2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the chunkier Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels had a unique grille, and the truck's imposing size was complemented by sleek LED headlights and optional chrome or body-color bumpers. The Limited trim featured 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, adding to its upscale appearance. Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, especially in the upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior boasted soft-grained, perforated leather, light wood trim, and a stunning beige-and-navy-blue color combo, making it feel more like a luxury vehicle than a heavy-duty truck.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, embodied the classic truck look with boxy fender flares, a tall hood, and a shield-like grille. The Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition offered unique styling features, while the TRD Pro model added a model-specific grille, blacked-out hood and fender flares, and an exclusive Lunar Rock color. The Tacoma's body-on-frame construction benefited towing and off-road capability, though it compromised ride and handling. The interior had a rugged design with chunky plastic elements, and while material quality was appropriate for a base model, it felt lacking at higher trims like the TRD Pro. The Tacoma's interior space was also limited, with rear headroom and legroom being the worst in the segment.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The V8 trims had the highest payloads, up to 4,380 pounds, and could tow a minimum of 16,110 pounds, with a maximum towing capacity of 17,350 pounds. The diesel engine allowed the RAM 2500 to tow up to 19,780 pounds and haul up to 3,060 pounds of payload. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 was unexpectedly quick to merge on the highway, though its steering was loose and the ride was stiff. The diesel's exhaust brake was highly effective, and the truck averaged close to 19 mpg over 515 highway miles.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available only with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 could be paired with either the automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The TRD models enhanced the Tacoma's off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and Multi-Terrain Select drive modes. However, the Tacoma's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. The maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, and the maximum payload capacity was 1,685 pounds, but these figures were only achievable in specific configurations.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. Single cabs provided the most payload and could seat three across, while the four-door Crew Cab and Mega Cab offered more passenger space. The Mega Cab allowed rear passengers to recline and hide behind a thick C-pillar. The RAM 2500 also featured power running boards, a retractable tailgate step, and optional lockable storage bins. The truck's interior was spacious, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The diesel models included a countdown timer for cold starts and an analog gauge for Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF) levels.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab lacked interior space compared to other midsize pickups, with the worst rear headroom and legroom in the segment. The front headroom and legroom were also below average, creating a bunker-like feel. The rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, but other in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an optional 120-volt outlet. The inner bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight alternative to steel that wouldn't rust.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, but an 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was available. The 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering a large, high-resolution screen with easy-to-use controls. The infotainment system included features like a 360-degree camera, two rear-view cameras, and customizable shortcuts. The 12-inch screen made it easy to adjust settings for trailers and other features, and the large display in the instrument cluster duplicated many functions from the main display.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, while other models got an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered a six-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer. The infotainment system was functional but not exceptional, with plain graphics and basic features. The TRD Pro model included the Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, which was useful for off-road driving and parking.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Most driver-assist features were optional, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking. The RAM 1500's strong performance in crash tests suggested a high level of safety for the RAM 2500.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score for the passenger-side small overlap front test. Headlight ratings varied by trim level, but the Tacoma earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Tacoma a four-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.