Here’s how the 2024 Toyota Tacoma compares to the competition

Now with the lid off Toyota Tacoma from 2024, the entire class of next-generation midsize pickups is finally in plain sight. And the Tacoma certainly seems to have earned its spot, with an all-new design inside and out, a trio of compelling powertrains (including an available i-Force Max hybrid, as does the larger Tundra) and several high-end equipment packs for everywhere.

Now that the segment has really picked up steam, it’s time to compare the new Taco to the midsize pickup rivals built to give it value for money. If you are looking for such a vehicle, you definitely have some choices to make. Here’s a guide to help, starting with a summary of the new Tacoma’s most pertinent specs.

• Price: We do not know yet! What we do know is that the outgoing Tacoma starts at $29,585 including destination for the two-wheel-drive, 2.7-liter inline-four-powered SR trim, which offers a paltry 179 horsepower. Fortunately, that engine does not hang. Expect more information on Tacoma pricing later this year.
• Length: This also remains secret. However, Toyota told Motorcycle trend dat “the length of the new truck [is] essentially unchanged” from the previous generation, despite increasing the wheelbase by about four inches. For the 2023 Tacoma, the overall length was 212.3 inches for both Access Cab-equipped pickups with the 5-foot bed and Double Cab trucks with the 6-foot bed. Both bed/cab configuration choices remain for the upcoming model.
• Current: Base 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four with 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque; optional high-performance 2.4-liter turbo with 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque; optional hybrid 2.4-liter turbo with 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque
• Transfer: 8-speed automatic for all grades; 6-speed manual transmission with automatic speed adjustment available for high-performance, non-hybrid engine (manual reduces power to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft)
• MPG City/Intermediate/Highway: To be determined
• Maximum Payload/Towing (lbs): 1,709 (TRD off-road)/6,500 (SR5 I-Force and TRD PreRunner)
• Standard Features: Smart key system with start button; Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with pre-collision assist; hill start assistance; 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; roof with integrated mounting holes

• Price: The base 2WD Frontier S trim with the King Cab starts at $30,705 including destination. That goes up to $33,405 for the SV model, and adding 4WD for both tacks costs another $3,000. The cheapest Frontier with the larger Crew Cab starts at $32,005, followed by $34,805 for the SV version of that truck, all the way up to the top-of-the-line PRO-4X at $40,235.
• Length: 210.2 inches; 1.50 meter bed (extended King Cab and 1.80 meter bed also available)
• Current: 3.8-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque
• Transfer: 9-speed automatic
• MPG City/Intermediate/Highway: 18/20/24 for 2WD; 17/19/22 for 4WD
• Maximum Payload/Towing (lbs): 1,610/6,720 for 2WD (depending on trim, driveline and bed size)
• Standard Features: Nissan Safety Shield 360 with Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Driver Alert System; trailer sway control; hill start assistance; 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 7-inch configurable instrument panel display

The Nissan Frontier was given a second lease of life for 2022, with a modern design and – probably more relevant to buyers – the most powerful standard engine in its class. In fact, the Frontier’s 3.6-liter V6 is the only engine offered, so it starts to lose its value advantage once you get there in the higher trims.

The Frontier’s interior seems a beat behind the new Taco, and Nissan doesn’t offer one with a third pedal. In fact, unfortunately, that applies to the rest of the truck market, except for the Jeep Gladiators. Alternatives may be a bit more sophisticated, but “sophistication” is, of course, a dirty word for a certain subgroup of pickup buyers. For them there is the Frontier.

• Price: The base 2WD Colorado WT (that’s “Work Truck”) starts at $30,695 with shipping – though of course Chevrolet doesn’t expect most regular people to buy it. The cheapest regular Colorado is the 2WD LT, at $33,095. Adding 4WD to either increases the price by about $3,300. The Trail Boss ($38,495), Z71 ($41,395) and top-of-the-line ZR2 ($48,295) all come exclusively with 4WD and the more powerful 310 horsepower engine.
• Length: 212.7-213.2 inches (depending on finish); 5-foot, 2-inch bed
• Current: Base 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four with 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque; optional 2.7-liter turbo “Plus” with 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque; ZR2-only high-output 2.7-liter turbo with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque
• Transfer: 8-speed automatic
• MPG City/Intermediate/Highway: 20/22/25 for 2WD; 21-19-23 for 4WD; 17/19/21 for 4WD with “Plus” engine; 17/18/19 for ZR2
• Maximum Payload/Towing (lbs): 1,684/7,700 for WT, LT (max draw requires optional package)
• Standard Features: Chevy Safety Assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking; 11.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 8-inch configurable instrument cluster display

The new Colorado can outrun and tow the Tacoma if you specify it as such, and compares well in terms of power – albeit without the option of a fuel-guzzling, torquey hybrid. It’s a well-rounded mid-size pickup, but it does force you to make some sacrifices in terms of configuration. The Colorado comes with only one type of cab and a 5-foot bed. If you can live with that, there aren’t really any downsides. And if you love the Colorado but happen to have even more to spend on a luxury pickup, we recommend the GMC canyon?

• Price: We’re still missing some information here, as so far Ford has only announced that the new Ranger’s SuperCrew model starts at $34,160. The existing SuperCab, with a six-foot bed but only two doors, costs $29,540, so you can expect the equivalent version of the new generation truck to be at least cheaper, even if it’s not quite less than $ 30,000. What we can say is that if it’s the bird of prey you’re looking for, you’ll have to part with $56,690.
• Length: 210.6 inches; 5-foot bed (6-foot bed TBA)
• Current: Base 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque; optional 2.7-liter turbo V6 with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque; Raptor-only twin-turbo V6 with 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque
• Transfer: 10-speed automatic
• MPG City/Medium/Highway: Ford hasn’t said anything yet. However, the old Ranger had the exact same turbo four, and in 2WD guise returned an EPA-rated 20/22/26, while the 4WD got 19/21/24. Expect numbers in that ballpark.
• Maximum Payload/Towing (lbs): 1,805/7,500 for 2WD (Max Capacity Requires Trailer Tow Package)
• Standard Features: Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking; 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 8-inch configurable instrument panel display

Alongside the new Tacoma, the 2024 Ford Ranger is the latest midsize truck to get a serious overhaul. And this one has been coming for a while since it was first teased for the rest of the world way back in 2021. Ford expects to deliver the first 2024 Rangers by the summer.

Despite the new face, which retains the Ranger’s mild manners from the rest of the pickup bay, the latest iteration retains one of the best aspects of the old model: that 270-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, which offered a very solid 26 mpg in two-wheel drive form. The Tacoma’s i-Force Max hybrid may have a little less power than the Raptor’s twin-turbo V6, but it trumps Ford’s offerings in torque and is sure to win in fuel economy. Toyota may also have the inside advantage; the Tacos dash more like its price.

The Tacoma 2024 certainly did its job, but it’s also distinctive enough to succeed in the highly competitive medium-sized truck arena. It’s the only one offered with one manually or hybrid, and the existence of the new overland-oriented trail hunter trim alongside the TRD Pro spec means enthusiasts have even more options at their disposal. That said, if you want to lug most things around, the Colorado or Ranger might serve you better.

The real question, as always, will come down to the money spent. Trucks are very popular and so are new cars never been more expensive. With Toyota’s new range of engines, the cheapest Taco will no longer be a miserable choice, and that alone counts for a lot. Expect an update as soon as we get word on pricing and fuel economy for both the Tacoma and Ranger.