2023 RAM 2500 vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

2022 Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma had been a staple in North America since 1995, though Toyota’s truck manufacturing dates back much further. Its predecessor, the Toyota Pickup, was introduced in 1972, and the international Hilux appeared in 1968. By 2016, the current third-generation Tacoma was unveiled. Despite receiving a facelift in 2020, it was evident that the model was aging.

The Tacoma’s external design remained modern, sporting an aggressive grille and sharp headlights. However, the cabin revealed its age. The contemporary design failed to hide the extensive use of hard plastics and outdated materials. The integration of new elements, like the push-button start, felt forced amidst older controls from previous Toyota models.

The Tacoma was available in six trims: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. The base SR trim came with essentials like 16-inch steel wheels, a manually sliding rear window, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added features like larger touchscreens, sportier suspensions, superior wheels, various luxury amenities, and off-road enhancements. The TRD Pro, the top trim, was equipped with unique styling, robust skid plates, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a sport exhaust system.

2023 RAM 2500: The RAM 2500 Rebel, closely resembling the Power Wagon but without its graphics, 17-inch wheels, and integrated winch, boasted an aluminum sport hood and 20-inch wheels. This configuration resulted in an aggressive and trendy blacked-out appearance.

All RAM 2500 Rebels featured a Rebel-specific grille and a crew-cab configuration with a 6-foot, 4-inch bed. They came standard with a 6.4-liter V8, and a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel was an available option. The base price of the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel started at $67,045, rising significantly with additional packages and the diesel option.

2023 updates included a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, side-view cameras, power telescopic towing mirrors, trailer and side-view mirror capabilities, and Trailer Reverse Steering Control. The interior featured high-quality materials, contrast stitching, and premium finishes, although the glossy black plastic surrounding the infotainment system was prone to showing dust and fingerprints.

2022 Toyota Tacoma: The base model was equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine was underwhelming, offering no notable fuel economy benefits. The optional 3.5-liter V6, yielding 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, was highly recommended. Depending on the configuration, the Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds.

Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with TRD models offering a six-speed manual option. The V6 delivered decent off-the-line acceleration and a smooth ride but struggled with highway speeds due to less-than-optimal gearing. With a suspension designed for trails, it handled off-road challenges adeptly, especially in TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims, which featured trail-focused enhancements like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

2023 RAM 2500: The standard engine was a 6.4-liter V8, generating 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The part-time transfer case offered 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings, and a front-axle disconnect system enhanced fuel efficiency by enabling RWD operation.

The optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel produced 370 hp and a robust 850 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While this engine provided better fuel economy, it was an expensive upgrade. The V8 engine was necessary to reach the truck’s maximum towing capability of 16,870 pounds and payload capacity of 3,140 pounds.

Ram 2500 Rebels were built on a strong high-strength steel frame, outfitted with hydraulically assisted recirculating ball steering gear, a sophisticated five-link rear suspension, and optional rear air suspension. Off-road features included 20-inch wheels with 33-inch off-road tires, locking and limited-slip rear differentials, and various skid plates. Both engine options performed well in various terrains, from highways to rugged trails, though the steering required constant input on winding roads.

2022 Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma was offered in two cab styles: Access Cab with clamshell rear half-doors and compact rear jump seats, primarily suitable for children or storage, and Double Cab with four full doors and slightly better rear legroom. The bed options included a five-foot bed and a six-foot-one-inch bed. The front seat provided ample legroom but limited tilt/telescoping steering adjustment, which could be uncomfortable for taller drivers. The cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including cupholders and an in-bed power outlet with lighting.

2023 RAM 2500: Entering the RAM 2500 Rebel required some physical effort due to its height, aided by large handles on the roof pillars. The interior featured cloth or leather upholstery and bench or bucket seats, depending on the configuration. Our test model had premium leather and bucket seats, offering comfort on long drives with heating and ventilation accessible through the Uconnect 5 system.

The back seat was spacious, with amenities like air conditioning vents, heated cushions, USB ports, and a 115-volt AC outlet. Interior storage was plentiful, including a fold-down center section in the front bench seat and hidden dashboard storage. The cargo box options included a spray-in bedliner, LED lighting, and a deployable step. Despite competitors offering more bed functionality features, the available Ram Box bedside storage bins were highly desirable.

2022 Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma’s base infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The older design was user-friendly, with straightforward Apple CarPlay integration and large icons. However, the tuning and volume dials were undersized. Our test model included a wireless device charger, manually activated by pressing a button.

2023 RAM 2500: The 2023 RAM Heavy Duty models introduced a new 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, configurable via steering wheel buttons. Enhanced trailering technologies included standard surround-view and forward-view cameras, blind-spot cameras, a digital rearview mirror, and Trailer Reverse Steering Control.

The Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and optional Harman Kardon sound system. The screen remained visible in bright sunlight, and the customizable Home screen improved usability. The voice-recognition system, though not flawless, efficiently handled common queries.

2022 Toyota Tacoma: Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The backup camera image quality was lacking. The NHTSA awarded the Tacoma a four-star overall rating, with individual crash test scores reflecting some room for improvement.

2023 RAM 2500: The RAM 2500 offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, emergency braking with trailer integration, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. These systems performed well in highway settings but were untested in denser traffic scenarios. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for this truck, though its size and weight provided inherent advantages in most collisions.