Starting at
Starting at
| 310 LB-FT | Torque | 180 - 265 LB-FT |
| 7,500 LBS | Towing Capacity | 6,800 LBS |
| 1,860 LBS | Payload Capacity | 1,620 LBS |
Midsize trucks make a lot of sense for many truck owners out there – you get the power and functionality of a truck, without committing to the massive size and low fuel economy of a larger model. When it comes to midsize pickups, it seems like just about every manufacturer wants to get in on the action, but they are certainly not all made equal. We often find it helps to narrow down your options by looking at two models and seeing how they compare head-to-head, such as with the 2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma.
These are both fine midsize trucks, but the Ford Ranger clearly makes its case as a superior option right from the very start. Even though the Toyota Tacoma has two engines available and the Ranger has only one – the Ranger’s engine offers more power than the Tacoma’s starting engine and more torque than the available Tacoma engine. This translates into the far greater payload and towing capacities for the 2020 Ford Ranger. In other words, the Ranger can get a lot more work done and carry more when you are looking to have some fun too.
The safety features on the Ford Ranger cannot be beaten by the Toyota Tacoma, and while Toyota has done its best to offer excellent interior options, the Ranger comes out on top once again. This might be hard to read if you are a Toyota fan, but the 2020 Ford Ranger is simply a better option in pretty much every way that matters. You get better performance, more muscle for getting things done, and the safety and interior features just cannot be matched. If you want to see the impressive 2020 Ford Ranger for yourself, then come visit us at Kings Ford, and we will show you the full lineup of incredible Ford trucks.
When looking at any vehicle, the engine and powertrain, in general, is very important – even if you never plan on working on the engine yourself, it will still dictate much of your truck’s performance when you are behind the wheel. It is one of the best places to start when comparing trucks like the 2020 Ford Ranger vs the 2020 Toyota Tacoma.
The Ford Ranger has a single engine available, which makes it easy to get a great engine without worrying about the trim level or your options. It comes with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that delivers up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque for great overall performance. Best of all, this comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission for a fantastic driving experience that is smooth and responsive. The Ranger gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway when properly configured.
By comparison, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a pair of engines available, starting with a 2.7L engine that offers up to 159 hp and up to 180 lb-ft of torque. There is also an available 3.5L engine with up to 278 hp and up to 265 lb-ft of torque. As you can see, the standard engine is significantly less powerful than what you get in the Ford Ranger; the available engine gives you slightly more horsepower but substantially less torque.
The Tacoma engine comes with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic, depending on the trim and options you go with. There is no option for anything else – so while you can get a manual transmission on the Toyota Tacoma, the automatic is far worse than the impressive 10-speed on the Ford Ranger. The Tacoma can get up to an estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 23 mpg on the highway, which falls short of what the Ford Ranger can deliver.
While towing and payload considerations might not be your primary concern with a midsize truck like the 2020 Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma, it should still matter. Part of the fun of owning a truck is the ability to haul lots of stuff in the bed or behind you in a trailer. This is just another way that the Ranger proves itself superior.
The 2020 Ford Ranger has a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs when properly equipped and configured for optimal towing. By comparison, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a maximum tow rating of just 6,800 lbs when properly configured. That is a pretty substantial difference for two trucks of this size and can really make a difference if you know you plan on hauling a boat or large camper behind your vehicle.
When it comes to payload capacity, which reflects how much weight you can place in the bed and cabin of your truck, the Ranger comes out on top again. The 2020 Ford Ranger has a payload capacity of up to 1,860 lbs when properly configured. With the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, however, you can only get up to 1,620 lbs of maximum payload when set up for it. That is a significant difference and can easily mean the difference between getting all your work done in one or two trips, compared to having to make three or four trips to get stuff done.
Although both of these trucks have some great features inside, the 2020 Ford Ranger simply offers you more. When looking at the highest trim for the Ranger, the Lariat, you get an 8-inch infotainment display, with an available B&O 10-speaker sound system. The Ranger Lariat includes 8-way power-adjustable heated front seats, ambient lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. You also get a pair of 4-inch driver information displays in the instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and dual-zone automatic temperature control.
By comparison, with the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited, you get an 8-inch infotainment display with a 6-speaker sound system. While the Tacoma Limited has a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, the front passenger seat is only adjustable 4-ways. The Tacoma Limited also has a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, but it has only a single 4-inch information display for the driver, rather than a pair of them like the 2020 Ford Ranger.
Both of these trucks have great standard and available safety features, but once again, the 2020 Ford Ranger simply offers more. The options you can get on both vehicles will depend on the trim you choose and any other packages you might want. To keep things simple, we will look at what is generally available.
Available safety features on the 2020 Ford Ranger include pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot information system with trailer coverage, and a cross-traffic alert. You can also get a lane-keeping system, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control with the Ranger. Forward and reverse sensing systems are both available to help with maneuvering at low speeds, along with rain-sensing windshield wipers, voice-activated navigation, and trailer sway control for towing.
Safety Features on the Tacoma
By comparison, available safety features on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma include a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma can also include automatic high beams, a dynamic radar cruise control system, and a sway warning system for trailering. Rear parking assist is available, but it lacks the forward sensing system that you can get with the 2020 Ford Ranger. Overall, the safety options on the Tacoma are acceptable; they just lack some things and ultimately fall short.
Everything just makes sense with the 2020 Ford Ranger: it has a fantastic engine, paired with a smooth and responsive transmission, delivering tremendous towing and payload along with excellent fuel economy. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma tries to keep up, but it is simply outclassed by the Ranger, and when you consider the fact that the Tacoma starts at a higher price, with a far worse engine, it is really hard to see the appeal with it. There are some good things about the Tacoma, but point by point, it simply cannot keep up with what the Ford Ranger has to offer.
Ultimately, words cannot do the 2020 Ford Ranger justice – you really need to see it, sit inside it, and feel the powerful driving experience it has to offer for yourself. Here at Kings Ford, we are proud to offer the full lineup of Ford vehicles, including the powerful and sporty Ranger. Our friendly, knowledgeable salespeople are ready to answer all of your questions and help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs. Call or come visit us in Cincinnati today and let us show you your next truck.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
