We last compared the upcoming new 2019 Ford Ranger to the other new mid-size pickup truck on the block, the . Now it's time to see how it stacks up to an established player in the class, the sales king of the mid-size trucks, the Toyota Tacoma.
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Of course, at this stage, this story is just on paper; however, after the 2019 Ford Ranger press drive later this week, we'll be driving off with a new Ranger to put into an actual head-to-head comparison against a new Tacoma, so stay tuned for our impressions and results toward the end of December. Ford thinks the comparison will be favorable — we're told it's going to have a comparable Tacoma on hand for members of the media to drive during the Ranger drive event.
It's also worth noting that we still don't have all the Ranger's specifications — no curb weight, for example, and only max towing and payload numbers (nothing is broken down by cab or equipment), so this is simply a quick and dirty comparison. We'll have more information and details to come.
Measurements
The most popular models in the mid-size pickup class are four-door crew cabs and both the Ranger and Tacoma have similar offerings. The Ranger SuperCrew (aka crew cab) offers a shorter bed. The SuperCab (also known as the extended cab) uses the same wheelbase but has a bed that's 1 foot longer. Toyota calls its crew cab the double cab and its extended cab an Access Cab and offers two different wheelbases to provide more length and size diversity. We'll get to exact bed length measurements in a bit. For now, here are the apples-to-apples measurements and specifications.
RANGER (in inches; all models unless otherwise noted)
- Wheelbase: 126.8 (only one offered)
- Length: 210.8
- Width: 85.8 (from mirror to mirror)
- Height: 71.1 (SuperCrew 4×2 and SuperCab 4×4), 71.5 (SuperCrew 4×4), 70.7 (SuperCab 4×2)
- Front track: 61.4
- Rear track: 61.4
TACOMA
- Wheelbase: 127.4, 140.6 (double-cab short bed, long bed)
- Length: 212.3, 225.5 (double-cab, short bed, long bed)
- Width: 74.4, 75.2 (with optional overfenders not mirror to mirror)
- Height: 70.6, 71.6 (TRD Pro)
- Front track: 63, 64 (TRD Pro)
- Rear track: 63.2, 64.2 (TRD Pro)
Off-Roading
Ford will offer its FX4 Off-Road Package on the Ranger, while Toyota goes at least one step further with the dedicated TRD Pro off-road trim on top of two other TRD-branded option packages. This leads to much greater variation in off-road capabilities for the Taco depending on how it's equipped.
RANGER
- Approach/breakover/departure: 27.9/22.7/25.2 degrees (4×2), 28.7/21.5/25.4 (4×4)
- Ground clearance: 8.4 inches (4×2), 8.9 (4×4)
- 4-Low drive ratio: 2.72:1
TACOMA
- Approach/breakover/departure: 29/24/23.5 degrees (4×2 Access Cab), 29/20-21/23.5 (4×2 double cab), 29/20-21/23.1 (4×2 double-cab long bed), 32/20-21/23.5 (4×2 double-cab TRD Off-Road), 29/24/23 (4×4 Access Cab), 32/24/23 (4×4 Access-Cab TRD Off-Road), 29/21/23.5 (4×4 double cab), 29/21/23.1 (4×4 double-cab long bed), 32/21/23.5 (4×4 double-cab TRD Off-Road), 35/26/23.9 (4×4 double-cab TRD Pro)
- Ground clearance: 9.4 inches
- 4-Low drive ratio: 2.57:1
Towing, Hauling and Beds
To reiterate: The only way Ranger buyers can opt for a longer than 5-foot bed is by selecting the SuperCab with the longer 6-foot bed. Tacoma does offer a longer bed with the double cab by offering a longer wheelbase option, but you will be prevented from ordering the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims. Also, the Ranger's numbers are not yet as fleshed out as other pickups in the class, but once we get one we'll have a tape measure and scale waiting at the ready.
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As you might expect, the Tacoma offers greater variation and diversity in its maximum payload and towing numbers thanks to its engine options (an inline four-cylinder and a V-6) and multi-wheelbase strategy. The Ranger currently offers only the gas turbocharged four-cylinder. The Tacoma is also available with a manual transmission, which slightly affects payload capacities.
RANGER
- Bed length: 61 inches (SuperCrew), 72.8 inches (SuperCab)
- Maximum width: 61.4 inches
- Bed width at rear wheels: 44.8 inches
- Max towing capacity: 7,500 pounds
- Max payload: 1,560 pounds (SuperCrew 4×4), 1,650 (SuperCab 4×4), 1,770 (SuperCrew 4×2); 1,860 (SuperCab 4×2)
TACOMA
- Bed length: 60.5 inches, 73.7 inches
- Maximum bed width: 56.7 inches
- Bed width at rear wheels: 41.5 inches
- Max towing capacity: 3,500 pounds (four-cylinder models), 6,400 (4×4 double cab with V-6 Tow Prep Package), 6,500 (4×4 Access Cab with V-6 Tow Prep Package), 6,600 (4×2 double-cab long bed with V-6 Tow Prep Package), 6,700 (4×2 double cab with V-6 Tow Prep Package), 6,800 (4×2 Access Cab with V-6 Tow Prep Package)
- Max payload: 1,155 (4×4 V-6 manual double cab), 1,175 (4×4 V-6 automatic double cab), 1,275 (4×4 V-6 manual Access Cab), 1,295 (4×4 V-6 automatic Access Cab), 1,380 (4×4 four-cylinder automatic Access Cab), 1,405 (4×4 four-cylinder manual Access Cab), 1,420 (4×2 V-6 manual double cab), 1,505 (4×2 four-cylinder automatic double cab), 1,540 (4×2 V-6 automatic Access Cab), 1,620 pounds (4×2 four-cylinder automatic Access Cab)
Cars.com graphic by Paul Dolan; Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry; manufacturer image
