Product News Profiles
Ranger features many electronics

For 28 years the Ford Ranger was a key player in the mid-size pickup truck market. Its size and price were an attractive alternative to the full-size trucks available in the decades from 1983 to 2011 – and, as it got older, its steadily dropping cost kept driving sales.

In 2010, I was attending an industry event in San Diego, Calif. when I read a newspaper advertisement for a Ford Ranger sale at a local dealer. A barebones, new Ranger was going for $9,999 (US funds). I remember one of my colleagues remarking, “I could put one on my credit card at that price.” Maybe he should have.

The next year, Ford ended the Ranger run and for the next seven years kept telling auto journalists that the F-150 served “all” the needs of truck buyers – there was no longer a need for a midsize pickup. Well, they were almost right.

In the early part of this decade, one by one, each of the American manufacturers dropped production of their midsize trucks. The only exceptions were the Japanese Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier. For a short time, they were the only mid-size pickups on the market and they sold well.

Then, after a short break, GM reconsidered and brought back its midsize twins – the Colorado and Canyon – and sales took off. Frankly I think there was always a demand for mid-size trucks – there was just a lack of product. Now that the new Ranger is back we once again have a decent selection of midsize trucks and that’s good for Canadian truck buyers. Now, if only Ram would resurrect the Dakota.

The 2019 Ford Ranger was recently driven for the first time in San Diego, not far from where I remember staying a decade ago and reading that discount Ranger sales ad. Mind you, this new Ranger has nothing in common with that earlier model; and neither does its new price.

The Canadian base price on the entry-level model is pegged at $30,969 for a XL SuperCab 4×4. It’s also available in an XLT trim (SuperCab or SuperCrew) and the top Lariat SuperCrew 4×4 will cost you $42,289. Of note, only 4X4 models (regardless of trim package) are offered in Canada. Truck bodies are available in a SuperCab (four doors; clamshell configuration) or as a SuperCrew (four normal doors). In addition there are two box sizes – either a five or six-foot.

In addition Ford is making its well-known FX4 off-road package available on the new Ranger. It adds protective skid plates, upgraded tires, off-road-tuned shocks and suspension. Also Ford’s standard Terrain Management System and Trail Control will help navigate challenging conditions.

On the outside the 2019 Ranger evokes a muscular body with a high beltline that emphasizes strength, while a raked grille and windshield are said to give it an athletic appearance. This raked feature also aids in aerodynamics and reduces wind noise. From the rear, the Ranger identifies itself loudly with its name stamped into the tailgate. New headlamps and tail lamps are available as LEDs.

Inside, Ranger blends comfort and functionality with room for up to five people, their gear and accessories. The centre stack is home to an eight-inch touch screen for the available SYNC 3 system, while the instrument cluster features dual LCD screens for real-time vehicle, navigation and audio information.

It’s important to note that while Ranger was absent from the North American Ford truck line-up these past eight years, there was always an “international Ranger” being sold around the world.

Developed for N.A. market
However the model that we saw in San Diego was developed exclusively for the North American truck market, says Ford. It’s being built alongside the F-150 at the Michigan truck plant – and tested in the same way.

This new Ranger is built with a high-strength steel frame, fully boxed with six cross-members, modern parabolic leaf-spring rear suspension, front and rear steel bumpers, short overhangs for off-road clearance and a hitch platform that is through-welded to the frame.

This Ranger has a 126.8-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 210.8-inches (compared to the full-size F-150’s 157-inch wheelbase and length of 243-inches).

The standard powertrain consists of a 2.3L EcoBoost engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. This new engine is designed with direct fuel injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger and a 16-valve design. For durability, the engine features a forged-steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and chain-driven dual overhead cams. It also comes standard with auto start-stop. This engine makes 270 hp and 310 foot pounds of torque. This chassis and powertrain combination offers best-in-class (gas) towing of 7,500 pounds. Payload is a very respectable 1,860 pounds.

Where this new Ranger certainly differs from its extinct former version is in the realm of electronics. It incorporates smart driver-assist features not even thought of a decade ago. These include standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, a reverse sensing system and class-exclusive blind spot information system with trailer coverage. Most are standard on XLT and Lariat trim levels.

Howard J. Elmer of PowerSports Media Service and Truck King Media Group is based in Norval, Ont. He is among those who test drives the entries in the annual Canadian Truck King Challenge.