The Toyota Tacoma is currently the midsize truck sales leader by a big margin. Toyota sold around 245,000 Tacomas in 2018 in the United States. The Tacoma is getting a mild refresh for the 2020 model year, and we wanted to compare it against the newcomers: Ford Ranger and the Jeep Gladiator.
2020 Toyota Tacoma
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma brings several updates that include: LED headlights, 360-degree camera view, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, and more. The powertrains, trim levels, and interiors remain largely the same. Is this enough to fend off the latest competition from Ford and Jeep? 2020 Tacoma pricing is not available yet. The truck will go on sale closer to the end of the year.
2019 Ford Ranger
The new 2019 Ford Ranger recently went on sale across the country. It offers one powertrain option (2.3L turbo-four and 10-speed automatic) and two body configurations. However, it comes in a multitude of trim levels and with many high-tech features. The Ranger is priced competitively against the current Tacoma, and it offers better combined fuel economy (22 MPG for Ranger 4×4 versus 20 MPG for the Toyota 4×4).
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Jeep is bringing the all-new Gladiator to the American market within several months from now. We estimate that the Jeep truck will hit dealerships sometime around May 2019.
The Gladiator brings a unique truck proposition. It will launch in one body configuration and with one powertrain (3.6L gas V6), but it’s the only midsize pickup truck with solid axles front and rear, removable roof, and a folding windshield. The Gladiator is also rated to tow a maximum of 7,650 lbs, which is class-leading for a 4×4 midsize truck.
Jeep Gladiator pricing is not yet available, and we will have a first-drive opportunity with this truck in late March.
