2019 Ford Ranger Test Drive Review: It's Back
When it comes to pickup truck sales, Ford sits atop the charts with its full-size F-150. But not everyone needs a full-size truck, and for the past seven years, you haven't been able to buy a mid-size pickup from the Blue Oval. That changes for 2019, as the fourth-generation Ranger arrives in the US. In the time since the Ranger has been off the market, the Toyota Tacoma has dominated the mid-size segment, ranking behind only the best-selling full-size trucks. But can the return of the Ranger challenge Toyota's dominance in the mid-size segment? The Tacoma is showing signs of age, meaning the all-new Ranger should be a worthy challenger. There's just one issue. The 2019 Ranger may be new to the US but it has been around in other markets for a few years now, meaning it isn't quite as fresh as you might think. Ford sent us a 2019 Ranger Lariat finished in Lightning Blue to see how well it will challenge the mid-size pickup truck segment.
What's the Price of the 2019 Ford Ranger?
Priced more or less in the middle of the segment, the Ranger is available from $24,300 in XL 4x2 extended cab configuration, with the XLT grade pushing that up to an MSRP of $28,10 and the Lariat escalating the MSRP to $32,390. Depending on the trim, upgrading from extended to crew cab will add a little more than $2,000 to the price, while opting to switch from 4x2 to the 4x4 drivetrain adds $4,000 on the upper pair of trims and $4,160 on the XL. Prices exclude tax, licensing, and registration fees, as well as Ford's destination fee of $1,195. Various incentives are available, though, so it pays to shop around at multiple dealerships.
2019 Ranger Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width |
---|---|---|---|
210.8 in | 126.8 in | 70.7 in | 85.8 in |
2019 Ranger Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
From the moment we took the Ranger out on the road, we were impressed by its refined ride comfort. Other trucks in this segment can bounce around over rough bumps but the Ranger absorbs them like a car or an SUV would, making it a more comfortable daily driver than many of its rivals - we are looking at you Toyota Tacoma. The steering is light and vague, making the Ranger easy to negotiate around tight parking lots despite its relatively large size. When the road runs out, the Ranger can be equipped with tons of off-road features, making it easy for even a novice driver to traverse rough terrain. We didn't have an opportunity to explore the Ranger's full off-road potential but it is nice to know Ford built it to get dirty.
Smaller trucks like this may end up replacing an SUV as a more capable family vehicle and in that purpose, the Ranger succeeds. The seats in our Lariat trim tester felt comfortable and we wouldn't mind spending time in the Ranger over a long road trip. We just wish the adaptive cruise control could bring the truck to a full stop - an issue that seems to be prevalent in this segment.
2019 Ranger Interior
2019 Ranger Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Ford Ranger A Good Truck?
Mid-size trucks do not pack the same level of capability or luxury as their full-size counterparts, which is why we (and most consumers) just spend a bit more on the larger model. But in the mid-size segment, this revived Ranger makes a strong case for itself with handsome styling, an upmarket interior, solid safety and cabin technology, and capable off-road chops. The benefits greatly outweigh the flaws here and we would have no problem recommending the Ranger.
It feels more civilized than the Tacoma, more upscale than the Colorado and Canyon, and more capable than the Ridgeline. Plus, even though it has been around in other markets for seven years it's still seven years newer than the Nissan Frontier. The Jeep Gladiator might be the Ranger's toughest competitor but with a much higher price tag, the removable roof and doors might not be worth it for most truck buyers.
What Ford Ranger Model Should I Buy?
Unless you are fine driving a pretty utilitarian truck, we recommend skipping the XL and XLT trims to opt for the Lariat. This is where the Ranger finally starts to feel more like a vehicle you could drive every day and less like a vehicle from a work fleet.
Equipment Group 501A offers a better audio system, adaptive cruise control, built-in navigation, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, and a windshield wiper de-icer for $1,795, making it a well-priced package. We also recommend the Sport Appearance Package for $895, adding Magnetic Grey trim and giving the Ranger a more aggressive look. Our tester also included the FX4 Off-Road Package for $1,295 and a few other miscellaneous items, bringing the as-test price to $44,785 after destination and delivery.
2019 Ford Ranger Comparisons
2019 Ford Ranger vs Chevrolet Colorado
In the hauling and economy stake, the Chevrolet Colorado is one of the only mid-size trucks capable of rivaling the Ford Ranger, with the optional turbodiesel engine matching Ford's economy figures and besting its towing capacity by 200 lbs at 7,700 lbs in total. With the V6 engine equipped, the Colorado is also a match for the Ranger's straight-line speed. However, the Ranger offers a higher maximum payload, and a more practical cargo bed despite the Colorado boasting a wider range of configurations. Both are similarly cramped and have fairly low-rent interiors, but at least the Colorado has more usable internal storage. It's a close battle between these two, but on-road handling dynamics swing the way of the Ford, especially with a more powerful engine from the start, while if it's off-road prowess you're after, the Colorado is the better bet. However, if your main consideration is price, a bare-spec Colorado starts at $3,000 less than the Ranger.
2019 Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a benchmark among mid-size pickups, offering multiple cargo bed and cabin configurations and a base 2.7-liter engine, but it still starts at $1,550 more than a base Ford Ranger. But it's not the most practical pickup, with its 6,800-pound maximum towing capacity falling short of Ford's 7,500-pound figure. The maximum payload also falls short on the Toyota, although its a little more practical inside the cabin. Ford bests the Toyota in terms of cabin feel and infotainment, with the available SYNC 3 system outgunning the Tacoma entirely. Toyota claws back with higher levels of standard safety across the range, and with the better off-road ability with dedicated off-road trims. However, the Ford is more livable daily, cheaper to purchase, more economical to run and operate, and more user-friendly. It doesn't do anything vastly better than the Tacoma, but it does a lot of things just a little bit better.