Review
Introduction
The Ranger was once a sales leader in a burgeoning class of compact pickup trucks, but in the past 10 years, the compact segment has been abandoned and grown into the mid-size pickup-truck segment. The sole compact holdout is the Ranger. Pickup trucks don’t get much smaller than the Ranger, and the diminutive Ford is both outsized and outclassed by the competition.
Since its inception in 1983, the Ranger has undergone only one major redesign. The current Ranger design arrived way back in 1993 during Pres. Bill Clinton’s first term in office. A freshening that included a beefier frame occurred in 1998; since then the Ranger has been left behind by ever-larger competition such as the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline. Predictably, the Ranger’s once strong sales have fallen off dramatically over the past few years.
Ford offers three engines in the Ranger. The base engine is a fuel-efficient DOHC 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. The next step up is a pushrod 3.0-liter V-6 with 148 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. At the top of the range is a SOHC 4.0-liter V-6 (shared with the Explorer and Mustang) that makes 207 horsepower and 238 pound-feet of torque in the Ranger. All engines are available with a five-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Four-wheel drive is not available with the base four-cylinder engine but is optional with both V-6 engines. Most of the Ranger’s competitors offers more horsepower from their V-6 engines, and some even have optional V-8 power.
Ford offers two cab styles in the Ranger: a regular cab and the longer SuperCab, which sports optional small jump seats in the second row. The Ranger has fallen behind the times, as it does not offer a full four-door version—rear-hinged rear doors are optional on SuperCab models. Compared with the competition, the Ranger’s cabin is cramped and dated. Tellingly, the interior design dates to the mid-’90s, when the Ranger was first outfitted with dual front airbags. Towing capacity ranges from 1580 pounds up to 5860 pounds. Mazda sells a rebadged version of the Ranger under the Mazda B-series moniker.
Click here to read our full review of the Ford Ranger.
Verdict
The Ford Ranger is a dated compact pickup truck that has been surpassed by its competition in size, capability, and refinement. The Ranger’s low price and cost of ownership are perhaps the only compelling reasons to consider it; there are better choices on the market.
What’s New for 2008
A more aerodynamic front-bumper design helps boost fuel economy slightly. Service intervals are extended to 7500 miles. Tire-pressure monitoring is now standard. The FX4 Off-Road Ranger gets a few upgrades, including heavy-duty Rancho shocks, stiffer rear springs, skid plates, and sport bucket seats. One new color dubbed Grabber Orange is available for 2008.
