Tacoma vs. Ranger vs. Colorado

[Thai]

Great comparison and detailed specs during the video:

Of note:

- Taco powertrain worst of bunch...but that seems to be it's only major weakness.

- Colorado is OK at everything.......but it's off-road angles are bad....i think Toyota Camry has better angles!

- Ford Ranger is just pure trash! Horrible ride on-road. Worthless traction control off-road. Worst RTI. Oh and it switches out of 4LO on its OWN!!


Hmmm...those drum brakes don't look so bad afterall!

 

[Dillusion]

Its not from CR so it must be wrong....

 

[hardyplante]

I'm a taco fan, but IMO when I see the guys at work with their tacomas I just think how it costs almost as much as my fullsize! I'm not sure what the price point on the ranger or zr2 are though so maybe they're all comparable...

 

[Thai]

I'm a taco fan, but IMO when I see the guys at work with their tacomas I just think how it costs almost as much as my fullsize! I'm not sure what the price point on the ranger or zr2 are though so maybe they're all comparable...

But Tacos also have the BEST resale value of ANY vehicle.

 

[JustRami]

Poor Ranger, has been on the market for just a few months and a picture leaked today of the next gen.

IMO the Colorado Bison is the better vehicle than the Tacoma TRD Pro. I know that's now what they were reviewing here.

The Tacoma just doesn't give me the same feeling as the previous generation did, especially at a $35-45K price point.

 

[hardyplante]

But Tacos also have the BEST resale value of ANY vehicle.

Oh I don't argue with that one bit! I've tried many times to find a mid 90s one in good shape My main thing I guess is when I buy a pickup I'm in a different market than someone with a midsize. I need a fullsize truck and always will so to me the few thousand more to reach that fullsize platform is a no brainer. Our 4runner is our play vehicle my sierra with 35s gets stuck looking at anything the stock 4runner would coast through lol.

I had an '02 blazer in highschool that was pretty sweet (so I thought at the time). But back to the original comparison looking at specs I think toyota's got it, you can always regear to make up for power.

 

[Jetboy]

The '20 Tacoma actually got a lot of really nice updates like LED progressive projectors and some nice interior updates. Too bad they didn't transfer to the 4Runner. The platform is pretty much locked in. Not sure what Toyota could meaningfully improve on chassis wise other than rear disc brakes and maybe a turbo engine. Everything else is about as good as it gets.

Visually it's a much more premium look without a ton of major changes.

 

[wcjeep]

Colorado likes to liberate the airbags when offroad. The Ranger was already an old platform. Tacoma seems to be falling behind. The new Jeep Gladiator is probably going to dominate the news cycle when it hits the dealer floors. Many current JL Wrangler accessories will bolt on to the Gladiator. This seems to be a huge advantage. I'm not claiming the Jeep Gladiator will be reliable or fully assembled.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

2 of the vehicles mentioned in this thread are in this video. Who knows how reliable the info is. Just posting it up for people to see.

YouTube

 

[jordanrb81]

So I actually went and test drove a Colorado ZR2 on Thursday. the ZR2 tows 5,000 lbs. Other Colorado models tow much more I think up to 7,800 lbs but not the ZR2. it felt very small inside to me anyway, the back seat was a joke. I admit, and this is why I was at a dealer for a test drive I like how it looks, I like the front and rear lockers stock I like the fact that they took the front facia basically off. but the 4Runner has more than 2" of ground clearance on the "big burly truck".

What really did it for me, and everyone's lifestyle is different, is actual storage. I haul wood around kind of a lot (free heat) on my own land and right across the street at a couple of neighbors properties I just use my SxS but it isn't street legal so a pickup would be nice to have for retrievals further away. I also use my 4Runner for dump runs, and some of the bags sometimes have that really smelly situation with liquid in the bag (GROSS) and it pains me to put it in the back of the 4Runner, hoping it just doesn't puncture. Here's the thing though I was standing at the back of the truck with the bed down and my 4Runner parked right next to it, thinking about couches, and canoes, and 4 adult males with ski/snowboard boots etc. and the snowboard rack on my roof. Here's where I settled, with the seats down and the rear window down I can say for what I actually do in my day to day life the 4Runner can move more, more often. Sure there are times a truck bed would be better but there are more times a 5ft bed wouldn't be helpful.


what I did like was the 8 speed transmission, the 8" infotainment center with all the goodies, the leather heated seats and heated steering wheel. I know someone is going to say something about those only being nice assuming they keep working but those were the appealing qualities. the story ends with the 4Runner still happily in my garage and me realizing I have written a short book, sorry for the rambling.

 

[wcjeep]

So I actually went and test drove a Colorado ZR2 on Thursday. the ZR2 tows 5,000 lbs. Other Colorado models tow much more I think up to 7,800 lbs but not the ZR2. .

Utility trailer towed by the 4runner might solve your problems?

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Utility trailer towed by the 4runner might solve your problems?

You are right about that. $500 and I have a 10'-12' bed that's more useful.

I still may go drive a ZR2 just for fun though.

 

[jordanrb81]

Utility trailer towed by the 4runner might solve your problems?

And I have one, sorry that was an incomplete thought. some would buy a truck for the increased towing and I was pointing out that this option package on the ZR2 doesn't really help you in the towing department. I have a trailer that I use to move the SxS as well as the Kubota. The reality of my life however is, for example when I make my weekly dump run later today I just won't go through the trouble of hooking the trailer, I could but I won't. having a truck bed requires zero effort, it's just there. luckily I have the 4Runner rubber mat that covers my rear cargo area and can ventilate with the rear window if something is particularly stinky. for wood retrieval I would probably go through the trouble of hooking up the trailer... depending on how deep in the woods the tree is.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Finally got a chance to watch the video. I think the comparison was pretty accurate and fair. My thoughts:

We all know the Tacos powertrain leaves a lot to be desired.

Tacos tech department sucks.

The Taco was the clear winner Offroad,,,, Duh

Unanimously the Ranger is Garbage. YEP

 

[Twan]

Test drove a diesel ZR2 a little while back, and it's likely to be my next vehicle purchase. Does everything I'd want it to just well enough, and would make having my 4Runner obsolete. Just waiting for them to depriciate a bit more since I'd rather not spend $40k on something I plan on wheeling.

 

[Thai]

Test drove a diesel ZR2 a little while back, and it's likely to be my next vehicle purchase. Does everything I'd want it to just well enough, and would make having my 4Runner obsolete. Just waiting for them to depriciate a bit more since I'd rather not spend $40k on something I plan on wheeling.

You may want to read their forum...........their transmission is trash! Yes, worst than Tacoma’s! It may function better but tons of issues......so much that GM is refusing to replace them.....just sending out software updates to buy time.

 

[Jimmyasheville]

I looked at the Tacoma’s when I got my 4Runner. It seemed really small, and really expensive for what is was. So I looked at the Tundra too, but couldn’t do the mileage. So I got a Limited, and I rent a small utility trailer from U Haul 3-4 times a year. Problem solved.

 

[Twan]

You may want to read their forum...........their transmission is trash! Yes, worst than Tacoma’s! It may function better but tons of issues......so much that GM is refusing to replace them.....just sending out software updates to buy time.

Google seems to indicate it's the 8 speed with torque converter shudder issues. Don't see much in relation to the 6 speed the diesel uses.

 

[Thai]

Good video analyzing Tacoma issues: YouTube

 

[mteolus]

I think I saw one video where the Tacoma had way better articulation than the Ford. Once again, Ford threw out rubbish. You would think they would put something better out there after a 6 year hiatus.