Which should you choose, the 2024 Ford Ranger or the 2024 Toyota Tacoma? Both midsize trucks were completely redesigned for the 2024 model year, delivering new powertrains, upgraded cabins, and new exterior styling. Keep reading for a better understanding of what each truck can bring to your daily drive and, ultimately, which one you should choose.
Key Takeaways
- With stronger engine options, a new off-road-ready trim model, and cutting-edge tech features, the redesigned Ford Ranger has the edge when it comes to new features.
- Whether you’re talking about the base engine or the strongest option, the Ranger delivers maximum horsepower.
- The all-new Ranger Raptor gives the Tacoma TRD a serious run for its money.
- The Tacoma has the edge for comfort, with advanced suspension systems available to help smooth out your ride.
Both the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma were redesigned for the 2024 model year! But which model gives you more of what you crave in a midsize truck?
The Ranger’s updates include more power, rugged exterior styling, a cushier cabin, and cutting-edge tech features. Outside, these midsize trucks now look more like their bigger Ford cousin, the F-150, with an increasingly aggressive stance and C-clamp LED signature lighting. Inside, the new Ranger feels sleek and modern, with supportive seating, and newly standard features that include a digital gauge cluster and SYNC 4 infotainment touchscreen.
The redesigned Tacoma also features increasingly rugged styling, a new engine lineup, and a more accommodating cabin. However, the new Tacoma’s interior isn’t quite as impressive as its Ford competitor. For instance, the Tacoma doesn’t have the Ranger’s sharp new driver information center, and its new interior design looks a little clunky.
More Horsepower: 2024 Ford Ranger
Compared to the Tacoma, the redesigned Ranger delivers more standard power, compliments of its trusty EcoBoost engine (known for its excellent low-end torque). And the Ranger outclasses any of the Tacoma engine options with its off-road-ready Raptor engine, a turbocharged beast of a V6 that creates 405 horses and 430 pound-feet of torque. In between, the mid-level XLT and stylish Lariat trim models feature a brand new turbocharged V6, which adds to the Ranger’s speed and agility with 315 horses and 400 pound-feet of torque.
The 2024 Ford Ranger powertrain options include:
- XL: 2.3L EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- XLT, Lariat: 2.7 EcoBoost V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- Raptor: 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear- wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
For 2024, the Tacoma banishes its old engine options in favor of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The standard version of this engine is pretty quick, pumping out 228 horses. There’s also a high-output version, available for higher trim models, which boosts output to 278 horses. Finally, a newly available hybrid powertrain, the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, pairs the Tacoma’s 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor. It delivers a combined output of 326 horses.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma powertrain options include:
- Base, SR: Turbo 2.4L four-cylinder engine (228 hp, 243 lb-ft)
- Other Tacoma trim models: high-output 2.4L four-cylinder engine (278 hp, 317 lb-ft with automatic or 270 hp, 310 lb-ft with manual transmission)
- Optional i-Force Max hybrid powertrain (326 hp, 456 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional six-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
Off-Roading: 2024 Ford Ranger
This was a tough competition! But, thanks to its all-new Ranger Raptor trim model, Ford’s midsize truck takes the lead. For high-speed off-roading, nothing beats the Ranger Raptor, which not only comes standard with an exclusive 405-horsepower turbocharged V6, but also four-wheel drive, locking front and rear axles, and Fox live valve shocks, among other upgrades.
The Tacoma offers several off-road-friendly trim models, the TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. Although none are as powerful as the Ranger Raptor, the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models come with the Tacoma’s 326-horsepower i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. Each of these trail-friendly Tacoma trim models adds more standard features to the last, culminating in the Trailhunter, which is perhaps the trim most comparable to the Ranger Raptor, with standard all-terrain tires, Old Man Emu suspension, and a high-clearance trail exhaust.
Safety Aids: 2024 Toyota Tacoma
Although these midsize trucks offer similar safety aids, the Tacoma comes standard with more of them. Even the base tacoma SR includes the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package, which delivers adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure mitigation, and a lane-centering system.
On the 2024 Ford Ranger, the base XL includes forward collision mitigation. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids is standard for the mid-grade XLT and up. This package includes pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The stylish Lariat trim model adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology, as well as the Active Park Assist system, which can actually do the parallel parking for you!
Your Midsize Truck
In the end, the redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger delivers maximum power and off-roading-potential. Plus, it improves upon classic Ford style with an increasingly rugged exterior and a sleeker, higher-tech cabin!