2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. With a length nearly two feet shorter than the Toyota Tundra, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance thanks to its upright grille and tall bed. Toyota provided a variety of trim levels, from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, and introduced new packages like the SR5 SX and Chrome Package. The TRD Pro trim, tested in bright Solar Octane paint, featured underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a unique grille, making it a standout in snowy conditions.

Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic fabric-and-plastic interiors in the SR trim to more luxurious appointments in the Limited trim. The TRD Pro model came with Softex leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and all-weather floor mats. The physical knobs for climate control and buttons flanking the infotainment system were user-friendly, even with gloves on. Despite its rugged exterior, the Tacoma's interior offered a mix of practicality and comfort.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a complete redesign. Available in trims like XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, the F-250 catered to a wide range of needs. The XL trim, though basic, included essential features like a 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim introduced modern comforts such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a 12-inch touchscreen.

The King Ranch trim, tested with 20-inch alloy wheels and a two-tone paint job, offered a luxurious experience with two-tone brown leather seats and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system. The Platinum and Limited trims added more upscale features, including power-deploying running boards and a massive dual-panel sunroof. The F-250's interior was spacious and well-appointed, making it a comfortable choice for long drives and heavy-duty tasks.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with two engine options. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine produced 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, most buyers preferred the 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an option for a six-speed manual. The Tacoma offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations.

Despite the V6's power advantage, the Tacoma was not particularly quick. It required significant throttle input to reach highway speeds, and wind and engine noise were noticeable at higher speeds. The TRD Pro model, equipped with all-terrain tires, handled city driving well but tended to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was average for the segment, with the V6 4WD model achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. Our TRD Pro test model delivered a disappointing 16.3 mpg in winter conditions.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines. The base 6.8-liter gas V8 produced 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. A 7.3-liter V8 option delivered 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 was available in two versions: a standard version with 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, and a high-output version with 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both RWD and 4WD configurations.

The 10-speed transmission managed power efficiently, making the diesel engine lively from a standstill and capable of reaching highway speeds with ease. However, the F-250's large size made maneuvering in tight spaces challenging. When properly equipped, the F-250's towing capacity maxed out at 22,000 pounds. Features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales made towing easier and more efficient.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered various configurations, including an access cab with clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, and a double cab with a choice of a long bed or a shorter five-foot bed. The access cab's rear seats were tight and uncomfortable, making the double cab a better choice for carrying passengers. The double cab's front seats provided ample cubby space, legroom, and headroom, though the steering wheel's limited extension and the front seat positioning could be uncomfortable for taller drivers. The five-foot bed was spacious enough to carry gear for a four-day skiing trip.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab (extended cab), and Super Crew (full four-door crew cab) configurations, with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab's rear-hinged clamshell doors required the front doors to be open for access, which could be inconvenient but provided a wide opening. Our test model featured an optional Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate, with bed steps and grip handles for easier access. Inside, the F-250 offered numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, dual glove boxes, and ample door storage. The Super Crew's rear seats folded up to create a large cargo area.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen in base SR trims and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. All models included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was simple but outdated compared to competitors. Our test truck had a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports. While the Tacoma offered essential tech features, it lacked the advanced options found in rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model featured a larger 12-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a logical control layout with redundant dials for radio and climate controls. The F-250 also offered multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. The navigation system included Trailer Navigation, which optimized routes based on trailer weight and dimensions.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Our TRD Pro model also had blind-spot monitoring, rear- and side parking distance sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, the Tacoma lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. It received four out of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side-impact tests but lower scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.

Starting at the XLT trim, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features. Depending on the trim, this suite offered automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. Our test model had dual-tier power-adjustable and power-telescoping trailer mirrors, a trailer blind-spot monitoring system, and a backup camera for when the tailgate was lowered. Neither the NHTSA nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had crash-tested the Ford Super Duty.