Test drove a Ranger yesterday

[JimG_AZ]

As an owner of a 2011 Tacoma, I have been wanting to test drive a Ranger for quite a while. So my son and I visited one of the local Ford dealers yesterday. We were specifically looking for an XLT FX4 4x4. The only one they had on the lot was a 2019 with a dealer installed lift, over-sized tires and upgraded wheels. It was a sharp looking Ranger! I figured the over-sized tires would affect the performance, but the only way to find out was to take if for a test drive. Both my son and I drove it and came away with the same impression – you had to rev it to get any power out of it. It was similar to driving a G3 Tacoma, although the Ranger was probably better. Actually, I liked the power from the 4.0L v6 in my G2 Tacoma more. I figured the issue was due to the oversized tires so I asked the salesman to find another FX4 with the stock tries. Next we took a XL FX4 4x4 for a spin. That performed way better. It was fun to drive. Much better acceleration and drove like a sports car compared to the lifted Ranger. Compared to my 2011 Tacoma, it definitely handles better. The Ranger felt quicker, but IMO the edge in acceleration is marginal. The 4.0 v6 moves the Tacoma quite well. With the 4.0L v6, you do not have to put the peddle to the floor like you do with the 3.5L v6 to get power. It sure is baffling why Toyota does not dump the 3.5L v6 in the Tacoma and go back to the 4.0.

After driving the Ranger, I would definitely buy a Ranger over a G3 Tacoma. Now would I trade a good running G2 Tacoma and $18k-$20k for comparable Ranger? Probably not. Sure, the Ranger is nicer, but I didn’t see enough improvement over my G2 Taco to justify the car loan for close to $20k. With that being said…

Right next door to the Ford dealer was a Dodge dealer. The other truck my son and I wanted to drive was a new Ram. Ok…before someone states the obvious, yes it is a full sized truck and more expensive than the Ranger. We took a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn (comparable to the XLT), Crew-cab, 4x4, Hemi for a spin. The asking price of the Ram was @ $7k more expensive than the Ranger. All I can say is that my son and I were impressed. When you want to talk about refinement, this truck hits it out of the park. Wake up Toyota and Ford. My Tacoma or the Ranger don’t come close. LOL, I don’t even want another full-sized truck and I am dreaming about buying a Ram. The interior is amazing, it rides like a luxury car, the back seat has the legroom of a limo, and it moves with the Hemi v8. The performance was quite surprising. What a nice truck! Just last week I read an article that Ford and GM were very concerned about the Ram and its increasing market share. After driving one, I would say their concern is justified.

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[Lrtexasman]

Lipstick on a pig as far as the Ram is concerned IMO.

 

[joeb427]

If I went full size, my choice probably would have been the Ram. Great interior and ride quality.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Jim,

Purchase the vehicle that "lights your fire" Best of luck with your new purchase...be it any of the manufacturers of the trucks of which for you are in the market.

As a Ford retiree, If you do not purchase the Ranger or F150, then company failed to deliver on what is important to you.

Best of Luck on your vehicle purchase!

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

 

[Radioman]

Hi Jim,

Purchase the vehicle that "lights your fire" Best of luck with your new purchase...be it any of the manufacturers of the trucks of which for you are in the market.

As a Ford retiree, If you do not purchase the Ranger or F150, then company failed to deliver on what is important to you.

Best of Luck on your vehicle purchase!

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

As usual, well said.

 

[Onlyone]

As an owner of a 2011 Tacoma, I have been wanting to test drive a Ranger for quite a while. So my son and I visited one of the local Ford dealers yesterday. We were specifically looking for an XLT FX4 4x4. The only one they had on the lot was a 2019 with a dealer installed lift, over-sized tires and upgraded wheels. It was a sharp looking Ranger! I figured the over-sized tires would affect the performance, but the only way to find out was to take if for a test drive. Both my son and I drove it and came away with the same impression – you had to rev it to get any power out of it. It was similar to driving a G3 Tacoma, although the Ranger was probably better. Actually, I liked the power from the 4.0L v6 in my G2 Tacoma more. I figured the issue was due to the oversized tires so I asked the salesman to find another FX4 with the stock tries. Next we took a XL FX4 4x4 for a spin. That performed way better. It was fun to drive. Much better acceleration and drove like a sports car compared to the lifted Ranger. Compared to my 2011 Tacoma, it definitely handles better. The Ranger felt quicker, but IMO the edge in acceleration is marginal. The 4.0 v6 moves the Tacoma quite well. With the 4.0L v6, you do not have to put the peddle to the floor like you do with the 3.5L v6 to get power. It sure is baffling why Toyota does not dump the 3.5L v6 in the Tacoma and go back to the 4.0.

After driving the Ranger, I would definitely buy a Ranger over a G3 Tacoma. Now would I trade a good running G2 Tacoma and $18k-$20k for comparable Ranger? Probably not. Sure, the Ranger is nicer, but I didn’t see enough improvement over my G2 Taco to justify the car loan for close to $20k. With that being said…

Right next door to the Ford dealer was a Dodge dealer. The other truck my son and I wanted to drive was a new Ram. Ok…before someone states the obvious, yes it is a full sized truck and more expensive than the Ranger. We took a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn (comparable to the XLT), Crew-cab, 4x4, Hemi for a spin. The asking price of the Ram was @ $7k more expensive than the Ranger. All I can say is that my son and I were impressed. When you want to talk about refinement, this truck hits it out of the park. Wake up Toyota and Ford. My Tacoma or the Ranger don’t come close. LOL, I don’t even want another full-sized truck and I am dreaming about buying a Ram. The interior is amazing, it rides like a luxury car, the back seat has the legroom of a limo, and it moves with the Hemi v8. The performance was quite surprising. What a nice truck! Just last week I read an article that Ford and GM were very concerned about the Ram and its increasing market share. After driving one, I would say their concern is justified.

There was something wrong with you, or those Rangers. There is no comparing the Tacoma engine on any generation. Tacoma’s are really gutless. The 2.3 turbo, even if it had 40” tires on it, would run circles around any Tacoma, let alone one with stock tires...........that doesn’t make the Taco a bad vehicle because it’s a great little truck, it just makes you sound like a troll.

 

[shred5]

Hi Jim,

Purchase the vehicle that "lights your fire" Best of luck with your new purchase...be it any of the manufacturers of the trucks of which for you are in the market.

As a Ford retiree, If you do not purchase the Ranger or F150, then company failed to deliver on what is important to you.

Best of Luck on your vehicle purchase!

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

As usual, well said.

Agreed well said..

Everyone has different tastes.. Buy what you like...

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

Just have to find the truck that best fits your wants and needs. Pretty much every truck on the road is a great vehicle, in my opinion, each with their own pros and cons. I switched from a 2014 Tacoma last April and I'm very happy with the Ranger so far. Good luck with your search!

 

[Toytec]

You could TRD supercharge the 4.0L It was a screamer. But even bone stock it moved better than my 4.7. Just the rest of the truck was so hum drum.
My Ranger I like to call a sports coupe with a bed on the back.

 

[CoMtnRanger]

I drove new Tacomas and the Canyons (4x4 models) before I bought my XLT STX 4x4 Ranger. The Ranger was more lively, handled better, rode way better than the Taco, better towing options and bed weight, and is better fit/finish interior than the Canyon. I owned a 4th gen Ranger, still own a (very old) full size GMC 2500 4x4, and IMHO the 2019 Ranger is the best choice for me, I've not been sorry. 6,500 miles, no complaints, just smiles when the turbo whistles as I pull away from full size RAMs, Tacos, Canyons.... LOL.

 

[CoMtnRanger]

Also, did anyone see the Motortrend episode this week comparing the Ranger, Canyon and Ridgeline? Ultimately they picked the Ridgeline (WTF?!) and admitted it would be a controversial choice, and they noted Toyota refused to put a Tacoma up for testing and they noted there hasn't been any significant update of Tacoma in years. The Ranger won the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, and they noted even loaded with 1500 lbs in the bed it only perform a second or so less than empty, with the other trucks fairing worse loaded. Overall, the takeaway I got was the Ranger was stronger and quicker, even with a fully loaded bed. Their excuse for choosing the Ridgeline was the interior finish and the overall build quality.

 

[Floyd]

You should go find an unadulterated Ranger to test drive for a fair comparison...
Mods are not all improvements, and all mods are certainly subjective changes.
That being said, buy what you like, you've got to have a lot of like to spend $45000 dollars

 

[JimG_AZ]

Hi Jim,

Purchase the vehicle that "lights your fire" Best of luck with your new purchase...be it any of the manufacturers of the trucks of which for you are in the market.

As a Ford retiree, If you do not purchase the Ranger or F150, then company failed to deliver on what is important to you.

Best of Luck on your vehicle purchase!

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

Good post Phil. I wouldn't say that Ford failed to deliver on what's important to me. it was more that I was unwilling to take out a car loan to move to the Ranger over the Tacoma. If money was not a factor, I would have gladly purchased the Ranger.

Jim

 

[JimG_AZ]

You should go find an unadulterated Ranger to test drive for a fair comparison...
Mods are not all improvements, and all mods are certainly subjective changes.
That being said, buy what you like, you've got to have a lot of like to spend $45000 dollars

Floyd, that is exactly what we did. After driving the lifted XLT, we drove an unmodified XL FX4 4x4. Pretty significant difference between the two Rangers. It felt like Ford has the Ranger dialed in very well for the stock diameter tires. Once the tire diameter significantly increased, the Ranger was not as dialed in. Now if the dealer had done a gear change, we may be having a different conversation.

 

[Mokume]

With the internet and the resources, it affords, including forums such as this, vehicle shopping is easier than ever.
Of course, nothing can beat an actual test drive when making a final decision.
I encourage you to buy what fits your requirements and budget, whatever it may be.

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