MotorTrend comparo: Colorado, Ridgeline, Ranger, Tacoma

SO TRUE - We own a horse farm....I can fit 6 square bales on our (farm) golf cart!! I USE my truck - even though I've had it only 3 weeks (3200 miles)...it is very capable on a real farm. I'm not saying the others are not - have not tried them (though I did test drive the chevy) ...but if anyone NEEDS a truck for a farm - the Tacoma fits the bill wonderfully - its size is TERRIFIC - our farm is bordered by a small river and this truck can go though the small trails where my bigger vehicle will not (though my paint is not going to look new for long LOL) and the 4WD capability is actually very impressive.

 

I think the next Gen Ranger is probably not all that far off as i think its been around since 2011 or 2012.

 

I'm 6'0" and I could stand to raise my seat a little!

 

I no longer farm but have an acreage and the full size 1/2 ton trucks are too large for my needs...if carrying people the F-150's that I had were perfect but for just me & the wife toolding about the Tacoma is the perfect size.

 

Yeah I can not believe the size of the full size trucks! Goodness, unless you're hauling/towing I just do not understand it - I actually wish the Tacoma was a bit smaller.

 

I think a word-of-mouth has a lot to play as well as resell ability resell chances are that the Toyota market will stay strong as it has been it’s been strong for quite some time and I don’t see it being knocked off just because somebody comes out with some new whatever thingamajig but I am not one to forecast the future but I am a loyal Tacoma driver I’ve had over seven of them so ...

 

Ridgeline isn't a truck it's a minivan with a bed. That's all I have to say. Have a good day ladies and gents.

 

An SUV is, traditionally, a truck with passenger seating in place of a bed. It has truck capabilities, ruggedness, and features typical of a truck (frame, solid axle, RWD/4WD, low-range, etc). Somewhere along the line manufactuers realized people liked SUV image, not SUV capability and starting making fake SUVs that were essentially passenger cars or station wagons in a slightly larger box form that looked like SUV. See: Pilot, CRV, Rav4, Highlander, new Explorer, Rogue, the list goes on. Also ever-expanding is the list of real SUVs that have died. Pathfinder, Passport, Xterra, old Explorer, Blazer, etc. The list of real SUVs in the traditional sense that remain is sadly short. 4Runner, Tahoe/Suburban, Expedition, Land Cruiser, MAYBE some Jeeps but they're borderline, are all I can think of. The point I'm trying to make is that the Ridgeline is only an SUV with a bed as much as the Pilot is an SUV. Which in my opinion, it isn't.

 

Maybe they're not actually much larger these days, but they sure look it, don't they?
The styling is all about making them look beefier.

My wife and I were driving the other day and she pointed at a new GMC Sierra 2500 HD.
She said: "What is up with the front on that thing? Looks like they hung a cow catcher on it!"
(Ha, like on a locomotive.)
"It's the grill, apparently", sez I.
But the new full size trucks from the Big 3 all have that bloated, exaggerated look.

My 2nd gen AC PreRunner doesn't feel all that much smaller than my last regular cab long bed F-150.
A bit narrower, smaller bed, about the same overall length, or close enough.
Drives a lot better, but definitely still a truck.

 

SUV body on frame - Sport Utility Vehicle
CUV unitbody - Cross utility Vehicle

 

The distinction that I make is those with and without a transfer case.

The offroad bug hit with my last sidecar motorcycle. It did decent offroad but was screaming for a low range.

Enter the Taco. 4Lo has been extremely handy. As much fun as it might seem to take our Forester offroad, I would only do it with other folks just in case.

 

While I have not seen the new Ranger in person IMO the Tacoma > Ridgeline > Colorado. The Ridgeline is nice, but a totally different vehicle and the Colorado is a POS.

 

My original Farm truck
1977 F-100 Regular cab 4x4
height 71.3"
length 196.6" 8' long box
width 77.8"
20 gallons fuel tank

My Current Truck
2014 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4
height 70.1"
length 208.1" Short Bed 221.3" long bed
width 74.6"
21.1 gallons fuel tank

My previous truck
2016 F-150 SCrew 5.5 Box
height 77.2"
length 231.9"
width 96.8" standard mirrors 79.9" excluding mirrors
36 gallons fuel tank

 

GM paid the money back - this time.

 

In my state they work well driving everyone else off the road, and run through stop lights. Hell when they t-bone a small car, but they don't seem to care. I don't believe they come with turn signals either.

 

We're a Tacoma/Forester family too. I like the Forester for what it's made for - AWD comfort, and it has a real frame. Ours is 5 years old, and my wife wants the hybrid when it comes out next year. I do prefer to drive my Tacoma (I've had 6), but the Forester is a reliable car that's good in the snow.

 

The Ridgeline is a fine vehicle for what it is. A vehicle for people that need something between an SUV and a pickup.

A coworker has one. He has a side DJ business and just needs to pull a small trailer and pile some equipment in the bed. He has a couple teenagers and they fit in the back seat. We usually take his RL when we go to lunch. It's actually comfortable in the back seat.

I have a small farm and need something that's more truck than SUV, otherwise I'd own the RL.

 

My wife loves it and the 2014 has been great for the first MY here. But then, they were selling it globally for a while. Kicking motor and handling, just really muted by the CVT. So, I am more than happy to drive the Taco.

 

Motor Trend has always been on GM’s jock.

 

@tonered What changes did you make to get it perfect for you?