2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma had a long history in the North American market, dating back to 1995, with its roots tracing even further to the Toyota Pickup from 1972 and the international Hilux from 1968. The third-generation Tacoma, introduced in 2016 and facelifted in 2020, began to show signs of aging despite its aggressive grille and contemporary exterior. Inside, the cabin revealed its age with hard plastics and outdated switchgear, although it did feature some modern elements like a push-button start.

Trim levels for the Tacoma ranged from the basic SR to the off-road-focused TRD Pro. The SR came with essential features like 16-inch steel wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road added sport-tuned suspensions and all-terrain tires. The Limited trim offered more luxury with leather upholstery and a JBL premium audio system. The TRD Pro, which we drove, stood out with unique styling, underbody skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a revolution with its redesign. Trims included the work-oriented XL and the luxurious Limited. The XL featured basic comforts like vinyl upholstery and a 4-speaker stereo, while the XLT added cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Lariat introduced modern comforts such as leather upholstery and a 12-inch touchscreen.

We drove the King Ranch, a luxury truck with 20-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint, and less chrome than previous versions. The interior boasted two-tone brown leather, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, and several auxiliary switches. The Platinum trim offered similar features with a more cosmopolitan style, while the range-topping Limited included nearly every package and option available, including max-recline seats and a dual-panel sunroof.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which felt underpowered. The recommended 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, providing better performance. The Tacoma had a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with the TRD models offering a six-speed manual option.

The V6 engine struggled to reach highway speeds due to its gearing and transmission, but it performed well around town. The TRD Pro excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing its trail capabilities. The suspension provided a smooth ride and firm handling, although steering at low speeds required effort.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with a base 6.8-liter gas V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 7.3-liter V8 offered 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The diesel option, a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, delivered 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, with a high-output version reaching 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth power delivery. The Super Duty’s towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds with the turbodiesel engines. Features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales made towing easier. Despite its size, the Super Duty handled well in traffic, although parking and tight turns required attention.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab had clamshell rear half-doors and seating for four, with tight rear legroom. The Double Cab offered seating for five but still had limited rear legroom. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel had limited adjustment. The bed featured in-bed lighting and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was offered in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab had rear-hinged clamshell doors, while the Super Crew provided full four-door access. Our test model included a Warn winch and bed steps for easier access. Inside, the Super Crew had ample storage, with cupholders, a large center bin, dual glove boxes, and fold-up rear seats for additional cargo space.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and a familiar layout. Our test truck included a wireless device charger, although it required manual activation. The Tacoma’s tech features were basic but functional, suitable for an active lifestyle.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim, with a 12-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a logical layout and redundant dials for radio and climate controls. Multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging were available. The F-250 also offered Trailer Navigation, optimizing routes based on trailer dimensions and weight.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The backup camera had a grainy image. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting at the XLT trim, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features. Depending on the trim, these features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree parking camera system. Our test model had power-adjustable trailer mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the Super Duty.