2021 Ford Ranger vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with the former featuring a six-foot cargo bed and the latter a five-foot bed. Trim levels included XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). Our test model, a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, came with a spray-in bedliner and a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, priced at $46,865 including destination charges. The Tremor package added unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road hoop-style side steps, giving the Ranger a rugged, off-road-ready appearance. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with Tremor’s simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches made it the best-equipped Ranger available. The cabin featured a clean, contemporary design with simple controls, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and partial digital instrumentation.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was starting to show its age despite a 2020 facelift. The exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the cabin revealed its age with hard plastics and outdated switchgear. Available in SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, the Tacoma offered a range of features. The base SR trim included 16-inch steel wheels, a Class IV tow-hitch receiver, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added features like fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and upgraded infotainment systems. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road trims focused on performance enhancements, while the Limited trim offered luxury features like leather upholstery and a JBL premium audio system. The range-topping TRD Pro came with unique exterior styling, underbody skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger offered a Terrain Management System with settings for Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow, and an electronic locking rear differential for maximum traction. The Tremor Off-Road Package added a new off-road suspension with revised springs and Fox off-road performance shocks, providing 9.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up to 1,860 pounds of payload, though the Tremor’s payload capacity was reduced to 1,430 pounds. The EPA fuel economy rating was 19 mpg in combined driving, with our test averaging 18.5 mpg. The Ranger’s turbocharged engine provided swift acceleration and refined performance, making it enjoyable to drive both on and off-road.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, but the optional 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better performance. The Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with the TRD models also offering a six-speed manual transmission. The V6 engine provided decent acceleration around town but struggled at highway speeds due to the transmission’s gearing. The TRD Pro trim excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, and a multi-terrain monitor for added trail visibility. The Tacoma’s suspension provided a smooth ride and firm handling around corners, making it capable both on and off-road.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured hoop-style step bars, which were mounted high for maximum clearance but limited their usefulness. The SecuriCode keyless entry pad allowed for keyless entry, though it appeared glued onto the doors, which sounded tinny when shut. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat were comfortable and heated, though the driver’s seat needed more travel for taller drivers. Rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, but lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage was decent, though the rear-seat cushion lifted as a single piece, making access to storage bins inconvenient. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) with four tie-down hooks.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and seating for four, with tight rear jump seats best suited for children or storage. The Double Cab had four full doors and seating for five, though rear legroom was still tight. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel did not extend far enough for taller drivers. The Tacoma’s cab offered plenty of cupholders and storage, and the bed included in-bed lighting and a wall-style power outlet.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive with other midsize trucks. However, voice recognition performance was inconsistent, sometimes providing incorrect responses to commands. The climate system was integrated with Sync 3, allowing temperature adjustments via voice commands.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma’s base infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on all trims except the base SR. The system had a basic layout with large icons, making it easy to use. Apple CarPlay integration was straightforward, though the tuning and volume dials were undersized. The test truck included a wireless device charger that required manual activation. The Tacoma’s infotainment system was simple and familiar, though it lacked advanced tech features beyond the trail camera.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard on the Lariat trim. The Ranger also featured rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer system. Crashworthiness ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection and a "Marginal" rating for headlights.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The backup camera image was grainy, requiring extra attention when reversing. The 2021 Tacoma received high scores in IIHS crash tests, and the 2022 model received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.