2019 Ford Ranger Reviews Compilation

rangerdanger

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Motor Trend: The Best Ford Ranger Is the Cheap One—Here's Why
Three reasons the cheap model is the best Ranger truck to buy

2019-Ford-Ranger-XL-STX-23.jpg


The Ford Ranger finally came home from its eight-year overseas stay last year. We couldn't wait to test it and immediately dropped it into our Farm Truck comparison, in which we put a $43,695 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 up against a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, 2019 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition, and 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. After our testing, the one question we all asked about the Ranger was, "Is this really what we've been waiting for?" Aside from its powertrain, the Ranger felt every one of its eight years old, with awful body control, a cramped, rental-grade interior, and quality not befitting its price.

Recently, though, we had a chance to test a bare-bones, $29,445 2019 Ranger XL STX SuperCab 4x2, and we think we stumbled upon the sweet spot in the Ranger lineup. Here's why:


It's Quick

When it comes to midsize pickup trucks, most of the time you're better off skipping the base engine. Chevy, GMC, Nissan, and Toyota all offer naturally aspirated four-cylinders in varying levels of wheeziness as standard on their trucks. Ford got a lot of things wrong in importing the Ranger to the U.S., but to its credit, it really got was its powertrain right. Making 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, the Ranger's standard 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 is among the most powerful in the segment. It's also paired with the most modern transmission in the segment, a 10-speed automatic that has dedicated sport and tow/haul modes. In a bare-bones truck like this extended cab Ranger XL STX, that makes for a pretty quick truck; it hustles from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds at 92.9 mph.

It's Capable

Thanks to its powerful standard engine, its wide and deep 6-foot bed, and lack of extra features, the base Ranger SuperCab 4x2 makes a great work truck. Our tester's payload capacity was 1,860 pounds—more than some heavily optioned half-ton trucks—and it's capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds.

The Ranger feels more than up to the task of working. With 1,000 pounds of payload in the bed, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, and it'll run a 15.5-second quarter mile at 89.1 mph. When hitched to a 4,000-pound trailer, the Ranger performed well, too. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 12.5 seconds, and it ran a 19.1-second quarter mile at 72.4 mph.

It's Cheap (If You Skip The Options)

Modern pickup trucks are extraordinarily expensive. Back in 1983, its first year of production, a brand-new Ranger started at $6,203, which is about $16,000 in 2019 dollars when accounting for inflation. Nowadays the average transaction price for a midsize pickup truck is cresting $33,000, so our Ranger's $27,625 base price and $29,445 as-tested price seem like bargains. True, you don't get anything in the way of creature comforts, but if you're looking for nothing more than a simple, honest, affordable work truck to add to your garage, the Ranger XL STX 4x2 is worth considering.
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RedlandRanger

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I wish Motor Trend would make up its mind whether it likes or hates the Ranger. :crackup:

One review says it is terrible, the next says it is the best and it just seems to kind of go back and forth....
 

MT19RANGER

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I wish Motor Trend would make up its mind whether it likes or hates the Ranger. :crackup:

One review says it is terrible, the next says it is the best and it just seems to kind of go back and forth....
clickbait for them :)
 


foulmouf

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As the owner of a STX Fx4, I suppose I'm biased, but I came to the same conclusion. I get all of the same capabilities that I care about (ie truck stuff) as the top of the line Lariat, but at a much, much lower price. Folks can argue until they're blue in the face as to which truck is "best" at the higher end but there's no doubt in my mind that when it comes to the lower priced range, the Ranger utterly dominates it's competition.

Motor Trend: The Best Ford Ranger Is the Cheap One—Here's Why
Three reasons the cheap model is the best Ranger truck to buy

2019-Ford-Ranger-XL-STX-23.jpg


The Ford Ranger finally came home from its eight-year overseas stay last year. We couldn't wait to test it and immediately dropped it into our Farm Truck comparison, in which we put a $43,695 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 up against a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, 2019 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition, and 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. After our testing, the one question we all asked about the Ranger was, "Is this really what we've been waiting for?" Aside from its powertrain, the Ranger felt every one of its eight years old, with awful body control, a cramped, rental-grade interior, and quality not befitting its price.

Recently, though, we had a chance to test a bare-bones, $29,445 2019 Ranger XL STX SuperCab 4x2, and we think we stumbled upon the sweet spot in the Ranger lineup. Here's why:


It's Quick

When it comes to midsize pickup trucks, most of the time you're better off skipping the base engine. Chevy, GMC, Nissan, and Toyota all offer naturally aspirated four-cylinders in varying levels of wheeziness as standard on their trucks. Ford got a lot of things wrong in importing the Ranger to the U.S., but to its credit, it really got was its powertrain right. Making 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, the Ranger's standard 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 is among the most powerful in the segment. It's also paired with the most modern transmission in the segment, a 10-speed automatic that has dedicated sport and tow/haul modes. In a bare-bones truck like this extended cab Ranger XL STX, that makes for a pretty quick truck; it hustles from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and through the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds at 92.9 mph.

It's Capable

Thanks to its powerful standard engine, its wide and deep 6-foot bed, and lack of extra features, the base Ranger SuperCab 4x2 makes a great work truck. Our tester's payload capacity was 1,860 pounds—more than some heavily optioned half-ton trucks—and it's capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds.

The Ranger feels more than up to the task of working. With 1,000 pounds of payload in the bed, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, and it'll run a 15.5-second quarter mile at 89.1 mph. When hitched to a 4,000-pound trailer, the Ranger performed well, too. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 12.5 seconds, and it ran a 19.1-second quarter mile at 72.4 mph.

It's Cheap (If You Skip The Options)

Modern pickup trucks are extraordinarily expensive. Back in 1983, its first year of production, a brand-new Ranger started at $6,203, which is about $16,000 in 2019 dollars when accounting for inflation. Nowadays the average transaction price for a midsize pickup truck is cresting $33,000, so our Ranger's $27,625 base price and $29,445 as-tested price seem like bargains. True, you don't get anything in the way of creature comforts, but if you're looking for nothing more than a simple, honest, affordable work truck to add to your garage, the Ranger XL STX 4x2 is worth considering.
 

Nutty 5.0

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Another review (EDIT: he had color wrong saying it’s Velocity Blue instead of Lightning Blue but enjoyed watching it)

 
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Mokume

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Another review (EDIT: he had color wrong saying it’s Velocity Blue instead of Lightning Blue but enjoyed watching it)

Cute co-pilot, but the way she's smiling (sometimes laughing) in the back seat makes you wonder if there is a derogatory note on the back of her Dad's cap.
 

Nutty 5.0

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Cute co-pilot, but the way she's smiling (sometimes laughing) in the back seat makes you wonder if there is a derogatory note on the back of her Dad's cap.
Lol I wasn’t gonna say it but thought that was funny too.
 

Mokume

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Nutty 5.0

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First NA 2020 review I’ve seen:

 

EcoRanger

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Looks like my Ranger If it was 4X4 it would be the same. Liked the review:like:
 

Phoebe

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Official press drive reviews (posted starting December 18, 2018):

Articles

Auto123
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AutoSpies.com
Autoweek
Cars.com
Carbuzz
Car and Driver
Courier Journal
CNET
Detroit Free Press
Digital Trends
Driving.ca
Ford Authority
FordNXT.com
Four Wheeler Network
Fox News
Gear Patrol
Jalopnik
Motor Authority
Motor Trend
Motor1
MSN Autos
NY Daily News
OffRoadXtreme
Pickuptrucks.com
Pickuptrucks.com - 2nd Article
Road and Track
TFL Truck
The Car Connection
The Car Guide
The Globe and Mail
The Ranger Station
The Truth About Cars
Truck Trend
Trucks.com
Ward's Auto

Videos

4WD Magazine



Autoblog



Autoguide



Big Truck Big RV





Cars.com



CarProUSA





Driven



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Forrest's Auto Reviews



KBB



Motor1 US



MotorWeek



Mr. Truck







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Rides & Drives



Roadshow



TFL Truck



The Ranger Station



Truck Central

Love that!
 

Nutty 5.0

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Pickup and SUV Truck Talk on 2020 Ranger Lariat

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