The Ford F-150 may be the best-selling truck in America, but the Toyota Tacoma isn’t that far behind. Each year, more and more people purchase the Tacoma. Is Toyota your next truck? This comparison could help you decide between the 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR or the 2017 Ford F-150 XL Regular Cab.
Price
Price is the first thing a lot of people consider when they’re getting a new vehicle. So how do these two trucks stack up? The starting MSRP for the F-150 is $26,450. The Tacoma has a lower starting price at $24,120, over $2,000 less than Ford.
Towing, Curb Weight, and Payload
Ford is undoubtedly the winner when it comes to maximum towing capacity for any truck on the market. The F-150 has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Options and upgrades can raise the towing capacity to over 12,000 lbs. This is ideal for anyone that needs to haul a massive amount of weight. Comparatively, the Toyota just doesn’t match up. Its maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs. Springing for the 3.5-liter V6 and the Tow Package still only gets you up to 6,80- lbs., significantly less than the Ford.
The curb weight for the F-150 and Tacoma are somewhat comparable. The maximum weight for Ford is 4,560 lbs. with the 4x2 2.7-liter V6 engine. The Toyota Tacoma SR isn’t too far behind at 3,980 lbs. However, the payload for the F-150, when properly equipped, is 3,270 lbs. The Toyota has a maximum payload of 1,620 lbs., which is significantly less.
Fuel Economy
Ford has never been known for great gas mileage. The F-150 can tow a massive amount and needs a strong engine to haul it all. This year, you may be surprised that the 2017 model gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is better than any other truck in its class.
It even outshined the Toyota Tacoma, which gets 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The similar gas mileage is due to the fact that both trucks have a 2.7-liter engine. Upgrading Ford’s engine would decrease fuel economy, but increase towing capacity, curb weight, and payload to the maximums we’ve described.
Features
The 2017 Ford F-150 falls short with features. The in-car entertainment is paltry at best with four total speakers and auxiliary audio input. The biggest disappointment is the lack of Bluetooth connectivity, which seems to be standard with most vehicles this year.
The Toyota Tacoma is the star in the features section. It offers standard Entune Audio with a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, four speakers (with six in most trims), auxiliary audio jack, USB ports, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, and an integrated backup camera.
Safety
The Toyota Tacoma also comes with the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology. That being said, the Ford F-150 has better crash test ratings with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t have bad ratings, but Ford has the edge.
