2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

In 2021, the Toyota Tacoma presented an iconic truck aesthetic. Its design was a textbook example of a traditional pickup, characterized by boxy fender flares, a tall hood, and a formidable grille. The overall lines seemed crafted with deliberate precision, offering a stark contrast to the sleeker Ford Ranger and General Motors midsize twins. Unlike larger trucks with exaggerated features, the Tacoma maintained a balanced, rugged charm, even outshining Toyota’s own Tundra in restraint and design simplicity.

Different Tacoma trims brought unique design cues. The 2021 Trail Edition featured 16-inch TRD Off-Road alloy wheels, the grille from the Tacoma Limited, and specialized color options, while the Nightshade Edition flaunted blacked-out trim. The TRD Pro, a standout model, was distinguished by a specific grille with "Toyota" block lettering, blacked-out hood and fender flares, Rigid Industries LED fog lights, and an exclusive color—Lunar Rock for that year.

Sticking to the classic body-on-frame construction, the Tacoma sidestepped the unibody approach prevalent in modern cars and SUVs. This choice might have impacted ride and handling, but it bolstered towing and off-road capabilities. Toyota no longer provided a basic two-door cab, limiting choices to Access Cab and Double Cab versions. The former included rear half doors, and the latter offered four full-size doors, akin to what other brands termed a crew cab. Bed length varied with the configuration, with Access Cab models featuring a 73.7-inch bed, and Double Cab models offering beds of either 60.5 inches or 73.7 inches.

Inside, the Tacoma echoed its exterior’s ruggedness. The dashboard sported chunky plastic elements, and while material quality suited the base model, it was harder to justify at the higher-end TRD Pro’s circa-$45,000 base price, even with optional leather upholstery. However, the myriad features included at that price and the TRD Pro’s off-road focus somewhat balanced this aspect.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Ranger was sold in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with corresponding bed lengths of six feet and five feet. Trim levels included XL, XLT, and Lariat, with all models powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger offered configurations with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

Our test vehicle, a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, bedlined, and featuring a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, had a price tag of $46,865, including destination charges. The Tremor’s distinct look came from unique 17-inch dark grey wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, tow hooks, off-road side steps, and Tremor bed graphics. This contributed to a slightly elevated and wider stance compared to typical Rangers, emphasizing its off-road prowess.

Inside, the Ranger’s cabin combined Lariat luxury with Tremor's rugged elements, including simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches atop the dashboard. The clean, contemporary design featured a partially digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and user-friendly switchgear. Despite hard plastics prevalent in midsize trucks, the interior didn't feel cheap, maintaining a respectable finish for its segment.

In 2021, the Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrains: a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine utilized the Atkinson cycle and Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system, combining port and direct injection for improved fuel efficiency. The four-cylinder engine was exclusively paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 could be coupled with either the automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

Tacomas with the V6 engine featured a part-time 4WD drivetrain with low range and a standard electronic rear limited-slip differential, with a fully locking rear differential as an option. All models shared a coil-spring front suspension and a leaf-spring rear suspension setup.

TRD models, built on this robust foundation, were tailored for off-road adventures. The TRD Off-Road model included upgraded suspension with Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro version upped the ante with Fox internal-bypass shocks, a 1-inch front lift, retuned rear suspension with progressive-rate leaf springs, a front skid plate, and wider wheels, riding on Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar-reinforced all-terrain tires.

On pavement, the Tacoma TRD Pro mirrored a traditional truck's feel, prioritizing rugged utility over car-like handling. Acceleration was hindered by the six-speed automatic’s hesitant shifts, and while the V6 engine was potent, it seemed sluggish due to transmission behavior. The cabin remained impressively quiet, but ride quality suffered. Toyota’s maximum towing capacity for the Tacoma was 6,800 pounds, while the maximum payload capacity reached 1,685 pounds—numbers competitive but not leading within the segment.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford Ranger exclusively offered a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Producing 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, the Ranger didn’t lack power. The engine’s distinct note under acceleration added character, and the Ranger’s performance remained robust across varying elevations.

The 4WD system could be engaged via a rotary dial on the center console, with options for 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo settings. The Tremor package included a Terrain Management System with modes like Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow, along with an electronic locking rear differential and Trail Control—an off-road cruise control to aid in navigating tough terrains.

The Tremor’s off-road suspension enhancements included revised springs and Fox off-road shocks, yielding 9.7 inches of ground clearance and improved angles of approach, breakover, and departure. Standard underbody skid plates and a front bash plate further protected the truck’s underpinnings.

Depending on configuration, the Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and handle a payload of up to 1,860 pounds. In Tremor trim, the maximum payload dropped to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy ratings stood at 19 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined, with our test loop averaging 18.5 mpg.

Driving a Ranger was enjoyable, with the turbocharged engine providing swift acceleration and refined performance. Compared to the Tacoma, the Ranger’s suspension tuning was more road-friendly, balancing on-road comfort with off-road capability. The Ranger Tremor excelled on challenging terrain, proving similarly capable to the Tacoma TRD Pro and more maneuverable in tight spots.

For 2021, the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab might have appeared an ideal daily driver with four doors, but actual interior space was less accommodating. Compared to other midsize pickups, the Tacoma’s rear headroom and legroom were the segment’s most restrictive, with front headroom and legroom also falling short. The tall hood and relatively short windshield created limited forward visibility, hindering driver comfort.

Storage solutions within the cabin included fold-up rear seats revealing storage cubbies, and a wireless charging pad. However, in-cab storage remained limited, and the concentration of center console cupholders seemed peculiar. The Tacoma’s bed lacked innovative storage solutions like Honda Ridgeline’s compartments or Chevy Colorado’s step, but came with a rail system featuring tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet. The inner bed’s rust-resistant sheet-molded composite added a practical touch.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor presented hoop-style step bars under each door, coated for grip but poorly positioned for ease of use. These steps were not accommodating for taller individuals, posing potential leg scrapes for those in shorts. The SecuriCode keyless entry pad was a useful addition for adventurers wishing to leave their keys behind but looked less integrated.

Inside, the Ranger Tremor offered comfortable front seats with power adjustments and heating, though more seat track travel was needed for taller drivers. Rear-seat space was more generous than in the Tacoma, nearing the comfort levels of the Honda Ridgeline, although rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents, and the sliding rear window required manual operation.

Cargo solutions in the Ranger were somewhat limited. The under-seat storage bins lifted inconveniently as a single piece, and the tailgate, while lightweight, lacked damping and slammed down with force. Nonetheless, the 43.3 cubic-foot bed (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) provided ample room. The Ranger’s four tie-down hooks and available accessories allowed customization to suit specific utility needs.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's base SR trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while other models sported an 8-inch display. Standard technology included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio (three-month trial). Higher trims offered a six-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer. The infotainment system, although functional and responsive, didn’t stand out in its segment. The interface was straightforward, with useful shortcut buttons and robust steering wheel controls, but unimpressive graphics. The Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system in the TRD Pro was touted for off-road use, also proving handy for tight parking situations.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. Navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system enhanced the tech package. Despite Sync 4 being introduced in other Ford vehicles, Sync 3 remained competitive within the midsize truck segment.

Voice recognition in the Ranger had mixed performance, sometimes misinterpreting commands, yet the climate system integration allowed voice-controlled temperature adjustments. While voice commands had varying accuracy, the system’s overall functionality contributed positively to the driving experience.

The Tacoma came standard with an impressive suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these robust offerings, the Ford Ranger went a step further with additional features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Ford Ranger’s Co-Pilot360 driver-assist package, standard or optional across the lineup, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The subtle steering wheel vibrations for lane warnings were practically undetectable, which could be seen as a disadvantage.

A blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert and trailer coverage was included, and adaptive cruise control, standard on the Lariat trim, provided smooth distance maintenance, though it lacked stop-and-go functionality. The Ranger also offered features like a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer, maximizing visibility in various conditions. Front and rear parking sensors further aided maneuvering.

In NHTSA evaluations, the Ranger received an overall rating of four stars, disadvantaged mainly by its three-star rollover resistance rating. IIHS testing rendered top scores apart from an “Acceptable” rating in the small-overlap frontal-impact test and a “Marginal” rating for headlights.