Starting at
Starting at
| 7,500 | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) | 6,800 |
| 1,860 | Max Payload (lbs) | 1,620 |
| 10-speed | Automatic Transmission | 6-speed |
Shopping for a vehicle can be a lot of work. Even if you have narrowed down your options to a particular type, such as a truck, then you still have quite a few decisions to make in order to ensure you get the right model with everything you need. A midsize pickup is a great option for anyone that wants the power and functionality of a truck, but who does not need everything a full-size or heavy-duty model has to offer. If you are interested in purchasing a midsize truck, then you should consider the 2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma.
One of the first things you should look at is the engines in these two trucks: you will see that the Toyota Tacoma has two engines to offer while the Ranger has a single engine. Despite having two options, however, the Toyota Tacoma’s starting engine falls well short of what the Ford Ranger has to offer, and even the more powerful of the two Tacoma engines still cannot deliver the torque that the Ranger can. In terms of practical functionality and use, the 2020 Ford Ranger has a greater maximum towing capacity and a greater maximum payload, which means that it can pull more behind it and be loaded up with more cargo.
Both of these trucks have great off-road options for you to consider if an off-road pickup is what you are looking for, with the impressive Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road package allowing any Ranger model you like to take the road less traveled. Inside, you will find some great available features in both of these trucks, though the Ford Ranger does have more to offer with more available speakers and additional features inside that you will not find on the Toyota Tacoma. Overall, the 2020 Ford Ranger comes out ahead when you compare it with the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, which is why we are so proud to offer it for you here at DePaula Ford.
When looking at any truck, even a midsize truck, you want to be sure it has an engine that is powerful enough to handle whatever you need it to do and make it fun to drive. Even if you are simply driving your truck for work, it should still be enjoyable and not leave you wishing you had more power.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has two engines available, which can provide some flexibility, but ultimately means there is one superior choice. The starting engine in the Tacoma is a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine that offers up to 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. That is a pretty weak initial offering, which is why there is also an available 3.5L V6 engine that can provide up to 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque for much-improved performance. Both engines typically come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, though the off-road focused TRD models can have a 6-speed manual instead.
By comparison, the 2020 Ford Ranger has one engine, which really surpasses what the Tacoma has to offer. It is a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged engine that delivers up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. You can see that it demolishes the performance of the Tacoma’s starting engine, and though it has slightly less horsepower than the upgraded engine in the Tacoma, it still gives you significantly more torque than the Toyota model can manage. Plus, the Ranger pairs this engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission that is responsive and makes it feel incredible to drive, whether you are hauling lumber across town or heading out for a relaxing Sunday.
One of the main reasons to choose a truck over other types of vehicles is the functionality it can provide––particularly in terms of towing a trailer or camper and letting you load up the bed with anything you need. When looking at trucks, “towing capacity” refers to how much weight it can pull behind it while towing, and “payload” indicates the amount of weight you can load up onto the truck both inside the cab and in the bed. Both of these numbers are important and really tell you how much work a truck can do.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a maximum towing capacity, when properly equipped, of 6,800 lbs. On the other hand, the 2020 Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs. That is a significant difference that can greatly affect your options for choosing a trailer, camper, boat, or anything else you want to tow. Keep in mind, that to get a towing capacity anywhere near 6,800 lbs with the Toyota Tacoma, you need to choose its more powerful, available engine––the standard engine in the Tacoma tops out at just 3,500 lbs.
In terms of payload, the 2020 Ford Ranger comes out on top again with a maximum available payload of up to 1,860 lbs. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, has a maximum payload of just 1,620 lbs. That difference of more than 200 lbs might not seem like that much until it means you have to make a second trip to haul whatever you need from one site to another––or tell your buddy that he has to walk because he puts your truck over the weight limit!
While going off-road might not be for everyone, a midsize truck is a fantastic option if you are interested in off-road performance with a vehicle that still gets a lot done during the week. The 2020 Ford Ranger is a terrific choice for a pickup to take off-road thanks to its FX4 Off-Road package, which is available on every trim. This package includes high-strength steel bash plates to protect the radiator and underside of your truck, off-road tires, a Terrain Management System, an electronic locking rear differential, and an off-road-tuned suspension.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma also has a good off-road option thanks to the TRD off-road focused trims. There are several different TRD trims available, including the TRD Sport, which features part-time 4WD and an automatic limited-slip differential, or the TRD Off-Road, which has an off-road-tuned-suspension, an electronically controlled locking rear differential, and a Multi-Terrain Select system. While the off-road features of the Tacoma are certainly impressive, you have to choose a specific trim for them, whereas the 2020 Ford Ranger lets you pick the trim you like, then get amazing off-road features added to it.
Both the 2020 Ford Ranger and the 2020 Toyota Tacoma have a lot to offer inside, but the Ranger simply gives you more. These features include an available 8-inch Infotainment display, available push-button start, available auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient lighting. There is also an available 10-speaker B&O sound system with HD Radio, as well as available dual-4-inch productivity screens in the instrument cluster.
By comparison, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma features an available 8-inch infotainment display, available push-button start, and an available auto-dimming rearview mirror. There is an available 6-speaker JBL sound system with a subwoofer, and an available 4-inch productivity screen in the instrument cluster, but only one. While the inside of the Tacoma is fine, it has fewer speakers available and only one 4-inch screen for the driver, as opposed to the pair that the 2020 Ford Ranger has to offer.
As you look at both of these trucks, point by point, the 2020 Ford Ranger simply comes out on top time and again. While the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a fine truck in its own right, and it does have a lot to offer, it cannot keep up with the incredible power and performance of the Ford Ranger. Even with a midsize truck, where towing power might not be your first priority, you still want a vehicle that can work hard and deliver everything you need. It is clear that the Ranger is that vehicle, with a powerful engine, tremendous performance in terms of towing and payload, and features inside and out that make it incredibly fun to own and drive.
You might think that as a Ford dealership, we have a horse in this race––it is true that we are all major Ranger fans here, but the numbers speak for themselves. In terms of power and performance, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma cannot match what the 2020 Ford Ranger can do. But you do not have to take our word for it––come see the Ford Ranger for yourself, sit inside it, and feel the impressive power it has to offer. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford in Albany, NY, today, and we will make sure you find the perfect truck with everything you need.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
