With a host of trucks to choose from around West Point, King William, and Williamsburg, side-by-side comparisons are the easiest way to narrow down your options. The Ford F-150 vs. Toyota Tacoma showdown usually attracts a lot of attention, as both trucks feature strong reliability records and have a bevvy of customizable options.
When you get down to the raw specifications though, there's a clear winner between the F-150 and the rival Tacoma. Who would that winner be? At West Point Ford, we're laying it all out for you in this handy comparison!
Engine Options: The More the Merrier
The type of work that you do on a daily basis or what you ask of your truck each week is going to differ from person to person. To best conform performance to your needs, the Ford F-150 has a wide range of engines to choose from while the Toyota Tacoma provides only a pair.
For Toyota, your options are either the 2.7L 4-cylinder generating 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque or the 3.5L V6 generating 278 horsepower 265 lb-ft of torque.
For Ford, well, you have some options. There are six unique motors, the strongest of which is the High-Output 3.5L V6, which boasts 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. From there, it's one impressive engine after another, like the 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 producing 395 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and the 3.0L V6 making 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque.
Comparing Towing Capacity and Maximum Payload
Having a hearty engine is only worthwhile if that motor can help you haul and tow with ease and confidence. While the Toyota Tacoma will hold its own when working, the Ford F-150 often exceeds expectations.
The Tacoma reaches 6,800 pounds of maximum towing capacity and a solid maximum payload figure of 1,440 pounds.
By comparison, the Ford F-150 when properly equipped will max out at 13,200 pounds of towing capacity and 3,270 pounds of maximum payload.
Crafting a Truck for Your Lifestyle
In addition to choosing the motor and overall performance, trucks like the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma have various trim levels, packages, and accessories to consider. The more options you can sift through, the easier it is to develop a truck you're ready to take home.
For Toyota, the Tacoma comes in the SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims. These six variations are intriguing yet lag behind the more customizable Ford F-150, which offers seven trims and a wider range of available add-ons.
The base Ford XL and the next trim, the XLT, come loaded with driver-assistance technology, infotainment features, and worthwhile styling cues. From there, the trim levels climb in the following order:
- LARIAT
- King Ranch®
- Platinum
- Limited
- Raptor
Better Truck for 2020? Ford F-150 Outdoes Toyota Tacoma
A test drive of the Ford F-150 will showcase the model's strength and overall dynamism, traits that are comparatively lacking in the Toyota Tacoma. To get started, reach out to your friends at West Point Ford. We're always happy to assist those near Williamsburg, West Point, and King William!