Which One Is Right For You?

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Ford Ranger Raptor are some of the most off-road capable pickup trucks on offer. For the 2024 model year, Toyota introduced an all-new Tacoma design, bringing more upgrades across the entire lineup. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro gets a mightier hybrid powertrain, beefier chassis, and more technology features.

Ford has introduced the all-new Ranger Raptor for 2024, giving enthusiasts a downsized version of the velocity-defying F-150 Raptor. The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor boasts a potent twin-turbocharged V6 engine, a more aggressive exterior design, 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.

Styling And Exterior Dimensions

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

The Tacoma TRD Pro gets a more menacing stance than ever, sitting two inches higher at the front and 1.5 inches higher at 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 performs better from the TRD cat back exhaust and the TRD performance air intake.

Ford, on the other hand, equips the 2024 Ranger Raptor with a purposeful design. At the front, the Ranger Raptor gets LED projector headlights, helping light up the trails. The headlights also get Ford’s C clamp signature lighting. The Ranger Raptor also gets bold F-O-R-D lettering on the grille and an all-steel bumper with integrated front tow hooks.

Unlike the base Ranger, the 2024 Ranger Raptor gets flared fenders with functional fender vents for the more aggressive 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain KO3 tires. Ford adds serious underbody protection, including a thick front bash plate 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 suite introduces impressive safety and convenience systems, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full speed range 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 assist control.

Top Tacoma Safety And Driver Assistance Features

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Full speed range dynamic radar cruise control
• Lane departure alert with steering assist

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

Top Ranger Safety And Driver Assistance Features

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

Related: Off-Road Vehicles Comparison: Ford Bronco Vs Jeep Wrangler Vs Toyota Land Cruiser

Interior And Infotainment Systems

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has a luxurious interior with plenty of standard technology. Chief among these includes a head-up display, power-retractable side steps, a premium JBL Audio system, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a power moonroof, a 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 infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Premium JBL audio system
• Head up display

The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor has many features, including a vertically oriented 12.4-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system tuns 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.

Stannard In-Car Entertainment Features

• 12.4 inch vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen
• 12-inch digital gauge cluster
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

Related: 10 Coolest Off-Road SUV Alternatives For Jeep Wrangler Buyers

Pricing And Trims

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 has yet to update the pricing information, we speculate the base Tacoma SR will have a starting MSRP of around $28,000. The 2024 Tacoma SR and SR5 trims offer two cab options: double cab or XtraCab.

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

Estimated Pricing

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

Pricing

Related: Upgrade Your Tacoma: 10 Mods To Make It A Raptor Competitor

Performance And Powertrain Options

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

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

Ford offers three engine options for its 2024 Ranger pickup truck. The base engine, a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, is available in the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. Ford offers an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. The top dog, the 2024 Ranger Raptor, gets a mightier twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with an impressive 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque.

Engine Specs