2021 Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tacoma
Towing requires driving a heavy-duty vehicle or truck, and the 2021 Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma are equipped to handle most anything you’d ask of them. With robust engines and helpful towing features, these trucks are suited to Plainfield, Indianapolis, and Avon, IN, drivers eager to haul cargo.
Deciding on your next vehicle is a big step, and the team at Andy Mohr Ford is here to help you compare and contrast the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma.
From their engine capabilities, towing capacity, and more, we’ll give you the nitty-gritty details, so you can make an informed purchase.
Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tacoma: Standard Engine Capabilities
You’re going to need quite a bit of engine power when hauling cargo. On the Toyota Tacoma, you’ll have a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine that produces up to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Drivers will appreciate a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds with this engine.
The Ford F-150 ups the ante with a standard 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine generating 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. This engine offers enough power to haul up to 8,200 pounds when properly equipped.
You could tow a small trailer, a camper, and a small boat with this towing capacity. The Ford F-150 has the edge over the Toyota Tacoma because of its more powerful standard towing capacity.
No matter your adventure, the Ford F-150 is there to help tow your gear as you cruise along the road.
Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tacoma: Engine Options and Customization
If you wanted even more power, the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma both offer upgraded engines that produce a robust ability to haul even more of your gear. However, the difference is that the Ford F-150 offers six available engines, where the Tacoma only has three options.
For the Ford F-150, your options are:
- 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 engine
- 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine
- 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 engine
- 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 FFV engine
- 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine
- 3.0L Power Stroke® turbo diesel engine
If you’re looking at the Toyota Tacoma, your only options are:
- 2.7L DOHC 4-Cylinder engine
- 3.5L V6 engine
- 3.5L V6 DOHC engine
The Ford F-150 comes out on top when it comes to engines due to its powerful hybrid option. Not only do you get the power of gas, but the addition of electric. Also, hybrid vehicles are great for fuel efficiency, so that you can go the extra mile.
Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tacoma: Maximum Towing Capacity
Though the standard towing capacity on both the Ford F-150 and the Toyota Tacoma isn’t anything to scoff at, you do get the added benefit of a more capable pickup with the upgraded engines.
For the F-150, the max towing capacity is 14,000 pounds when properly equipped. This towing capacity is made possible by the robust, twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine.
On the Toyota Tacoma, however, the maximum towing capacity is only 6,800 pounds. The 3.5L V6 DOHC engine powers this capacity.
If you need to haul more than just small boats or campers, then the Ford F-150 is the winner in this department. With its 14,000-pound towing capacity, you can swiftly tow large trailers, RVs, and other heavy-duty vehicles.
Helpful Towing Features
We can all use some help when towing cargo. The Ford F-150 and the Toyota Tacoma offer a trailer sway control system to assist if your trailer begins to fishtail. You’ll appreciate the added peace of mind that these vehicles provide when you’re transporting cargo down the highway.
To provide even greater control over your trailer, the Ford F-150 has an available trailer brake controller. This feature activates your trailer’s brakes on demand, so you can slow down more effectively.
Additionally, parking with your trailer attached is simplified when you have the Ford F-150 truck’s available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™. With this built-in function, your F-150 monitors your trailer as you back up, using cameras to ensure you can back up smoothly.
The Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ also monitors your trailer’s position, so it never goes off course.
F-150 vs Tacoma: Entertainment
The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tacoma offer a lot in the entertainment department. Both pickups have integrated Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, allowing you to seamlessly connect your smartphone, make calls, respond to texts, and listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts.
But what about sound quality? While you cruise down the road, you should clearly hear your content. In this case, both pickups offer high-quality speakers.
The Toyota Tacoma offers an available JBL® Premium Audio system with six speakers to enhance your entertainment.
You’ll also find a premium audio system inside the F-150, which offers an available B&O™ Sound System by Bang & Olufsen. This setup provides 18 speakers to pump out your favorite tunes, so you’ll enjoy a more enhanced surround-sound experience inside this truck.
With the extra speakers, the F-150 offers a more robust audio listening experience.
F-150 vs Tacoma: Safety
Both the F-150 and Tacoma offer a comprehensive safety suite, giving you peace of mind no matter which vehicle you choose. For starters, both the F-150 and Tacoma have an available Blind Spot Monitor, alerting you if a vehicle crosses into your blind path.
Additionally, though both vehicles have a rearview camera, the Ford F-150 gives you the option of a Rear View Camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist, letting you see what’s behind you with ease. The Hitch Assist feature provides a sightline that helps you direct your hitch ball to your trailer.
All in all, though both pickups have excellent safety features, the Ford F-150 Rear View Camera with Dynamic Hitch Assist makes it the winner.
Should I Buy the Ford F-150 or the Toyota Tacoma?
While the Toyota Tacoma has plenty to offer in technology, the 2021 Ford F-150 comes out on top with more engine power and better towing capabilities. This sturdy truck may be just what Plainfield, Indianapolis, and Avon, Indiana, drivers are looking for in their next truck.
Are you eager to try out the Ford F-150 for yourself? Schedule a test drive with Andy Mohr Ford today!
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