New Tacoma vs New Ranger

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Is Ranger better than 16-23 and maybe more such as 2nd gen, even 1st? Probably. And costs 2-3x more for a couple more MPG.

it has 4cyl turbo and 8AT.

is it better than 4th gen? Don’t know.
4th gen is the only truck in Pro trim that fakes wider track with wheel offset instead of control arms.

and other odd things like a welded on low clearance tow hitch in a market where people normally unbolt things like that.

 

I mean, I want a manual so it's Tacoma or Gladiator and I have no interest in the latter.

I like the Ranger, the payload would be useful but if I'm going automatic there's a lot of nice half tons to choose from.

 

Read the article. IDK seemed slightly too critical. I haven't driven a 4 gen but have sat in an SR5. To me it looks great inside and out. I’m sure the new engine and transmission is an improvement over the 3rd gen. I want it to be. We should want each gen to improve. On paper it should be better. Taco stops a lot sooner than Ranger. Thats a big deal to me.

 

It's still a Ford.

 

payload increased on the 4th gen, i think 1200 on the off road, but not enough if you tow say a travel trailer. ranger and colorado are 1500 lbs

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBPupX7iT44&t=627

I know TW can have a critical eye about the Taco. I wonder if we can apply that same critical eye to the competition.

 

Interesting thoughts in the article about the transmission and seat comfort. I do agree that the Ranger delivers a more useful work focused design.

Some of the comments they made about the handling and harshness are probably because of the sport trim they chose. I've commented a couple of times since the Ranger came out and we got a better look at it, that it has the possibility of giving the Tacoma a run for its money.

 

Can’t get the ranger with a 6 foot bed…right there, I’m out.

 

100% read my mind

I don’t like automatic compact/midsize trucks. Tried a few of them and found them boring.

I would go straight to a 5.0 F150 w/ 3.73 gears for automatics.

 

"Transmission tuning makes all the difference in how the Ranger and Tacoma drive. Features editor Christian Seabaugh noted issues with the Tacoma’s eight-speed: “The gear ratio feels spread too far apart while the final drive is too tall. Couple that with the transmission’s tendency to upshift as early as possible, and I found that it was constantly hunting for gears while driving.” Both behaviors unfortunately echo those of the previous-gen Tacoma’s ancient six-speed automatic, something we figured the newer gearbox would have (and should have) cured."

That's not what I wanted to hear. Kinda figured Toyota learned their lesson here. I do feel like they kinda glazed over some of the Ranger's shortcomings though. Difference in braking distance is huge.

 

Ranger Raptor has the Taco beat.

 

Ranger raptor also takes premium gas

 

They probably had it in ECO mode.

 

So should most turbos if you really want to get the most out of them.

 

They got the trucks mixed up. Everything they complained about in the Taco, was my complaints about the ranger. Now I had a fifth gen ranger, but they are pretty close to the new 6th gens, had no steering feel,crappy brakes, horribly uncomfortable seats. And it did not handle anywhere as good on road as the Taco. The "comfy" seat cushion wore out before it hit 20,000 miles, and then you were sitting on a metal bar, and every time you hit a bump you sank deeper. At the end, before I got rid of it, I couldn't stand to sit in it for the half hour drive to work.Brakes? Worst brakes in any vehicle I have ever driven in 40+ years. Horribly inconsistent feel and travel, sinking toward floor on long traffic lights, numerous trips to dealer to fix, no real fix. 0 speed trans? Shift. shift .shift. And really clunky at that. My truck at work does that, don't want or need that in my daily driver,thanks! Had the infamous take off shudder, also never fixed.Steering was about like a video game controller. Had Ford f150s continuously my whole life, and they lost me with this crop of new trucks.

 

If they didn’t fix the AT issues so many complain about, wow what a miss.

 

I had a ‘99 ranger. V6 access cab with suicide doors with jump seats and i put a matching cap on it. Auto w/cloth seats no moonroof. That was a nice truck and fun. Then I needed to go full size until I got this Taco. Whatever happened to the Ranger? They aren't anywhere as nice as the one i had 25 yrs ago. Have not looked at the latest gen.

 

It could be that the other transmissions were so incredibly bad that this one seems good, but when compared to others...not so much. Or it could just be one guys opinion.

There haven't been too many people comparing the transmission shifting back to back, usually you just hear..better than the last one..

 

You might wanna google the new ranger, you may be surprised if the last time you looked at one was 25 years ago.