This is the fourth generation Ford Ranger. We can't drive it yet, so I'm just
gonna climb all over it and talk about it. That's all that's all. In 2011 the
Ranger was discontinued in the US but it sold elsewhere around the world.For a
company who's all but walked away from cars to focus on trucks and SUVs, the
mid-sized Ranger's reappearance now isn't much of a surprise but something of a
necessity. The Ranger comes as a SuperCab that's the smaller cab but a larger
bed and SuperCrew, a four-door cab with a shorter bed. There are three available
trim levels, the XL XLT and Lariat, and Chrome and Sport appearance packages are
also available. Aesthetically the Ranger is simple, but it's not boring. It's got
some of the same character features as the beefier F-150. The raked windshield
and the high belt line definitely give a sport truck look and helped with
aerodynamics, but I don't know, maybe it's just me but does it kind of look like a
car.
But sporty good looks isn't enough. A truck actually has to work. Ford claims
a best-in-class payload capacity of 1,860 pounds,
and that it can tow up to 7,500 pounds when
properly equipped.
That's more than the Ranger's direct competitors the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy
Colorado, and Nissan Frontier. That's also the only one of those competitors that
doesn't have a V6. In the powertrain department the Ranger's got a singular
option a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline four mated to a 10-speed automatic. It's
closely related to the 2.3.-liter in the current Explorer, but the Ranger's version
of the engine is beefed up to make more power. That engine should help the Ranger
in the fuel efficiency game, although EPA estimates aren't available yet, but we'll
have to see how it puts that power down. The Ranger comes standard with rear
wheel drive and an open differential, but you can get a rear locker if you want it.
The 4x4 comes either way as well, but this electronic rear differential will
make a huge difference with your off-road capability. To that end the FX 4
off-road package is available. That includes skid plates, an off-road tuned
suspension, and Ford's terrain management system which has modes for grass, gravel,
and snow, mud and ruts, and sand. It alters throttle response, transmission shift
points, and traction and stability control. Ford's trail control system is a
sort of cruise control for low-speed off-road driving and takes over braking
and acceleration functions. Like hill descent or ascent features the system
deploys torque to each wheel accordingly allowing the driver to focus on the road.
Both of those systems are also found on the dirt monster Raptor. Of course, this
is the time in the video when we would normally cut to me driving off-road like
a madwoman. We can't do that yet.
In the meantime here's footage of us driving the Raptor like a madwoman. This
updated Ranger's got short overhangs in the front and rear for better approach
and departure angles when you're driving over stuff, and you've got monotube
dampers at the four corners with a control arm front suspension and a live
axle setup at the rear. The front seats are comfortable and very supportive. As
far as the design of the interior it's simple but everything looks intuitively
laid out. There are some hard hollow plastics, you know, but it's durable materials.
For a truck I would kind of expect that. As for storage up here, the center
console isn't that big, but it's a midsize truck. In the rear there is some
great and creative under seat storage right there,
and while the seat backs can go down. You have to reach all the way over here
to do that.They don't lie all the way flat, and there's no storage behind here
to speak of except for the jack. It's not a huge cabin, but again mid
sized truck. Safety-wise automatic emergency braking
is standard across the board. More advanced features like lane departure
warning, lane keep assist, a reverse sensing system and blind spot warning
with trailer coverage are standard on XLT and Lariat trims. Only the Lariat
trim gets adaptive cruise control standard. Other options to pimp your ride
include Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford+
Alexa personal assistant functionality, navigation, a Bang&Olufsen sound
system, keyless access with a push button start, AC power outlets, remote start, LED
headlamps and tail lamps, wiper activated headlamps, windshield wiper de-icer and my
fave, rain sensing wipers. Whew, that's a lot! The Ranger XL's base price starts
around $25,000 including destination charges. The XLT is
mid-level and will relieve you of closer to $28,000. The
Lariat is at the top end with a commensurate price tag of about $33,000
Expect to spend $40,000 when you start
loading up the goodies on a four-wheel drive crew cab model.
Well, sadly we couldn't drive it today, but the Ford Ranger will be driving out of
showrooms in the early part of 2019. And check back here soon for a full review. I
promise I'm gonna make Micah drive it like a mad woman with a wig on.