2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, a staple in the North American market since 1995, was beginning to show its age despite a facelift in 2020. Its exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the cabin revealed its dated design with hard plastics and older switchgear. The Tacoma offered various configurations, including access and double cabs, with a range of packages from the standard to the TRD Pro. Standard features included 16-inch steel wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite. Higher trims added features like alloy wheels, upgraded infotainment, and off-road capabilities, with the TRD Pro standing out for its unique styling and trail-ready enhancements.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution with a redesigned exterior. Available in trims from XL to Limited, the F-250 offered a range of features, starting with basic comforts in the XL and moving to luxury in the King Ranch and beyond. The King Ranch trim, which we tested, featured 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and a luxurious interior with two-tone brown leather and advanced tech like an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. The F-250's design emphasized functionality with features like a spray-in bed liner and Pro Power Onboard, making it a versatile choice for both work and leisure.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kg and a payload capacity of 583 kg. While the V6 provided decent acceleration in urban settings, it struggled on highways due to its transmission gearing. The Tacoma excelled off-road, especially in the TRD Pro trim, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered four engine options, starting with a 6.8-litre gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The lineup included a 7.3-litre V8 and two diesel options, with the high-output PowerStroke turbodiesel delivering 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The F-250's 10-speed automatic transmission ensured optimal power delivery, making it lively despite its size. The Super Duty's towing capacity reached up to 18,140 kg with specific configurations, and it featured advanced towing aids like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales for ease of use.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab styles, with bed lengths of five feet and six feet one inch. The Access Cab's rear jump seats were tight on legroom, while the Double Cab offered slightly more space but remained cramped for adults. The front seats provided ample legroom, though the steering wheel's limited adjustment could be an issue for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed featured in-bed lighting and a power outlet, adding practicality.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with bed lengths of 6.75 feet and 8 feet. The SuperCab's clamshell doors required the front doors to be open, offering a wide entry. The F-250's interior boasted numerous storage options, including a massive centre bin and dual glove boxes. The Super Crew's rear seats folded up for additional cargo space, and the truck's size was complemented by helpful features like bed steps and grip handles.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen and SiriusXM. The system's simplicity was a benefit, though the wireless charger required manual activation. The Tacoma's tech was basic, focusing on functionality over advanced features.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered a 12-inch screen with wireless connectivity. The system's layout was intuitive, with redundant controls for ease of use. The F-250 also featured multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and Trailer Navigation for optimized towing routes.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting at the XLT trim, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite with features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The truck's size made the 360-degree parking camera system essential. Additional safety features included trailer blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera for use with the tailgate down.