Flipping a coin to decide which truck to purchase between the 2021 Ford Ranger and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma may sound like fun, but is that the ideal way to select a pickup? Hamilton, Madison, and Morrisville, New York, drivers deserve better—you should have the differences presented to you. At Friendly Ford of Hamilton, we can do that so you can decide which features you want.
|
|
Ford Ranger |
Toyota Tacoma |
|
Transmission |
10-speed |
6-speed |
|
Max Towing Capacity |
7,500 pounds |
6,800 pounds |
|
Max Payload |
1,905 pounds |
1,440 pounds |
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Audio System |
10 speakers |
6 speakers |
Both the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma provide towing prowess, so figure out the maximum capacity you need to accomplish towing tasks. With the Ranger, you can tow up to 7,500 pounds, while the Tacoma allows a maximum of 6,800 pounds. The Ranger also exceeds the Tacoma in payload capacity.
To keep your truck and trailer from veering off the straight and narrow route, a Trailer Sway Control system will help you stay the course. Although both trucks offer this system, it comes standard in the Ford and is optional in the Toyota.
Make your ride one that shifts through the changes with a variety of smooth-moving gears. In the Ranger, the standard 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission with a Tow/Haul mode enables you to do so. Less adjustability comes with the Tacoma's standard 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Ford registers an EPA-estimated 21 city/26 highway MPG, meaning fewer stops while you haul a load for a work project or a weekend one. At its best, the Toyota comes close with an EPA-estimated 20 city/23 highway MPG. Still, you may need to stop more often to refuel.
As you embark on your hauls, stay entertained and informed. The Ranger dashboard features an available 8-inch touchscreen display where you can view the interface for the available SYNC® 3 infotainment system and operate the optional B&O™ Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 10 built-in speakers. For the convenience of you and your passengers, the standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can connect up to 10 devices to the internet.
SYNC® 3 comes equipped with voice-activated technology that’s easy to use. The user-friendly interface helps you connect to and control your smartphone. You’ll enjoy pinch-to-zoom capability with the available voice-activated Navigation System. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility is also included.
In addition, Ford Co-Pilot360™, which is standard on the Ranger XLT and Lariat trims and optional on the Ranger XL trim, is a package that features driver-assist tech that can help you navigate our increasingly dense roads and highways. Such features are the BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert and coverage for both the truck and trailer.
Features that are available on all Ranger models include the BLIS® with Trailer Coverage that helps by alerting you if a vehicle is detected in your vehicle’s blind spot or even alongside the trailer you’re towing. The Lane-Keeping System scans your vehicle’s position between the lines in the road and can alert you if you’re beginning to edge out of your lane.
Two more important features are Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support. This will allow you not only to set a cruising speed and distance from the vehicle ahead but it will also cause you to slow down as they do.
If Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support detects an imminent collision and you don’t react in time, the brakes will precharge and increase brake-assist sensitivity to provide full responsiveness when you do brake.
If you end up driving the Tacoma, you can upgrade your dash to include an 8-inch touchscreen to control the available premium audio and dynamic navigation system with six JBL® speakers. The Wi-Fi Connect system in this truck hooks up a maximum of five devices.
There’s some overlap with the Ranger since both vehicles have Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. Notably, the Tacoma does possess Amazon Alex technology, which is a great feature but appears small against the wave of features offered by the Ranger.
You may be spending your days going back and forth in your truck, so enough legroom in the front gives you the opportunity to stretch out. Compare the front legroom in each of these trucks:
While spacious legroom is important, it’s also a good idea to measure out the headroom as well since it allows you to see more of the road ahead.
Either a 5-foot truck bed or a 6-foot truck bed sits in the back of either pickup, but the Ford bed holds more and can be lengthened with the available Bed Utility Package.
Here are the dimensions for the Ranger 5-foot box…
In the Toyota, the 5-foot truck bed does not include any type of extender and contains the following measurements…
Closely examine the differences in truck bed dimensions, and you can visualize how much more you can fit in the Ranger. This could be anything from surfboards for a trip to the beach or tools to take to the worksite. The Ranger has a significant lead in bed size that potential drivers should look at closely. When you do so, imagine not only what, but also how much, you can take along with you!
Should you flip a coin to decide between the 2021 Ford Ranger and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma for your proposed projects and towing trips throughout Hamilton, Madison, or Morrisville, NY? We think not, since you may be overlooking important qualities you need to succeed on the road.
For the best perspective, schedule a test drive at Friendly Ford of Hamilton.
