Is the 2023 Ford Ranger a Better Midsize Truck Than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?
Have you ever been to a magic show? Sometimes, it feels like you’re in the audience when you see auto brands touting specific items that make one model better than another. In the midsize truck market, it’s hard to figure out which truck is performing tricks and which one is actually better. Let’s look at three categories and figure out whether the 2023 Ford Ranger is better than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma.
Does the 2023 Ford Ranger have more truck performance than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?
Heading into the 2023 model year, neither the Ford Ranger nor Toyota Tacoma sees many upgrades, which makes it easy to put these two trucks up against each other. If you want to know which truck offers better performance and more capability, this is what you’ll find:
| 2023 Ford Ranger | 2023 Toyota Tacoma | |
| Engine | 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 270 | 278 |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed SelectShift Automatic | 6-speed manual or automatic |
| MPG Rating | 21 city/26 hwy | 18 city/22 hwy |
| Towing | 7,500 pounds | 6,800 pounds |
| Payload | 1905 pounds | 1440 pounds |
Verdict: The Ranger delivers more capability and performance in the midsize truck segment. Even though the Tacoma has more horsepower, the Ranger takes the rest of the comparisons. With more towing and payload, you’ll carry and pull more with the Ford Ranger than the Toyota Tacoma. In fact, the standard Tacoma SR can only tow 3,500 pounds, which puts it miles behind the base model of the 2023 Ford Ranger.
Which midsize truck is bigger, Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma?
Will you and your passengers find more interior room when riding in the 2023 Ford Ranger or the 2023 Toyota Tacoma? You’ll spend most of your time inside the cabin of the truck you choose, which means size and appearance matter. The size statistics are:
| 2023 Ford Ranger | 2023 Toyota Tacoma | |
| Wheelbase | 126.8 inches | 127.4 inches |
| Length | 210.8 inches | 212.3 inches |
| Height | 70.7 inches | 70.6 inches |
| Width | 73.3 inches | 74.4 inches |
| Cab Options | SuperCab, SuperCrew | Access Cab, Double Cab |
| Short Bed Length | 60 inches | 60.5 inches |
| Long Bed Length | 72.8 inches | 73.7 inches |
In terms of appearance, the contest isn’t as cut and dried. If you prefer a more rugged look, you’ll lean toward the Toyota Tacoma. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more upscale feeling in the cabin, the Ford Ranger is the midsize truck for you.
Verdict: The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is slightly larger than the 2023 Ford Ranger in nearly every measurement. This advantage isn’t significant enough to impact the spaciousness of the bed or cab in either truck.
Which midsize truck is more affordable?
Price matters. If you have to pay thousands more for performance and capability, you might lean toward a more affordable truck. The price of the 2023 Ford Ranger begins at around $28,00 and ranges up to $40,000. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma starts a little higher at $30,000 but reaches a little more than $40,000 for the top model.
Should you drive the Ranger or Tacoma?
Comparing capability, performance, size, appearance, and price, we can see the 2023 Ford Ranger is the right truck to drive. The Ranger has more capability, better performance, an upscale appearance, and a lower starting price. The only factor in favor of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma is the slightly larger size of this midsize truck.
Next, check out the new engine of the 2023 Chevy Colorado, or watch these performance-oriented midsize trucks compared in this video below:
