Walk into any dealership today looking for a serious off-road midsize truck and you’ll probably end up comparing three names: the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, and Ford Ranger Raptor. All three promise factory-built trail capability, locking differentials and enough suspension travel to tackle terrain that most owners will never attempt.
A while back, I had the opportunity to drive all three back-to-back on the same muddy off-road course during the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. Better yet, fellow automotive journalist Jill Ciminillo and I swapped seats throughout the day, giving us two different perspectives on how each truck performed. While the trucks weren’t perfectly matched by trim level, they were driven over the same rocks, ruts, steep climbs and muddy trails, making for one of the best real-world comparisons I’ve had in a long time.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: Toyota Fixed Nearly Every Complaint
The newest Toyota Tacoma deserves a lot of credit.
For years, buyers complained about the awkward seating position, dated interior and cramped driving experience. Toyota listened. The latest Tacoma feels like an entirely different truck inside. The seating position is dramatically improved, visibility is better and the large infotainment screen finally gives the truck a modern feel.
It’s also exactly what buyers expect from Toyota. Toyota’s reputation for reliability and strong resale values remain major selling points and the truck is still compact enough to fit comfortably inside a typical suburban garage. That’s something many midsize truck buyers care about more than manufacturers probably realize.
The Tacoma TRD Off-Road handled the course surprisingly well. The camera system made navigating rocks much easier, the Multi-Terrain Select system inspired confidence and the truck never felt out of place despite some challenging conditions.
That doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
The biggest drawback remains price. Once buyers move into higher trims like the TRD Pro or start adding options, Tacoma pricing climbs quickly. Toyota’s i-Force MAX hybrid also delivers noticeably more power than the standard turbocharged four-cylinder, but buyers have to move into more expensive trims to get it. And while the wireless charging pad has improved, it still isn’t one of the better systems in the segment.
Ford Ranger Raptor: Simply the Most Fun Truck Here
If the Tacoma impressed me, the Ranger Raptor made me smile.
Ford took the already capable Ranger Raptor and turned it into something that genuinely feels special. The 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 delivers effortless power, the suspension soaks up rough terrain and the truck seemed to walk through muddy hill climbs that required noticeably more effort in the Tacoma.
Jill noticed the same thing from behind the wheel. On several steep, muddy climbs the Ranger Raptor simply felt more confident and more composed. Whether that came from the suspension, additional horsepower or simply the overall calibration, it was obvious this truck was operating at another level.
Inside, the Ranger Raptor also feels appropriately premium. The supportive seats, unique trim pieces and orange accents help separate it from a standard Ranger, while features like four-wheel-drive Auto mode are appreciated by owners who regularly encounter changing road conditions.
I still have one complaint with the Ranger, and it’s one I’ve mentioned before. Ford continues to omit rear grab handles, making it unnecessarily awkward for passengers climbing into the back seat. It’s a small detail, but one that stands out when you climb in and out of trucks all day.
Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison: Purpose-built for Serious Trails
Chevy’s Colorado ZR2 Bison has a different personality.
Where the Ranger Raptor focuses on speed and suspension travel, the Bison feels like it was designed to crawl over obstacles all day long.
The AEV steel bumpers, aggressive tires, rock rails and locking front and rear differentials make it look every bit as capable as it performs. Visibility was excellent, thanks in part to highly adjustable mirrors that Jill especially appreciated while navigating tight sections of the trail.
The interior also surprised me. When the current Colorado debuted, I wasn’t immediately sold on its design. After spending time in it, however, the layout began to make much more sense. The camouflage trim, integrated screens and overall presentation give it a unique personality.
There are still a few things I’d change.
Rear-seat room is tighter than both the Tacoma and Ranger, particularly behind my driving position at 5-foot-7. The wireless charging pad placement still feels awkward and I’m still not a fan of the shifter layout. None of those are deal breakers, but they’re worth mentioning if you’re shopping in this segment.
Powertrain and pricing comparison
Here’s how the trucks’ powertrains and pricing compare. For current model information, see the official Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger Raptor pages.
| Truck | Engine | Transmission | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road | 2.4L turbocharged I-4 | 8-speed automatic | 278 hp | 317 lb-ft |
| Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison | 2.7L TurboMax I-4 | 8-speed automatic | 310 hp | 430 lb-ft |
| Ford Ranger Raptor | 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 | 10-speed automatic | 405 hp | 430 lb-ft |
Pricing:
Toyota Tacoma
- SR: ~$34,200
- SR5: ~$38,000
- TRD PreRunner: ~$40,000
- TRD Sport: ~$41,500
- TRD Off-Road: ~$43,500
- Limited: ~$55,000
- Trailhunter: ~$65,000
- TRD Pro: ~$66,000
Chevy Colorado
- WT: ~$32,400
- LT: ~$36,000
- Trail Boss: ~$40,000
- Z71: ~$44,000
- ZR2: ~$51,000
- ZR2 Bison: roughly $60,000 depending on options.
Ford Ranger
- XL: ~$35,200
- XLT: ~$39,000
- Lariat: ~$44,000
- Raptor: ~$57,000–$59,000
Which off-road truck would I buy?
This is the question readers ask me more than any other.
If long-term ownership, resale value and everyday usability are your priorities, I’d buy the Toyota Tacoma. Toyota fixed nearly every complaint I had about the previous generation, and that’s no small accomplishment.
If your weekends revolve around technical trails and rock crawling, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison deserves serious consideration. It feels purpose-built for that mission.
But if you asked me which one I’d drive home tomorrow, I’d take the Ford Ranger Raptor.
It’s fast, incredibly capable and simply made off-roading feel easier than the other two. Every truck here has strengths, and I genuinely liked something about each of them. The Tacoma offers unmatched long-term confidence. The Colorado brings serious trail hardware. The Ranger Raptor, however, is the truck that left the biggest smile on my face at the end of the day.
