2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent subtle design updates that were noticeable to keen observers. The front bumper featured more black-painted areas, and the grille design was toned down from the previous two-bar style, resulting in a more restrained appearance. The headlights were sleeker due to the altered grille shape, maintaining the truck's overall form. The F-250 was available in various trims, each offering distinct visual elements. The XL trim had a black grille and bumpers, while the XLT added brightwork and alloy wheels. The King Ranch trim stood out with its two-tone paint and chrome accents, while the Platinum and Limited trims offered luxury touches like power-retractable running boards and a satin-chrome grille. Inside, the F-250's cabin was functional but not particularly inviting, with hard plastics and a mechanical feel. The base XL model was equipped with essential features, while higher trims like the Lariat and King Ranch added leather upholstery and advanced technology.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck design with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. It contrasted with the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize twins, offering a rugged aesthetic without exaggerated features. The Tacoma's unique styling was evident in models like the Nightshade Edition with blacked-out trim and the TRD Pro with a model-specific grille and LED fog lights. The Tacoma's body-on-frame construction favoured towing and off-road capability, though it compromised ride and handling. The interior mirrored the exterior's ruggedness, with chunky plastic elements and limited space, especially in the Double Cab. Despite its shortcomings in interior space, the Tacoma offered practical features like fold-up rear seats for storage and a standard rail system with tie-down cleats in the bed.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine, producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a 6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, delivering 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. A new 7.3-litre gas V8 option was introduced, generating 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed TorqShift automatic. The F-250's towing capacity reached up to 10,977 kilograms when equipped with the diesel engine and High Capacity Tow Package. Despite its heavy-duty capabilities, the F-250's ride was bumpy when unloaded, and it felt top-heavy on curves. The Tremor off-road package added features like 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and a rock crawl driving mode, enhancing its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, utilizing Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved efficiency. Both 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions were available, along with a part-time 4WD drivetrain. The TRD models, including the TRD Off Road and TRD Pro, enhanced off-road capability with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and Crawl Control. The TRD Pro added Fox shocks and a front skid plate. On-road, the Tacoma felt like a traditional truck, with less car-like handling than some competitors. Its towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, and payload capacity was 571 kilograms, though these figures varied based on configuration. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were commendable, but its on-road performance was hindered by slow acceleration and a hesitant transmission.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations, with bed sizes of 2,081 mm or 2,492 mm. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies for large items. The centre console was massive, capable of storing files or a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up to reveal a load floor for secure storage of equipment.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab configuration offered limited interior space, with rear headroom and legroom being the worst in the segment. The front headroom and legroom were also below average, creating a bunker-like feel. The rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet. The inner bed was made from sheet-molded composite, a lightweight alternative to steel.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL model came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard, offering a WiFi hotspot and remote vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model, with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, with SiriusXM available on all but the base model. A seven-speaker JBL audio system was optional on higher trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features. The TRD Pro model included a Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system for off-road and parking assistance.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, and AdvanceTrac traction control. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. The F-250 had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, and some safety features were not standard.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. The Tacoma's Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Tacoma's safety features were comprehensive, though some competitors offered additional features.