Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma

There’s no doubt about it. Both the 2019 Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma are capable mid-size pickups that have a lot to offer your drives around Tunkhannock, Harveys Lake, and Dallas, PA.

We wanted to see exactly how these two trucks compared for drivers in the Wilkes-Barre area, so our Ford dealership put them head-to-head in the categories of towing capacity, payload, and safety technology.

Check out our comparison here and then contact us to test drive the winner.

Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma Capability

If you want a new truck with plenty of towing prowess, then you’re in good hands with either pickup. The Toyota Tacoma can tow a maximum of 6,800 pounds while the Ford Ranger can pull up to 7,500 pounds.

The Tacoma requires an engine upgrade in order to reach that 6,800-pound towing capacity, while the Ford Ranger lets you tow 7,500 pounds right out of the gate with its standard powertrain.

The powertrain we’re referring to for the Ranger is the 2.3L EcoBoost® I-4 engine that generates 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine for the Toyota Tacoma is a 2.7L engine that produces 159 horsepower. This powertrain can only tow 3,500 pounds.

Dimensions and Payload Capacity

When you haul a lot of cargo, it’s important to consider your truck’s dimensions, especially in the bed. That’s why we like that both the new Ford Ranger and new Toyota Tacoma have multiple cargo box options. They each offer beds that are approximately five or six feet in length depending on configuration.

While they can fit a similar amount of cargo, the Ranger can accommodate a bit more weight. It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,860 pounds. Compare this to just 1,620 pounds for the Tacoma.

They also both have cabins that can seat up to five passengers. Rear-seat passengers get a bit more legroom in the Ranger, however, which gives you 30.4 or 34.5 inches of rear legroom depending on your configuration. The Tacoma gives you 24.6 or 32.6 inches of rear legroom depending on your configuration.

Smart Safety Features and Driver-Assist Technologies

As you commute to the worksite, you can count on both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma to help you get there as safely as possible. They do this with their available driver-assist features. These include:

• Forward collision mitigation
• Lane keeping system
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Both trucks also have a blind spot warning system. This system provides a visual alert when another vehicle enters your side blind spot. It’s designed to help you merge or change lanes with even more confidence.

The Ford Ranger improves upon this technology even more by including trailer coverage. This means that it expands its blind spot warnings along the length of your trailer.

Without this additional coverage, drivers in the Toyota Tacoma may not be aware of vehicles in the way of their trailer while changing lanes on the highway.

2019 Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma: The Winner

When the team at Tunkhannock Ford compared the 2019 Ford Ranger vs. Toyota Tacoma, we discovered that the Ranger bests the Tacoma in the areas of towing and payload capacity, passenger comfort, and smart safety features.

If you want to try it out for yourself and learn more about what the Ranger brings to your commutes through Harveys Lake, Tunkhannock, and Dallas, PA, then let us know, and we’ll bring you by to check it out in person.

Wilkes-Barre area drivers can contact us to test drive the Ford Ranger today!