The high end of the mid-size off-road vehicle market has always felt wrong because the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 didn’t share a wide-stance design philosophy. Oddly absent from a truck-loving nation like the US, the Ford Ranger Raptor was still out there. Now that the Ranger Raptor can be marketed in the US, the Colorado ZR2 has been upgraded, and the Tacoma TRD Pro has finally earned its reputation; all that has changed—is three short-bed crew cab trucks. Powertrain These three turbocharged automobiles have different approaches. The Colorado uses a modified Silverado 1500 2.7-liter inline-four turbocharged engine. The ZR2’s high-output mode has 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, but it performed well off-road in Nevada. Eight-speed automatic transmissions aid the engine. The Ranger Raptor’s class-leading 3.0-liter Eco Boost twin-turbo V-6 engine produces 405 horsepower. Its 430 pound-feet of power matches the ZR2. This engine is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission, although we’re not sure if “more is better” because we think eight-gear ratios are enough and not just because of the TV program. Tacoma’s iForce Max hybrid engine surprises—an electric motor-generator and turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four power it. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaces last year’s problematic six-speed. It has 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid drivetrain prevents the Pro from using last year’s six-speed manual gear. Tacoma’s hybrid engine should have the best fuel economy since it’s the only vehicle with a 2400-watt onboard AC power inverter. We need to find out which is best for driving. Suspension Three trucks have wide-track suspensions with solid rear axles, control arms, and coil springs up front. Ford and Chevy feature 17-inch wheels and LT tires. Toyota’s 18-inch wheels and tires don’t say “LT.” Off-Road Every truck in this area has a low-range transfer case and part-time four-wheel drive, so the driver can switch between 2WD High, 4WD High, and 4WD Low as needed. Skid plates protect sensitive sections. The ZR2 features a 10.7-inch ground clearance and clearance angles of 38.3 degrees when approaching, 25.1 degrees when leaving, and 24.6 degrees while passing over a hilltop. Off-road driving might be Terrain, Baja, or Off-Road. The low-speed terrain provides a nice one-pedal off-road crawl. Baja increases exhaust and decreases traction and stability control. A button locks the ZR2’s front and rear differentials. Ford’s Ranger Raptor has 33.0 degrees approach and 26.4 degrees exit clearance. Breakover clearance is 24.2 degrees, and the most incredible ground clearance is 10.7 inches. Off-road modes include Rock Crawl and Baja. Trail Control provides off-road cruise control, while Trail Turn Assist pulls the inside rear stop to minimize the turning radius. Part-time four-wheel drive has a 4-Auto mode. L Pulling and Carrying The ZR2 can pull 6000 pounds, up 1000 from last year. A dashboard-mounted trailer brake controller uses 4-pin and 7-pin wires and a 2-inch receiver. Hook up with a 360-degree hitch ball video. The ZR2 can hold 1151 pounds. Raptors can pull 5,510 pounds with their 2.0-inch trailer hitches. One thousand four hundred eleven pounds is far less than the ZR2. It must be clarified if the trailer brake controller will be included with the car or sold separately. Ford’s Pro Trailer backup assist and a 360-degree camera are coming to all Ranger models. Interior Despite its wide front, the Colorado ZR2’s back seat is small and lacks headroom. The touchscreen in the centre is the only way to access headlamp settings, but most functions are simple. Bluetooth displays your smartphone on its 11.3-inch screen. The ZR2’s interior materials are better than other Colorado’. Cost and travel Only the $48,295 ZR2 Colorado is known. Ranger Raptor costs $58,555, $10,000 more. It costs much more. It will appear on the streets in late summer. TRD Pro? Toyota won’t set a price until the end of the year because the automobile won’t be ready until spring 2024. Replaced cars cost $49,890 for automatics. Due to all the improvements, the TRD Pro should cost more than last year. The Ranger Raptor may be more expensive. Ford is far from Chevy.
