Motor Trend Jumps Right In: Tacoma vs. Ranger

I have heard that, but based on the camo trucks I've seen, it's more likely to be a refresh than new.

 

Tacoma or Ranger

 

Every time I pull up next to a new Ranger I automatically think how damn ugly the thing is. I use to own a 1998 fully loaded 4x4 Ranger and it was a great truck until i traded it away at 150,000 miles. If I want my truck to be ‘Peppy’ I’ll buy a Dodge if I want my truck to act like a truck I’ll stick with my Taco. Plus it’s so damn sexy looking!

 

Quality, fit & finish, looks, hidden features the taco smokes the ranger!

Performance the ranger kicks the tacos ass PERIOD!.......But the rest of truck us an absolutely ugly quality lacking deprecating fast... POS

 

Let's hope. I'm honestly surprised they even offered a manual in the bronco.

 

Ford isn't known for keeping designs for a long time so I would think they would want to redesign it. The Ranger was an afterthought for Ford. Every manufacturer had a midsized pickup and they didnt want to miss out so they rushed something together.

They're making the ranger for themselves and for Volkswagen too starting next year if I recall correctly.

 

Nobody said a word about the turbo. Would not own one, do u really want to tow with a turbo?that 4 banger gon b workin. Im not talking bout a heavy load, maybe a 2000 lb boat like i tow. No thanks!

 

Manufacturers in general aren't known for keeping designs long term. However, the mid-size truck segment has always been an exception. Full size trucks are refreshed about every 3 years with a new generation about every 6 (unless you're Toyota). Mid size trucks go much longer than that (8-10 in most cases). A new Colorado isn't due until 2023 or 24, I believe and the Tacoma would be soon after that.

Definitely agree that the Ranger was an after thought for Ford. They took the 10 year old international model, changed the bumper a bit and the engine and then called it "all new." The renderings I've seen are how it should have looked in the first place. But I'm not sure it's anything more than a facelift.

 

I was a very happy owner of a 2007 ranger for about 7 years and 165k miles. Awesome machine, never let me down. Second best vehicle I have ever owned. I was excited for a new ranger but when saw it, like you I was disappointed and also of course no MT.
I also don’t have faith in ecoboost engines.

 

Clearly you've never seen an EcoBoost work. People made those claims with the F150 saying "it'll toe that, but probably be running 5,000 RPM the whole time." That was actually a false claim and TFL showed said truck handling the Ike Gauntlet at somewhere around 2,200 RPM. At this point, I think the turbos aren't that much of a concern anymore, especially when the engine was actually designed with the turbo in mind. The turbo really shines when you get to any sort of elevation. They are far less affected by the thinner air. As a matter of fact, the 3.5L EcoBoost walks away from the 5.0L at elevation.

 

Shocked by the motortrend outcome, but also pleased with it.

 

Thanks for sharing. I think the observations in the article are accurate. Ranger certainly accelerated quicker, smoother than the Tacoma based on my test drive of the Ranger.

 

My pleasure. I get a news feed on all things Tacoma and a few other Toyota related items. Partially because I am fascinated by the business aspect of the car industry.

I looked at the Ranger carefully. Unlike many, I don't hate it. I am starting to see more and more of them on the road so it will be interesting to see how the sales numbers look over the next few quarters. Overall, the numbers here and there (acceleration, towing, etc.) didn't matter that much to me. And while I really want Ford to do well, I just couldn't get my head around the design. Ford doesn't have bad design, mind you, but the Ranger just doesn't appeal to me in an aesthetic sense. I do think the Tacoma looks substantially better. But I also fully realize design can be highly subjective.

 

Big issue with those ecoboost engines are being some serious cost maintenance issues around 75k miles. I keep my toyotas well past that, hopefully don't need to invest in these vehicle warranty contracts. For the average ford owner your pretty much obligated to on these engines.

 

Can't say I've seen much of that in the amount of research I've done on these. Fact is, Ford wouldn't keep putting so much effort into them if they weren't worth it. Other manufacturers certainly wouldn't have their own versions either, or be in the process of developing their own (see Toyota Tundra). Many of the concerns about the EcoBoost engines have been overblown and many can be contributed to lack of proper maintenance.

 

Buddy of mine that worked at a ford dealership for years as a service mech, now operates his own independent garage for the last 6 years or so. He's serviced those turbo's, along with other issues on many eco boost engines in the past already...not cheap once those motors get up there in mileage. He drives a tacoma...should tell you something.

 

All our Eco Boost v-6 Vans are shitting the turbo bed at 100 to 120,000 miles, 4 out of 5 so far....

 

U r forgetting the main point, why would u put a turbo in a truck?they r for work.

 

This will get some people going: New Fronter (2022) vs. Old Tacoma (2021):

https://www.motortrend.com/news/202...s-2021-toyota-tacoma-trd-off-road-comparison/

Edit:

Reports that the new Ford Maverick truck will start at under $20K. Really curious to get a look at this when it comes out:

https://fordauthority.com/2021/02/2022-ford-maverick-to-start-at-under-20k-exclusive/

 

Frontier appears well on paper and is likely to rank well in comparison tests. As for sales numbers, time will tell.

Wow! This is my first time hearing about the Ford Maverick. A smaller, more fuel efficient and less expensive pickup with four doors seems attractive for fleet use and for many buyers.