Why did you choose a Ranger over another Truck

[John Lyman]

I know there are is a group of people who have been waiting for a while for Rangers - then there are the others who choose a Ranger over other trucks or something else. Thought it would be helpful also for people who are looking here for information as they research (I know I spent a lot of time here prior to purchasing).

So when I decided our Jeep was not the daily driver I started looking at different things and one day my wife said you really should get a truck. So I headed down to my local Ford dealer to look at F150 crew cab. While I was there the salesmen had me drive the Ranger and I really liked it and the size versus the full size F150.

So started researching the different choices out there - Canyon, Taco, Ridgeline, Gladiator and Frontier.

I immediately crossed of the Gladiator due to some of the reason I was giving up the jeep. One of the main things was the cramp driving well and limited bed space. I also eliminated the frontier based on reviews as being so old.

I researched the remaining trucks - even though I use to have a gen 1 Ridgeline I just couldn't buy the el camino of today and also to get CarPlay had to spend a lot of money. That left the Canyon, Taco and Ranger. I started doing my research (YouTube, review sites and here) and the Ranger kept on coming out on top. I started looking at prices and the Ranger really came out on top.

I ended up only test driving the Ranger as it seemed that each truck had pluses and minus ( for me the Ranger had less minus) and I thought the Ranger looked the best of them all. I remembered seeing one on the road prior and catching my eye. Once I drove I was sold and I was able to check the box on the options that meant the most to me. Those where safety options (ford co-pilot), CarPlay, remote start and heated seats. Very happy with my purchase. Can't wait to hear others.

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[cclayton]

I chose the Ranger because it checked all my boxes without breaking the bank. Can pull my boat, 4x4, decent mpg and price was great.

I looked at Tacoma’s but my leg would hit the steering wheel while entering the truck. I’m 5’10” and the three Tacoma’s I sat in all had that issue. Almost bought a Nissan Frontier but they are so plain and haven’t changed in 10+yrs. GM were a no go and most full size 4x4s were more than I wanted to spend. Very, very happy with my decision to get the Ranger.

 

[RedlandRanger]

This is my fourth Ranger but when I was ready to get a new daily driver (so I could give my 2004 Honda Accord to our daughter), I looked at all the mid sized pickups to a certain degree. My brother and his son have had TERRIBLE luck with their Cruze's, so I didn't look hard at the Canyon/Colorado, but I did take a pretty detailed look at the Ridgeline, the Frontier, the Tacoma and the Ranger. I wanted more of a truck than the Ridgeline was, so it kind of got crossed off early. My very first truck was a Nissan, but when looking at the Frontier it was so old and lacking in so many things and got terrible mileage it crossed it off the list. So it came down to the Ranger and the Tacoma. I liked the specs on the Tacoma, but when I went to test drive it, I absolutely hated the powertrain. The engine felt gutless and the transmission was constantly hunting for gears. I knew I couldn't drive that every day. So, it came down to the Ranger. I then spent WAY too long with a spreadsheet comparing the Tacoma, Ranger XLT and Ranger Lariat to try and figure out which one was the best truck. I even scored each truck on features that were important to me. In the end, the Lariat was the clear winner. After 8 months and over 10,000 miles, I know I made the right choice, and even better, I can't think of anything I would change on my order - I got exactly what I wanted and after this much time, I feel I made the right choices - no second guessing here.

I actually ordered my Ranger before I test drove it - my son thought I was nuts. There were no Rangers around when I ordered. About a month after I ordered it, local dealers got a few so I was able to test drive one and I knew I had made the right choice. I've never spent that much time figuring out what vehicle to purchase, but I feel it was time well spent.

I've been so happy with mine, my brother actually traded in his Tacoma for an XLT!

 

[IdahoRanger]

Last truck I had was a 2006 F150 and had it until 2013. At that time I moved full time to the mountains and was no longer hauling stuff back and forth to the cabin. It made sense to get something with better than 12-16 mpg.

Really missed sitting up high to see around traffic and found myself stuffing the Forester full with stuff as it seems I was always hauling something after all. When I heard the Ranger was coming back I told myself I would get back in a truck if Ford did it right. Earlier this year my wife said I should get back in a truck and I couldn't pass up that suggestion. Researched the Ranger, test drove and purchased. No regrets and don't notice any of the noises, rattles, soft brake pedal or other issues mentioned on this site.

Happy how it handles in the snow which we get our share of.

 

[MTB-BRUH]

Tow capacity, fuel mileage, 4x4 capability, fairly simple little 4 banger, 10 speed, puts shame to Tacoma’s in the torque and fuel economy department. Plus I just love Ford. My second choice would’ve been a 5.0 F-150

 

[AzScorpion]

I've mentioned this in many of my other posts but the Cliff notes version is I absolutely hated my '16 TuRD Tacoma. Once I heard the Ranger was coming back to NA I couldn't wait to test drive one but was nervous about the new (to NA) Ranger. After two test drives and countless hours of reading on Ranger5G I felt comfortable purchasing a 2019. I was going to hold off until 2020 but I couldn't stand driving that Tacoma another day. To say I'm happy is an understatement and I would 100% recommend this truck!

 

[Lone]

Why did you choose a Ranger over another Truck

There's other trucks ?!?

 

[CMJT]

Great pricing on Lariats in early November and it by far had the most features on it that I didn't want to give up. Loaded truck, towing capability, great looking and perfect for what I need a truck for. Plus Lightning Blue is sooooo nice!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

I retired from Ford and I get the Z plan...makes it hard to buy anything else as my cost is roughly 2.5% below dealer invoice.

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

 

[Desert_5G]

I wanted a mid-size truck. Only considerations were Colorado/Canyon, Tacoma and Frontier.

Colorado/Canyon
There were quality issues. Door handles were plastic and felt like they weren't fully secured to the doors. The interior is so outdated. Looks like the same layout as a 10 year old chevy. The drop in bedliner some had were an afterthought. And literally was just thrown in the bed without even being secured to the bed. One I drove had a severe sun spot damage that burned through the paint down to the metal. On a brand new truck. Only positive note was the engine/trans was a good match with plenty and smooth power delivery. Drove well too.

Tacoma
Having owned a 17' it was the best option at the time. I hated the lack of engine response and lack of torque. Mainly due to the crappy trans it was matched it. It had to downshift even up the slightest hill. No joke. Very poor seating position made it uncomfortable to long distances and lack of seat adjustability. Crapped interior. On the plus it was a solid truck. Liked the ride height, suspension, exterior and interior layout and style. But the engine/trans made annoyed me constantly.

Frontier
Whats there to say? It's a 10 year old truck that shows. I currently have this as a rental. Not by choice trust me. It drives like its 10 years old. Feels like it lacks any type of power steering but the engine/trans is responsible and pulls well.

Ranger
Without even driving one before I pre-ordered it I knew the drivetrain would be much better than that of my Taco. Even after hearing all the good things about the 10-speed it was coming it. I took a change and basically bought one without test driving one knowing it couldn't be any worse than the Tacoma. It has good comfortable truck. More safety features, seat adjustability, less plastic (on the lariat), good engine/trans and looks good. The interior has a poor layout with small buttons with some ergonomic issues. I would prefer it had a V6 NA option even if it meant lower torque and MPGs. I still believe I had the right decision and prefer it overall over my Tacoma. I still can't get over how awful the drivetrain was.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Short version (I hope)

April 2017 I bought a new Jeep Wrangler after wanting one for a bit.

Not long after also bought a used 2011 Nissan Frontier.

Discovered that wanting a Wrangler was more pleasant than owning a Wrangler, and I liked the 2011 Frontier.

Decided that I would get rid of both and get me a new 4x4 truck.

The midsize choices were Frontier Pro4X, Tacoma TRD Off Road, and Colorado ZR2.

ZR2: Nice but it didn't really grab me. I didn't care for the interior.

Tacoma TRD Off Road: Based on the drooling and fawning from TacomaWorld I expected this to be the Chariot Of The Gods. They must come with a pack of KoolAid that I missed out on.

Terrible engine/trans and seating position. I drove 4 different ones because I thought surely the first one was an outlier. Nope. They all drove like that.

Frontier Pro4X: Good power, dated but functional interior, good utility, but a turning radius like the USS Nimitz (I knew that going in)

I bought the Pro4X. Based on my experience with my 2011 I expected a good, reliable, decent truck.

It turned out to be the biggest POS I've ever owned with me spending more time in the service lounge in six months than I have in the previous 20 years. Dumped it after 6 months and got a sports car.

As usual, when you don't have a truck it seems that you need one all the time.

The year end deals on the Ranger caught my eye so I drove one. Sold on the Ranger.

Drove several and finally found one equipped exactly like I wanted.

It followed me home.

 

[joeb427]

Size, ride quality, power, Sync3...

 

[en13]

2 years ago I considered getting a truck after my daily was totalled, but really could not justify the operating costs of a full size truck (fuel, tires, etc) vs any smaller vehicle, and dealing with parking when I rarely have a need for a full size bed. I considered the Taco/Frontier/Colorado lot, and found each of them underwhelming in some fashion. I ended up with an Outback. Fast forward to Fall of 2019 and I was keeping an eye on the Ranger deals and forums. In Dec I drove one and knew I'd found the perfect truck for me. Great size, nice interior, good power and capability. For my liking, very little tech nonsense is a win. I like the safety tech, but glad I dont have to buy some high end infotainment system or gizmos I'll never use to get it. The rebates were a motivator as well.

 

[Snorebaby]

I own a 96 Ranger XLT Supercab 5spd that I bought new. It is a great truck. My wife had knee surgery (left knee) in 2012 and she couldn't drive it anymore and our other car (94 Chrysler Concorde) was becoming unreliable. We would have loved to have another Ranger. So she decided she wanted an F-150. Bought her a 2013 SCrew and made the comment that if they ever bring the Ranger back I was gonna buy one.

Fast forward to 2016. Started thinking of purchasing a new mid-size truck. Just doing a little casual shopping around. Nothing serious. Checking out what was out there.

2017 our daughter purchased a new Tacoma 4x4. Of course I had to test drive it. Didn't come away too impressed. Then started hearing rumors of the Ranger coming back. I researched and waited. Nothing else I have seen out there really said "come buy me". So I waited some more.

2018 came around and just waited for the time to order my Ranger. Oct. was the month. I ordered my Ranger (2wd SCrew Sport). November I had to use my daughters Tacoma 4x4 to pull my cousins broken down truck out of in front of his 280Z. (both the F-150 and 96 Ranger were 2wd and would spin in the soft sand). December, finally got to test drive a Ranger at one of the Drive Events that were held. It was an FX4. Fell head over heels in love. Went back to the dealer and ordered an FX4. Took delivery 4/8/19. Loving every mile!

It is only one of 4 Saber's in my area and the only Saber SCrew FX4.

 

[Onlyone]

Wife was ready to give up on the 2011 MKS ecoboost. Fast, fun and comfortable but getting old in every way. I have my 2019 JL Rubicon 4 cyl turbo on 37s. It’s pretty darn powerful and damn comfortable for a 2 door. But no room and at 80 can be a bit loud with a headwind. We wanted a rear drive based vehicle. We started out looking at the Gladiator, grand Cherokee, charger, challenger , mustang etc. We also didn’t want to spend a boat load. All the FCA stuff was out. If they would have offered the Gladiator with the turbo 4, I might have looked a bit closer.

The Ranger was the best deal out there. Many more options for a really cheap price, for everything you get. It won out. Mainly price and the power train is terrific. The Gladiator is probably a bit better off-road but I didn’t really care about that. It’s my wife’s truck and she loves it. We will be able to buy a camper and still have fun out in the woods with it.

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