If you’re yearning to embark on an off-road adventure, the truck that you choose to drive has the potential to make or break your experience, especially if it’s not equipped to handle the terrain. Two trucks that have been known to offer up extraordinary experiences are the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma, equipped with their own versions of top-performing tech and abilities. When you want to fly higher, cascade over obstacles, and venture out onto more rustic paths, these two strong options will be there for you, but how do they stack up against one another, and which is better? We’re taking the 2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma and evaluating their off-road packages to see which truck just gives drivers a better experience on any road, trail, or path. You may be shocked to find out how these tough and agile travelers are ready to make your next trip more thrilling in every way.
Tremor Off-Road Package: What You Get
This iconic off-road package, now available in the 2021 Ford Ranger, provides adventure seekers with a way to explore uncharted territories better than ever before. From a reinforced steel frame to upgraded materials to enhance the strength of this durable traveler, the Tremor Off-Road Package doesn’t mess around. Outfit your Ranger to be able to take on any terrain with agility and a prowess that can’t be beat with an enhanced suspension system, upgraded skid plate, as well as front and rear tow hooks. There’s no adventure the Ranger can’t be a part of when it’s equipped with these legendary off-road capabilities, and if you think that’s all…wait, there’s more.
Its state-of-the-art Terrain Management System allows you to traverse uneven and treacherous conditions with control. Choose from a variety of modes to enhance any driving situation, like Snow, Mud, Gravel, Sand, and others, and have expert confidence anywhere you travel. Its Trail Control feature allows you to maneuver your way through even the bumpiest of trails through its use of a driver-activated cruise control system. By controlling the throttle and brake pressure, you’re able to glide effortlessly over any terrain, which comes in handy when your surroundings get a bit dangerous. When you trust your epic adventure to the Ford Ranger, armed with the Tremor Off-Road Package, you’re able to go anywhere with precision and assurance.
It’s no secret that the Ford Ranger was made for the outdoors. With its Electronic-Locking Rear Differential, you’re able to take advantage of maximum traction through both wheels so that you can enjoy the best off-road experience available. The big draw when it comes to the Ranger is that even though it is outfitted with an unbelievable off-road readiness, it still delivers an all-around inspiring ride whether you’re simply driving to work or running errands around town, making this truck a top pick for many.
You’ll also notice that with its higher and wider stance, you’re able to go anywhere without even the slightest worry, and when you want to venture out on an expedition, this makes it much easier and way more fun.
All-terrain tires, fine-tuned shocks, and anti-roll bars provide the Ranger with everything it needs for off-road expeditions. And with its undeniable strength and top-level performance, there’s no competing with the Ford Ranger when it comes to the perfect pickup. Few trucks can compare to this exciting Ford offering due to its already impeccable build, and when you add the Tremor Off-Road Package into the mix, it just doesn’t get any better than this.
TRD Pro Off-Road Package: What You Get
Toyota is no stranger to adventure, and with one of its most popular trucks in history, donning TRD Pro off-road capabilities, you know that you’re in for an exceptional experience. Even its fierce appearance screams adventure, from its durable skid plate to its bold design, but when you get into all of the details, that’s where you’ll really be impressed. Available Bilstein shocks and a powerful engine are the perfect components of a legendary ride in any environment. With its Crawl Control technology, you’re able to navigate over rocky terrain without losing your footing through five low-speed settings designed specifically for uneven obstacles.
Multi-Terrain Select technology allows you to choose between five distinct modes to improve your ride in any condition. With its standard Electronically Controlled Locking Rear Differential, you’re able to enjoy even power to its rear wheels to enhance traction, making for a safe and controlled ride. Have the assurance you need, even if the terrain gets a little steep, with Hill Start Assist Control, designed to provide maximum regulation of your Tacoma when you’re on a hill, reducing the risk of rolling backward when you switch between the brakes and the gas. With all the advanced tech available, like the Multi-Terrain monitor, you’re able to stay aware of your surroundings utilizing the front and side-view cameras to avoid making contact with any obstacles.
The unfortunate news about the Tacoma is that while it does offer a lot of cool off-road gear, adding in a lift kit and all of these adventurous bells and whistles takes its toll on its performance. Its engine just can’t keep up, and the more you add to this popular truck, the more you lose when it comes to acceleration and power. While it does have a lot of the same features as many of the other off-road-ready trucks, the fact that you’re sacrificing power is a big reason why many choose to look elsewhere when they want a top-of-the-line off-road vehicle.
2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma
The Ford Ranger comes equipped with a strong engine that can tow more, haul more, and accelerate better than many of its rivals. So, when it’s properly outfitted with the Tremor Off-Road Package, it doesn’t lose its power – its abilities are only heightened. That’s the main problem in the Tacoma, as it is already weaker than the Ranger in terms of towing and overall engine performance, which means that when you add more off-road elements into the mix, it’s no surprise that its performance suffers. When it comes to everyday functionality, the Ranger showcases amazing capabilities, including more efficiency than the Tacoma, which makes it an overall great truck for work, play, and everything in between.
Where the Tacoma shines is with its expert maneuverability, especially when in CRAWL mode, as you’re able to effortlessly navigate over rocks and obstacles much better than a lot of the competition. We just wish that it had more powerful capabilities from the start so that it would perform even better on any adventure. Both trucks have proven they have what it takes to deliver jaw-dropping performances on the trails and other treacherous territories, but they are not equal, not by a long shot.
The Ultimate Adventurer
It’s undeniable that both the 2021 Ford Ranger and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma offer up some of the best qualities you can find in a pickup truck. Both showcase an exceptional off-road presence, and while the Tacoma has its good qualities, it lacks in one significant area, and that area is power. You just can’t compete with the Ranger’s abilities, matched with its extreme efficiency, which makes it the ideal traveler for everyday driving and beyond. The fact that you compromise on power when you outfit the Tacoma with off-road capabilities is a turn-off for many drivers who want to reach maximum exhilaration during their adventures. When you want the perfect pickup to take you from a hard day at work to effortless traversing any terrain, the 2021 Ford Ranger is a crowd favorite and continues to raise eyebrows with its myriad of top-performing features.
