2020 Toyota Tacoma vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma had a clean, pure, and simple design, though it wasn't the most visually striking among pickups. The back doors had a tinny sound reminiscent of older Toyota trucks, and the flared hood scoop was purely decorative. The Tacoma's body, available in either extended Access or four-door Double Cab form, was rounded yet maintained enough upright lines and chiseled panels to assert its ruggedness. The TRD Pro model featured redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint, enhancing its aggressive look. The interior was straightforward, with a modestly sized touchscreen and mostly bargain materials, though fit and finish were commendable.

The 2020 Ford Ranger, reintroduced to the American market in 2019, had a clean and somewhat aggressive appearance, avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Its cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics that could withstand abuse. The Ranger was available in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, each offering progressively more features and upscale touches. The Lariat trim, for instance, included leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and ambient cabin lighting. Ford also offered several appearance packages and off-road packages like FX2 and FX4, adding to the Ranger's versatility.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which was underwhelming for a vehicle of its size. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, standard on most trims, delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The Tacoma's 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive were standard, with 4-wheel drive optional on most trims. The TRD Pro model came with 4WD and an electronic low-range transfer case. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, though these were only available in 4-Low. The V6 engine's performance on paved roads was less impressive, with slow steering and a droning exhaust. Fuel economy was also poor, with the V6 achieving 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission routed power to either the rear wheels or available 4WD with low-range gearing. The Ranger's turbo engine provided ample power for low speeds and highway passing. It could tow up to 7,500 pounds and had a payload capacity of up to 1,860 pounds. The Ranger's ride was stiff, with some chatter and vibration over bumps, and body roll around corners. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension, among other features. The FX4 package also included Trail Control and the Terrain Management System for optimized off-road performance.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's smaller size compared to full-size trucks made it easier to maneuver in city environments and on wooded trails. The bed, available in 5- or 6-foot lengths, featured a rail system with movable cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. The Double Cab's rear seats were cramped for long trips and lacked air vents, though they had hidden storage bins underneath. The Tacoma's interior was straightforward, with a quick and powerful heater but no rear defroster or driver-side grab handle.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four and had rear-opening clamshell half-doors, while the SuperCrew seated five with a full rear bench. The SuperCrew's rear seats were more comfortable for adults. Both body styles had deep in-door pockets, bottle holders, and ample storage spaces. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew. It offered features like a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and a wall-style power outlet, though it lacked a bed-step.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive interior with a standard 7-inch touchscreen radio, while an 8-inch version with navigation was available. For 2020, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa came standard, along with a new USB-C port. Wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi were available. The Tacoma also had 360-degree cameras and a standard suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control. The infotainment interface was functional, fast, and easy to use.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's XL trim had a basic entertainment setup with an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect, included on the XL, allowed for remote locking, unlocking, and starting, as well as WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim featured a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma came standard with forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Tacoma scored 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in most crash tests.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a Four-Star rating from NHTSA. However, it had a recall for an issue with the ten-speed automatic transmission.