24 ranger vs 24 tacoma

[SoutheastRangerRaptor]

@Johnny 5 thanks, that's not actually me doing those videos, it's a guy with the you-tube handle "flaberdoopin". I really like his videos, I'll probably install those load box reinforcements with my brother when I order them.

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[Hootbro]

For the last 6 months, I have been shopping around for another midsize truck and finally settled on and bought my Ranger last week. I have owned a couple of Taco’s in the past but having also shopped and test drive the new 2024 Tacoma, Toyota is no longer what it use to be and IMHO, is not worth paying the “Toyota Tax” for one anymore.

Fit, finish and NVH is way better on my Ranger than the new Tacoma’s. Only thing Toyota seems to shine anymore is a better customer service experience when dealing with dealership service and they are getting a lot more practice of late with their Tundra recalls.

 

[hand-filer]

Evidence? Other than TFL breaking a diff off road, I haven’t heard of anything. I’m curious because I was planning to buy one and then changed my mind for a Ranger.

Massive Oil Leak due to faulty oil filter threads. New engine block replacement needed
Well the rear end is blown on my truck
Multiple issues with my new Tacoma
Aside from the incongruent styling, the Gen 4 Tacoma is plagued with numerous assembly and mechanical issues.
Having said that Job 1 Rangers have as well but nothing of the magnitude of the Tacoma Gen 4 and Canyon/Colorado Gen 3 trucks.

 

[stevieb36]

Excellent question as I have the same conundrum. Big thanks to everyone who chimed in. I'm going to add some facts that have not been listed so far, and have me leaning towards a Ranger XLT vs the Tacoma Sport.

First, I'm in my 60's and I will be doing very little hauling or trailierng. I'm only 5'8" and under 200 lbs so I'm not a big person. I will be taking my truck off road on the beach.
1) whatever vehicle I purchase, my wife has to be comfortable riding and driving it.
2) for the beach (i assume off road will have the same problem) the Tacoma chin spoiler is only 8 1/2-inches off the ground. This is just not enough clearance. If you remove the chin spoiler, the MPG goes down by 2 mph, that's a lot.
3) The Ranger is quieter. The Tacoma is a nice drive, but the road noise is quite loud. I have hearing issues and I noticed it. If you have good hearing, god bless you if you can stand the racket.
4) I want to garage the vehicle, and the Ranger is 2-inches narrower and you can get automatic folding mirrors (also great in a parking lot). If you have a single garage door like I do, this could be important to you.

Now for the Ranger cons
A) The Tacoma has a composite bed. The beach sand is salty and I'm sure I'll have problems with the Ranger's steel bed.
B) Being old, I want the biggest display positioned so its easy to read. Tacoma's landscape screen is much better than the Ranger's portrait screen.

The only item that I'm not sure about is ride quality. Being in my 60's with a bad back, bouncing in a truck will be a problem. I will install a acceleration meter on my iPhone and then take the two trucks down the same road at the same speed and then compare the ride quality. On paper, the Tacoma's 4 wheel coil springs should be better than the leaf springs in the ranger, but there are other factors that will also influence the ride quality.

Please let us know what you decide and why.

 

[Rabbit9]

I don’t care for the regular 2.3T Ranger very much (a Pokey Little Puppy in my view),

If you decide to get a regular Ranger, definitely wait for the 2.7 liter EcoBoost! I believe that you can order a truck now with this option.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Before I bought my 2024 RR, I had a 2019 Lariat FX4 Sport. I added the Ford Performance tuner that comes with a K&N filter and an AWE exhaust. Those mods took the numbers for that truck slightly north of the numbers on the 2.7 engine. That truck was anything but pokey. The RR may be faster, but because of all of the extra weight (about 900 lbs), I don’t think that it feels as fast as my other truck.

 

[markal49]

Keep seeing videos in my YouTube feed claiming the Tacomas are not selling. Watched one and it didn’t any actual data. Based on inventory at my local Toyota dealers it seems the TRD Off Roads are selling and the SR5s are not.

I’ll be interested to see more comprehensive data on sales and reliability in 6-12 months.

 

[markal49]

Massive Oil Leak due to faulty oil filter threads. New engine block replacement needed
Well the rear end is blown on my truck
Multiple issues with my new Tacoma
Aside from the incongruent styling, the Gen 4 Tacoma is plagued with numerous assembly and mechanical issues.
Having said that Job 1 Rangers have as well but nothing of the magnitude of the Tacoma Gen 4 and Canyon/Colorado Gen 3 trucks.

Anecdotal. Where there’s smoke there’s fire I guess. And again, I’m not “defending” the Taco (I bought a ranger) but I’d hate to see it have major problems.

 

[John E Davies]

Before I bought my 2024 RR, I had a 2019 Lariat FX4 Sport. I added the Ford Performance tuner that comes with a K&N filter and an AWE exhaust. Those mods took the numbers for that truck slightly north of the numbers on the 2.7 engine. That truck was anything but pokey. The RR may be faster, but because of all of the extra weight (about 900 lbs), I don’t think that it feels as fast as my other truck.

What was the cost for that equipment plus labor time?

I am past 70 now and no longer have much interest in modding a vehicle. I fell down the Overlanding rabbit hole (Series 80 money pit) once before and decided that the RR met 95% of my needs as it is delivered. And I didn’t want to be forced to run 91 octane gas all the time… I think the RR is plenty fast in Sport Mode on the street. I only tried Baja Mode one time briefly on gravel and it is a hoot, but I just about wet myself. “Feels fast” is in no way a problem with the RR… OTH my 2013 Land Cruiser 200 was fast on paper, but it always felt like a slug to drive, and it had no low end torque, so towing a travel trailer was frustrating beyond words. Much of that was due to poor gearing, but I was reluctant to spend $4500 to correct that factory mistake. The RR is perfectly geared.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[jeffers]

Keep seeing videos in my YouTube feed claiming the Tacomas are not selling. Watched one and it didn’t any actual data. Based on inventory at my local Toyota dealers it seems the TRD Off Roads are selling and the SR5s are not.

I’ll be interested to see more comprehensive data on sales and reliability in 6-12 months.

I've only seen three on the road since they came out. Then again I don't see many new Rangers. Trucks aren't selling well.

 

[Dingus83]

I've only seen three on the road since they came out. Then again I don't see many new Rangers. Trucks aren't selling well.

Every time I think I see a Tacoma it's a Tundra, they look so similar. Saw a guy posting he picked up his TRD Pro for $67,000+. Yikes.

 

[Rabbit9]

What was the cost for that equipment plus labor time?

John Davies
Spokane WA

it was right around $2k all in; best money I have ever spent on a vehicle. ?

 

[JR RANGER]

I am looking at either a new ranger or tacoma. I prefer ranger but might consider tacoma. New Tacoma are more expensive and seen to be having more problems on this gen ? Older tacomas very reliable, so are very old fords, I have a 93 f150. Looking at trucks on the lots. A 2wd sr5 is going for high 40sk, I can get a xlt for around 40k. Both Toyota dealers in my area have about 2k dealer addons on the sticker I don't need,drives up price more. Ford has been making turbo trucks longer. For service I prefer Toyota dealers from my experience . Cheaper truck is Frontier but thstd a different animsl.

I just bought a 2024 Ranger XLT FX4 4X4 with trailer, tech packages. I was seriously looking at the Colorado z71 or trail boss. Drove the 2024 Tacoma trd pro and just wasn't that impressed. Colorado's were much better. Tacoma engine was okay, noisy and rough running. Interior okay
Off road features were great but not what I really would be using the truck for. So was really leaning towards Chevy. Stopped by the local Ford dealership and they had my truck on the lot. I test drove it and my smile got bigger and bigger the further I drove it. Interior was better, ride was super almost luxurious. Mpg was better, engine power was great and had all the features I was looking for and then some ( power lumbar passenger seat) for my wife with bad back.
About 3 to 5k less than Chevy and Toyota .
I have 2700 miles on my truck and just love everything about it. Mostly the ride quality. Went to LA , 9 hrs straight only stopping for gas, food. When we got there I was ready to drive some more. In my opinion this is the best vehicle I've ever owned. I wouldn't even trade it for a Porsche (well maybe. I'd sell it and pay cash for another Ranger).
Obviously I Can't say enough about this truck.

Good luck on your decision. Go RANGER.

 

[SoutheastRangerRaptor]

I just bought a 2024 Ranger XLT FX4 4X4 with trailer, tech packages. I was seriously looking at the Colorado z71 or trail boss. Drove the 2024 Tacoma trd pro and just wasn't that impressed. Colorado's were much better. Tacoma engine was okay, noisy and rough running. Interior okay
Off road features were great but not what I really would be using the truck for. So was really leaning towards Chevy. Stopped by the local Ford dealership and they had my truck on the lot. I test drove it and my smile got bigger and bigger the further I drove it. Interior was better, ride was super almost luxurious. Mpg was better, engine power was great and had all the features I was looking for and then some ( power lumbar passenger seat) for my wife with bad back.
About 3 to 5k less than Chevy and Toyota .
I have 2700 miles on my truck and just love everything about it. Mostly the ride quality. Went to LA , 9 hrs straight only stopping for gas, food. When we got there I was ready to drive some more. In my opinion this is the best vehicle I've ever owned. I wouldn't even trade it for a Porsche (well maybe. I'd sell it and pay cash for another Ranger).
Obviously I Can't say enough about this truck.

Good luck on your decision. Go RANGER.

Well said @JR RANGER. I'm going on 3 months in my 24 RR and love it. No regrets on buying it over the Tacoma that I had a deposit on. Wife says the Ford is nicer than the Tacoma.

 

[olefordguy]

I am looking at either a new ranger or tacoma. I prefer ranger but might consider tacoma. New Tacoma are more expensive and seen to be having more problems on this gen ? Older tacomas very reliable, so are very old fords, I have a 93 f150. Looking at trucks on the lots. A 2wd sr5 is going for high 40sk, I can get a xlt for around 40k. Both Toyota dealers in my area have about 2k dealer addons on the sticker I don't need,drives up price more. Ford has been making turbo trucks longer. For service I prefer Toyota dealers from my experience . Cheaper truck is Frontier but thstd a different animsl.

You may want to think twice on the toyota. Historically excellent, reliable vehicles but they've started going down fairly hard last few years. Also recent reports on false safety certifications, etc. Saying all that, ford's quality and recall history isn't anything to remotely smile about, but improving a little lately.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...n&cvid=431adc6586854dca88be41c57b927b85&ei=55

 

[jeffers]

Toyota has been historically good, doesn't mean they haven't made blunders. They seem to be making more blunders than they used to. Being the worlds largest auto maker now, I'm wondering if there only focusing on profits and paying less attention to reliability. Think Boeing.

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