2019 Ford Ranger XL STX

May 1, 2019

Lindsay Brooke

America needs more midsized pickups. The case for the new Ford Ranger is made by increasingly strong sales of GM’s models and the perennial fan base of the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. And now Jeep’s back in the game. A growing number of U.S. pickup fans want something more parkable and fuel-efficient than the fullsizers.

I used to rant about this to Derek Kuzak, Ford’s former head of product development, whenever our paths crossed. “Don’t kill Ranger, not everybody wants an F-150,” I’d plead. He’d patiently agree, while noting that “small” pickups cost OEMs nearly as much to produce as the big ones, with lower margins.

So the return of Ranger as a “middie,” using the Ford Australia T6 platform as a foundation, is encouraging. The Super Cab 4x2 model I tested strikes a perfect balance in overall dimensions—plenty of cab room for two large adults and ample cargo-hauling volume with the 6-foot bed. On this XL model— less than $30K with aluminum wheels, trailer-tow package and spray-in bedliner! — buyers also can opt to delete the useless rear seat, saving $240 and gaining decent luggage space.

But the new Ranger’s best attribute is its powertrain. The 270-hp/310 lb·ft turbocharged 2.3-L four (“the Mustang engine,” as I described it to curious neighbors) and 10R 10-speed automatic are perfect mates in this truck application. Never did I feel the need for more cylinders or output. Congrats to Ford’s powertrain calibrators—and to the company for waking up to midsize opportunities.