2021 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma

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 extended Access or four-door Double Cab forms, balanced a rounded feel with upright lines and chiseled panels, making it big without feeling bulky. The TRD Pro model featured redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint, giving it a rugged and ready-to-pounce look. The interior was straightforward, with a modestly sized touchscreen and mostly bargain materials, though fit and finish were better than in the Ford Ranger or Nissan Frontier.

The 2021 Ford Ranger, available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, had a purposeful look, especially with the Tremor Off-Road Package. This package included unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road side steps. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was clean and contemporary, featuring simple radio and climate controls, partial digital instrumentation, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Lariat trim with Tremor's simulated suede seat inserts and all-weather floor mats made it the best-equipped Ranger. Despite the hard plastic materials, the interior didn't look or feel cheap.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which was underwhelming for a vehicle of its size. The more popular 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive optional. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD and an electronic low-range transfer case. The manual transmission option for TRD Off-Road and Pro models included Clutch Start Cancel and hill start assist. 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 loud, droning exhaust. Fuel economy was poor, with the V6 achieving 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. However, the Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 pounds and carry a 1,440-pound payload.

The 2021 Ford Ranger featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger's 4WD system allowed switching between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo using a rotary dial. The Tremor Off-Road Package included a Terrain Management System with various settings and Trail Control for low-speed off-road driving. The Ranger Tremor had a new off-road suspension with revised springs and Fox shocks, providing 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to 1,860 pounds, though the Tremor's payload capacity was slightly lower at 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy for the Tremor was 19 mpg combined, with 19 mpg in the city and on the highway. The Ranger's turbocharged engine provided swift acceleration and a refined driving experience, with a suspension that offered a comfortable ride on paved roads and excellent off-road capabilities.

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, with limited storage options and no rear air vents. The lack of a rear defroster and a driver's side grab handle were notable omissions, though the heater was quick and powerful.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor had sturdy hoop-style step bars, though their high mounting limited their usefulness for shorter people and could scrape taller individuals' legs. The SecuriCode keyless entry pad allowed for keyless access, though it appeared glued onto the doors, which sounded tinny when shut. The Ranger's eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat were comfortable and heated, though the driver's seat needed more travel for taller individuals. Rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, but there were no rear air vents, and the sliding rear window was not power-operated. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed, while roomy, lacked built-in cargo solutions.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive interior with a standard 7-inch touchscreen radio, while an 8-inch version with navigation and cloud-based traffic routes was available. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a USB-C port were standard for 2020. Optional features included wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi. The Tacoma's 360-degree cameras provided ample views, and a standard suite of driver assists included adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system was functional, fast, and easy to use.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive. Voice recognition performance was inconsistent, and the climate system could be controlled via voice commands.

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 five of six crash tests and an Acceptable rating for the front passenger in the small overlap test.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard on Lariat trim. The Ranger also featured rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer system. NHTSA gave the Ranger an overall rating of four stars, with a three-star rollover resistance rating. IIHS testing resulted in top scores, except for an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in the small-overlap frontal-impact test and a Marginal rating for its headlights.