2025 Toyota Tacoma vs the Competition

When Toyota introduced its truck in the U.S., the Nissan pickup (then branded a Datsun) was already here, and the two have had one of the longest rivalries in the U.S. automotive industry. Since their early days, both models have evolved into mid-size models with many more features and amenities. The two trucks have since diverged a bit in what they offer, particularly regarding powertrains and model diversity. Both models stand out in the category by offering 5-foot and 6-foot beds with their large 4-door cabs.

• Frontiers have a one-size-fits-all powertrain consisting of a 310-hp 3.8-liter V6. The Tacoma 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 offers three power levels: 228 horsepower for the SR, 278 for the SR5 and the rest of the non-electrified models, and 326 horsepower with the available hybrid powertrain.
• The Tacoma SR5 engine’s peak torque is 317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm, compared to the Frontier’s 281 @ 4400 rpm. Thus, it provides more power at a more accessible rpm level.
• When torque is paramount, the Tacoma hybrid powertrain delivers 465 lb-ft. Again, the Frontier’s only available powertrain produces 281 lb-ft.
• The transmissions of both trucks are very similar: the Tacoma has an 8-speed shiftable automatic, and the Frontier has a 9-speed shiftable automatic.
• The Tacoma offers superior fuel economy. The EPA estimates that 4×2 models get 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, compared to 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined for the Frontier.
• The Tacoma offers more room for rear passengers with 0.5 inches more rear legroom (33.7 vs. 33.2 inches) and about 2.5 inches more hip room (56.3 vs. 53.7 inches).
• The Tacoma SR5 and other non-off-road-focused models provide greater ground clearance than the Frontier (11.0 inches vs. 8.9 inches) on both 4×4 and 4×2 models.
• The Tacoma 5-foot bed is slightly longer than the Frontier’s (60.3 vs. 59.5 inches).
• The Tacoma SR5 has a greater payload capacity than the comparable Frontier SV (1,510 vs. 1,480 lb.).
• The Tacoma offers 11 different grades to suit your taste, including six gas-only and five hybrid models, while the Frontier offers only four.

After offering a rebadged Mazda truck known as the Courier for a decade, Ford began producing its own small truck, the Ranger, in 1983. There were three generations of Rangers until the model was put on hiatus starting in 2012. The model returned in 2019 and was recently redesigned for the 2024 model year. Unless otherwise specified, this compares the Tacoma SR5 Double Cab/5-ft. bed 4×2 with the Ranger XLT SuperCrew 4×2.

• The Tacoma offers a 6.1-bed with its 4-door Double Cab, while the Ranger only offers a 5-foot bed.
• When rear seats are not a priority, the Tacoma offers its Xtracab, while the Ranger is only available as a 4-door.
• With the exception of the extreme off-road Raptor trim, the Ranger model line is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-4. Compared to the Tacoma, it produces slightly less horsepower (278 vs. 270) and less torque (317 vs. 310 lb-ft).
• The peak torque of the Tacoma arrives at just 1,700 rpm compared to 3,000 for the Ranger.
• Despite greater power, the Tacoma provides slightly better fuel economy with EPA-estimated city / highway / combined fuel economy of 21 / 26 / 23 for 4×2 models compared to 21 / 25 / 22 for the Ranger.
• On both 4×4 and 4X2 models, the Tacoma SR5 and other non-off-road-focused models provide greater ground clearance than the non-off-road-focused Ranger models (11.0 vs. 8.7 inches).
• Rear passengers in the Tacoma enjoy more shoulder room (57.8 vs. 56.7 inches) and hip room (56.3 vs. 54.1) than in the Ranger.
• The Frontier comes standard with the convenience of a 60/40 folding rear seatback, while the Ranger has a single-piece fold-down rear seatback.
• Convenience features like adaptive cruise control and keyless ignition are standard on the Tacoma SR5 but optional on the Ranger XLT.

In 2003, the Colorado replaced the S-10, which replaced the Isuzu-built Chevrolet LUV from the 1970s. The Colorado did not have a 2013 model but returned with a new design in 2014. Ten years later, this was repeated with no 2023 model but a return with a 2024 redesigned model that remained largely unchanged for 2025. All Colorado models are powered by a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 in one of three states of tune. Unless otherwise specified, Comparisons are between the Tacoma SR5 4-door/5-foot bed 4×4 and the Colorado TrailBoss.

• The Tacoma offers a choice of an XtraCab and a 4-door Cab, while the Colorado is only available with the 4-door Cab.
• Tacoma also offers a choice of a 5-foot and 6-foot bed with its 4-door cab.
• If you don’t need 4WD, the Colorado only offers a 4×2 drivetrain on the base Work Truck, while the Tacoma offers 4×2 drivetrains on several grades.
• With its configuration matched to the Colorado’s 4-door cab and 5-foot bed, the models are very close in exterior size with the same 10-ft. 11-inch wheelbase and 17 ft 9-inch overall length.
• The most powerful Colorado powertrain falls short of the most potent Tacoma powertrain in both horsepower (326 vs. 310) and torque (465 vs. 430 lb-ft)
• The Tacoma enjoys a greater ground clearance of 11.0 inches compared to 9.5 inches for the Colorado.
• When comparing non-off-road-focused models, the Tacoma SR5 has a greater approach angle than the Colorado TrailBoss (32.5º vs. 30.5º) and a greater break-over angle (24.7º vs. 21.0º). In contrast, the departure angles are very similar (22.2º vs. 22.4º).
• Rear passengers in the Tacoma enjoy more shoulder room (57.8 vs. 56.1 inches) and hip room (56.3 vs. 53.1) than in the Colorado.
• The Tacoma SR5 has standard convenience and safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, which are optional on the Colorado Trail Boss.

Launched in 2019 as a 2020 model, the Gladiator is a variant of the 4-door Wrangler. All models have 4×4 drivetrains, a 4-door cab, and a 5-foot bed. Power is primarily from a 3.6-liter V6, though a plug-in hybrid model is expected later in the 2025 model year. All Gladiators are focused on off-road ability, which is good off the pavement, but they exhibit many of the same ride, handling, and noise issues on the pavement as the Wrangler. The SR5 Double Cab with a 5-foot bed and 4WD is the most comparable model to the base Gladiator Sport.

• The Gladiator’s V6 has slightly more horsepower than the Tacoma’s (278 vs. 285) but significantly less torque (317 vs. 260 lb-ft).
• Motor Trend found that the Tacoma had noticeably quicker acceleration in 0 – 60 (7.2 vs 8.7 seconds) and the quarter mile (15.5 seconds @ 91.2 mpg vs. 16.5 @ 83.4 mpg).
• Not only is it greater, but the Tacoma’s peak torque arrives at just 1,700 rpm, compared to 4,400 for the Gladiator.
• Both models feature 8-speed shiftable transmissions.
• The Tacoma had two more MPG across the board: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined vs. 17 / 22 / 19 in the Gladiator.
• The Tacoma has a higher ground of 11.0 inches compared to 10 inches for the Gladiator.
• The Gladiator offers a greater approach angle (32.5º vs. 40.8º) and departure angle (22.2º vs. 25.0º) but a noticeably lower break-over angle (24.7º vs. 18.4º).
• The Tacoma has a greater base towing capacity of 6,400 lb. than the Gladiator, which has a 4,500 lb. capacity.
• Car and Driver found the Tacoma’s braking distances from 70 to 0 mph were considerably shorter than those of the Gladiator (171 vs. 194 feet).
• Compared to the Jeep Gladiator’s heavier, non-independent solid front axle, the Tacoma’s independent front suspension improves its highway ride and handling.
• Rear passengers in the Tacoma enjoy more shoulder room (57.8 vs. 55.7 inches) and hip room (56.3 vs. 55.3) than in the Gladiator.
• The Tacoma’s LED headlights provide a brighter light than the halogen headlights of the Gladiator, as confirmed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which rated the Tacoma’s headlights as “Acceptable” compared to a rating of “Marginal” to “Poor” for the Gladiator.