The Toyota Tacoma’s Towing Capacity vs. Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger
Jason Crosby
Jan 9, 2022 · 3 min read
The Toyota Tacoma is a popular midsize pickup, with a loyal follower base. The 2021 model was also voted to have the best resale value of any midsize pickup by Kelley Blue Book. And although it’s certainly off-road capable, the Tacoma’s towing capacity lags somewhat behind its main competitors: the Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger.
Decide for yourself with a side-by-side comparison of the Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity vs. the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger. Although the Tacoma falls slightly behind in towing, its off-road appeal may still charm potential buyers into purchasing this outdoor-oriented truck.
The Toyota Tacoma isn’t the biggest truck, but it can hold its own when it comes to towing capacity.
Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity vs. the competition
When compared to the Chevy Colorado and the Ford Ranger, the Tacoma falls somewhat short. Here’s each truck’s individual towing and payload capacity information, thanks to Consumer Reports’ data:
2022 Tacoma
- Towing capacity—6,400 lbs
- Max load capacity—1,000 lbs
2022 Chevy Colorado
- Towing capacity—7,700 lbs
- Max load capacity—1,410 lbs
2022 Ford Ranger
- Towing capacity—7,500 lbs
- Max load capacity—1,460 lbs
Concerning their size, all three trucks have similar dimensions, typical of pickups in this category. The Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity holds it back, though, leaving it decidedly more suited to dirt road excursions with a small boat or trailer in tow than hauling more serious loads than the Ford Ranger or Chevy Colorado are more suited for.
Best midsize truck for towing: Chevy Colorado
The Chevy Colorado has the best towing capacity, hauling over 1,000 lbs more than the Tacoma. For owners that are looking to put their midsize pickup to work, instead of testing its merit on mountain paths, the Chevy Colorado is the clear winner.
With a worse road test than the Chevy Colorado, the Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity doesn’t compare very well. For those wanting more of a workhorse-style truck from Toyota, the Toyota Tundra may be a better fit, at the sake of maneuverability and price.
Best truck for off-road adventuring: Toyota Tacoma
For off-road excursions, the Toyota Tacoma is by far the best outfitted. This pickup comes straight from the dealership with a hill-crawling two-speed transfer case, and terrain adjustment controls for automatic hill-climbing.
And although the Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity is slightly less than either the Chevy Colorado or the Ford Ranger, it’s rated to maintain 55.8% of its value after 5 years of ownership.
With used car prices continuing to rise, it’s possible that Tacoma owners will have made a smart purchase. The Toyota Tacoma’s towing capacity may seem to be a setback, its resale value, combined with its off-road readiness, presents a durable, if slightly specialized, midsize pickup.
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