2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger vs. Chevy Colorado: How They Compare

Consider it divine providence that the entire mid-size pickup truck segment is all-new at exactly the same time. The Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma have all entered new generations within the last year. This segment was full of ho-hum old metal for a long time, so it's time to line these trucks up and see how their early specifications compare.

Powertrain

The base Tacoma SR comes with a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four gas engine making 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmissions. Moving up into other trims increases the engine output to 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet; however, opting for the six-speed manual drops those figures to 270 and 310, respectively. Buyers can also electrify themselves with a 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain that boosts output to 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet.

The Chevy Colorado also comes with three powertrain options, all of which are based on a turbocharged 2.7-liter I-4 and an eight-speed automatic. The base configuration produces 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet, while the Turbo Plus setup hikes those figures up to 310 and 390. The Turbo HO (High Output) powertrain, which is standard on ZR2 and optional elsewhere, uses software to push the torque even higher, to 430 pound-feet.

The 2024 Ford Ranger comes with two non-Raptor powertrain options, both of which mate to a 10-speed auto. The base turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 makes 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet, while opting for the beefier 2.7-liter V-6 will grant you 315 horses and 400 twists. The more hardcore Ranger Raptor bulks up even further, with a 3.0-liter V-6 making 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet.

Towing and Hauling

Almost every Tacoma can tow up to 6500 pounds. The base-level SR is the outlier, as its only rated to pull up to 3500 pounds, and hybrids max out at 6000 pounds. As for the truck's payload capacity, it ranges between 1230 and 1709 pounds with the gas-fed 2.4-liter turbo four. While its peak payload rating increased from 1638 pounds versus the previous generation, its peak towing capacity is down from 6800 pounds.

Chevrolet's Colorado can tow a bit more, but it hauls a bit less. Nearly every trim can tow up to 7700 pounds, although the base WT and LT trims require options to do so; the ZR2 only manages 6000 pounds, same as the Tacoma hybrid. WT and LT Colorados can haul the most, at 1684 pounds, with Trail Boss and Z71 trims capable of 1587. The ZR2 is clearly not meant for hauling as much, as it can only muster 1151 pounds out back.

The story is similar with the Ford Ranger, although its capability is broken down by drivetrain. Both two- and four-wheel-drive variants can tow 7500 pounds, with 4x2 models hauling 1805 pounds and 4x4 models just below that at 1711. The Ranger Raptor is a little less capable, with a 1411-pound payload capacity and a max towing weight of 5510 pounds.

Suspension and Brakes

The 2024 Tacoma is littered with new suspension bits across the lineup. SR, SR5 XtraCab and TRD PreRunner variants continue to run leaf springs in the rear, but other trims pick up a multilink suspension instead. Different grades have different shocks: TRD Off-Road sports Bilstein monotubes with remote reservoirs, TRD Pro wears Fox adjustable internal-bypass shocks, while Trailhunter rocks ARB's Old Man Emu monotube shocks. If you're after more on-road comfort, the Limited variant uses Toyota's adaptive dampers.

Things are a bit simpler on the Colorado. Non-ZR2 models sport twin-tube shocks with rear leaf springs. As before, the ZR2 upgrades to Multimatic's DSSV dampers. That's it. Nice and easy.

The Ford Ranger isn't any more complex. Standard models come with rear leaf springs and outboard shocks. The Ranger Raptor uses a coil-over setup with adaptive Fox Live Valve dampers, and the rear ditches the leaf springs in favor of a Watts-style getup with trailing arms.

All three trucks now come standard with four-wheel disc brakes. Welcome to the future, Toyota.