“I want a mid-size truck.”
My recommendation: A Ford Ranger
But I read on a car website that those are bad: Same caveats about car reviewers as above. Driving an unladen vehicle with only a driver, and maybe a passenger onboard does not represent real world use. You want a truck because you have people, dogs, and stuff to carry. With its 1100 pound payload (four door 4x4 models), a Tacoma only has 600 pounds of capacity left to work with once you add two people and full tank of fuel. Not only does this rule out the addition of protection parts, campers, or other off-road accessories, but it means you can dangerously overload your vehicle simply by trying to take three friends and enough beer for all four of you, on a weekend camping trip.
Not only does a Ranger come equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, a powerful motor, and a good transmission, but at 1600 pounds in its worst-case configuration (four doors, four-wheel drive), its payload actually exceeds that of a Tundra. The Ranger is the best selling vehicle in Australia for a reason.
How I’d configure it: Mine’s a Lariat SuperCrew FX4, which stickers around $46,000. That’s pretty pricey. Most drivers would probably be better off with the XL or XLT trims, which skip some of the convenience options, but don’t skimp on capabilities. If you’re able, you should definitely check the box for the FX4 package since that brings Ford’s excellent Terrain Management system, and a rear locker. Terrain Management is the best of the modern electronic off-road traction management systems out there, seamlessly tweaking individual brake calipers to replicate the effects of locking axle diffs, without the drivetrain stress and inconvenience those bring. If that sentence is confusing, here’s a simpler one: the Ranger is better at traction than anything else in this space.
Like all other pickups this side of the F-150 Raptor, the Ranger’s suspension errs a little too far in the direction of supporting weight, rather than providing ride comfort off-road. Rather than option up to nicer trim levels, I’d encourage you to instead spend the money equipping yours with the complete Old Man Emu BP-51 suspension system.
