Ride Quality?

[ParkRanger90]

I’m reading reviews for a ‘20 and a few of them say the Ranger has a soft/rolling/bouncy ride. One professional reviewer said they got “Seasickness” driving it.

I’ve test driven it and I haven’t really noticed that. But I’ve also never owned a truck before and could only compare it to sedans. Any “truck people” out there comment on the ride quality? Is it comparable to other trucks?

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[outdoorphotog]

I have an XLT, i haven't felt like it rides poorly on the freeways or streets. I don't have a lot to compare it to since i mostly drove cars and fully tooled up utility trucks.

 

[HenryMac]

I’m reading reviews for a ‘20 and a few of them say the Ranger has a soft/rolling/bouncy ride. One professional reviewer said they got “Seasickness” driving it.

I’ve test driven it and I haven’t really noticed that. But I’ve also never owned a truck before and could only compare it to sedans. Any “truck people” out there comment on the ride quality? Is it comparable to other trucks?

I've driven 4x4 Tacoma's since 1995. We traded our '02 in to buy our '19 Ranger XL-FX4.

The Ranger rides better than the Tacoma we had, the seat height and comfort is infinitely better than the Tacoma.

 

[Firestud5]

I also owned a Tacoma, 2015 and traded it for my 20 XLT. My Ranger definetly rides a lot better.

 

[bkosh84]

My wife for the first time ever on a 3 hour trip didn't have to sleep the entire way because she didn't get car sickness in our new Ranger. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[Mick Carlson]

I think my Ranger has great ride quality. I do have the FX4 package so it’s soft on minor bumps, which is by design. Personally, I’m fine with that. Our Tacoma, by comparison, is pretty harsh under all conditions. I really like the way the Ranger rides on the highway. Definitely different from the Camaro SS I traded in on the Ranger. Bouncy at low speeds, but not an issue for me. I always look forward to driving my Ranger. I think Ford did a great job on the suspension. And I’ve never become seasick driving it ?.

 

[krisrayner]

Keep in mind a lot of reviewers get ultra picky and fault finding, even if it’s very minor. That’s what get views. I’ve been a mechanic for 20 years and driven countless cars and trucks of all types. That reviewer saying they got motion sickness is just ridiculous and hyperbole. Make it stiff and they’ll complain, make it soft and they’ll complain.

I have an FX2 that I just switched to Fox suspension for the lift. The stock setup is soft and can have some more rebound on the road, but felt good off-road for most occasions. There’s sacrifices in every setup and you cant make everyone happy. I think the stock setup is good for the majority of people.
View most YouTube reviews with a grain of salt. When they’re complaining about the number of USB ports, it should put the rest of their review in perspective.

 

[JohnUSA]

I had a Camry, followed by Santa Fe, RAM Rebel all in past four years. They were all smo-o-o-o-th rides. My butt would say the Ranger is within 10%.
There is one area on a local highway where the suspension kinda rolls, but nowhere else. I had read some reviews that called the Ranger suspension "harsh", and I don't find that at all.

 

[quangdog]

I have the FX4 package, which I find can have a bit of a tendency to be somewhat "rolly" - Don't get me wrong: It's a VERY comfortable ride. But for instance, when I pull into my driveway, if I do it at a bit of an angle, such that all 4 wheels hit the curb at a different time, the truck seems to want to rock side to side back and forth more than I would have expected. The rear is firmer than the front, but over all it handles and rides quite well on the road.

Off road, it's an absolute dream!

 

[gcan]

I have a FX4 and agree on less than perfect roads the ride is soft and could be considered "rolly" or bouncy.
I believe Ford wanted to make the ride between a truck and a SUV, it is much softer than the F150 I traded in and on a long trip or on decent roads the ride is as good as my wife's Edge......mission accomplished.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

I would agree with a lot of posters on this thread that the ride is softer and bouncier than a usual truck. Some may not like that. Personally I like it a lot. I would hate to have the usual rough and harsh truck ride quality. That's what hurts the back and the bones. The thing is, ride quality is such a subjective thing. There aren't numbers to hit like with horsepower, torque, 0-60, or other criteria like for crash protection. It all depends on the person. Some people don't like it, some people do. All that matters is that you as the buyer/driver like it.

 

[SOHK_Alumni]

For me, its a bag of mixed sensations.

Very nice ride on good roads, harsh on road imperfections and I swear the Ranger rocks at stops from the fuel sloshing around in the tank.

To guess, the springs are a bit on the stiff side, the shocks on the soft side.

 

[XCELLR8]

For me, its a bag of mixed sensations.

Very nice ride on good roads, harsh on road imperfections and I swear the Ranger rocks at stops from the fuel sloshing around in the tank.

To guess, the springs are a bit on the stiff side, the shocks on the soft side.

^^This^^

I will add that when driving on a windy day and you are in a cross wind, the truck rocks back and forth with the wind gusts. This has been when test driving an FX4 Ranger.

 

[Noseoil]

It's truck,not a car. Don't like the ride, buy a boat...

 

[Jerry Caldwell]

We had an FX4 for about 8 months before getting involved in a crash and totaling it. The FX4 is pretty bouncy especially when towing, but then the shocks are designed for off road use. We replaced our original with a 2 wheel drive and the ride is much firmer but not harsh. The 2 wheel drive handles the tow load quite a bit Better with less bounce Than the FX4.

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