The midsize truck class is one with plenty of stiff competition and two standout examples are the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. In this article, we’ll be looking at what the two standouts have on the table this year, in this 2025 Ford Ranger vs Tacoma off-road performance comparison.
Key Takeaways:
- The Tacoma sees minor, but welcome updates this year.
- The Ranger is on the affordable side between the two, generally being a tad cheaper.
- The Ranger leads on the towing capacity front, while the Tacoma utilizes its hybrid powertrain to get an edge on horsepower.
What are the trim levels for the 2025 Ford Ranger?
For 2025, the Ford Ranger is available in four trims this year: XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor. Pricing for the RWD base model starts just above $34,500, while the 4WD-only Ranger Raptor stickers for roughly $57,500. Going with the rear-drive variants saves $3,645 on the XL and $3,485 on the XLT and Lariat but also limits engine choices. As of March 31st, the prices of the 6 available trims as of writing are:
- XL 2WD SuperCrew - $33,080
- XLT 2WD SuperCrew - $36,110
- XL 4WD SuperCrew - $36,725
- XLT 4WD SuperCrew - $39,595
- Lariat 2WD SuperCrew - $43,880
- Lariat 4WD SuperCrew - $47,365
How much will the 2025 Toyota Tacoma cost?
The base SR model will start at $33,085. For its second year on the market, the Tacoma sees only minor updates. All models now come standard with front tow hooks, and the available auxiliary switches have been upgraded to support 95 amps, a significant increase from the previous 30-amp capacity. Additionally, the Terra paint color is now available across all TRD models. For this year, pricing for the Toyota Tacoma starts at $33,085 and reaches up to $54,050, depending on trim and options. A full list of trims reads as:
- SR - $33,085
- SR5 - $37,715
- TRD PreRunner - $39,615
- TRD Sport - $40,895
- TRD Off-Road - $43,295
- Limited - $54,050
Of these, it’s the SR5 trim offers the best value, featuring the 278-hp version of the Tacoma's turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 17-inch aluminum wheels, blind-spot monitoring, fog lamps, integrated cargo-bed tie-down clamps, push-button start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. That said, the rugged, adventure-ready styling of the TRD Off-Road is particularly appealing, and it's a model that Car and Driver has thoroughly tested.
How much can a 2025 Ford Ranger tow?
Towing capacity is one of the most important aspects of buying a pickup truck, and Ford themselves state on their website that for the 2025 Ford Ranger, you can expect a maximum available towing capacity of 7,500 lbs and a maximum available payload of 1,788 lbs, both figures on which it outperforms the Tacoma.
How many miles per gallon does a 2025 Toyota Tacoma get?
This year, Motortrend reports that the new Tacoma comes equipped with a version of Toyota’s 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, with the default option being the eight-speed automatic transmission. The base SR trim features a detuned variant which produces 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque, while other trims see power figures ranging from 270 to 278 hp and torque from 310 to 317 lb-ft, depending on the choice between the automatic or the optional six-speed manual.
For those seeking extra performance, Toyota also offers a hybrid option. The i-Force Max powertrain,which comes standard on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims, generates an impressive 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel economy varies by configuration, with the rear-wheel-drive Tacoma SR5 expected to return 21/26 mpg city/highway. Adding four-wheel drive, larger wheels, or all-terrain tires will likely reduce efficiency. Hybrid models aren’t expected to offer a significant fuel economy boost, as seen in the Tundra, where the i-Force Max provides a major power increase without a drastic improvement in efficiency.
Summary
If you’re looking for the best overall truck between the two, the towing capacity, price, fuel efficiency and comfort offered by the Ranger are hard to match. That’s not to say that the Tacoma itself is a slouch. The two are priced quite similarly, but we feel that the Ranger provides more bang for your buck.
To help with your final decision, stop by Banner Ford in Mandeville to test drive the Ranger trim of your choice. We know it will sway you to our side of thinking.