The Toyota Tacoma and Ford F-150 are immensely popular pickup trucks. The Tacoma is the best-selling midsize truck, while the F-150 is the top choice for the full-size truck segment. Find out how they measure up in this 2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Ford F-150 comparison.

2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Ford F-150: What are the differences?

For this 2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Ford F-150 comparison, we analyzed multiple areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, towing, payload, off-road capabilities, safety, passenger space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Performance

For performance, the 2023 Ford F-150 offers more powerful engine options than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. This includes a 3.3-liter V-6 (290 hp/265 lb-ft), 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 (325 hp/400 lb-ft), 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 (400 hp/500 lb-ft), 5.0-liter V-8 (400 hp/410 lb-ft), and 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 hybrid (430 hp/570 lb-ft). 

In comparison, the Tacoma has two engine options. Its base 2.7-liter four-cylinder generates 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and the available 3.5-liter V-6 produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque.

While the F-150 has more powerful engines, the Tacoma is more maneuverable. This is due to its smaller size, tighter turning circle, and lower weight.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Gas mileage

The F-150 is more efficient than the Tacoma. The standard F-150 gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 25 city/25 highway mpg. Also, for greater efficiency, the F-150 Lightning has a fuel economy rating of up to 76 city/61 highway MPGe. In comparison, the Tacoma has an estimated gas mileage of up to 20 city/23 highway mpg.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Towing

For towing, the F-150 has the advantage. It has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, compared to 6,800 pounds for the Tacoma. Also, the F-150 can haul a heavier load in the pickup bed — with a maximum payload capacity of 2,238 pounds, compared to 1,685 pounds for the Tacoma.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Off-road capabilities

The Tacoma and F-150 are excellent pickup trucks for off-road use. Both trucks are very durable and offer a traction-enhancing four-wheel drive system and other off-road features. Both trucks also have off-road-focused models. The best off-road models in the Tacoma lineup are the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road trims, while the strongest off-roaders for the F-150 are the Raptor and Raptor R. 

Tacoma vs. F-150: Safety

Given its history, the F-150 has the edge for safety. For the previous model year, the F-150 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, but the Tacoma didn’t receive any kind of safety award from IIHS.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Passenger space

The 2023 F-150 is larger than the 2023 Tacoma, resulting in more passenger space. It has a total passenger volume of 136 cu-ft, compared to 100.3 cu-ft for the Tacoma.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Warranty coverage and reliability

For warranty coverage, both the Tacoma and F-150 are backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, unlike the F-150, the Tacoma offers a complimentary maintenance plan, with two years or 25,000 miles of coverage.

Both pickup trucks are very reliable, but the F-150 has the edge. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 86/100, compared to 83/100 for the Tacoma.

Tacoma vs. F-150: Price

Which pickup truck costs more: the 2023 Tacoma or the 2023 F-150? The starting price of the Tacoma is $27,250 MSRP, while the F-150 starts at $34,585 MSRP.

2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Ford F-150: Which pickup truck is better?

In this 2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Ford F-150 comparison, each pickup truck has various advantages. For the 2023 Tacoma, advantages include maneuverability, a complimentary maintenance plan, and a lower price. Conversely, the 2023 F-150 has advantages for its more powerful engines, gas mileage, towing, safety, passenger space, and reliability.