Off-Road Comparison Test: Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road vs. Ford Ranger FX4 vs. Chevrolet Colorado Z71

[@edmundscars]

Are these trucks off-road-y enough for you, or would you spend extra bucks for a ZR2, Raptor or TRD Pro? Let us know in the comments!

[@SSS-mp8th]

Subaru Outback Wilderness (with skid plate and tow hitch) and a KX 250 or CRF 250

[@kavill]

😂

[@kavill]

Mini van and huffy 👌

[@vincefairleigh6899]

I think I’d go for the raptor ranger, where’s the gladiator rubicon? It’s hands down the best one off road.

[@vincefairleigh6899]

The trd pro is compared to the non off road package on the ford and Chevy.. to be fair the comparison should be the trd, pro, vs the raptor ranger vs the Chevy bison.. I’m impressed how much of an improvement Toyota made except that I hear that its transmission is very weak,, possibly a future recall?

[@teddonley9594]

The width of the rangers' bed instantly makes it more useful as a truck. When the 6cyl becomes available, that should further extend its superiority over the other options. As far as trucks that do truck things, I'll pick the Ranger.

[@JuanBen0220]

V6 only available in ranger raptor p sure

[@teddonley9594]

@@JuanBen0220 The 2.7 is going to be available

[@x7slim8x]

I have a 2019 FX4 with the 2.3 Ecoboost, it is great. I was initially a bit hesitant with it being a 4 cylinder, but that little motor straight rips. The availability of aftermarket bolt-on power is also a big plus. I feel like the 2.3 Ecoboost doesn't get the love it deserves.

[@teddonley9594]

@x7slim8x Oh I agree. I drove one from Louisiana to Illinois and the little engine performed excellent. The reason I'm more interested in the 6 is because it has 2 more cylinders to make power with. Less stress and pressure when towing a heavy trailer

[@x7slim8x]

@@teddonley9594 Oh absolutely, I use mine for the woods. I never even put the tow package on, I have it sitting in a box lol. I did a 3.5 inch and leveled it. 33s on 18s. Mine isn't made for towing anything lol.

[@labigq]

The Colorado would be my choice

[@0HOON0]

ZR2.

[@0HOON0]

Colorado ZR2 $46K in my area. Z71: $38K. Taco TRD Offroad: $43K. Toyota prices are out of control. The ZR2 is hugely more capable for $3k more.

[@KNRS927]

The Nissan frontier right now is almost like what the Tacoma used to be. That’s basically the only option left if you want a V6 engine.

[@beexiong2995]

​@@KNRS927 the frontier is also has the least technological truck. It's basically the same truck from 2005. The traction system, steering, safety is all outdated. Nissan didn't really update it enough to compete and the price shows. It's the cheapest midsize truck

[@KNRS927]

@@beexiong2995 Nissan basically copied the Toyota formula when they redesigned it because they saw how popular the 4runner and Tacoma were despite both being ancient. Only thing is Nissan doesn’t have the rep Toyota has so the price and simplicity get people.

[@beexiong2995]

@@KNRS927 honestly the 2nd gen tacoma and current frontier have the same mechanical tech. Toyota has atrac and nissan abls. 3rd gen tacomas got offroad modes like crawl control and terrain select modes. Frontier never got any of those

[@Goose_Lord]

​@@KNRS927she even says in the video, you can get the ranger with an optional V6.

[@markspence3750]

Almost no one makes a video about base models. Thank you!!

[@Sandsinburkina]

I've owned a 24 Tacoma TRD Offroad for about a month - just took it to Creede/Southfork area to put it through its' paces and was truly amazed at the trails it would eat up in "bone-stock" format. Nothing I love more than passing people in SxS that are giving me the "how the heck did you get up here" eyebrow raise! The only places I felt like it was lacking were in mud (stock tires aren't very aggressive) and I'm going to get an aftermarket front facing camera and a winch. Oh yeah - AND it rode like a car on the 12 hour trip to get there! Very pleased with my purchase...

[@Jay-nc7vk]

Thank you for the feedback. Great to hear the feedback on the Tacoma.

[@VinceButler-kf9ts]

Good to hear. I Just picked up the TRD Off Road last week Traded in my Gen 3 with120000 miles for 24K and they dropped sticker by 7K. Felt like a good deal even though 3K of that drop was dealer add on. Hoping it proves to be as reliable as the GEN 3. I will be in SW Colorado next month need to map out some adventures . It doe ride exceptionally well on road.

[@stefanfalldorf6573]

Nice test. Positiv surprised Emme chose the Colorado. So would I out of those. Negative surprised you didn't add the Frontier to that bunch. That would have been my no. 1 choice.

[@dutchstorm7824]

Emme, You're the best for off road reviews and information. Have you done off road training videos for Edmunds or elsewhere?

[@memememine1]

I know she races in the rebelle rally. I bet she has experience before that too.

[@andreasm2882]

Good thing you didn't have to turn that locker on in the Tacoma because everybody knows that the lockers in a tacoma are a pain in the ass 😅. And yes I own a Tacoma.

[@abetterworld96]

That Tacoma looks majestic.

[@99-Zulu]

I'm not too surprised that the Colorado won the sprint portion of this comparison. The chassis is designed to do that, granted it's more for the ZR2. Because most of that version actually competes in races.

[@TREVORJB101]

The Colorado Trail Boss would've been a much better option for this match-up.

[@spyder000069]

How? Its only slightly wider and only an inch more lift than the z71. Drivetrain is identical. Trail Boss is stripped down work truck trim vs Z71 which has the interior bells and whistles. For sure the trail boss is good value and the slight lift and a little better tire option can make a difference but I think on this course you may not see it. Trail boss interior would fall short of the ranger and tacoma.

[@dayv4630]

@@spyder000069 The drivetrain isn't identical. On the Z71 (featured here), you have to manually lock in the rear. The Trail Boss has a G80, which would have auto locked, even on the very first obstacle.

[@spyder000069]

@@dayv4630 z71 and trailboss are both g80. zr2 has electronic rear locker.

[@dayv4630]

@@spyder000069 I thought the Z71 had a selectable locker?

[@spyder000069]

@@dayv4630 Unfortunately not. She also mentions that at 3:30 in the video (she is in a z71). Its a one of the negatives in my opinion with the colorado/canyon series. The problem is I don't do severe off road but I have needed the locker in some situations with the snow here in the midwest (I live in the country). So a locker is important to me but what is also important to me is tow capacity since I have atvs, side by sides, a tractor, all of which I use a flatbed and enclosed trailers with. I am not a fan of the G80 in the gmc trucks. Ford has selectable electronic lockers that you can get even on the cheaper XL packages and this does not lower the tow capacity. On the GM trucks you have to go to the off road package (ZR2 in this case) which drops tow capacity and also usually puts on the larger tires reducing mpg. I do like the looks of the colorado/canyon but because of the locker situation I would probably have to go ranger/frontier and out of those two the ranger is the better truck for towing but the frontier has the potential to be more reliable although with less overall power.

[@Goose_Lord]

Great testing, fun to see them all swuare off. In Canada the ZR2 version of the chevy is comparable in price to the ranger Lariat and the Tacomo TRD offroad premium. No doubt the ZR2 would crush this particular competition with rear AND front lockers, 33" MT tires, and optional full underbody cameras.

[@ms1406]

Definitely would get the ford!!

[@roayanrodriguez1811]

Where the frontier at? Pro 4X

[@border411]

And the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X is? Why do you keep excluding that vehicle?

[@iskdude9922]

Because it aint as good

[@SilverScarletSpider]

good review but i would have loved to see the NA V6 Nissan Frontier instead of the Ford Ranger

[@KNRS927]

I think Colorado wins this for me. It’s probably the most well-rounded midsize truck, has a trim for everyone of every demographic, has pretty nice engine power and tech, and is the best value for the money now.

[@exmortis4404]

One of the best reviewers I have seen yet, sorry TFL.... Really enjoyed the video.

[@thegreeneyej]

Emme’s work is awesome! More content please.

[@jamisonjamisonx]

admittedly I don't watch a ton of different off-road reviewers (fan of Cammisa, Throttle House, Lieberman, Pobst, and a little TFL here and there), but I have never seen Emme before and she is awesome. Please get her out here more!

[@dj_laundry_list]

One would think GM would ditch the automatic locker after 20+ years of sucking. I found the best technique was to carry a little bit of speed and stay on the gas a little bit when a wheel started to slip, so that when the locker kicked in, I was still moving forward and didn't need to suddenly get on the gas once it hooked up. Got me up some gnarly stuff... but why make it so annoying?

[@czrm8677]

During the off-road test drive, it would have been better to show more of the outside view when you were handling the trucks rather than the inside view. I don't mind seeing the driver's reaction, but I was more interested in the truck's reactions rather than the driver's on the turns.

[@lc7192]

Nice review! To make a better comparison then you would have to put the same tires on all the vehicles. Tires and tire pressure are everything.

[@chrisb9478]

I’ll probably go with a Tacoma Trd OR next year. The GM 8 speed trans problems/class action lawsuit scare me, and the Ford has plastic oil and transmission pans & plastic oil drain plug. I like the Tacoma rear coil suspension & rear underseat storage set up.

[@davefornit6235]

Its a revised transmission I done almost 11k towing on my 2023 not a problem yet lol

[@border411]

Was going to go with a 2024 TRD OR, but they are having way too many issues... Especially now with the transmission's having to be replaced, and an over 2month wait to do so. Toyota is not what it used to be. I'm leaning towards the Ford or Nissan Pro-4x

[@chrisb9478]

@@border411 I’d say the Frontier is the safest bet right now.

[@YerBoyTroy]

@@border411 Very few issues reported on the 24 Taco. The transmission issues are a small minority of manual owners so still a tiny subset. But if you want to play it safe then yea, cant go wrong with a P4X

[@barrya.6212]

@@YerBoyTroy There's an article today that states the AUTO's are failing early too in the Tacoma....and both on a larger scale, there was also problem with the front wheels disengaging when in 4WD mode....that might of been a rare fluke but .....

[@AGamingMuffin]

Hey Edmunds, on your Colorado, can you check the bumper fitment near the headlights by the black fascia? Many Colorados seem to have paint chipping in those areas due to poor panel fitment, and GM is refusing to cover it under warranty for many people. Just wanted to see if you have a similar issue on your long-term Colorado. Thank you!

[@MrHand-ih4sz]

Had mine for 6 months. Looks fine.

[@AGamingMuffin]

@@MrHand-ih4sz Do you have an LT or Z71?

[@MrHand-ih4sz]

@AGamingMuffin got the ZR2, no Bison package. I've heard KZbinrs complaining about where the plastic front fender flares meet the nose of the truck...there is about an 1/8th inch gap there. I do have that, but don't see it as being a problem. I think fit and finish is really good overall.

[@AGamingMuffin]

@@MrHand-ih4sz nice nice. I have heard that with the ZR2. You have a different style front bumper compared to the Z71 and LT, so I don’t think you’d find the same paint issues. Besides the paint, it’s been a great truck.

[@MrHand-ih4sz]

@AGamingMuffin Yessir. Only 10K miles so far, but it's alot of fun. I've had three 5.3 Silverados before this, so I was a bit skeptical about the 4 banger, but it accelerates harder than they do and runs great. Shitty gas mileage, but I knew that going in.

[@planoman0935]

Yep! Love my Tacoma Off Road!

[@4rr44E]

Once again they omit the Frontier Pro-4X, arguably the best value proposition in the midsize segment.

[@driftx2]

It's a Nissan though ew

[@4rr44E]

@@driftx2 10 years from now you’ll see what I mean. Love or hate Nissan trucks… they last.

[@benjaminbrown7127]

It’s by far the worst truck in the segment right now. Ride quality absolutely sucks. Interior sucks. But yes the engine is super reliable. But the 2.3 eco boost has been very good. It’s been around since the 2013 ford ranger in Australia and it’s held up like a beast. So there’s absolutely no reason to get a frontier

[@4rr44E]

@@benjaminbrown7127 ha. There is if you want to save $20K. There’s a reason it’s sales are way up.

[@tyrsafray4640]

Love your videos and especially your delivery! Just found your channel ❤️❤️❤️

[@josenegrete5302]

This was really helpful, thank you.

[@alvarocabrera4440]

Ford ranger ❤

[@ProCoach2373]

No, no, no, don't buy the bison, etc... Then, it's your money, spend it how you want. LOL Poking fun. I enjoy your enthusiasm. Great work...

[@markspence3750]

This lady is sooo funny! I love watching her!

[@LightWeNeed]

I pick the ranger for its overall value

[@MuscleAmerican]

Taco for the win! 🏆

[@YerBoyTroy]

These midsize trucks have all gotten so good now. Honestly dont think you can go wrong with any of these. Just gotta find the niche advantages in all of them to see what fits your bill. Im a toyota guy at heart but if you forced me into a Ranger or a Colorado...shit, i ain't even mad 😂

[@williamjsheehan]

Love the reviewer, you go girl!

[@cw3438]

I'd go with the Taco and see you in 20 years! ;-)

[@friendo787]

Where is Nissan?

[@Goose_Lord]

Stuck in 2016

[@bc3953]

I went with a 2024 zr2. Happy with it by far.

[@srtcsb]

Very cool review Emme. 😎👍

[@Jasonboyee]

this lady's review is dope, Y'all!

[@qazqaz-kp1xj]

I follow your beautiful channel and I owned a 2022 Raptor with a 35 package and it was sold and I used it for two years. I now want to buy a Ford F-150. There is a 3.5 V6 turbo engine in Saudi Arabia and a 5.0 V8 engine. Which one do you advise to buy or recommend buying a 2024 Raptor with a 37 package? رد

[@derrickschultz6871]

The frame on the ranger sits lower than the running boards. I doubt the boards will be a problem.

[@danielcobb8886]

A bit shouty at the start. I nearly stopped the vid because of the "music" and lightning graphics. I like to hear the mechanical noises instead. It was worth watching all the vid. A Frontier in this test would be great to see. Love the last sentence.

[@lgbnz]

Tacoma OR's competitor is the Chevy Colorado ZR2, price-wise and purpose-wise. Z71 is more comparable to TRD Sport purpose-wise, SR5 price-wise.

[@noxnyc23]

All nice trucks but I like that Tacoma a lot.

[@Lodoz]

Only comment I have is, if you going to rely on spotters, then don't comment on the cameras. And you can get the ranger with the auto locker too... Ranger is the best.

[@andyd5492]

You sgould have tried locking the rear end of the Ford while still in 4 High. Plus you wouldn't use up your brakes.

[@bmohre4784]

Why couldn’t we see all the camera views and a side-by-side comparison?

[@rjbeer]

I really wish she would stop yelling....you have a mic, talk normal, we will hear you. Other than that, I like the videos.

[@chrrxsxo]

Does anyone know is where this is? I’d love to take my jeep here.

[@leeyang1473]

Toyota fan boy here, well if the quality is still the same

[@jbgarcia1971]

The comparison here isn’t about quality, reliability, or resale value-key factors that most Tacoma or Toyota owners prioritize above all else. Sure, the Chevy might look better, or the Ranger might come with a V6 engine, but Tacoma buyers are drawn to the intangible benefits: the confidence that their truck will last and reliably get them home. Toyota’s reputation speaks for itself, with five of its vehicles ranking among the top ten most reliable cars.

[@urbanstrencan]

Great video, where is Ranger Raptor 😂😂😂. Would love to see VW Amarok, and BYD Shark doing this test. 😊😊😊 And Toyota Hilux the legend of the world is missing 😊😂😂❤

[@jimjim0058]

No Frontier Pro-4X?

[@border411]

I actually commented the same thing. They always leave it out.....I think they are scared. 😆

[@YerBoyTroy]

@@border411 There are other channels that include the P4X. TBH it got out wheeled by the old generation TRD pro on a truck king video so maybe they dont think its an apples to apples comparison with these trucks. Admittedly its lagging behind alot in the tech space as well

[@driftx2]

Because it sucks

[@CallMeChato]

I think a Wilderness Subaru would beat all of these. 😅

[@SSS-mp8th]

Honest question for you off-road truck or SUV people. I love the way off-road spec'd trucks, broncos, etc look but the prices for the higher trims on most of these sorts of vehicles are easily over $50k (not these 3 specifically). Seems like if you had access to that sort of terrain, you'd just use any normal truck or SUV and carry a dirt bike. I mean any $5k-$8k bike will put all of these to shame and then you have your normal car/truck at a cheaper price? I mean it's a truck, slap a bike or ATV in the back.

[@datkinegaming]

i think it meant for more camping place you can carry tents coolers etc. for what you might need.

[@73rscamaro]

Toyota all day long. But they are pricey! I have a third gen and I’m more than happy with the naturally aspirated v-6!

[@ryanehoward]

Trucks and Emme!

[@JmShows]

Tacoma is best

[@1FiftyOverland]

Should have left the sway bar connected on tacoma, or disconnected it on the other truxk.

[@engineer_alv]

only the Tacoma offers a sway bar disconnect, I think it was a good idea to demonstrate its usefulness, specially when it's not that expensive of an option. $1K well spent

[@AGuyJustDriving]

Not once have I ever seen a Raptor or any of these pavement princesses offroad. My Subaru has seen more trails lol

[@waltermiller249]

The taco always loses when it comes to gas mileage. Mighr be more reliable, but in the long run, you lose more money paying for gas. Burning money every time you drive it

[@scott8238]

Nissan Frontier?

[@InvestBetter.]

Taco takes it I would go for the Trailhunter Wish they stamped Trailhunter into the rear tailgate, like the TRD Pro

[@Teemontube]

Waiting Hungry Valley Playground to open 👍

[@showmemorefunthings9208]

The Colorado Trail Boss would have been a better comparison to the Ford and Toyota.

[@elishaemanuel8512]

Cannot challenge Mitsubishi Triton is the best winner number One champion rally off-road racing Long distance endurance champion

[@kens8903]

I’m going with option D the Frontier.

[@robertyoung8289]

Now that Toyota is building junk like all the others. Colorado would be my favorite junk truck.

[@lmc333]

Where is the Nissan

[@dennisdoherty1133]

Out of all of these, I'll take the Frontier

[@chrischris9370]

Meanwhile the Nissan Frontier will still be running while these are all scrap. I’m very wary of the new Taco, hopefully it is as reliable as the older models. The ford and chev are depreciating boat anchors.

[@reggiehucks1010]

Not an apples to apples comparison

[@CM-cw8fe]

I would take the ranger with the 2.7

[@Monster-519]

The biggest comparison is would you like to pay less for the colorado and ranger, or more for the toyota which is already overpriced

[@KabariaMugereki]

Taco all the way.

[@barrya.6212]

The Tacoma's transmission (manual or auto) will fail in under 20K mileage.....the Ranger and Colorado's trans will NOT....the Ranger now with the optional 2.7 ecoboost (used for years successfully in F150) has long lasting proven reliability, the Tacoma's new turbo doesn't have same longevity testing...

[@marklihsu]

Funny the worst truck is on the front

[@joshlower1]

Toyata fan much

[@justinczternastek]

Should of used Trail Boss

[@vmax-cv1ml]

I just bought my 1st truk.. tacoma 2021.. V6 with 9000 miles.. so im 56 yrs old.. so when i die in 20 yrs.. the truck will have 40K AND MY daughter will drive it for 450,000. More miles.. who is winning??? CHEVY IS PRETTY much. BUT JUNK.. ford is ironic.. but doesn't hold up....

[@B86432]

Wouldn't take any of these 😂 give me the last gen 1/4 tons any day

[@unkindguy88]

Nissan frontier

[@bfula9900]

So hard to watch this lady. Barely hanging in there just to see the trucks

[@axellness]

No nissan frontier ? Thumbs down

[@casper24ism]

Why would you review street trucks agaist a tacoma offroad? Thats so stupid I have a idea you're next comparison A full on trophy truck vs a Volkswagen atlas.thats a great one.

[@richardoaks3597]

Chevy was the z71 off road. Ford FX4 package…. Toyota TRD off road package. This was a fair comparison

[@sinepari9160]

Who is this woman?? She's awesome lol.

[@jesusfer7795]

Tacoma 100

[@luismayorga1520]

TOYOTA IS TOYOTA

[@LifeGoerDreamChaser]

Calling a pick up truck a she made me cringe 😬 😳

[@briangarner]

Unwatchable

[@M1911jln]

I don’t understand why you keep using this particular presenter. You have a lot of good presenters, but Ms. Hall isn’t one of them. She is unwatchable. I cannot listen to her screaming at the camera. Whenever I open a video with her as a host, I have to stop the video almost immediately. I’m sure she is a lovely person, but she simply isn’t a good presenter. Please, please, use one of your other hosts. Or just get Ms. Hall to stop yelling at the camera.

[@aeromtb2468]

all overpriced . taco transmission break yet

[@lucassitanggang5154]

This Is pick-up! Truck Is Peterbilt Kenworth And Mack

[@nestr2007]

Actually per the definition 1 : a wheeled vehicle for moving heavy articles: such as a : a strong horse-drawn or automotive vehicle (such as a pickup) for hauling b : an automotive vehicle with a short chassis equipped with a swivel for attaching a trailer and used especially for the highway hauling of freight also : a truck with attached trailer It is a truck both are. They also specify midsize truck not heavy duty or full size

[@matrix-fh9tn]

She is very annoying to watch, too much over-reaction. Try to learn from Driving Sports TV, don't need screaming and yelling to make your point. AT least I'm kind enought to write this comment before moving on to next youtube video. Lol.

[@naveenthemachine]

The Tacoma is the worst of the bunch. I knew this was gonna happen 😁 Remember I told you all the Tacoma would be such a disappointment. You all laughed and called me a troll? Well clearly the tables turned against you

[@ALMX5DP]

Didn’t Emme say that it won two of the four categories?

[@naveenthemachine]

@@ALMX5DP well she also said in a previous video that it’s not even in the race. It’s so compromised. And she said “orange you glad you didn’t buy a Tacoma?”

[@ALMX5DP]

@@naveenthemachine this was a video specific to offroad ability. Is your comment specific to the same?

[@ytj22]

You're definitely a troll.