A Brief Range of Things You Need to Know about the 2019 Ford Ranger
The truck that left the market in 2011 as a compact pickup has been resurrected in a larger, mid-size package.
Ford’s Ranger has at long last returned! The truck that left the market in 2011 as a compact pickup has been resurrected in a larger, mid-size package to do battle with the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma. Although its body is made of good old-fashioned steel—unlike its aluminum-bodied F-150 sibling—the Ranger will launch with a segment-exclusive turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. With mid-size-pickup sales pouring in for General Motors’ Colorado and Canyon trucks, Ford is eager to get its mitts on the pizza and take a slice for itself. Swipe on for what the Ranger brings to the game:
It Isn’t a Totally Fresh Face . . .
While the Ranger was MIA in the States, an international version was racking up big numbers elsewhere (Europe, New Zealand, and South Africa, in particular). That is where the domestic Ranger’s journey begins.
Although It Has a Fresh Frame
Ford tells us that, although the new truck’s frame appears to be a near doppelgänger of the frame of the overseas Ranger, a side-by-side inspection reveals that it has been configured specifically for stateside duty. Significantly for the domestic market, the frame has been modified to provide a sturdy mounting location for the front and rear steel bumpers.
Steel Yourself for a Truck of Steel
Sitting atop the frame is a mostly steel body with an aluminum hood and tailgate. Comprehensively tweaked for tighter and more consistent panel gaps than in the global version, it sports a refreshed fascia and lighting elements. Ford would like to remind everyone—GM in particular—that the Ranger wears a real steel front bumper, not a fascia.
One Engine, One Turbocharger, One Transmission for All
Ford is keeping things simple in the powertrain department, offering a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission as the sole powertrain. Featuring a forged crankshaft and connecting rods and a double-roller timing chain, the aluminum 2.3-liter has been beefed up for truck duty (the Explorer’s version of the engine is pictured here).
How Many Horses on the Range?
While Ford hasn’t yet revealed any output figures, it’s no secret that the Ranger’s 2.3-liter is closely related to the 280-hp 2.3-liter in the current Explorer and a shirttail relative to the 310-hp version that lives under the hood of the Mustang. Based on that, we figure it will land at somewhere around 300 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque in the Ranger.
It’ll Off-Road, All Right
The FX2 (two-wheel drive) and FX4 (four-wheel drive) off-road versions get electronic locking rear differentials as standard, as well as other goodies including all-terrain tires, dampers tuned for off-road activity, a steel front bash plate, steel skid plates, and, of course, FX badging. Although tuned for more adventurous activities, the FX models have a ride height that remains the same, as Ford engineered the entire Ranger lineup to qualify as “high riders.”
And There’s a Terrain Management System
Taking a page from the Raptor playbook, the Ranger FX4 also comes with a Terrain Management System to optimize off-road travel. Consisting of four modes—Normal; Grass, Gravel, and Snow; Mud and Ruts; and Sand—it alters throttle response, transmission shift points, and traction and stability control.
The Ranger Can Crawl
A new Trail Control system offers cruise-control-like convenience for low-speed and off-road driving by taking over braking and acceleration functions to maintain a set speed. It’s capable of meting out torque and braking to each individual wheel to allow the driver to focus on vehicle direction. Additionally, it allows the driver to set a lower travel speed by tapping the brakes until the desired speed is achieved without deactivating the system.
You Can Choose from a Range of Rangers
Available in both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations, the truck has a trim-level hierarchy that will seem familiar to anyone who follows Ford trucks: XL is the entry point, XLT is mid-level, and Lariat is the high-luxe version. Additionally, Chrome and Sport appearance packages will be available.
Home inside the Range
The interior features room for five, underseat storage in the rear, and dual LCD info screens in the instrument panel. Available Sync 3 brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Ford+Alexa personal-assistant functionality, optional navigation, and an 8.0-inch center touchscreen. 4G LTE connectivity with support for up to 10 devices is optional.
A Mid-Size Pickup for the (Non-Commercial) People
Although Ford is proud of the fact that the Ranger was subjected to—and passed—the same testing regimen as the F-150, the automaker strived to configure it more toward the outdoor enthusiast than hard-core commercial users.
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