'23 Ranger vs '23 F150 XLT

[Friday yet?]

On the road this week. Rental happens to be a '23 F150 XLT 4x4. Not a bad truck. Got 6K+ miles on it so broken in. I've put about 125+ miles on it so far. Probably 80/20 highway / city.

For me personally, this truck has 100% confirmed that the Ranger was the right decision for me. Good to know after all the months I spent analyzing the data between the two.

Seats: Ranger. Mic drop there. Ranger seats kick the F150's ass. Period. F150 seats aren't bad. They just aren't good. Sure the cab has more room. And that's nice. But the seat comfort gives the Ranger the win.

Transmission: I think I have to say that all in all it shifts just a bit better in the F150. Nothing drastic, but I believe I'd have to rank it above the Ranger.

Engine: Perfectly acceptable. I've not opened the hood to figure out what it has but since it's a rental I'm comfortable saying that it is the base F150 engine. When I was shopping / building F150's I was going to get the 5.0, or the 5.0 or if not either of those then the V8. But if memory serves the base is the 2.7L, correct? All in all it seems adequate.

Ride: Not even close. My Tremor wins that one hands down. Matter of fact between the two trucks the F150 might come in 3rd place for ride. Drastic difference between the two. Reminds me that when I was debating the F150 I was going to get the max tow and max cargo. Damn thing would have probably ridden like hell.

And get this.... drum roll..... it's Azure Grey! Got to say damn nice color. First time I've been able to really check that color out up close. Really nice. I like it a lot. That said, it ain't velocity blue. Ranger gets bonus points for the color. Hey! It's my review dammit.

All this is clearly just my opinion. But for me the Ranger is the better option. (Not to mention that the Warden really did not want me to get the F150.)

YMMV

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[AzScorpion]

I drove F150's for 20+ years and while they served their purpose for me then (I needed a larger truck for business) I have no use for one now. Besides my Ranger is the same size as my '96 F150 and that one at least fit in the garage. Unlike todays behemoth with the extended cab would stick out 3'. Hopefully the Ranger doesn't get much bigger through the next Gen but that one's ugly too so I'd probably downsize to a Maverick at that point. lol

 

[YaBoiNewton]

On the road this week. Rental happens to be a '23 F150 XLT 4x4. Not a bad truck. Got 6K+ miles on it so broken in. I've put about 125+ miles on it so far. Probably 80/20 highway / city.

For me personally, this truck has 100% confirmed that the Ranger was the right decision for me. Good to know after all the months I spent analyzing the data between the two.

I came to a similar conclusion after my limited experience with the F150, but via my dad's fully loaded Platinum trucks.

Main take-aways were that they are HUGE trucks and the top trim interiors are kitted out like a god damn space ship. His '17 Platinum wasn't so overwhelming, but his current '23 Platinum is almost ridiculous to sit in. Seems like every square inch of surface is some kind of button, screen or dial. He's pretty happy with it, but I'm fine with a mid-trim, mid-size pickup.

 

[Friday yet?]

Got to add, after driving this F150 for a week, much prefer driving my Ranger overall. This one is a nice truck, not hating on it at all. But I like my Ranger better. Size, handling, comfort. I simply like it better.

While I have never owned an F150, I had multiple of them over many years as a company vehicle earlier in my career. So I've have spent many hours and miles in them. And I do like them. But for my money I simply prefer a midsized truck with a decent off road package. Just checks more boxes for me. That's why back in '06 I bought the POS (Frontier NISMO). Holy shit if I had that one to do over there would have been an F150 in my driveway.

When I get back today and am walking from the terminal to the parking deck, it will most likely take quite a bit of will power to not simply drop everything and run through the parking garage ultimately caressing my truck with a big stupid grin on my face. (Very similar to a movie and the background music while a couple in love run towards each other... through a field of flowers. ) Damn I'm missing my truck.

Edit: After 4 days and right at 300 miles truck states that I've averaged 22.7 mpg. Still roughly an 80/20 split highway/city. I've not driven it hard. Expected a bit better. Unlike my Tremor this truck even has highway tires on it. Tucked into the bodywork. Not a biggie. Just a bit lower than I expected.

 

[TomC]

I drove F150's for 20+ years and while they served their purpose for me then (I needed a larger truck for business) I have no use for one now. Besides my Ranger is the same size as my '96 F150 and that one at least fit in the garage. Unlike todays behemoth with the extended cab would stick out 3'. Hopefully the Ranger doesn't get much bigger through the next Gen but that one's ugly too so I'd probably downsize to a Maverick at that point. lol

I was at the dealer getting service done and saw a row of these F150s platinum trim. MSRP was 79k to 81K w/ FX4 package. Too big, too expensive and Ford, as usual, is backing the wrong truck. The folks making the decisions got lost in spread sheets and forgot who their customer were. I'd still be driving a F150 if they made a regular short bed cab Lariat. Yet here I am. I had a 1990 F150 w/ the inline six I drove everywhere. My 2010 F150 was probably the last of the line for me.

 

[AzScorpion]

I was at the dealer getting service done and saw a row of these F150s platinum trim. MSRP was 79k to 81K w/ FX4 package. Too big, too expensive and Ford, as usual, is backing the wrong truck. The folks making the decisions got lost in spread sheets and forgot who their customer were. I'd still be driving a F150 if they made a regular short bed cab Lariat. Yet here I am. I had a 1990 F150 w/ the inline six I drove everywhere. My 2010 F150 was probably the last of the line for me.

That's crazy expensive but then again my new '23 Tremor was just under $50K.

My last F150 was a 2013 regular cab. 5.0 short bed, that's how I always bought or ordered them. When I was moving out here to AZ in 2016 I wanted to get another new one before moving but they stopped making that configuration. I test drove the smallest one the had which was an extended cab and while I loved the inside it was just to big for my needs. So I ended up ordering a new '16 Tacoma and I think everyone by now knows how that went. lol I'm just glad the Ranger came back and pray it doesn't get much larger over the years.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I believe the base F150’s come with the 3.3 naturally aspirated engine. Ecoboost’s are optional. My 2016 F150 XL had the 3.5 NA.

 

[dano42]

I have to say I love my Tremor as well. The Taco guys brag that they will get 2-300,000 miles on their trucks - but the have to put up with an uncomfortable, underpowered vehicle all that time, and I don't know many people that go more than 150,000 miles on their trucks anyways. I much rather would enjoy driving my vehicle than put up with it.

 

[maxbottomtime]

Edit: After 4 days and right at 300 miles truck states that I've averaged 22.7 mpg. Still roughly an 80/20 split highway/city. I've not driven it hard. Expected a bit better. Unlike my Tremor this truck even has highway tires on it. Tucked into the bodywork. Not a biggie. Just a bit lower than I expected.

Driving behavior and highway speed means a ton, but the fact the ranger doesn’t beat this is the biggest travesty. That’s supposed to be a huge selling point of the midsize truck.

 

[Friday yet?]

Driving behavior and highway speed means a ton, but the fact the ranger doesn’t beat this is the biggest travesty. That’s supposed to be a huge selling point of the midsize truck.

From the various posts here it seems that many with "non-Tremor" Rangers do routinely beat this mileage. Personally I don't complain about the mileage of my truck. I ordered the Tremor package knowing full well that option torpedoes the gas mileage. I'm willing to pay that penalty. That said, I do drive it pretty gently specifically to try to maximize the mileage as best I can. All in all I think it does well. Any trips I make that are less than interstate I'm pretty impressed. But once the interstate is in picture, with it's resulting 75 mph, just over 20 mpg is the absolute best I'll see. And it will drop below that with very little effort. But again, I did that knowingly when I checked the "Tremor" box.

Luckily the wife has yet to question me about mileage! Nor has she asked about gas type. Even better, one day as we were all hanging out my SIL specially asked me what octane gas I run (He has a 2021 Tremor.) and I answered "premium." Then to cover my ass I proceeded to tell him how Ecoboost engines (turbos in general) are happier with higher octane, though you can certainly run 87, which he does. The Warden didn't comment!!! ? So my premium buying ways have continued without resistance.

 

[maxbottomtime]

From the various posts here it seems that many with "non-Tremor" Rangers do routinely beat this mileage. Personally I don't complain about the mileage of my truck. I ordered the Tremor package knowing full well that option torpedoes the gas mileage. I'm willing to pay that penalty. That said, I do drive it pretty gently specifically to try to maximize the mileage as best I can. All in all I think it does well. Any trips I make that are less than interstate I'm pretty impressed. But once the interstate is in picture, with it's resulting 75 mph, just over 20 mpg is the absolute best I'll see. And it will drop below that with very little effort. But again, I did that knowingly when I check the "Tremor" box.

Luckily the wife has yet to question me about mileage! Nor has she asked about gas type. Even better, one day as we were all hanging out my SIL specially asked me what octane gas I run (He has a 2021 Tremor.) and I answered "premium." Then to cover my ass I proceeded to tell him how Ecoboost engines (turbos in general) are happier with higher octane, though you can certainly run 87, which he does. The Warden didn't comment!!! ? So my premium buying ways have continued without resistance.

I’ve run premium the entire time, smaller, non fx4 Bridgestones. Not hypermiling but drive conservatively, coast off highways, minimize braking, etc. 22 is where I land. Highway is 72 typically, with some city driving mixed in. My experiences do not seem atypical. Regardless, some members here beating an f150s gas mileage is sad in its own right. You’d expect a marked difference.

On topic, f150 vs ranger mileage has made me question my decision some. Then I priced out a similarly specced f150 and it my tongue. Holy shit msrp has rocketed the last few years.

 

[Friday yet?]

Holy shit msrp has rocketed the last few years

Insane. Especially full size trucks. Just nuts. But people keep paying it.

 

[TheDo114]

55,535 for a lariat ranger tremor with tow package and bed liner vs 73,890 for a lariat f150 tremor with the tow package and bed liner up here in Canada. That's before taxes, if we included taxes it's 63k for the Ranger and 84K for the F150. Prices are insane.

 

[Phantomfixer]

On the road this week. Rental happens to be a '23 F150 XLT 4x4. Not a bad truck. Got 6K+ miles on it so broken in. I've put about 125+ miles on it so far. Probably 80/20 highway / city.

For me personally, this truck has 100% confirmed that the Ranger was the right decision for me. Good to know after all the months I spent analyzing the data between the two.

Seats: Ranger. Mic drop there. Ranger seats kick the F150's ass. Period. F150 seats aren't bad. They just aren't good. Sure the cab has more room. And that's nice. But the seat comfort gives the Ranger the win.

Transmission: I think I have to say that all in all it shifts just a bit better in the F150. Nothing drastic, but I believe I'd have to rank it above the Ranger.

Engine: Perfectly acceptable. I've not opened the hood to figure out what it has but since it's a rental I'm comfortable saying that it is the base F150 engine. When I was shopping / building F150's I was going to get the 5.0, or the 5.0 or if not either of those then the V8. But if memory serves the base is the 2.7L, correct? All in all it seems adequate.

Ride: Not even close. My Tremor wins that one hands down. Matter of fact between the two trucks the F150 might come in 3rd place for ride. Drastic difference between the two. Reminds me that when I was debating the F150 I was going to get the max tow and max cargo. Damn thing would have probably ridden like hell.

And get this.... drum roll..... it's Azure Grey! Got to say damn nice color. First time I've been able to really check that color out up close. Really nice. I like it a lot. That said, it ain't velocity blue. Ranger gets bonus points for the color. Hey! It's my review dammit.

All this is clearly just my opinion. But for me the Ranger is the better option. (Not to mention that the Warden really did not want me to get the F150.)

YMMV

I've had several F-150s over the years, the last being a 2020 XLT with the 2.7 motor.To me,there's no comparing the two trucks.It all comes down to personal needs for a vehicle.I have a 2021 FX4 Lariat right now and I enjoy it very much but the only reason I went with a smaller truck is because the F-150 would not fit in my garage.An F-150 with that 2.7 motor will get just as good gas mileage as the Ranger and the ride,comfort and room leaves no room for comparison.I like both trucks but they are completely different

 

[Pinepig]

Driving behavior and highway speed means a ton, but the fact the ranger doesn’t beat this is the biggest travesty. That’s supposed to be a huge selling point of the midsize truck.

I love the way my Ranger just eats up miles. I ran my 83 year old mother out to the blackrock desert last week to get her out of her house and look for some arrowheads. Coming back on 447 we didn't pass anybody in the whole 77 miles between Gerlock and Fernley and my GPS had me going in triple digits most of the way where it's all wide open. Even my mother said " it feels like we're doing 70 ". I think I was got about 12mpg for that stretch, I normally get over 20 at normal HW speeds.

She found a few partials and had a great time.

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