2019 Ranger Guinea Pig

Put a down on the ranger. Should get here in late June or july

 

Love the tech and all, but my god, is it just me or does the ranger just look soft? The original raptor is things dreams are made of. Tacoma is a pretty face.....then there is that ranger. Ummmmm.... i’m Sorry, I had huge hopes because ford will always be my first love, but damn they missed the mark in looks on this one. Oh....and why are you buying a truck for tech???? Just curious

 

Looks are subjective. Some love it some hate it. Same goes with the Tacoma, some love the looks and some hate it. Looks are zero percent functionality, which is what some of us prefer.

I don't think TacoBella bought a Ranger just for the technology. Rather, the Ranger's technology is up to par with most modern vehicles, where the Tacoma is way behind.

 

Exactly


I had a 2008.2014, and 2016 Tacomas in the past 10 years and my Avatar photo from my wheeling days. I refuse to be beholden to any brand.

I don't care much about aesthetics because one man's favorite looking toy is another's garbage, I get it.

However. I care more about FUNCTION.......IMO The Ranger has a ton more function on so many levels than the tired Tacoma. I wanted a high tech street truck that can get out of its own way. The Ranger is that street truck. ITs like a powerful sedan with a bed. I tested the Ridgeline as well but I prefer a real truck on a box frame rather than a Pilot with a bed.

I would say to Tacoma fans, Test drive the Ranger for shits and giggles. The Tacoma will never feel the same. BUT the Tacoma LOOKS better, That is all most people want. Overly concerned with "the look" I prefer function over form

Maybe the 2023 Tacoma will check all my boxes again........We'll see.

 

I saw a Ranger on the road few days ago in black. It looked good for the most part. I agree though a bit on the soft side. Sad no Ranger Raptor for the states planned currently as that truck looks awesome.

 

I have seen a few of the new style Rangers on the road here in Vermont. I would seriously look at one or an F150 once the frame implodes on my 2013 TRD OR.
I've driven a toyota truck since 1987 (87 SR5 4 cyl factory turbo 22RTE, 90 & 95 SR5s V6 5 spd, two 2GENs 06 & 13).
What I really noticed lately, as as far as tacomas in general, is the amount of used inventory on non-toyota lots.
I never use to see any selling like that.
Maybe it's the influx of lease models but damn I see practically new inventory on wholesalers lots!
I do see a boatload of tacomas and tundras driving daily though! Not sure who will get my hard earned money yet next time.
Leaning more towards fullsize since I'm living up in the mountains now. My daily commute is nada.
When is the new tacoma due for a total redesign? Does anyone know?

 

Update?

 

I didn't buy one the OP did. I did trade my Taco but it was for a Lexus, not a Ranger.

 

Saw some discussion about Ranger sales in this thread so thought I would leave this here, fwiw:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27358644/ford-ranger-pickup-sales-2019/


Through April of 2019, Ford has moved only 15,169 units of its new 2019 Ranger pickup, beating only the GMC Canyon (9374 sales) and Honda's unibody Ridgeline (9606 sales)

 

Looks like a taurus

 

And why would I care? I buy function not looks....I admit the Tacoma looks better (except for the piggish snout) But overall it looks good. The Ranger has up to date technology and the 4 banger engine and transmission are 100X better than Tacoma. I get it. Toyota plays it safe with their best seller but they are still in 2012 technically. Best in class towing, cargo, Torque, and HP belong to the Ranger. That 10-speed transmission helps to deliver 27MPG freeway and 22 MPG around town without trying

They also know Dyed in the wool Tacoma buyers will buy anything they put out without regard to drivetrain and technology so they play it safe. No car play or Android auto in this day and age is a sin. No power locking tailgate in this day and age is a sin. Does the Tacoma need a stick to hold up the hood/ still? Lots of little things are not a part of Tacoma's design.

Looks are subjective, The Ranger forum will say Ranger looks the best, go figure

Toyota is selling a crapload of Tacomas...I doubt they will do too much the next refresh. They don't have to do anything and they will sell every truck they make.

 

No regrets so far

 

VERY nice. You're gonna love it.

 

I get my new Ranger either tomorrow or Monday then it’s bye bye TuRD gen POS Tacoma! Can’t wait to drive the turbo 4 cylinder and 10 speed auto.

 

Are either of you going to do a lift, tires & wheels?

Or getting it tuned?

 

I'll do a lift, but will probably wait a while. Tuning will probably happen fairly soon though. Got my Ranger Friday afternoon and so far it seems to work WAY better than the Tacoma (OVTuned) on the highway.

 

That transmission is great, that’s why. My buddy had an I4 EB F-150 and that thing was amazing. Never felt lacking because their automatic transmissions are good to go.

I’m not a fan of the looks, but more competition is great. At least it’s not the Wrangler truck

 

The powertrain combo of a torquey turbo 4cylinder and 10 speed auto is absolutely fantastic. This thing blows the 3rd gen Tacoma right out of the water. It has to be embarrassing for a Toyota engineer to hop into a Ranger and drive it

 

Turbocharged engines hit peak numbers lower than a naturally aspirated engine. You’re apples to oranges a little.

I have a manual so I’m good to go with the trans. Tuning that turbo or putting bigger bolt ons on tho.. man. Gonna be good when the market hits.

 

Not really apples to oranges. I'm comparing a mid sized truck to a mid sized truck. They are literally night and day difference in power delivery and drivability. The Ranger picks up something like 90-100 ft/lb torque just with a tuner.