long time Tacoma owner thinking about a 2025 Ranger

[Plasmech]

X2
I get 18.5 MPGs with mostly in town driving.
However, the small tank makes it seem like a gas hog.

That brings up a good point: are these trucks available with a larger fuel tank option?

25 gallons would be nice.

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[Rangerjimm]

I can't speak for bullets 2 & 3, but the submerged belt-driven oil pump? Yea, it's a real thing and I don't like the sound of it either. But when I dug into it I didn't find any sources that indicated it was an actual problem. So maybe every 100,000 miles it'll cost some number of dollars to have the belt replaced; to me, that's okay if the engine is otherwise reliable. As for the cam phasers, it's something that I'm worried about too. I've seen several reports of the raptor's 3.0 having cam phaser issues, and I'm not sure what to think about the 2.7 because I see some reports saying that it's been remedied but I'm not convinced. I do like that the 2.7 has been around for a while and has had a number of improvements implemented along the way (not the least of which is the addition of port injection).

I've had several toyotas, and each were absolutely reliable, but none were perfect. One tore through valve guides every 75000 or so (the 20R engines) and another had the rings wear significantly by 125000 (1zzfe) to the point where it burned a quart every 1000 miles, and smoked quite a bit. I say this because while they were absolutely reliable, they weren't "free" to run for hundreds of thousands of miles, so I'm hoping my Ford too will be reliable, even if it has some larger maintenance jobs that need doing once every 7 or 8 years.

The 2.7 hasnt been in the Ranger long enough for cam phaser issues to appear on this site. If you go on the Bronco forum you will see that even the upgraded cam phasers in the recent 2.7s are failing. There are 2023's and 24's in the shop to have their engines taken out for this repair. I really wanted a 2.7 but think I will choose the 2.3 in my Lariat. I wish we were getting the new 2.3 as the Mustang is with port and direct FI but maybe next year.

 

[Plasmech]

How does the Lariat ride when compared to the XLT and Raptor?

Which of the three will have the best on-road ride?

Thanks.

 

[Peter949]

How does the Lariat ride when compared to the XLT and Raptor?

Which of the three will have the best on-road ride?

Thanks.

Raptor suspension > all mid size trucks.

 

[Plasmech]

Raptor suspension > all mid size trucks.

Does Raptor have a suspension setting that works well on-road? Like a super nice ride, but still sporty and tight in the corners? Thanks.

 

[Peter949]

Does Raptor have a suspension setting that works well on-road? Like a super nice ride, but still sporty and tight in the corners? Thanks.

Best on and off road. I drive my RR like a sports car. Do yourself a favor and test drive and make sure you put it in sport.

 

[cozzishc]

I've been a Tacoma owner since 1997. During that time, it's been beaten into my brain that:

1. Toyota = reliable

2. anything else, especially American, = not reliable

I don't know how true this is, especially today. I feel that American vehicles have made measurable advancements in reliability while Toyota has maybe taken a few steps back.

I'm also not happy about Toyota's Gen 4 pricing, which tops out in the mid 60's.

I'm thinking about a 2025 Ranger. Possibilities include a 2.7 XLT, a 2.7 Lariat, or a Raptor.

I don't yet know much about Rangers, though.

Honestly, how reliable are they? Are there any known issues with the Gen 5s?

Is a Lariat better value than a fully optioned XLT?

Is Raptor a better value than a fully optioned Lariat?

Are Raptors (realistically) available?

Thanks for any replies.

I had 2 Tacomas for all the reasons you did and put high miles on both without any issues, then again it's a Toyota. I just bought a Ranger Raptor for 2 reasons:

1) didn't want anything HYBRID and Toyota seem to be jamming that down our throats if you are seeking a TRD variant.

2) Toyota 's getting too expensive; TRD Pro @ $76,000 is riduiculous

I am happy with my Raptor overall and it's quality is not too bad but I have to say, I love the performance (both my Tacomas were supercharged).

Let's see the reliability I keep asking myself...To be continued

 

[cozzishc]

@Plasmech! I recognize you from TW, I had the Lunar Rock TRD OR that jumped ship in May.
For Toyota people jumping ship:
XL: SR
XLT: SR5
Lariat: Limited
Raptor: Nothing Toyota makes will compete

The TRD OR package would be like a XLT or Lariat with the FX4 package and Sport package to give it color matched bumpers. The difference being the XLT would be like a base OR with cloth. The Lariat would give you leather so the Premium package on a TRD OR Premium (just not a $9,000 increase in price).
If you want the old man version you can opt for chrome bumpers (dad is 81, he loves his chrome) on the XLT or Lariat.
Opt for the Raptor, you won't think about the price after driving it!

That was very helpful, thank you.

 

[cozzishc]

I've been a Tacoma owner since 1997. During that time, it's been beaten into my brain that:

1. Toyota = reliable

2. anything else, especially American, = not reliable

I don't know how true this is, especially today. I feel that American vehicles have made measurable advancements in reliability while Toyota has maybe taken a few steps back.

I'm also not happy about Toyota's Gen 4 pricing, which tops out in the mid 60's.

I'm thinking about a 2025 Ranger. Possibilities include a 2.7 XLT, a 2.7 Lariat, or a Raptor.

I don't yet know much about Rangers, though.

Honestly, how reliable are they? Are there any known issues with the Gen 5s?

Is a Lariat better value than a fully optioned XLT?

Is Raptor a better value than a fully optioned Lariat?

Are Raptors (realistically) available?

Thanks for any replies.

I too was a Tacoma owner since 1999 (1999 & 2006) I didn't like the fact that after waiting almost 3 years for the new generation to come out I was forced with the hybrid only! Then the sky high prices of a Trail Hunter or Pro was the end for me. I love my Ranger Raptor as after 7000 miles no issues. It's a real performance vehicle with an incredible performance options with the engine/transmission.

I LOVE my new Ranger Raptor, Go drive one

 

[Sharpix]

my case in point: I have a Taco 2015 4x4 Sport tham Im currently selling. No amount of lipstick made me love it. Then tried to buy a 3rd Gen 2023 but it was too expensive with too much kilometers for the price.

Found out a 6k rebate at Ford, for the Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 (my home market is not USA) and to my ver surprise it was VERY EQUIPPED versus the same priced 2025 Taco 4x4 Sport, being bare and less equipped.

Taco had cloth seats (WTF with the white fabric), no rear AC, UGLY interior (too much cheap plastic with too much teenager tuning intentions, incredibly small rear seat now without the magnific flat plastic-clard fold down rear seat (it was perfect for a mediun dog or carrying stuff with seats down. they moved them to accomodate the TrdPro suspension seats and choose fuk up with the functionality), oh and the sound cheapness from. the cheapest speakers ever.

Ranger had stock rear diff locker almost in every package, leather seats, rear AC, a decent nicely appointed interior, ELECTRIC SLIDING TONNEAU as standard equipment on that Wildtrak, a nice looking rollbar (useless but good looking), rear bed steps, 360 camera (stup1d Taco had just reverse camera on my home market), etc
The ranger is very veey nice. OH AND THE 2025 Gets the NEW UPGRADED MPC ENGINE AND 10R60 Transmission. Its a 2.3L but hauls pretty good.

I ditched both toyotas i had. Tacoma 2015 and Rav4 2020. Too boring and just plain coarse, unrefined and frankly gray and cheap in almost every aspect. (awful cheap sound and speakers, cheap interiors, unrefined, too clunky, weird seating fabrics and seats, cheapness everywhere... I just dont connect with them as the two CRVs we currently have and the Ranger that is coming next month.

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