Ride Quality

[Stanhale]

Hello all

Ride quality is pretty important to me as I will be daily driving my new truck. I am cross-shopping with the Tacoma. So far I have only test driven the Ranger and loved it, especially it's comfortable ride. However, I just read a kelly blue book review claiming that the Tacoma offered a more comfortable ride.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/ford-ranger-vs-toyota-tacoma-comparison/2100006727/

Would love to hear your thoughts!

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[CoastieN70]

I drove them both and prefer the Ford. Just my opinion, like the writer of the article you referred to, just his/her opinion...

 

[RedlandRanger]

I drove them both and prefer the Ford. Just my opinion, like the writer of the article you referred to, just his/her opinion...

Ditto - while I didn't object to the ride on the Tacoma, I found the engine and transmission combo to be definitely not to my liking. I have to say I do think the seats are more comfortable in the Ranger and I think it rides less like a truck (more like an SUV) than the Tacoma. Some people think the Ranger is too bouncy, but I personally like it, especially since it is my daily driver.

 

[NVHoonigan]

Same feedback as the others, especially on the seats! My wife won't shut up about how comfortable the seats are. She has officially deemed my truck the road trip vehicle because it is so comfortable.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I just read the review and two things really stuck out for me:

1. They made no mention of the powertrain differences - The powertrain on the Ranger is what sets it apart from its competitors I think. I would certainly consider it an "advantage" over the Tacoma.
2. I'm really surprised they consider the Ranger ride "stiff" - If they don't like it, most people call it bouncy - at least the FX4s. The review isn't specific about which version they tested. I personally felt the Tacoma to be more "trucky" (stiff) than the Ranger. It is why it is important for each person to test drive all vehicles they are considering - everyone has their own likes and dislikes and what one person calls "stiff" another may consider "perfect".

 

[Roofhopper]

New Ranger eats Tacoma’s for breakfast and s***** Colorado’s in the afternoon.

But in all seriousness the Ranger is much more comfortable than a Toyota in all aspects from ride quality to seat comfort. And you can’t beat Fords contoured steering wheels

 

[Stanhale]

New Ranger eats Tacoma’s for breakfast and s***** Colorado’s in the afternoon.

But in all seriousness the Ranger is much more comfortable than a Toyota in all aspects from ride quality to seat comfort. And you can’t beat Fords contoured steering wheels

Yes after driving the Ranger I figured it blew the Tacoma out of the water in that regard (I used to have a 2013 Tacoma). That's why I was curious about this review. I figured it wasn't even close but maybe even if the ranger is more refined, it isn't by much as I though...

 

[AzScorpion]

I just traded in my 2016 Tacoma for the Ranger and the ride isn't even close! The Ranger is 100% smoother/better ride. The 2 best days of owning it were the day I bought it and the day I sold it. Maybe the first and second gen Tacoma's were better but the third gen was awful. The only plus side is they do hold their value and I got a great trade in on mine.

 

[svache]

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the Rangers are delivered with overinflated tires, for most who felt it was a bit on the bouncy side, it helped greatly to let some air out

 

[joeb427]

The Ranger ride quality is great. Though can get quite jittery on washboard type bumps.

 

[Floyd]

There may be some spectrum of differences among the Ranger options,
and of course a good ride is a subjective thing.
There may be some difference between An FX4 Lariat and an STX 2WD.
Or between a SuperCrew and a SuperCab.
I have driven both and found them to be remarkably similar,
considering the differences in chassis , cabs and tires.
What you are used to can make a difference as well.

All that said... I found the seats to be a bit softer than either my old Ranger or my Transit Connect.
Lateral support seems a bit softer than the TC as well, though still good.
The chassis is firm enough to work well as a truck and compliant enough to ride all day.
I think it rides as comfortably as an F-150 and handles better.

Seating position is good and there is plenty of adjustment in most controls .
I have manual lumbar which is adequate, but barely so, and a bit tedious to adjust.
Probably better on the power version.

The arm rests on the SuperCab seem to be a bit further back than on the SuperCrew.

First impressions fade as you become accustomed to the truck over time.
Once you find your personal adjustments the truck is very comfortable even for long trips, the cab is quiet and the controls are accessible.
My wife LOVES this truck, for comfort and convenience.

Caveat... My last truck was sprung so tight, you could run over a dime and tell what year it was...
and it had over a foot shorter wheelbase.

 

[mike]

"Below Average: No diesel engine option; options quickly add up; ride quality is a bit stiff"

Someone must have submitted this review from his/her lounge chair after a day of drinking. Noone in their right mind would describe the Ranger as "stiff". It's soft and does wallow. Having said that, it flat out eats up rough roads of which we have many here in Hawaii. It's that quality that is slowly changing my initial frown into a half-smile. I would like the suspension to be more taught and I still despise the brakes. Seats are more agreeable to me after mods and are getting a bit better with time. I do like the steering feel a lot. For the current mid-size Truck offerings, the Ranger is, for me, the best choice. Hasn't been a "best ever" relationship but I have had worse.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

"Below Average: No diesel engine option; options quickly add up; ride quality is a bit stiff"

Someone must have submitted this review from his/her lounge chair after a day of drinking. Noone in their right mind would describe the Ranger as "stiff". It's soft and does wallow. Having said that, it flat out eats up rough roads of which we have many here in Hawaii. It's that quality that is slowly changing my initial frown into a half-smile. I would like the suspension to be more taught and I still despise the brakes. Seats are more agreeable to me after mods and are getting a bit better with time. I do like the steering feel a lot. For the current mid-size Truck offerings, the Ranger is, for me, the best choice. Hasn't been a "best ever" relationship but I have had worse.

Hi Mike,

You may be able to improve the brakes by bedding them in as other folks have found.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the Rangers are delivered with overinflated tires, for most who felt it was a bit on the bouncy side, it helped greatly to let some air out

took delivery and they were 50psi plus in all four...

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

Hi Mike,

You may be able to improve the brakes by bedding them in as other folks have found.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

what were the issues that prompted folks to try a brake bleed?

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