Starting at
Starting at
| 270-405 | Horsepower (hp) | 228-326 |
| 7,500 | Towing (lbs) | 6,500 |
| 1,805 | Payload (lbs) | 1,709 |
In the automotive industry, you either keep advancing your lineup or get lost in the shuffle. Ford’s commitment to improving its entire fleet is showcased in its ongoing efforts to meet driver needs and exceed our expectations. However, the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger has some steep competition in the form of the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma. These two midsize pickups have been fierce rivals for many years, and comparing the 2024 Ford Ranger vs 2024 Toyota Tacoma shows that the two brands have taken their competition to the next level.
The Tacoma has been a staple in the midsize truck segment for decades and is affectionately known as the “Taco” among off-roaders who praise its capability on the trail. However, Toyota has abandoned its long-held “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality to reenvision the Tacoma for 2024. The new model now follows Ford's lead in adopting a standard turbocharged engine and places more emphasis on new features. In contrast, the new Ranger is an evolution of this proven model, adding more capability while keeping the reliable design truck buyers trust.
While the Ranger and Tacoma see significant updates for 2024, it isn’t a race that ends in a tie. The Ranger is the clear winner because of Ford’s success at offering tangible value in its midsize marvel, from potent powertrains and the exciting Raptor treatment to incredible technologies that heighten your experience in the driver’s seat. It’s a combination that’s impossible to beat, even by popular rivals like the Tacoma.
Ford and Toyota are renowned for building reliable workhorses; the 2024 Ranger and 2024 Tacoma are no exceptions. These models build on their established reputations, but they also showcase the distinct approaches that Ford and Toyota take in answering driver needs and offering tangible value. How so? Where the Ranger’s options in 2024 are straightforward and value-packed, the lineup for the 2024 Tacoma is oversaturated with options that water down the lineup and breed confusion.
The Tacoma has an eight-trim lineup for 2024, starting with the Tacoma SR. Available as a Double Cab or XtraCab with a five-foot or six-foot bed, the Tacoma SR is a bare-bones option and gateway into the Tacoma lineup. It lays the foundation for the better-equipped SR5, TRD Pre-Runner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. But how do these trim differ? Toyota’s effort to offer a Tacoma for every style and driving need creates confusion.
The TRD trims signify next-level performance, but even that performance depends on the trim. For example, the Trailhunter doesn’t have a TRD badge, but it’s the Tacoma’s overlanding option. In contrast, the TRD Off-Road is a budget-savvy trail runner with Bilstein monotube shocks and Crawl Control. Still, to enjoy the full breadth of the Tacoma’s capability requires upgrading to the TRD Pro with its FOX internal bypass QS3 shocks, better bumpers, and off-road-specific features.
The 2024 Ranger gains an advantage over the Tacoma by proving “less is more” in the truck segment. Instead of watering down the lineup, Ford focuses on offering tangible value across the Ranger’s four trim options. The Ranger family starts with the value-oriented XL, with its SYNC 4A infotainment system and 2.3L EcoBoost engine. Then, it progresses to the XLT and the luxurious Lariat, with its leather seats and tech-savvy interior. The Raptor sits at the top of the Ranger’s family tree and leaves no doubt about its capability on and off the pavement. The Ranger Raptor's unique 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine roars to life and its specially-tuned off-road components beg for adventure wherever the road ends and the trail begins.
The 2024 Ranger and 2024 Tacoma are midsize workhorses that use their size to their advantage. Midsize trucks are often overshadowed by their full-size siblings, but the Ranger and Tacoma are capable work partners that can haul sizable loads without breaking a sweat. Moreover, their smaller footprints make them more agile and easy to maneuver in congested areas, from your weekday commute to technical terrain. So, how does the Ranger gain the lead over the Tacoma?
Toyota does little to help the Tacoma at the starting line, outfitting the base SR trim with a standard 2.4L i-FORCE turbocharged inline-four and eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is impressive on paper, delivering 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. However, the 2024 Ranger supersedes that output because Ford doesn’t hesitate to give drivers more power right out of the gate. The Ranger’s standard powerplant is a potent 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four that delivers 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque as the 10-speed automatic transmission smoothly shifts gears.
The only chance you have to enjoy more power in the Tacoma is to opt for a higher-tier trim. For example, the SR5 and TRD PreRunner are powered by a higher-output 2.4L i-FORCE turbocharged inline-four that produces up to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. However, Ford one-ups Toyota since the American automotive pioneer now offers something unique–a turbocharged V6 in the midsize segment. The Ranger's optional 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 is a powerhouse, producing 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Finally, the 2024 Ranger Raptor roars to life and delivers one of the most thrilling experiences in the driver’s seat with a 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 producing 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, those thrills aren’t limited to life beyond the pavement but ensure every moment is an adventure, from cruising at highway speeds and running errands around town to kicking up sand on high-speed desert runs. The 2024 Tacoma simply can't keep up, with even the hybrid boost in the top trims maxing out at 326 hp.
The 2024 Ranger and 2024 Tacoma are incredibly tech-savvy, but this isn’t anything new for the Ranger. Ford has consistently updated the Ranger with the latest features, an approach legions ahead of Toyota and the Tacoma. The Tacoma’s interior and technology were long overdue for an update when Toyota finally took the leap for the 2024 model. However, even with the updates, the Tacoma falls behind the Ranger when it comes to standard and available tech features.
As for comparable features, the midsize Ranger and Tacoma make towing easier. The trucks feature trailer brake controllers and backup guidance tools. However, the Ranger gains an advantage with Ford’s class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist. This innovative tool lessens the learning curve when navigating a trailer in reverse, letting you expertly position your trailer and saving valuable time by getting it perfect the first time. In contrast, the Tacoma’s Trailer Back Up Guidance is less intuitive, guiding you through the steps after you align the trailer and the hitch.
You can easily see around both trucks, with the Ranger and Tacoma each offering 360-degree cameras. This visibility is also guaranteed after dark since the midsize trucks have LED bed lighting and integrated in-bed power outlets that can easily power additional lights, small tools, equipment, and other items. This feature transforms both trucks into mobile workstations and entertainment venues, whether traveling between job sites, tailgating, or camping in the woods with friends.
Beyond these similarities, the 2024 Ranger steps ahead of the 2024 Tacoma because of its renowned SYNC 4A infotainment system and functional features, like the integrated boxside step. With the Tacoma only recently gaining an updated infotainment system, the Ranger’s SYNC 4A platform is far more intuitive and dynamic, offering wireless smartphone charging and seamless integration to enhance your experience behind the wheel. That experience also transitions outside the truck, with Ford equipping the Ranger with an integrated boxside step that makes it easier to access your cargo. It’s a feature you won’t find on the Tacoma and one that makes a significant difference for drivers that frequently haul gear and other equipment.
Your search for the perfect midsize truck might have started with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, but we guarantee the ending surprised you as you fell in love with the 2024 Ford Ranger. As an American automotive pioneer, Ford has spent over a century dedicating itself to answering our needs in the driver’s seat. We’ve seen this in the Ranger’s remarkable transformation into a tech-savvy powerhouse that makes the perfect work partner to handle all your needs, from work to adventures and everything in between.
Trucks like the 2024 Ranger make our jobs rewarding at DePaula Ford because they showcase Ford’s rich heritage and the Built Ford Tough legacy. We’re thrilled to invite you into that legacy and the DePaula Ford family by delivering an unparalleled truck-buying and owning experience. That experience doesn't include high-pressure tactics or pushy salespeople and is instead defined by open communication, integrity, and respect. We’re genuinely glad you’re here and honored you trust us with all your automotive needs.
As Ford has done with the Ranger, DePaula Ford is constantly setting new benchmarks of excellence. Our customers deserve the best, and we’re here to deliver something truly extraordinary––a lifetime partnership and a front-row seat to our expertise. It’s an incredible combination you won’t find anywhere besides the Blue Oval and the DePaula Ford team.
*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.
