You’re in luck if you’re shopping for a small pick-up as there are several worthy options. The Ford Ranger is a well-rounded pick-up that can tow and haul, and is comfortable as a daily driver. It comes in several configurations so you can get the small truck that’s right for you.
Base Price: $34,635
As Tested: $42,805
Horsepower: 270
Mileage: 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway/22 mpg combined
Ford re-introduced the all-new Ranger in 2019. It had last been produced for the 2011 model year. For 2020, there are some tweaks including a new off-road package and some features being added to some trims.
Starting prices range from $24,110 to $38,675 which is about average for the class. There are three trims: XL, XLT and Lariat. Each trim is available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. SuperCab has room for four passengers and has a six-foot bed and small, rear-hinged doors. The SuperCrew has room for five passengers and has a five-foot bed and four traditional, full-size doors. Rear-wheel-drive is standard and four-wheel-drive is available on any configuration.
There’s only one engine: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s enough power for driving, towing and hauling. Acceleration is energetic with very little turbo lag, steering is responsive and the 10-speed shifts smoothly and quickly. My 4×4 tester stays planted when cornering with little body roll. The ride is pretty firm and can jostle passengers somewhat when traveling on rough roads. The high seating position makes it easy for the driver to see the road ahead. All in all, the Ranger is easy to drive and handles like a smaller vehicle.
Fuel efficiency is good for the segment. EPA ratings for my 4×4 tester are 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with a combined rating of 22. I got 22 during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
Every Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds when outfitted with the optional tow package. The Ranger can tow 3,500 pounds without the tow package. Payload capacity is 1,560 to 1,860 pounds depending on the cab and whether you opt for rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
If you want to equip your Ranger for off-roading, get the FX4 Off-Road package which includes a locking rear differential, crawl control, skid plates, terrain management system and off-road tires.
The cabin is not as upscale as some rivals. The interior is plain, some materials are low- rent and the list of standard features is pretty short. On the plus side, the front seats are comfortable with decent leg- and headroom. My SuperCrew tester has room for three passengers in the second row. Lots of tech and features are available if you want to add them.
Standard features include a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, four-way manually adjustable front seats, USB port, Bluetooth, four speakers, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Available features include , remote start, push-button start, premium cloth upholstery, vinyl upholstery, leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, six- or 10-speaker audio system, 4.2-inch SYNC infotainment system, eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and Ford’s MyKey system.
Available driver assistance technologies include lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic alert with trailer coverage.
Ford’s infotainment system is user-friendly. The SYNC system has a 4.2-inch screen while the SYNC3 system has an eight-inch touchscreen. Both respond quickly to voice and touch commands and there are physical controls for common functions.
The good:
Lively handling
Capable at towing and hauling
Easy to drive
Decent fuel economy
Pick the trim, cab/bed and drivetrain that’s best for you
Supercrew provides decent passenger room
Lots of available features and tech
User-friendly optional infotainment system
The not-so-good:
Firm ride can be jostling
Blasé interior
Limited standard features
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $34,635. Equipment Group 302A adds XLT series, sliding rear window with defroster and remote start. Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clear Coat is $395. Technology Package is $995 and includes adaptive cruise control, forward sensing system, SYNC3, satellite radio, and navigation. Black Appearance Package is $1,090 and includes 18-inch black painted Aluminum wheels, Toughbed spray-in bedliner, and 5-inch retractable running boards. Tray-style floor liner is $160. Trailer Tow Package is $495. Securicode keyless keypad is $95. FX4 Off-Road Package is $1,295 and includes electronic-locking differential. Delivery fee is $1,195 bringing the grand total to $42,805.
Bottom line:
The 2020 Ford Ranger is a quality small pick-up that’s capable and comfortable. It has excellent towing and hauling capacities, can be outfitted for off-roading and is a pleasant daily driver. The Ranger is available in a variety of trims and with two different cabs and two beds so you can choose the truck that’s right for you.
