Between the Tundra and Tacoma, which is better for you depends on your needs. Let’s take a look at the differences in these trucks’ performance, capabilities, and style so you can make an informed decision at Midlands Toyota!

2021 Toyota Tundra: Power is the Name of the Game

If you regularly need to tow up to 10,200 pounds or load up to 1,730 pounds in your truck bed, and you want to look and feel good while you do, the 2021 Toyota Tundra is the truck for you. Its standard i-FORCE 5.7L V8 engine produces up to 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. of torque, which is more than enough to tow whatever you’ve got to haul.

Tundra doesn’t just do the big stuff right: several smaller accouterments work together to provide you the comfort and storage you need for long trips. Tundra’s available bucket seat option provides you a large center console with a covered storage compartment and 12V auxiliary power outlet. In the Double Cab and CrewMax Tundras, the rear seats fold up instead of flat, giving you even more room to store cargo you need to keep dry.

To keep your outside cargo secure, Tundra offers an available deck rail system for tying down up to 220 lbs. each. Once you get where you’re going, you can pull your tools out of the lockable bed storage boxes available on the Tundra Trail Special Edition.

Of course, you expect more than just a workhorse truck. The 2021 Tundra offers style and comfort in spades, from its available 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen display with Integrated Navigation to its Apple CarPlay™, Amazon Amazon Alexa, and Android Auto™ integrations, Multi-Information Display, available Smart Key, and more. No matter your style, there’s a Tundra for you, with six trims to choose from.

2021 Toyota Tacoma: A Mean Off-roading Machine

For an unrivaled mid-size off-roading experience, people have been reaching for the Toyota Tacoma for years. The 2021 Tacoma is no different, with two engine options to choose from, six trims, and an off-roading package on the Tacoma TRD Pro. If you still find yourself towing from time to time, Tacoma’s available Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 with direct injection perfectly blends efficiency and power, with the capability to tow up to 6,400 pounds.

Features like Hill Start Assist Control, available Multi-Terrain Select Bilstein® shocks, crawl control, and more make off-roading a breeze in every Tacoma, but for the ultimate off-roading experience, the Tacoma TRD Pro offers many extra features. These include the TRD Pro skid plate, Rigid Industries® LED fog lights, TRD-tuned FOX® Internal Bypass shocks, 16-inch wheels with Goodyear® Wrangler® All-Terrain tires, and more.

Just because you’re off the beaten path doesn’t mean you have to rough it in the 2021 Tacoma. Its tough yet refined interior features soft-touch materials, available leather-trimmed, adjustable seating, dual-zone climate control, an available power rear window, and more. It’s a comfortable and rugged ride that’s sure to leave you breathless.

Find Your Next Toyota Truck in Columbia

Whichever Toyota truck you decide is more your style, you’re sure to find it at Midlands Toyota, serving the Columbia, Lexington, St. Andrews, Dentsville, and Orangeburg areas. Our friendly sales staff will gladly help you find the new or used Toyota that’s perfect for you, and when you find it, our finance department will run the numbers to make sure you get the best deal. Come see us at our dealership, or give us a call or schedule a test drive online today!

If you’re looking for a capable truck that’s a bit more … wieldy than a full-size monster, a mid-size pickup truck like the 2021 Toyota Tacoma or new Ford Ranger is a great bet. Both trucks are strong, reliable machines that can handle most non-heavy-duty jobs. However, chances are that you only need one of these trucks, so which is the better choice? Read on to find out.

2021 Toyota Tacoma advantages over the Ranger

The Tacoma has been a best-selling truck for over a decade, and for good reason. Its 33 model configurations can fit pretty much any need, whether you tend toward towing, off-roading, camping, or construction. If you prefer a stick-shift transmission, the Tacoma provides a six-speed. And the Tacoma holds its value like Toyotas are known to do.

Technology Features

For driver-assistance technology, the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of features comes standard on every 2021 Tacoma. These features include front emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Ford has a similar offering with its Co-Pilot 360 suite, but it’s an available feature that you have to shell out more for.

The new Tacoma also comes standard with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Ranger’s standard screen, meanwhile, is a mere 4.2 inches across, and comes only with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. You can upgrade to an 8-inch touchscreen model with modern features, but honestly, those should be standard in 2021.

Price & Value

While the 2021 Tacoma tends to run a little cheaper than the equivalent Ranger, where the Toyota truck really shines is after your purchase. Toyotas are well-known for holding their value well, and the Tacoma has won the Excellent designation from MotorTrend’s IntelliChoice rating, the highest available.

In contrast, the Ford Ranger gets a Poor rating, which is the lowest. If you want a truck that you can use and abuse, and still keep on truckin’, the Tacoma is your best bet.

2021 Ford Ranger advantages over the Tacoma

In terms of raw engine power, the 2021 Ranger’s 2.3L 4-cylinder edges out the Tacoma’s engines, though the Tacoma does offer two: a base 2.7L 4-cylinder making 159 hp and 180 lb-ft. of torque, and a 3.5L V6 powering 278 hp and 265 lb-ft. If you love manual shifting, you’re out of luck with the Ford, which offers only a 10-speed automatic; the Tacoma, however, offers a 6-speed manual with its V6 option.

With a more powerful engine comes a higher towing rating. The 2021 Ford Ranger is rated to tow 7,500 pounds and has a best-in-class payload. The new Toyota Tacoma, by contrast, can tow up to 6,700 pounds with a payload rating of 1,155 pounds.

The one place where Ford prioritized technology is in its towing system. Its available, innovative blind-spot warning system integrates with a trailer, telling you if a vehicle is next to your trailer. That’s a safety feature we’d love to see other manufacturers imitate.

And the Winner Is …

While the Ford Ranger is a capable mid-size pickup truck, we think the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is the clear winner. Its updated interior, plenty-powerful capability, and top safety and resale ratings give it the edge over the updated Ford truck.

But hey – don’t take our word for it! Come test-drive a new Toyota truck today at Midlands Toyota in Columbia. We’ve got a wide selection of new and used Toyota trucks, cars, and SUVs, and our friendly sales staff will be glad to help you find your next Toyota. If you’re in the Columbia, St. Andrews, Dentsville, or Orangeburg areas, you owe it to yourself to try a new Tacoma today.