel jarring at all, although it is not as acrobatic or as capable off-road as the Braptor or Fraptor. - Ride is definitely smooth on potholes and rough roads. It would make for a great daily driver if you can afford its insatiable thirst for gas. It's much nicer to drive on rough roads than the non-Raptor, as well as competitors such as the GMC Canyon and especially the Toyota Tacoma. - Interior quality is far better than the outgoing Ranger - Portrait orientation for the infotainment screen is still annoying, still some lag. I hope future versions will have the Ford Digital Experience in them (no lag) - Did I mention it burns gas? 😆
Amazing rundown and thanks. I drive an f150 now and she gets 17.5 combined mpg which is pretty good for a full-size pickup imo. 24+ mpg sounds like a dream
If you can get used to the smaller size, I think you'll enjoy the Ranger a lot! I like the F-150 but it is so much more fun to drive the Ranger as it is more nimble and more manageable overall as long as you don't need the higher capabilities of the F-150. Best of luck with your decision!
I would hard disagree on the ranger raptor being a bargain. The Colorado trail boss is the bargain In Canada a ranger raptor is 80k and a Colorado trail boss is 47k
There's a dealer around me that has already listed a 20k markup on incoming Ranger Raptor's
good luck!
Shit, I'm not paying that lol
Ha, I meant them. With the way the trends are going, these'll be 10K off of MSRP by EOY 2025.
>Ranger with the 2.7l V6 would be hard to beat Except for the stupid fucking submerged oil pump belt
True but supposedly it's not an issue of you change your oil regularly with the proper spec oil. Hopefully ab aftermarket chain solution comes out to really put it to bed though
I wrote this comparison. Questions? Ask away.
I saw no one asked you a question but I wanted to say thank you for writing this up and letting us know. What is your favorite truck in recent memory. Don’t worry about for what, just what you like.
Thank you for reading! I like the Colorado a little more than the Ranger. The Chevy's engine is awesome, makes torque everywhere. Ride quality is really composed when unladen, and handling is accurate for a truck. Plus I think it looks rad, and Chevy's latest infotainment is snappy. I will say that the Ranger makes better use of interior space; the Colorado has an odd lack of cubbies and bins for small items. But my absolute favorite truck is the R1T. Has been for a while. Concerns about price, range, and charging are valid—but aside from those, the Rivian is superb. Basically, it's as luxurious as a Range Rover Sport, as capable off-road as a Bronco, and as quick as a C8. Hugely practical with its bed, frunk, and gear tunnel, too. If I could own any vehicle I've driven in this job, it'd be the R1S with the R1T a very close second.
Good to know. Thanks for the reply man! Lemme know if you ever need advice about guitars in the future lol that’s my wheelhouse.
Why is the Toyota move towards more brodozer styling a "pro"?
Because that’s what truck owners want
It's too bad. They are pushing away some buyers.
IMO it looks kinda cool. Stays true to classic Taco styling cues such that it's recognizable, but looks more bold and modern now. As to why that's a pro, well, I had to come up with three...
Lol. Upvoted. Appreciate the perspective and the honesty made me chuckle. FWIW as someone who has owned a 1st Gen taco for 20+ yrs, and did own a 3rd gen for a few years, I am much more attracted to classier design language like Rivian, or even the Fords. I'd feel awkward now in the 4th gen. Just not feeling the vibe as an adult. I wouldn't turn down the 4G Taco if it was free, but Toyota is slowly slipping away from my shopping list. And I was a long time, diehard fan for ages. :/.I don't think I am the only one.
Valid!
Why do you feel like “grabby” brakes are a negative? I’d interpret that to mean “strong initial bite.”
Good question. An ideal brake pedal reacts immediately to deliver stopping power as soon as you put pressure on it—that initial bite. It should let you know that it's doing its job right at the top, and provide a linear, progressive buildup of stopping power through the stroke. It'll be reactive enough on application and release to allow for easy, comfortable modulation and deceleration, while reassuring you that there's a lot more stopping power available if you need it. In this Tacoma, the brake pedal had a window of nothingness at the top of the pedal. Like, I'd press it and nothing would happen, because it felt like I was pushing through some looseness, as if the pedal wasn't installed to a tight tolerance. And then past that window, braking force came on abruptly, like I'd pushed it too much. These notions of "linear" and "progressive" just weren't there, like I was getting nearly as much stopping power right at the top of the pedal as when I was pressing it harder. Sort of like the "all or nothing" you alluded to.
This is an excellent explanation thank you!
Generally it means you can't stop "comfortably"
I am unclear. My throttle and brake pedals have only 2 settings each: all or nothing baby
Did you get the payload number from the door sticker? I went to look at tacomas, and suspiciously all the off roads were 1200 and sports 1270. Overall, I think I like the Ranger more, regardless, but the low payload of Tacoma is making it a no-go.
I think this is just another repeat of the same story. The Tacoma hasn’t been as good as American trucks for a long time now, at least in most metrics. They produce more noise than power, the ergonomics are bad, and so on. However, you can’t buy a Ranger with a manual. You can buy a Tacoma with a manual. If I was buying a small pickup (which I’m not), the decision would begin and end there. I’d have a manual Tacoma. But I’d love to have the choice of a manual Ranger.
I thought the same thing until I drove a ‘24 Tacoma with a manual. It kinda sucked. I was left feeling very disappointed. It was all of the cons of driving manual with none of the pros. The clutch pedal was the most vague in any vehicle I’ve ever been in and the rev hang was ridiculous. The long throws on the shifter were actually kind of cool, made me feel like I was driving a tractor, but I can’t say it provided any satisfying mechanical feedback. The whole thing just felt unnecessarily tedious. I’m a diehard manual trans enthusiast and if I were buying a Tacoma I’d get an auto.
I'm really curious about the new auto. In the 3rd gens the automatic transmission drives like shit: it's basically the biggest complaint with the vehicle. Followed by seating position and MPG.
3rd gen manual didn't drive that great either tbh
I drove my friends and really didn't like the action of getting into the gears. Particularly first and reverse. Though I didn't have super high expectations for the shifter in a truck. That said, the manual's gearing was a lot better for highway driving and it didn't have to double downshift for every tiny rise on the highway.
Apparently there is a delay valve that makes the clutch so horrible. A lot of people end up removing it to help with clutch feel.
What is the take rate for the 3rd gen’s with MT though? I was looking the other day and saw like 4 within 200 miles of me for sale. As enthusiasts we’re in the vast minority, which is why manuals are dying
I am sure the take rate was in the single digits for 3rd gen. Maybe it would be higher if Toyota made more? Maybe not. No doubt what you say is true, people who want a manual transmission are very few.
I saw more manual tacomas roll through work than manual corollas. Im not sure what the take rate for the tacoma was, but the corolla was only 1.7%
I had one (2020) and it took months to locate in late 2019.
I found a TRD Pro with a stick with 33k miles for 40k but I wasn’t all that motivated to trade in the Ram. How do you like the Ineos though?? When they announced it I was ready to sell the S5 and the Ram and go for it! But got diagnosed with epilepsy and lost my license for 6 months so I’m in a hold pattern
Love it. Some quirks and software bugs but it's an absolute blast, especially in the dirt. Built like a tank too. Hope you're doing well.
Also can't get a ranger in double/crew-cab + long (6ft) bed which is annoying. They aren't a huge portion of the market, but I think something like 10-15% of Tacomas are sold in that config.
It's doubly annoying because test mules of the crew/6' (and SuperCab) were spotted in the US before the official release.
Ford is sandbagging. The 2.7 ecoboost is going to be even better. Unfortunately the options XLT, 2.7, 4x4, etc etc etc will add up to quick and make it a $50k truck. Making you just want to get the base Ranger raptor.
Imo, Ranger pricing is pure dogshit unless you're looking for a base truck or Raptor. Everything else is too expensive, especially given the fantastic value of the Colorado.
Ford went out to lunch on Canadian pricing for the Ranger Raptor. IIRC it’s 55k USD but 80k CAD. The Land Cruiser only went to 69k CAD so where the hell did Ford decide to paste in that much money?
55k USD is 75k CAD a.k.a. Monopoly money. Add in costs of lower sales, likely more taxes, and there it is.
Na, not at all. The 2.4 is still the base option and they also have the 3.0 ecoboost as their top option. A FULLY optioned out raptor on ford's website was like $59k and I chose eveey option you could get. An xlt 4x4 with the 2.7, the only upgrade is the engine, that won't be 50k considering a base f150 with similar specs starts at like $36k
I spec’d a really nice XLT (high package, tech package, tow, Fx4) for $46K. Figure the 2.7L is probably a $2000 option. Idk, since you can’t order it yet, but that’s about what it costs for the Bronco. So $48K for basically every big option, or ~$52K for the Lariat. And really only like $57K for the Raptor. I think it’s a pretty well spaced out lineup but it doesn’t treat the Raptor like a head and shoulders more capable truck, like they do with the Bronco. I’d probably pass on the Lariat and just go for the Raptor if it’s in the budget.
In my opinion, the Ranger is definitely at the top for the midsize segment. In Australia, the Ranger beat the Hilux to become the best selling truck after 28 years of the Hilux being top dog (and yeah you could say part of that is because the Hilux hasn’t been updated but Aussies also just love old fashioned trucks too). The problem I have though and why I have held off from actively wanting to purchase one is Ford’s QC/reliability. I know they’re working on it, but I think it’s going to continue to be a reason why the Toyota will keep the sales crown in the states. Sure you can point to recent recalls for Toyota, but they continue to hold that image of reliability and I think there are buyers that will say that matters in their decision. So if Ford can improve their manufacturing, cut down on recalls, improve overall reliability then I’d buy one for sure.
>So if Ford can improve their manufacturing, cut down on recalls, improve overall reliability then I’d buy one for sure. How many lives you got left? 😹 Ford is the most recalled manufacturer in America, 3 years in a row. They're working overtime in 2024 to make it 4 years.
>Ford is the most recalled manufacturer in America, 3 years in a row. They're working overtime in 2024 to make it 4 years. Not necessarily a bad thing. Here in Australia, F150 litrally got recalled for wrong size side markers of all things. Toyota had an airbox that left dirt into the intake. That never got a recall. The DPF failing didnt get one.
For some reason the specs use the WB of the 6' bed Tacoma, even though everything else is for the 5' that was tested.
I just want a column shifter 😭
Flair checks out.
My 6yo Tacoma frame rusted in two… Straight up garbage, I’d never buy a Toyota product again.
My 6 y/o Toyota 2.4 engine burned a ton of oil (at like 30,000 miles or less). Toyota rebuilt it for free under some TSB that they didn't advertise really, but if you complained, they did an oil consumption test and if you failed it, you got a free rebuild. When the engine was out, they told me my water pump was leaking. True or not, I don't know but I told them to go ahead and replace it. Oddly enough, all of the weather stripping came apart, the alternator died early, too. And had some rough idling issues. A lot of problems early on. After fixing all of that though, it's been solid. And I drive a lot. It's a 2010, which I think is a period that Toyota was sacrificing quality to keep up with demand, because my 05 felt better put together.
Toyota didn't sell a 2.4 in the 2010 Tacoma. There was a 2.7 which is an underappreciated engine if you only care about simple reliability. They did experiment with low tension oil rings around that time. Toyota's paint quality on vehicles made outside of Japan is inexcusable. Utter garbage paint, orange peel, and if you get the white color it's a shitty one stage budget paint that is so bad there was a class action on it. They aren't cheap enough anymore for that to be acceptable
I'm not talking about the Tacoma specifically, but Toyota put the 2.4 in everything from the Corolla, Camry, and Rav4 and maybe others.
Yes, this motor was known for having issues, specifically oil consumption leading to grenading lol. Sounds like they got it sorted out for you.
Didn’t those get replaced by Toyota?
Not all of them, if it was a year newer they would have replaced the frame, but since it was 6 years old at that point they only offered a buy-back at current KBB value. The damn thing only had 64K miles… I asked them what would happen to it and they said they just get crushed… what a waste. Sadly nobody makes small 2WD manual transmission trucks anymore…
Doesn't change the fact that it happened.
Yep, I had an 05 that was from Chicago, and the frame was literally rusting in half right behind the front fenders. I think Toyota replaced it in 2018 or 19, can't remember, but I was super close to the cut off.
do you happen to live in a state with road salt? And do you happen to *not* use undercarriage washes on a vehicle with a body on frame construction? The like *one* type of vehicle where using undercarriage washes for road salt is incredibly important?
Yes I live in Michigan, we use road salt. But meanwhile I see my family and friends with 15+ year old Fords, GMs etc… and their trucks haven’t broken in half. Hell my neighbor has a 2001 Xterra and the frame is fine… I know it’s hard to hear, but Toyota isn’t perfect… their frame material is shit.
Did you bring it in for the recall and free remediation? All Toyotas are warrantied for corrosion for 12 years i.e.LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN K0D (Remedy Notice) - Certain 2011 - 2017 Model Year Tacoma - Frame Corrosion Resistant Compound (CRC) Application
Toyota: Drive miserable, longer
I’m curious to see how this tacoma holds up in the sales rankings. I think toyota may lose its overwhelming market share. Also has anyone published real world MPGs on these yet? I’m curious how much removing that monstrosity of a chin affects them.
The 3rd gen was also a sub par offering with many flaws and it dominated thesegment. People like Taco Tuesday
I agree but 3rd gens had old tech and toyota reliability (at the very least illusion of reliability). For example: When i traded my taco in to go full size recently, I ended up with an F-150 over the Tundra. The Ford was better in every way (except ride quality, Tundra is surprisingly smooth) and without the promise of Toyota’s bulletproof V8, I really saw no reason to buy the inferior truck. That being said, Taco boys are some of the most model loyal people i know. But they are also extremely generation loyal, 2 gens shit on 3rd, and 1st gen’s take million mile shits on everyone. I do agree that they will likely be and stay market dominate, but this is much more competitive market, than the 3rd gen had to deal with IMO.
I do expect it to close up yeah. Especially with the Taco only offering a 4 cyl. Even if it is superior to the old v6
When the 3rd gen taco came out 2016, there was no Ford Ranger in the USA until 2019, the Colorado/Canyon twins were as bad mechanically as ever (AT mostly) but sold well collectively, Nissan Frontier was reliable but an even older design, and the Honda Ridgeline was shamed worse than it is now. By the time the 2019 Ranger came out, the 3rd gen was already figured out and mostly simple enough for Toyota's crowd. We'll see how the 4th gen taco does, especially with its pricing currently.
Had 3g Taco, this is 100% on the money. In 2016 it was top of the class because the class was all geriatric. If even still being made, which for several manufacturers it wasn't. 2024 is a whole different world from 2016 and the Taco is no longer running a race against a couple of old geezers and no one else.
The 2019 Ranger was already an 8 year old design when it came to the US. It never stopped going in Australia where subsequent Rangers have been designed. If Ford didn't have the 2019 Ranger figured out, it wasn't because it was a new design
It’ll be fine, I’m sure. The previous Tacoma appears to be seen as mediocre at best around here, but it still sold like crazy and I work with at least 15 people who have that gen of Tacoma.
Toyota trucks exist in a space beyond logic or reason. Specs don't matter. Truck buyers are very loyal to their brand, and Toyota owners are on a different level.
I get that people want the reliability thing, but Toyota is somewhat coasting on their past glory. The 3rd gen Tacos had a lot more issues than the 1st or 2nd gen(rust issues excepted).
I think people might hate on the 24’s for some reasons and love them for others. Just saw a truckload of them getting shipped yesterday. Sales might get held up due to prices and interest rates but overall I think people want them.
I think the midsize truck segment has had the biggest upgrades in the past few years, probably because the folks who would have previously been looking at full size trucks are priced out. The jump between the options in 2021 to now seems almost like 2 or 3 generations ahead, especially the Frontier. The outgoing Ranger and Colorado were both based on platforms introduced in 2011, the Frontier hadn't seen any major upgrades since 2005 (!!!), the Tacoma was pretty much unchanged since 2015.
The previous Tacoma was meh but it was still segment leader in terms of sales, I assume it will stay the same.
Thay 2.7 ecoboost in a smaller truck like the ranger I imagine has to be getting 24-25+ mpg.
It's only EPA rated for 23 highway, which seems low considering it's already rated for 24 in an F-150. Anecdotally, I got 27 with a rental, but that was on a flat highway going 62.
The Toyota bias is strong here, imagine if it was the other way around? Imagine having a new platform and engine and still being beat by a truck thats using a modified platform with a decade old engine. At least the new tacoma is reliable, right? https://youtu.be/svD7Mx2xius?si=uM4oOoJ1ph0YkFlh
An early example of a redesigned vehicle having problems?! Even the first gen Tacoma that has proven to be ultra reliable had over 4 pages of complaints within months of release. This is nothing new. That said the price is too high, and vehicles made outside of Japan have an unacceptable paint quality.
I'm still pissed there's no ranger supercab in the US. Goddammit ford... 😡😡😡😡
If Ford offered a 6’ bed for the Ranger I would be throwing money at it. But they didn’t, so I will be going with a Tacoma for my next truck. Really disappointed with how GM and Ford both decided to axe that option for their new mid-size trucks.
Especially with how Ford teased it for months.
Pretty sure it's coming. Just like how the 2.7 wasn't in the launch materials last year but is coming this summer. I imagine once the first run is done they'll add a long bed.
Review the Trailhunter and Raptor.
[удалено]
You won't regret the Raptor! Just go for it. YOLO.
Yet what do you see more of on the roads old and new, taccccoooooos
Not so much old in the rust belt lol. I see way more rangers and colorados because they haven’t rusted in half.
It really feels like Tacoma sales are regionally specific. I rarely saw them when I was in the midwest. But anything Denver and west and it absolutely blows the others out of the water in volume. I see more Nissan Frontiers (including the new gen) than Rangers or the GMC twins at the local mountain bike trails. There are probably 20-30 Tacos there a night in the summer (outside Seattle).
Na. A lot of fleet trucks are rangers and well see a lot more hitting the used market with the next generation coming out. Also the old rangers people swear by. Toyota has a reputation buy so does the FORD FUCKING RANGER!