Ranger has fresh competition...

[tentspast]

Long overdue, I think they've nailed the styling... and the interior looks nice too. Surprised they didn't transition to the new chassis used by the global Navara (has a multi-link coil rear end)

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[Msfitoy]

Looks like a mismash of Ford 150 belt line, GM front end, Taco body side...might've been interesting 10 years ago...not so much today...

 

[dtech]

Personally, I like "dated".
Currently driving an 07 Ranger, I'll likely buy a 2021 Frontier when my Ranger finally caves. All this tech in new vehicles I don't want or want to pay for.

Exactly why Nissan Frontier up until last year sold well in the US market - 72k units in 2019 - in a base version it is priced less than competitors and I'd assume Nissan will continue to aggressively discount from list to promote sales volumes. For a number of people it's a truck that meets their needs and it has proven to be reliable. I ride in one weekly as my golf partner has one, a 2006 and it drives nice, but the interior looks really dated, but so does my 2004 Saab.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/30817/nissans-frontier-proves-newer-isnt-always-better

 

[BlueBoost]

The old Frontier was around so long it's become a classic. I looked at one before I bought the Ranger. It reminded me of cold beer, leggy women and me still with a head of hair.

 

[Hounddog409]

This engine is brand new as of 2020. The 2020-2021 frontier have the DI 3.8 V6 with a 9 speed auto. I took a 2020 PRO-4X on an extended test drive and I was very unimpressed by the torque of the 3.8. The 9 speed did feel great though. I think the old 4.0 was the better engine. The 3.8 screams up top, but it’s super noisy and feels very Honda Vtec like. Just not an ideal engine for a truck.

Same 3.8 with different tyranny. Same low Power and low MPG

There is nothing new about that engine.

 

[GTGallop]

yeah that's my impression - front resembles Chevy, rest is very much Taco. And I would speculate that those 2 makes are the ones that might experience some sales loss to Frontier.

Now the Frontier will likely ride better than Ranger and the Pro variant comes with Bilsteins - that would have been nice for the Ranger FX4 package.

Gen 2 Fronties rode rough - that was why the wife nixed them from our shopping list when looking for a truck. They would have to really upgrade the Underpinnings to get it smoothed out.

Everyone I know that wheels a Frontier off road has upgraded to an All Dogs Suspension Setup.

I'll bet that the Ranger still rides smoother.

 

[HenryMac]

The "new" Nissan Tacoma.

Looks EXACTLY like one, IMO. Especially in that gray.

They all look like Tacoma's... from the side. Even the ranger, except for the round wheel wells.

The Pathfinder looks less Tacoma than the rest, due to the F-150 front window droop and square crew cab window.

 

[1911tex]

The hood slope on the Ranger is the best innovation in my opinion.....the best near front visibility of the bunch. I thought the Ranger would have a front window droop as its a Ford original. Otherwise, the Pathfinder is pure copycat. I guess if you can't beat 'em, try to join 'em. The Ranger has the most unique, differentiating body style of the bunch.

The Pathfinder will again be playing catch-up with the new 2022 Tacoma body style changes.

 

[db_tanker]

alot of the design for the ranger came from the global T6 platform which was essentially an Aussie truck and had to compete against the Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux, Mitsu L200, etc

North America started seeing alot of the stuff we weren't allowed...and Ford decided to hook us up.

Toyota would really do better I think if they went more toward the global Hilux...I see Nissan Navara's from down south and they are damn nice looking...been overseas I've seen great wall's and Mitsu L200's...I am REALLY hoping that Ford keeps with a more global look with the Ranger and keeps it separate from the F150 and SD's.

Personally, the new Nissan is nice. The 3.8 is maybe built on dated bones but the tech is up to date. Hell the 2.3 Eco is TECHNICALLY based on the Mazda L series if you dig down far enough into the R&D of it all. Heck using the logic I've seen here...we should have been complaining hard and heavy about the SB Chevy and Windsor Fords.

D

 

[VAMike]

The hood slope on the Ranger is the best innovation in my opinion.....the best near front visibility of the bunch. I thought the Ranger would have a front window droop as its a Ford original. Otherwise, the Pathfinder is pure copycat. I guess if you can't beat 'em, try to join 'em. The Ranger has the most unique, differentiating body style of the bunch.

Don't get attached, looks like the next gen decided a big motor and "imposing grill" is more important than visibility.

 

[tehschkott]

I'm glad to see Nissan in this space. It'll force Ford to continue being competitive.

All these stock trucks from the side look like crap IMO. From the side profile, I think the Ranger looks the worst. I love my Ranger, make no mistake. But getting stingy with the wheel clearances isn't improving my mood at all. From the side profile, I think the Colorado looks toughest.

 

[DT444T]

Depends on what qualifies as "good" to you. And in that regard opinions vary wildly.

I'll bet for those truck buyers that place longevity, simplicity and lowest cost to operate as main features, the non-turbo V-6 will be much better than the turbo 4 banger.

Think we can get 17 years and 175,000 trouble free zero maintenance miles (just oil changes and other fluids) from our 2.3 turbo's?

That's what my '02 Tacoma SR5 V-6 TRD 4x4 had on it when we traded it in on our 2019 Ranger. So that's the goal we're shooting for.

My brother has about 160,000 on his 3.5 EcoBoost. Bone. Stock.

 

[VAMike]

it's both physically larger than the 2.3 (so it requires more space under the hood) and higher displacement. sorry if it's not big *enough* for you.

 

[HenryMac]

My brother has about 160,000 on his 3.5 EcoBoost. Bone. Stock.

Ever been into the shop for anything except oil and fluid changes?

 

[HenryMac]

I'm glad to see Nissan in this space. It'll force Ford to continue being competitive.

All these stock trucks from the side look like crap IMO. From the side profile, I think the Ranger looks the worst. I love my Ranger, make no mistake. But getting stingy with the wheel clearances isn't improving my mood at all. From the side profile, I think the Colorado looks toughest.

What a hot mess that reply is. You bought what you consider to be the worst looking truck on the market.

In regard to fender clearances, you're confusing correct wheel to fender clearances (Ranger) for the stupid oversized wheel opening on all other trucks.

You're going to love this...

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