4 Advantages of Buying a 2023 Ford Ranger Over a Toyota Tacoma
The 2023 Ford Ranger has an all-new design. This makes the Ranger an attractive option against the midsize pickup truck competition. This includes the Toyota Tacoma, the best-selling midsize truck. Here are four advantages of buying a 2023 Ford Ranger over a 2023 Toyota Tacoma.
2023 Ford Ranger has better performance than the 2023 Toyota Tacoma
The first advantage of buying a 2023 Ford Ranger over a 2023 Toyota Tacoma is the Ranger has better performance than the Tacoma. The standard 2023 Ford Ranger model features a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
For even greater performance, you can get the off-road-focused Ranger Raptor. The Ranger Raptor has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine. It generates 288 horsepower and 491 lb-ft of torque for the North American market.
The Toyota Tacoma offers two engine choices — and they are weaker than what the Ranger offers. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, while the available 3.5-liter V-6 engine produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque.
2023 Ranger can tow more than the 2023 Tacoma
The second advantage of buying a 2023 Ford Ranger over a 2023 Toyota Tacoma is the Ranger can tow more than the Tacoma. One of the most important considerations for buying a pickup truck is towing capabilities — and the Ranger delivers. It has a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, compared to 6,800 pounds for the Tacoma.
With a 7,500-pound towing capacity, you can tow many things. This includes a large travel trailer, a utility trailer, a pop-up camper, a car trailer, a ski boat, a fishing boat, jet skis, ATVs, snowmobiles, and a teardrop trailer.
The Ford Ranger has an all-new design, but the Toyota Tacoma hasn’t received a redesign in seven years
The third advantage of buying a 2023 Ranger over a 2023 Tacoma is the Ranger has an all-new design, but the Tacoma hasn’t had a redesign in seven years. For the exterior, the Ranger draws inspiration from the Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck, especially for the front end. Overall, the 2023 Ranger has a bolder look than the previous model year, with the aggressive front end complemented by strong character lines along the side of the vehicle.
In comparison, the design of the 2023 Tacoma is outdated. Toyota hasn’t given the Tacoma a complete overhaul since the 2016 model year. In the redesign cycles for cars, this makes the 2023 Tacoma relatively “ancient.” However, the Tacoma will likely have an all-new design for the 2024 model year.
2023 Ranger has slightly higher gas mileage than the 2023 Tacoma
The fourth advantage of buying a 2023 Ranger over a 2023 Tacoma is the Ranger has slightly higher gas mileage than the Tacoma. It gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 21 city/26 highway mpg, compared to 20 city/23 highway mpg for the Tacoma.
With very high gas prices these days, a more efficient vehicle helps for lessening the financial burden at the fuel pump. While the gas mileage of the Ranger, like most pickup trucks, isn’t great, at least it’s better than the Tacoma.
The 2023 Ford Ranger has advantages over the 2023 Toyota Tacoma for performance, towing, an all-new design, and gas mileage. These are key reasons for pickup truck shoppers to buy a 2023 Ranger instead of a 2023 Tacoma.
