Page 51 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

TOTY I Finalists

PRO Powerful turbo-four engine • Great value • Towing performance CON Old architecture • Poor interior space • Aging design

Ford Ranger cluster to something pulled from

a 2010 Fusion. The Ranger’s
competitors aren’t known for their
interior design, either, but Ford
could have invested more money
to improve the look and feel.
We have similar feelings
regarding the exterior. Although
design isn’t usually top of mind
for truck shoppers, the current
styling is already aging.
But judged against our criteria,
the Ranger has lot of value. With
its EcoBoost engine and high
towing capacity, even the lower-
spec Rangers get strong marks.
The XL 4x2 we tested came with
a price tag of $29,445. We’re
not fans of its credit-card-size
screen, but its utility really shines.
“The Ranger has all the
right parts and pieces to be a
strong pickup truck: Tow/Haul
he Ford Ranger came back 10-speed does a great job with a driveway entrance feels like a mode, huge real-world payload
to the U.S. market after an this engine, which provides more tiny sailboat caught in a hurricane capacity, it tows like a champ (not
Teight-year hiatus, during than enough power despite its being tossed all over the place,” an easy thing at this size), and is
which it spent time overseas mere four cylinders. Even when Evans said. And the steering easy to maintain,” Williams said.
instead of filling the midsize truck we briefly towed more than 7,000 doesn’t deliver good feedback; But the Ranger fell short
gap in the automaker’s North pounds, the Ranger’s capability the Ranger’s handling definitely against the rest of our criteria.
American lineup. Rising popu- impressed the judges. When has room to improve. Rumor has it Ford is already
larity of the Toyota Tacoma and towing 4,000 pounds, the Ranger Sit in the Ranger XL SuperCab’s working on a new Ranger for the
Chevrolet Colorado forced Ford’s Lariat was quicker than the two second row, and you’ll need to U.S. market, and it’s supposed
hand, but instead of developing Jeep Gladiators and the Chevy visit the chiropractor. The upright to arrive in the next four years. “If
a truck specifically for North Silverado RST four-cylinder, all seat back combined with the Ford could get this engine and
America, Ford simply brought the pulling the same weight. negligible legroom is uncom- transmission into an Ameri-
existing Ranger here. And those “The engine has a ton of fortable even on short rides. “It can-grade platform,” Lieberman
secondary-market roots show. torque and pulls 7,200 pounds basically has two jump seats that said, “it would have a terrific truck
Ford made changes to the with ease,” Evans said. “No trailer are incredibly uncomfortable,” on its hands.” Miguel Cortina
chassis to comply with U.S. safety brake, but it doesn’t need it.” said Priddle, who also lamented
standards, and the Ranger The Ranger has a few draw- the lack of grab handles.
arrived at the end of 2018 with backs, though. The old architec- And although the Lariat Super-
one engine option: a 2.3-liter ture is evident from the moment Crew has ample space for rear
turbo-four that’s good for 270 hp you start driving. The poor body passengers, its cabin design is
and 310 lb-ft of torque. control had judges complaining getting old. Ford’s Sync 3 infotain-
That said, one of the Ranger’s about the amount of movement in ment system needs an upgrade,
best traits is its powertrain. The the cabin. “Going diagonally over and Evans likened the instrument

SPECS 2019 Ranger XL STX (SuperCab 2WD) Lariat (SuperCrew 4x4)
Base Price/As Tested $27,625/$29,445 $39,760/$44,465
Power (SAE net) 270 hp @ 5,500 rpm 270 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 310 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm 310 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Accel, 0-60 mph 6.3 sec 6.7 sec
Accel, 0-60 mph (loaded) 7.1 sec* Not tested
Accel, 0-60 mph (towing) 12.5 sec** 12.9 sec**
Quarter Mile 14.9 sec @ 92.9 mph 15.2 sec @ 90.5 mph
Quarter Mile (loaded) 15.5 sec @ 89.1 mph* Not tested
Quarter Mile (towing) 19.1 sec @ 72.4 mph** 19.2 sec @ 70.6 mph**
Braking, 60-0 mph 125 ft 122 ft
Braking, 60-0 mph (loaded) 138 ft Not tested
Double Lane Change Tim 3.7 sec 3.6 sec
Davis Dam Frustration 8.1 sec @ 529 ft*** 9.4 sec @ 618 ft***
Cruise Control 65-mph Overrun 4.0 mph 1.1 mph
XL STX
EPA City/Hwy/Comb 21/26/23 mpg 20/24/22 mpg
Vehicle Layout XL STX Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 4-door truck Lariat Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck Engine/Transmission 2.3L turbo DOHC
16-valve I-4/10-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) XL STX 4,229 lb (58/42%) Lariat 4,567 lb (57/43%) Wheelbase 126.8 in Length x Width x Height
XL STX 210.8 x 73.3 x 70.7 in Lariat 210.8 x 73.3 x 71.5 in Energy Cons, City/Hwy XL STX 160/130 kW-hr/100 miles Lariat 169/140 kW-hr/100 miles CO2
Emissions, Comb XL STX 0.84 lb/mile Lariat 0.90 lb/mile
*1,000-lb payload | **4,000-lb trailer | ***35-55-mph uphill acceleration with 3,160-lb trailer JANUARY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 51