Used 2011 Ford Ranger

The 2011 Ford Ranger finds itself surrounded by a number of newer and larger competitors, making it necessary for Ford to keep its compact truck competitive by offering ongoing improvements, fresh styling and rock-bottom pricing. Alongside the compact Ranger, only the Chevrolet Colorado and the Toyota Tacoma offer a regular-cab configuration, an appealing feature for those looking for a bare-bones truck. The Ranger SuperCab models feature two small rear doors, but no crew-cab model challenges similar vehicles from Dodge, Nissan and Toyota. With no V8 option under the hood, the Ranger also falls behind the class leaders in horsepower and towing capability.

The 2011 Ford Ranger’s handling and road manners have seen improvement through a series of recent suspension changes that include stiffer bushings, springs and shocks. As a result, the Ranger’s rear end is far less prone to hopping about when crossing rough terrain and the steering response is direct and firm. To keep the base truck affordable, Ford equips it with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. This engine exhibits good acceleration so long as the Ranger is not weighted down with a heavy load. For those not so concerned with fuel economy, the 4.0-liter V6 is the engine of choice. Although not the most powerful in its class, the 4.0-liter engine provides the Ranger with brisk acceleration and a 6,000-pound tow rating when equipped with the 3.55:1 rear axle and automatic transmission.

Although it still rides atop the same frame used for last 30 years, the Ranger has gotten a bit roomier than in generations past, with front seats that have deeply sculpted backs and new fabric choices. Legroom is not as generous as in some competitors, but SuperCab models do provide plenty of space behind the seats for luggage or groceries. As for backseat passenger room, the flip-down jump seats make for cramped accommodations and are best used for shorter trips. The Ranger features a number of audio upgrades, including a single CD player that can read MP3-formatted discs and an auxiliary audio input jack. Regrettably, Ford does not offer either the SYNC audio or a navigation option for the Ranger.

The familiar Ranger exterior carries over after a recent freshening, touting a bold grille, bright colors and three attractive wheel choices. A raised "power dome" hood and an aggressive front valence help keep the aging design current. The Regular Cab models feature six- and seven-foot beds (fleet-only option on Ranger XL), while the extended SuperCab models come with a longer wheelbase and a six-foot bed. SuperCab models also offer rear-hinged half doors, which allow easier access to the cab area.

Remote Start
This optional feature allows the vehicle to be remotely started, a real advantage in cold climates.

Seven-Foot Bed
Available on the XL Regular Cab, this fleet-only option provides maximum cargo-hauling ability on a small truck.

The Ranger is equipped with a 2.3-liter engine, a five-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control, side-impact airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, two front cup holders, dual side mirrors, AM/FM stereo, 60/40 vinyl split-bench seat, power steering, tachometer and 15-inch steel wheels.

Trim levels for the Ranger include XL, XLT and Sport. You can order your Ranger with shift-on-the-fly electronic four-wheel drive, five-speed automatic transmission, power windows, power locks, sliding rear window, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, 4.0-liter V6 (SuperCab), limited-slip rear differential, fog lamps, door keypad entry system, remote start and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The base 2.3-liter engine is fine for those who use their trucks to get around town and pull light-duty chores. For those who do serious off-roading, towing or just like the feel of a V6, Ford offers a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 207 horsepower and 238 pound-feet of torque. If power trumps fuel economy, we highly encourage you to get the 4.0-liter, which will add to the price of most trims.

2.3-liter in-line 4
143 horsepower @ 5250 rpm
154 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/27 (manual), 19/24 (automatic)

4.0-liter V6
207 horsepower @ 5250 rpm
238 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 (2WD, manual), 16/21 (2WD, automatic), 15/19 (4WD, manual), 14/18 (4WD, automatic)

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