Towing comparison review test: Colorado 2.7 vs. Tacoma 2.4 vs. Ranger 2.7 Ecoboost

[Bill W]

Getty’s Garage comparing Chevy 2.7 and Toyota 2.4 to Ford Ranger 2.7

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[rwillwilson]

I just moved from Florida to Vermont towing a U-Haul 5x8 trailer loaded to the max, truck bed loaded to the max as well as backseat. I got 20 mpg over the 1600 mile journey. My 2024 Lariat 2.3 L RWD was great and had less gear hunting with the load than the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee it replaced did unloaded on the same trip. I have driven all sorts of tow vehicles and this Ranger is quite impressive. Last year on the same return trip it averaged 28 mpg with a full load in the bed.

 

[cb4017]

I saw that a couple of days ago. Interesting.

I had a 23 Colorado ZR2 with the 2.7L engine for a couple of years. It towed my 3,250 lb Rpod travel trailer just fine but I kept speeds to 60-65 mph.

I don't own a 2.7L Ranger (yet) so I can't make a comparison at this time.

I'm driving a Gladiator Mojave at the moment. Pretty nice truck but the 3.6L Pentastar engine is kind of underwhelming, especially when towing.

I think I was spoiled by the 3.5L EB in the F-150 I had and the TurboMAX in the Colorado. Looking forward to driving a 2.7L EB Ranger.

 

[stemplar]

Interesting video, and it's always fun to have our opinions reinforced by 3rd parties.

That said, I'd rather the video wasn't Chevy-focused and instead spent equal time in the three trucks going through the same loop and measuring the same attributes and compiling the results along the way. We get the data in this video, but just watching the video we got precious few impressions of what it was like in the Ford and the Toyota. For that maybe we have to wait for TFL to do another mid-size truck towing roundup or something.

 

[hand-filer]

Interesting video, and it's always fun to have our opinions reinforced by 3rd parties.

That said, I'd rather the video wasn't Chevy-focused and instead spent equal time in the three trucks going through the same loop and measuring the same attributes and compiling the results along the way. We get the data in this video, but just watching the video we got precious few impressions of what it was like in the Ford and the Toyota. For that maybe we have to wait for TFL to do another mid-size truck towing roundup or something.

He reviews them all individually.

 

[superj]

I wish they would have compared the 2.3 sinve its also a 4 cylinder

 

[NM Mike]

I know his focus was on the motors snd powertrains, but I would have liked to have seen a stopping comparison as part of his videos. Braking ability is often overlooked when towing, but get in an emergency situation while towing a couple of tons, and you’ll soon remember how important it is to

 

[Bear376]

Anyone that is serious about towing is going to prefer the 2.7L. What gets me is the high number of videos that are only there to bash the Ranger (or Colorado, or Tundra) I just read a Car & Driver article that talked about the Honda, Tundra, Colorado and others, but did not bother mentioning the Ranger.

 

[hand-filer]

I know his focus was on the motors snd powertrains, but I would have liked to have seen a stopping comparison as part of his videos. Braking ability is often overlooked when towing, but get in an emergency situation while towing a couple of tons, and you’ll soon remember how important it is to

Given the size of the trailer I'm assuming it probably had E-brakes. Having said that, the brakes on the Ranger are worst in class.

 

[stemplar]

Given the size of the trailer I'm assuming it probably had E-brakes. Having said that, the brakes on the Ranger are worst in class.

I'd like to see a more recent test of the brakes for all mid-size trucks. The early Rangers with the vacuum-assist brakes sucked ass but the switch to the updated brakes was very noticeably better. I test drove a ranger with the vacuum brakes then ordered my '25. While waiting I ordered EBC pads and rotors because that's the one shortcoming that really stood out in my test drive, but when my truck arrived with updated brakes I realized I didn't need the EBC's at all for normal driving. I'll still mount them before my next big towing adventure, but I at least don't feel like I *need* them to be safe.

 

[stemplar]

He reviews them all individually.

Ok. But watching one video tells us the outcome, so why have three videos for one comparison? The only reason I can think of is to maximize video views and monetization, which is fine, but it's at the expense of value of the video or how interesting it is. I skimmed this video because I don't care about chevy's now that I bought a Ford, but I wanted to see how the three compared. So I skimmed the video, learned the pecking order assigned by the creator, and now have zero interest in watching the ford- or toyota-focused video equivalents.

 

[Bloody run]

My 2023 Gmc Canyon AT4X I traded in had Outstanding Brakes almost TOO touchy compared to my 25 R.R.

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