2021 Ford Ranger Review: Not Your Average Joe
With the popularity of midsize pickup trucks having picked up in the USA over recent years, Ford decided to bring in its foreign offering rather than design an entirely new truck. The 2021 Ford Ranger, as a result, may not be as compelling as more American-purposed trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and the Honda Ridgeline. The automaker did ensure that the Ranger be presented to the American market with a good selection of improvements and alterations that would be enough to keep it on par with its preexisting contemporaries, and perhaps even make it better. With a potent 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque emitted from its 2.5-liter turbo inline-4 engine, the Ranger performs with genuine rigor and capability while remaining impressively fuel-efficient, too. There are some annoyances here and there, brought about by the Ranger's un-American design, but even with those minor flaws, it's one of the best pickup trucks money can buy, especially with what it has to offer this year.
2021 Ranger Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
210.8 in | 126.8 in | 70.7 in | 77.8 in | 3,922.0 lbs |
2021 Ranger Performance
2021 Ranger Interior
2021 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 |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Rollover Rating |
---|
3/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Ford Ranger A Good Pickup Truck?
Ford is venerated in the USA for its diverse range of esteemed pickup trucks, the brand's F-150 line having been some of the best-selling cars for a really long time. The Ranger pickup wasn't designed for the American market, however, and its few but noteworthy shortcomings make this obvious. The rather unergonomic cabin and lack of in-cabin storage solutions are perhaps the main indicators, with the odd locations of some buttons revealing the compromises made when converting a once right-hand-drive vehicle to a left-hand-drive one. There are also many hard plastics utilized throughout and the cupholders are far from big enough.
With the fourth-generation Ranger, however, Ford has applied the many necessary alterations it requires to be a truly appreciated American pickup. The 2.3-liter turbo-four is an exceptional engine and works well with the Ranger's purposed structure. It comes with a good array of comforts and conveniences and modern tech, and, in terms of safety, the NHTSA gives a top-notch safety rating. This is complemented by the IIHS's impressive remarks in its review of the 2021 Ford Ranger. Americans have praised the Ranger for its reliability, too, so while it may not be one of the best-selling pickup trucks, it certainly won't disappoint any keen buyer.
What Ford Ranger Model Should I Buy?
All three models of the Ford Ranger come equipped with the same powertrain, so you don't get any choice in terms of performance but you do get to choose the drivetrain, body, and cargo bed configuration, and features. If you're looking to do some off-roading or live in a state that has tricky roads at times, then we'd suggest the 4x4 drivetrain. The XL model with the SuperCrew 4-door configuration is a great choice for the added passenger room it provides in the cabin and the extra cargo space in the bed. We'd also recommend opting in the STX Special Edition Package, which adds a good selection of the desirable features found in the higher-spec models, including the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen and Fords SYNC3 user interface. It also adorns the Ranger XL in the STX Appearance Package and 18-inch alloy wheels. In this guise and with these packages, the price of the 2021 Ford Ranger pickup truck will come in at an attractive $31,320.