ENGINEER'S REVIEW: FORD RANGER vs JEEP GLADIATOR vs TOYOTA TACOMA // RAPTOR vs RUBICON vs TRD PRO

[@laurenceeng]

The Ranger Raptor gets my vote. I am in the market for a new vehicle and this is on the top of my list.

[@joek1978atyahoo]

I can't believe the quality of the back seat on the Ford compared to the Tacoma back seat.... Like night and day

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

Which was nicer?

[@joek1978atyahoo]

​@@HamRadioN0CKLI can tell u that the Tacoma is shit compared to the Ford

[@layne4376]

Yes and the room is much more in the Ford. The Tacoma is horrible in this regard.

[@booster8497]

Gladiator has the best back seat space

[@layne4376]

@@booster8497 But everything else sucks.

[@tomm9584]

What’s your view for the 2025 Tacoma do you think the issues for the 2024 have been fixed like the transmission etc.

[@dougsage3340]

Thank you David, nice job on the comparisons.

[@ab_grayfox1964]

Love the channel by the way. You are changing how I evaluate cars I buy

[@loanokaharbor8303]

I would stay away from Fords, engine and front end problems

[@ab_grayfox1964]

@ was talking in general. Was not implying I was looking at the ford. I am down to an Acura MDX or a used GX460

[@javilink7]

The Jeep Gladiator specifically has one of the best resalue values.

[@waltvancourt5052]

Right now, I'm looking at the Ranger RAPTOR, owned a 2010 6.2 RAPTOR . The RR has PERFOMANCE, LOOKS, AND OFF ROAD capability.

[@michaelmacdonald7342]

Good comparison video and I agree, but the Raptor and the Gladiator are marketed towards the offroad user and you did not do a test of offroad capability. The Gladiator did poorly on the road but the solid axle design with disconnecting sway bar would improve the capability offroad and the Raptors long travel suspension does the same, maybe there should be one more test section on your report card for these such vehicles to better evaluate them.

[@TRDTalk]

This is really a great video

[@jamesstephen5694]

What is your take on the Nissan Frontier? Wished you included the Frontier in this review.

[@layne4376]

Nissan doesn't have a top performance model.

[@SnowSunFun]

@@layne4376pro4x?

[@chrisdakins2010]

I’m surprised there was no mention of the Jeeps solid front axle. Does the Jeep handle worse just because of the axle? Also, the jeep has a manual transfer case……that seems like a far more reliable option over switches and buttons?

[@adrianw3985]

The Gladiator on the street is not as good at handling, but off-roading it is great with the solid front axle. Trade offs.

[@DUNEATV]

I drove a Gladiator Rubicon and I thought it handled great. Was actually surprised!

[@technom3598]

​@@adrianw3985the solid axle ONLY helps on rock crawling. On just standard dirt roads it's worse.

[@timolheiser7874]

TeraFlex makes an extended travel 3.5 or 4.5 inch lift with 3.3 Falcon shocks that improve the ride quality and makes the Gladiator comparible to the Raptor, both onroad and off. The Extended travel suspension gives the rear axle a 16 inch of extra articulation or travel. I have the 2020 Rubicon Gladiator, with 82k, and would not drive anything else. IT is the Lego truck of the industry.

[@josebrito5202]

The Ranger back rear seat space is huge compared the Tacoma. Toyota needs to fix that, you can’t carry 4 adults in a Tacoma. Thank you David for this review

[@dookie123ification]

I'll hang on to my '13 Tacoma TRD Offroad as long as I can. If I had to replace it I would buy the Ranger Raptor.

[@JerryRichards-l1d]

You have good taste dookie. I loved my 2nd gen tacoma, hated my third gen tacoma, and wouldn't go anywhere near the 4th gen. I have the RR now and can't stop smiling when im in it and not a lick of drama.

[@bruceyung70]

I think the Pillar Handles are for getting in and out of the vehicle like trucks that sit higher than sedans should have been installed as standard equipment. How do you miss something so simple?

[@gbitsadze]

Interesting, will be there new Tacoma and 4Rnner wit V6?

[@tomcat6933]

I like Ranger Raptor and Ranger Lariat second. 3rd would be gladiator. Tacoma hybrid last. All are nice

[@adrianw3985]

All nice trucks. I have a Gladiator because I spend time often in Moab. It's the one to have for hitting the slick rock. I used to have a 3rd Gen Tacoma, that transmission sucked compared to the ZF 8 speed in Gladiator. I have no experience with the new Rangers. They seem much nicer than the older Ranger. I test drove a new Tacoma, and I thought it was nice, but ultimately, for what I do, I picked the Jeep.

[@Balthasar_Gelt463]

For what you do gladiator sounds like a good pick. Just keep it stock and it will be more reliable than modded Toyotas.

[@DUNEATV]

I traded my 2023 Tacoma in for a new Jeep too. The Jeep is better in every way…it’s unreal. The Jeep 8-speed is absolutely amazing!

[@jimbrown7082]

David, how do the doors fit on the Ranger? Are they in inset consistently in relation to the cab?

[@davidnuxoll7074]

Disappointing that the frontier isn’t up there as many Tacoma drivers aren’t overpaying for a 4 cylinder truck and coming to Nissan

[@prtube1]

Let me see comparing a rock crawler with a naturally aspirated V6 that works well in all terrains with a fast machine with a turbo engine. Let’s see which one is more capable.

[@DUNEATV]

The Gladiator in my opinion is the best Mid-size truck on the market. It’s simple, capable, tough, comfortable and reliable.

[@layne4376]

Except it is the worst. Worst on road behaviour, way too long overhang in the back off road. The reliability is dodgy at best. And it is way over priced. Did I mention how slow it is?

[@JPE_DRAEB]

@@layne4376 True.. But if you just use the truck for off road as a toy then Gladiator is best! Just get a lift and bigger tires don't have to worry about breakover!

[@DUNEATV]

@ Drove one. It actually scoots good with the eight speed and 4:10 gears! ⚙️

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

on the gladiator think the wheel ls base is to long and the 5' box on these trucks not that useable .Toyota is the only one with a 6' box option and smaller extra cab

[@timolheiser7874]

TeraFlex makes an extended travel 3.5 or 4.5 inch lift with 3.3 Falcon shocks that improve the ride quality and makes the Gladiator comparible to the Raptor, both onroad and off. The Extended travel suspension gives the rear axle a 16 inch of extra articulation or travel. I have the 2020 Rubicon Gladiator, with 82k, and would not drive anything else. IT is the Lego truck of the industry.

[@JasPlun]

I think Toyota is leaning on their name and starting to slack off. Reliability will still probably be pretty good, but I would choose the Nissan Frontier Pro 4X over all of these. Naturally aspirated V6 and Nissan has been rock solid with trucks.

[@simon359]

The biggest problem I have with Toyota tacoma is not enough headroom for tall people! I got in the 2024 Tacoma TRD and 5 foot bed, and it’s going to hit my head on any bumps. I’m 6’2. Seems like the only model they make with taller people is with the 6 foot bed TRD. I would pick the Tacoma over everything else, but definitely not happy about the price!

[@dvader3263]

The double cabs of the Tacoma with 6 foot bed and 5 foot bed are exactly the same size.

[@garyclark6747]

Great advice give the average use case. 29:13

[@ArchdukeB]

Perfect!

[@wowmawc]

Tacoma easily, if the frontier was on the list then id go for that. Ford and Jeep, insta pass.

[@hphillips7425]

It’s a shame jeeps quality is so poor

[@czrs85]

Toyota please bring back a V6 version on the 4runner/ Tacoma.

[@dvader3263]

Better to write directly to Toyota if one wants something. They probably aren't reading these comments.

[@czrs85]

@dvader3263 I know . But I can dream😂🍗

[@RJ-vc2ju]

@@dvader3263 Based on the design of the Tundra, Tacoma, Prado, and new 4Runner.... I don't think literacy is a requirement for Toyota designers anymore.

[@thestrodelife]

GMC canyon

[@ab_grayfox1964]

Wow, first. First time ever

[@montebeerbower7796]

Time you put new tires and lift it your same cost as raptor and worth less and less power and ride

[@jmcastaneda1974]

and why no ZR2 or ZR2 Bison? only the bottom 3 , haha

[@technom3598]

He has a Zr2 but it broke down before it got to the test

[@NateTrump2010]

That Ford Ranger looks to have been assembled by middle school children… …absolutely embarrassing that the front hood doesn’t fit properly on the frame.

[@JerryRichards-l1d]

i take it you prefer the tacoma hood that shakes like a chihuahua in the snow at highway speed?

[@NateTrump2010]

@ Haha, you’re right about that. We’re not getting quality from the OEMs today.

[@Devillers-y9q]

David, with Trump back in the White House and focusing on fossil fuels, will Toyota return to the large-displacement naturally aspirated engine market?