Which midsize truck is better for your drive, the 2023 Ford Ranger or the Toyota Tacoma? Our comparison guide is here to help you figure out how to maximize your trucking experience.
Key Takeaways
- Both trucks offer a range of available luxury features, letting you decide how much you want to spend on upgrades.
- The Ranger delivers the most powerful ride, with more standard power and higher potential tow ratings.
- With its available off-road-ready trim models, the Tacoma has the edge on the trail. However, the Ranger is also available with rugged upgrades, like the notable Tremor Off-Road package.
- The Ranger offers a slightly more efficient performance than the Tacoma!
Modern Features: It’s a Tie!
Whichever midsize truck you choose, you can count on a variety of creature comforts and modern tech features. Both pickups are available as a list of trim models, and moving up each list results in a more luxurious model.
These trucks come standard with features like air conditioning and cloth seating. You even get a few safety aids, like forward collision mitigation. However, when you move up each truck’s list of trim models, you’ll find upgrades like leather seating, heated seats, and premium sound systems.
Sporty Performance: 2023 Ford Ranger
Every Ranger comes standard with the same turbocharged powertrain, delivering a hearty gust of speed with 270 horsepower. You’ll also love how quickly the 10-speed automatic transmission responds to your requests for power! Although rear-wheel drive is standard, trail-friendly four-wheel drive is available for every Ranger trim model. These midsize trucks are also pretty capable, with tow ratings of up to 7,500 pounds.
The 2023 Ranger powertrain specs include:
- Turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine (270 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
The Tacoma offers two engine options, but its base engine is much less powerful than the Ranger’s engine. You can always upgrade to the 3.5-liter V6, though it’s still not quite as capable as the Ranger’s turbocharged engine. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds.
The 2023 Tacoma powertrain specs include:
- Standard turbo 2.7L four-cylinder engine (159 hp, 180 lb-ft)
- 3.5L V6 (278 hp, 265 lb-ft)
- Six-speed automatic
- Rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
Off-Road Performance: 2023 Toyota Tacoma
This was a close one, but the Tacoma has an edge with its special off-road-ready trim models, the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. The TRD Off-Road is the real deal, with everything you need to travel the trail, including a lockable rear differential, a removable front air dam, and Bilstein shock absorbers. With four-wheel drive, its advanced off-road traction control system includes terrain settings like crawl. The Tacoma TRD Pro is even more capable, with off-road-oriented Fox shock absorbers, an off-road camera system, and all-terrain tires. This model also increases your approach, breakover, and departure angles to help you take on rocky terrain.
The 2023 Ford Ranger takes a different approach to off-roading. Instead of off-road trim models, this Ford truck offers off-road packages. The FX2 (for rear-wheel-drive trucks) and FX4 (for four-wheel-drive trucks) are available for any trim model, adding all-terrain tires and an off-road-tuned suspension.
For the ultimate off-road Ranger, add the Tremor Off-Road package. Available with the XLT and Lariat trim models, the Tremor package goes all-out with off-road-oriented Fox shocks, bigger all-terrain tires, and extra ground clearance.
Efficiency: 2023 Ford Ranger
The Ranger’s turbocharged engine provides the best balance of power and fuel economy, earning up to 23 mpg combined (21 city/26 highway).
With its base engine, the Tacoma earns its highest EPA ratings of up to 21 mpg combined (20 city/23 highway). Although it’s not as thrifty as the Ranger, the Tacoma isn’t too far off!
Your Midsize Truck
The 2023 Ford Ranger is the ultimate midsize truck! With its turbocharged performance, adventure-ready off-road packages, and modern creature comforts, the Ranger is exactly the right choice for your daily drive.