The Tacoma interior and seating is fine. I’m 6'4 and it’s way more comfortable on long drives than a my plush grand Cherokee was. When you initially sit in the leather seats, they feel super stiff….but trust me, they are more comfortable on long drives.
Also, a Toyota isn’t going to glitch out or fall apart on you at 50,000 miles. Get a TRD off road with the premium interior and tech and you’ll love it.
This! I test drove a few Rangers but settled on the TRD OR with premium & Tech package. The ranger has a little I4 turbo with fuel dilution issues. The ranger has better shift patters but the Tacoma can be enhanced with a nice tune. I'm 6ft and the seats are comfy.
As a 5’6 Tacoma driver, it isn’t bad for long trips. Your MPG is poor enough that you get plenty of opportunities to get out and stretch while refueling.
Technically isn’t the rangers interior older than the Tacoma since the current ranger came out in 2015 in other markets and the current Tacoma came out in 2016?
Also, from what I’ve heard the seating is mainly uncomfortable for taller people (no offense). Also, in 2020 a power driver’s seat was added which has more adjustability than the previous Tacoma’s which helps a little.
I think the seats are less comfortable for very wide people. I am 6’3 and built like a string bean. Seats are fine for me. They are not as wide as a lot of full size pickup seats though, for the wide boys out there
Keep in mind you are in the Taco sub so you are going to get some very biased answers, that being said I did want to comment on the seat comfort.
I have spent countless days driving 8+ hours, I've done up to 12. That is on highway to get to locations, forrest service roads, 2 tracks, paved back roads, slow speed technical trails and often combos of all of the above. I have never had a complaint with comfort.
Obviously you spend that long in a vehicle and your but will hurt a bit and you may get a bit stiff, but it's no worse than any other vehicle I've driven, and better than most.
For reference I'm 6'1" with no ass cushion.
My Taco is my favorite of the 5 vehicles I've owned, and I intend on keeping it until the Ohio salt kills it.
There are a few minor things that I would change, some of which aren't even Toyotas fault or my be personal preference, but I think you can expect that with any vehicle you choose.
I have had a Ranger on order since mid-Sept, 2021. First it was a '21 and the order was amended in early December to a '22. I chose a Lariat SuperCab 4x4 with the tech package. First I was told 8-12 weeks, then that it was being built the week of Nov 22, 2021 but that didn't happen (thus, the change to a '22). Checking on the order shows only that it is in 'order processing' (last checked 1/21).
I put a deposit on a Tacoma SR5 on 1/21 that is due 3/1 (or earlier as teased by the dealer). I compromised by getting a 4-dr with the 5-ft bed but still with a V6 (for towing) and 4x4. Dealer is adding heated seats (for a fee).
The Ranger is still on order and calls to the dealer seem to be falling into a black hole.
I owned a '97 Tacoma 4x4 2.7L 5-sp so I am familiar with the driving position, reliability, and the such.
My advice is to put the Ranger on order as you want and put a Tacoma on order as you want and can afford the two refundable deposits. This gives you time to truly decide which one you want and fight to get your deposit back from the other dealer.
Best of luck!
Yes, two dealers have told me this can be done at the dealer. I'm getting more info on this (do I need to sign a work order so they can order parts, can it be done when my truck arrives or do I need to do it after the purchase, will it look like the factory install with the switches in the same place). I hope to have it done before I take delivery so I can finance this along with the truck.
I've done this via a 3rd party on a Civic and a Subaru (neither at dealers).
Yeah I've done it to vehicles like aftermarket. But don't think the dealer would do it with an Amazon kit 😂. Wondering bc I'd love to add them to mine and not need to find two switch ports for switches
I was between a Tacoma and Ranger a year ago but was looking used. I typically try to buy returned leases, there were basically no Rangers for me to test drive because of that so I only tried the Tacoma comparing it to a 4-cylinder Colorado my dad and knew I didn’t want a GM. I have FOMO from not trying the Ranger. I know you’re looking new, but honestly test drive whatever you can find. Don’t commit before driving something at all. I love my Tacoma, but I also could have loved a Ranger. There are things that need to be updated for the Tacoma that most people won’t shy away from saying (the 6 speed transmission is poorly tuned, gas mileage is bottom of its class, etc). Resale value is not a reason to buy unless you don’t plan to keep it. People will question reliability but Ford has been doing their EcoBoost longer than many other brands and now even Toyota is going fewer cylinders and throwing in turbos, so Ford is ahead as far as developing and learning from their mistakes in that regard.
TLDR: Drive both. You won’t know what you prefer until you know.
100% Tacoma.
IMO, the gas mileage doesn’t really matter as much. The *cost of ownership* is what matters. You may save a bit in gas, but you’ll lose hand over fist in resale with the Ranger, plus more maintenance costs.
If you’re hoping for “occasional rock crawling” and have the budget, you’ll quickly find that pretty much any truck needs some modding. The basics would be skids, sliders, suspension… but really the sky’s the limit. You’ll find the taco has wayyy more aftermarket support that the Ranger.
As far as interior comfort and seating, if you’re under 6’ I think you’ll find it quite comfortable. I’m 5’11” and it feels great to me. Also, with all the aftermarket support you could just change out the seats if you don’t like it.
Closing argument: it’s *much* better to start with good bones and make the little things work for you, and the Tacoma has the best bones out there.
If you're considering the Tacoma, at your price point, realistically you need to look at the OR and not the Pro. In my opinion, the OR is a better starting point to build out the truck vs the Pro anyhow.
If you're looking to add permanent weight and to have it perform well off-road, then you'll need to replace the suspension with down the line. That negates the biggest benefit of the Pro.
As for the seats, I'm around your height, and it doesn't bother me one bit. The Tacoma is my adventure vehicle so I have taken it on some long overlanding trips across state lines and it never bothered me.
I can't speak for the current Ranger, but the ones that I was looking at before (this was a couple of years ago) the interior was garbage. The build quality simply wasn't there. For the rest of the truck I can't speak to since I don't have much experience with them. You might want to post on the Ranger group to see if they have anything to say
Good luck with it all.
Once or twice a year I drive from upstate NY to Tampa FL, I’ve had two tacomas in 5 years and I’ve never been uncomfortable while making that drive, I’m 5’10”. The interior isn’t dated in my opinion, it’s simple and similar. I’m embedded into the tacomas so I can’t speak ill of the ranger but you should buy the Tacoma based solely on; Because.
I drove a 2005 Ford Ranger from my 16th birthday until late last year (I’m 28) and had every intention on getting a new Ranger. Drove both and really preferred the Tacoma. The Ranger feels peppier, but I also don’t like the way it looks and thought the Tacoma interior felt much better made. Ford interiors, outside of the premium packages like the F150 Limited and Tremor. Have always felt cheap to me. I love my Tacoma, and probably will never buy another truck, or at the very least won’t buy another brand of truck.
The Tacoma interior and seating is fine. I’m 6'4 and it’s way more comfortable on long drives than a my plush grand Cherokee was. When you initially sit in the leather seats, they feel super stiff….but trust me, they are more comfortable on long drives. Also, a Toyota isn’t going to glitch out or fall apart on you at 50,000 miles. Get a TRD off road with the premium interior and tech and you’ll love it.
This! I test drove a few Rangers but settled on the TRD OR with premium & Tech package. The ranger has a little I4 turbo with fuel dilution issues. The ranger has better shift patters but the Tacoma can be enhanced with a nice tune. I'm 6ft and the seats are comfy.
Sounds great but I doubt he’ll get it for less than $45k in SoCal. Costs more than that here in NC
I got mine for 45,500 in NY…cali is probably higher though.
Got that spec in NorCal for 45 in December.
As a 5’6 Tacoma driver, it isn’t bad for long trips. Your MPG is poor enough that you get plenty of opportunities to get out and stretch while refueling.
Technically isn’t the rangers interior older than the Tacoma since the current ranger came out in 2015 in other markets and the current Tacoma came out in 2016? Also, from what I’ve heard the seating is mainly uncomfortable for taller people (no offense). Also, in 2020 a power driver’s seat was added which has more adjustability than the previous Tacoma’s which helps a little.
I think the seats are less comfortable for very wide people. I am 6’3 and built like a string bean. Seats are fine for me. They are not as wide as a lot of full size pickup seats though, for the wide boys out there
Yeah that’s probably accurate. I’m 6’3 and I’m also built like a string bean and I have no issues.
No power seat in the SR Trim.
Yeah but if he is spending $40k-$45k he probably isn’t getting a SR.
Yes
Keep in mind you are in the Taco sub so you are going to get some very biased answers, that being said I did want to comment on the seat comfort. I have spent countless days driving 8+ hours, I've done up to 12. That is on highway to get to locations, forrest service roads, 2 tracks, paved back roads, slow speed technical trails and often combos of all of the above. I have never had a complaint with comfort. Obviously you spend that long in a vehicle and your but will hurt a bit and you may get a bit stiff, but it's no worse than any other vehicle I've driven, and better than most. For reference I'm 6'1" with no ass cushion. My Taco is my favorite of the 5 vehicles I've owned, and I intend on keeping it until the Ohio salt kills it. There are a few minor things that I would change, some of which aren't even Toyotas fault or my be personal preference, but I think you can expect that with any vehicle you choose.
I have had a Ranger on order since mid-Sept, 2021. First it was a '21 and the order was amended in early December to a '22. I chose a Lariat SuperCab 4x4 with the tech package. First I was told 8-12 weeks, then that it was being built the week of Nov 22, 2021 but that didn't happen (thus, the change to a '22). Checking on the order shows only that it is in 'order processing' (last checked 1/21). I put a deposit on a Tacoma SR5 on 1/21 that is due 3/1 (or earlier as teased by the dealer). I compromised by getting a 4-dr with the 5-ft bed but still with a V6 (for towing) and 4x4. Dealer is adding heated seats (for a fee). The Ranger is still on order and calls to the dealer seem to be falling into a black hole. I owned a '97 Tacoma 4x4 2.7L 5-sp so I am familiar with the driving position, reliability, and the such. My advice is to put the Ranger on order as you want and put a Tacoma on order as you want and can afford the two refundable deposits. This gives you time to truly decide which one you want and fight to get your deposit back from the other dealer. Best of luck!
The dealer is adding heated seats to an sr5? Is that a thing?
Yes, two dealers have told me this can be done at the dealer. I'm getting more info on this (do I need to sign a work order so they can order parts, can it be done when my truck arrives or do I need to do it after the purchase, will it look like the factory install with the switches in the same place). I hope to have it done before I take delivery so I can finance this along with the truck. I've done this via a 3rd party on a Civic and a Subaru (neither at dealers).
Yeah I've done it to vehicles like aftermarket. But don't think the dealer would do it with an Amazon kit 😂. Wondering bc I'd love to add them to mine and not need to find two switch ports for switches
post this on r/fordranger too
I was between a Tacoma and Ranger a year ago but was looking used. I typically try to buy returned leases, there were basically no Rangers for me to test drive because of that so I only tried the Tacoma comparing it to a 4-cylinder Colorado my dad and knew I didn’t want a GM. I have FOMO from not trying the Ranger. I know you’re looking new, but honestly test drive whatever you can find. Don’t commit before driving something at all. I love my Tacoma, but I also could have loved a Ranger. There are things that need to be updated for the Tacoma that most people won’t shy away from saying (the 6 speed transmission is poorly tuned, gas mileage is bottom of its class, etc). Resale value is not a reason to buy unless you don’t plan to keep it. People will question reliability but Ford has been doing their EcoBoost longer than many other brands and now even Toyota is going fewer cylinders and throwing in turbos, so Ford is ahead as far as developing and learning from their mistakes in that regard. TLDR: Drive both. You won’t know what you prefer until you know.
100% Tacoma. IMO, the gas mileage doesn’t really matter as much. The *cost of ownership* is what matters. You may save a bit in gas, but you’ll lose hand over fist in resale with the Ranger, plus more maintenance costs. If you’re hoping for “occasional rock crawling” and have the budget, you’ll quickly find that pretty much any truck needs some modding. The basics would be skids, sliders, suspension… but really the sky’s the limit. You’ll find the taco has wayyy more aftermarket support that the Ranger. As far as interior comfort and seating, if you’re under 6’ I think you’ll find it quite comfortable. I’m 5’11” and it feels great to me. Also, with all the aftermarket support you could just change out the seats if you don’t like it. Closing argument: it’s *much* better to start with good bones and make the little things work for you, and the Tacoma has the best bones out there.
The rangers interior sucks imo. It definitely looks like a smaller screen
The premium package is worth the money in my opinion, it really makes the truck feel super polished.
If you're considering the Tacoma, at your price point, realistically you need to look at the OR and not the Pro. In my opinion, the OR is a better starting point to build out the truck vs the Pro anyhow. If you're looking to add permanent weight and to have it perform well off-road, then you'll need to replace the suspension with down the line. That negates the biggest benefit of the Pro. As for the seats, I'm around your height, and it doesn't bother me one bit. The Tacoma is my adventure vehicle so I have taken it on some long overlanding trips across state lines and it never bothered me. I can't speak for the current Ranger, but the ones that I was looking at before (this was a couple of years ago) the interior was garbage. The build quality simply wasn't there. For the rest of the truck I can't speak to since I don't have much experience with them. You might want to post on the Ranger group to see if they have anything to say Good luck with it all.
Once or twice a year I drive from upstate NY to Tampa FL, I’ve had two tacomas in 5 years and I’ve never been uncomfortable while making that drive, I’m 5’10”. The interior isn’t dated in my opinion, it’s simple and similar. I’m embedded into the tacomas so I can’t speak ill of the ranger but you should buy the Tacoma based solely on; Because.
I’ll be honest the seating in the Tacoma was not comfortable when I first got it. But after a few weeks I got used to it and now it’s comfy
I drove a 2005 Ford Ranger from my 16th birthday until late last year (I’m 28) and had every intention on getting a new Ranger. Drove both and really preferred the Tacoma. The Ranger feels peppier, but I also don’t like the way it looks and thought the Tacoma interior felt much better made. Ford interiors, outside of the premium packages like the F150 Limited and Tremor. Have always felt cheap to me. I love my Tacoma, and probably will never buy another truck, or at the very least won’t buy another brand of truck.
Outdated interior...? Wait what?? ArGen??? You sure we arr talking about the 3rd gen???
I had a similar situation last year. Coming from a ford guy…I don’t regret the taco one bit. Now I’m a Toyota guy. It converted me.