Ford Ranger Tremor vs. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: Which Off-Road Midsize Truck Should You Drive?
How can you get to the top of the hill while out on the trails? Choose the right off-road midsize truck. The Ford Ranger Tremor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro are two of the most impressive and capable options. These two pickups bring features that make off-roading more fun, but which one has the upper hand?
What does the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro bring to the off-road midsize truck class?
Torque News gives us a rundown of what each of these small trucks has for your drive. The TRD Pro version of the Tacoma includes:
- Black TRD Pro logs
- 10-way power driver seat
- LED headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
- JBL audio system
- Custom exhaust
- FOX shocks
- Skid plates
- An electronic locking rear differential
- Multi-Terrain System
- Cruise control
- Off-road suspension
- Fog lights
- Dual-zone climate controls
- Power rear window
- Sunroof
- Toyota Safety Sense package
- Rearview camera
- Leather upholstery
- 8-inch infotainment screen
What equipment does the Ford Ranger Tremor include?
The Tremor package, when added to the Lariat trim of the Ranger, gives you an off-road midsize truck that includes:
- An independent front suspension
- FOX shocks
- Special graphics
- Automatic headlights
- LED headlights
- Tow hooks
- Parking sensors
- Forward and rear gear detection system
- Dual-zone climate controls
- 110-volt power outlet
- 8-inch infotainment screen
- Sync 4 system
- Pre-collision assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Ambient lighting
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Cruise control
- Co-Pilot 360 safety package
- Rearview camera
Which one of these off-road midsize trucks has more power?
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. With the TRD Pro trim, you have standard 4WD to give you power to all four wheels while out on the trails.
Moving to the Ford Ranger Tremor, you’ll receive a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Ranger gives you a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with the Tremor package.
Which truck has the higher payload and towing numbers? Ranger or Tacoma
The Ford Ranger is at the top of the midsize pickup truck market with 1,650 pounds of payload capacity. The tow rating for this truck reaches 7,500 pounds, which puts it ahead of the Tacoma’s 6,400 pounds of maximum towing capability. The payload rating for the Tacoma is limited to 1,095, which means the Ranger bests the Tacoma in both categories.
Does the longer Toyota Tacoma have a bigger bed than the Ford Ranger?
No. Although the Tacoma is 212.3 inches long compared to the 210.8 inches for the Ranger, the Ford has a larger bed. The Ranger is 1.1 inches wider than the Tacoma, giving the Ford a better off-road midsize truck stance on the trails. The bed of the Toyota Tacoma measures 60.5 inches, while the Ford Ranger has a 72.8-inch bed.
Which off-road midsize truck has better resale value?
There may come a time when you want to sell your truck and buy a new one. When that day arrives, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is the truck you want to drive. This pickup has a historically higher resale value than the Ford Ranger Tremor. The reputation of reliability and quality positions Toyota ahead of Ford for resale value.
Which pickup has better off-road angles? Ranger Tremor or Tacoma TRD Pro
The 4WD version of the Ford Ranger gives you 8.9 inches of ground clearance compared to the Tacoma TRD Pro stands 9.4 inches above the ground. The Tacoma offers 32 degrees of approach angle and 23.1 degrees for the departure. Looking at the Ford, we see 30 degrees of approach angle and 23 degrees for the departure. This comparison offers a slight edge to the Tacoma.
The verdict: Which off-road midsize truck should you drive?
The Ford Ranger Tremor is an admirable truck with a better transmission and power numbers than the Tacoma TRD Pro. That said, the midsize truck that tackles the trails better is the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. This truck offers better off-road angles and higher resale value when it’s time to move on to your next truck.
Next, check out the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X, or watch the Ranger vs. Tacoma video below:
This article was updated on 12/7/2022.
