Toyota Tacoma vs Ford F-150

If you’re looking for a formidable truck that’ll help you get to work around the Avon, Plainfield, or Indianapolis areas, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma and Ford F-150 are two great options.

So, Andy Mohr Toyota compared these pickups side by side to determine which has more to offer Indiana drivers. Start reading our Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford F-150 comparison to find out which vehicle is best for you.

2019 Toyota Tacoma vs Ford F-150: Handling

Handling is one of the most important aspects to look for when deciding on a new truck, and the F-150 and Tacoma have a lot to offer here.

In addition to an available part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain, they also each include a drive mode select feature that lets you select the kind of terrain you’re tackling from at least five different options. The truck then regulates wheelspin and improves traction by adjusting the engine throttle and brakes.

The 2019 Tacoma, however, takes this a step further with the available Crawl Control (CRAWL). This system includes five low-speed settings that automatically modulate the throttle and brakes to get you through the roughest terrain, including soft sand.

The F-150 doesn’t include this kind of advanced handling features, so drivers may find themselves getting stuck more often on unforgiving terrain.

Available Off-Road Technology

If you’re a truck enthusiast, you likely find yourself enjoying the freedom that comes with traveling off-road. You’ll find that the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford F-150 have plenty of equipment to make navigating the trail much easier.

To make it easier for you to traverse obstacles in your way, both trucks feature an available electronically controlled locking rear differential. You’ll have the ability to configure your vehicle’s drivetrain to allow for better control while climbing rocks and other rough terrain.

Unique to the Toyota Tacoma, though, is a TRD Pro Desert Air Intake, which allows for greater engine performance in dusty areas. When your truck is equipped with this, you’ll have a pipe that reaches above the dust line to feed your engine with clean air. If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading in dusty areas, this feature will help keep your engine clean afterwards.

Tacoma vs F-150 Safety Technology

When you’re not off-roading, each of these pickups include safety technology that helps you prevent a potential impact with another vehicle or pedestrian.

Both the Toyota Tacoma and Ford F-150 come with a lane departure system that sends an alert if you veer from your intended lane of travel and even adjusts your steering to bring you back on course.

They also both include an automatic cruise control feature that slows your cruising speed to a safe following distance when approaching a slower-moving vehicle.

While the F-150 makes these available only with an upgrade to a higher trim level, the Tacoma makes their Lane Departure Alert and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control systems standard on all trims, including the base.

Without the same standard safety features as the Toyota Tacoma, the Ford F-150 lacks the same comfortable ride and sense of confidence.

Infotainment Systems

As you hit the open road, there’s nothing better than turning up the volume on some tunes. The Tacoma and F-150 both feature infotainment systems that allow you to do just that without even taking your hands off the wheel.

They both include a fully integrated system that lets you play music, answer phone calls, change the track, and access your phone book, all through voice commands. However, yet again, the F-150 only makes this kind of technology available with a trim upgrade, while the Tacoma offers it as a standard feature in the base trim.

The Toyota Tacoma technology package also includes Siri® Eyes Free, which allows iPhone® users to ask Siri® to send texts, access maps, and more through the truck’s sound system. This system allows you to easily navigate your phone with your voice so you can dedicate your full attention to the road.

F-150 drivers don’t have access to this technology and may find themselves taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road more often to control the infotainment system.

Interior Convenience Features

You’re likely going to spend a lot of time inside your truck and as such, you should make sure that your truck is properly equipped with the right convenience features. Whether you’re planning on towing a camper for a vacation or you’re an off-road enthusiast, the Tacoma and the F-150 are all about comfort.

Inside both trucks, you’ll find an available dual zone automatic climate control system at your disposal. This feature will manage your cabin’s temperature in two areas of the cabin, so everyone has their ideal temperature setting. Whether you like it hot and your friend likes it cold, you can configure your climate settings to satisfy you both.

Upping the ante, though, is the Toyota Tacoma’s interior, which offers us an available Qi-compatible wireless smartphone and mobile device charging pad. While you’re out on an adventure, keeping your phone charged is important and this pad makes that easy. Simply set your phone down and it will begin charging for you automatically.

To add to that, the Toyota Tacoma offers three total USB ports located throughout the cabin. With one USB media port and two USB charging ports, it’s easy to stay connected while you’re out enjoying the open road. Plus, this provides an opportunity for your passengers to charge their phones on the go so everyone can stay charged up.

While the Ford F-150 offers many power outlets, it doesn’t offer a specialized charging pad.

Test Drive Our Tacoma vs F-150: Verdict

After comparing the 2019 Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford F-150 on handling, safety technology, and infotainment systems, the Tacoma emerged as our top pick for Indianapolis area drivers.

If you want to take this truck for a spin around Plainfield and Avon, contact Andy Mohr Toyota today to schedule your test drive of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma.