Which one is right for you?

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Ford Ranger Raptor are two of the most capable off-road vehicles Small trucks Available on offer. For the 2024 model year, Toyota has introduced an all-new Tacoma design, bringing more upgrades across the entire lineup. the Toyota Tacoma 2024 The TRD Pro gets a stronger hybrid powertrain, a larger chassis, and more tech features.

Ford has introduced the all-new Ranger Raptor for the 2024 model year, giving enthusiasts a scaled-down version of the speed-challenging F-150 Raptor. the 2024 Ford Ranger The Raptor features a powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine, more aggressive exterior styling, extra ground clearance, and an unmistakable Ford grille.

Let’s take a look at these all-terrain pickup trucks and help you find your favorite.

Design and external dimensions

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro uses Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, similar to that found in the all-new Tundra and Sequoia. Like those full-size variants, the 2024 Tacoma platform gets high-strength steel with laser cutting and welds to help increase rigidity over its predecessor. Toyota also uses aluminum in the upper body, which helps reduce weight. Toyota fits a newly available multi-link rear suspension to boost the Tacoma’s ride height. Tacoma TRD variants get a larger front brake package, while those with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain get a larger rear brake package.

The Tacoma TRD Pro has a more menacing look than ever, sitting 2 inches higher up front and 1.5 inches higher in the rear. It’s also three inches wider than the Tacoma SR5. Toyota fits the Tacoma TRD Pro with TRD wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires. As standard, the Tacoma TRD Pro gets the i-FORCE MAX powertrain, which works better than the TRD rear exhaust and TRD air intake.

On the other hand, the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor has been equipped with a purposeful design. Up front, the Ranger Raptor gets LED headlights, which help illuminate the lanes. The headlights also get Ford’s signature C-clamp lighting. The Ranger Raptor also gets bold FORD lettering on the grille and an all-steel bumper with integrated front tow hooks.

Unlike the base Ranger, the 2024 Ranger Raptor has flared fenders with functional vents for more aggressive 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. Ford adds serious underbody protection, including a thick front panel and engine, transfer case, and fuel tank shields.

RELATED: We Love the New Ford Ranger, but These Used American Pickups Are Great Alternatives

Safety and driver assistance features

All 2024 Toyota Tacoma models get Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0 as standard. The Safety Group offers impressive safety and convenience systems, including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed ​​Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist. .

In addition to TSS 3.0, the 2024 Tacoma lineup also gets other features like a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill start assist control.

The most important safety and driver assistance features in the Tacoma

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear traffic assistance
• Dynamic radar cruise control with full speed range
• Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist

The 2024 Ford Ranger lineup gets basic driver-assistance features as standard. Ford also offers optional packages on some Ranger models; Fortunately, Ford’s optional packages are relatively affordable. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automated emergency braking, and forward collision warning.

Best Ranger safety and driver assistance features

• Rear traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Automated emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control system

RELATED: Off-Road Vehicle Comparison: Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Land Cruiser

Interior and entertainment systems

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro features a luxurious interior with plenty of standard technology. Key among these features are a head-up display, electrically retractable side steps, premium JBL sound system, 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, electric sunroof, digital rearview mirror, etc. The 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro also gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.

Standard in-car entertainment features

• 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Premium JBL audio system
• Head width

The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor has many features, including a 12.4-inch vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen. The system adjusts Ford’s latest Sync infotainment software. The driver also gets a large 12-inch digital gauge cluster. As standard, the Ranger Raptor also gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, built-in navigation, and multiple charging ports.

Standard in-car entertainment features

• 12.4-inch vertical infotainment touch screen
• 12-inch digital meters
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker audio system

RELATED: 10 Coolest Off-Road SUV Alternatives for Jeep Wrangler Buyers

Pricing and decorations

For the 2024 model year, the Tacoma has eight trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. While Toyota hasn’t updated pricing information yet, we expect the base price of the Tacoma SR to start around $28,000. The 2024 Tacoma SR and SR5 offer two cab options: Double Cab or XtraCab.

The new 2024 Tacoma TRD PreRunner will only be available with the XtraCab configuration. All remaining trims are only available with the Double Cab.

Estimated pricing

On the other hand, Ford is keeping the 2024 Ranger lineup simple with just four trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, and Ranger. The entry-level Ranger XL model has a starting MSRP of $32,565; So, you get a 4-cylinder engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum wheels, cloth front seats, etc. All 2024 Ranger models are only available with a crew cab and ample room for five passengers.

Pricing

RELATED: Upgrade Your Tacoma: 10 Mods to Make It a Raptor Competitor

Performance and powertrain options

All 2024 Tacoma models get a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. However, the engine comes in multiple variants, with the base model Tacoma SR getting a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. The basic engine configuration produces 228 hp. In the SR5 and PreRunner, the engine produces an impressive 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.

The 2024 Tacoma dog, the TRD Pro, gets the i-FORCE MAX hybrid setup, which pairs the gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Toyota fits some performance upgrades into the TRD Pro, including a dual-tip exhaust system and a high-performance air intake.

Ford offers three engine options for its 2024 Ranger pickup truck. The base engine, a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, is available on XL, XLT and Lariat models. Ford offers an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque on XL, XLT and Lariat models. The top dog, the 2024 Ranger Raptor, gets a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque.

Engine specifications