The 2023 Ford Ranger isn’t getting much attention since a completely revamped 2024 model with a Raptor variant is anticipated to debut this summer. However, even now, it’s still a very competent and affordable vehicle that outperforms several more recent competitors in certain areas. Even though it only has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it has off-road solid and on-road performance, a class-leading payload rating, up to 7,500 pounds of towing capability, and several safety features and customizing options. Although it is dated, there are still many things to like.
The current Ranger dates back to 2011. However, it was first introduced in the United States in 2019. It was initially created by Ford of Australia for overseas markets (particularly in Asia). Since then, not much has changed, but the costly but excellent Tremor package was added in 2021. It has all-terrain tires, Fox-branded suspension dampers, and a raise kit to help it compete with other midsize trucks with an off-road focus. The “Splash” appearance packages were updated in 2022 and again this year, although the 2023 model is mostly the same as the previous one.
Surprisingly, the Ranger performs well against its more modern rivals for a design nearing the end of its useful life. The Toyota Tacoma and the freshly updated Nissan Frontier are its main competitors. The Nissan is faster but uses less petrol than the Ford, which has superior road manners and performance compared to the outdated Toyota’s V6. More than either, the Ranger can tow. The Ford is also up against the Jeep Gladiator, which rules the off-road, the Honda Ridgeline, a crossover, the brand-new Chevrolet Colorado, and more modest rivals like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford’s Maverick.
A 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and ten-speed automatic gearbox are standard on all Rangers. The Ranger handles quite well for a tall, body-on-frame truck, and the combination of sprightliness and economy is a pleasant surprise. The Ranger shines in the mud with the available FX4 or Tremor packages. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is an optional feature. Despite not being nearly as rugged as the Tacoma TRD Pro or Gladiator, driving on the pavement is significantly more pleasant. On the other hand, the Honda Ridgeline is more comfortable on the road but lacks the Ranger’s toughness and power.
Although its abilities are undeniable, its age is most apparent in the Ranger’s cabin. Even if the interior wasn’t horrible by today’s standards, it looked 2011 inside and is plasticky and outdated. A contemporary infotainment system is also absent from the basic XL. The latter’s rear seat is modest compared to Honda, Jeep, or even the Maverick but larger than Toyota’s or Nissan’s. It is available as a SuperCab (extended) or SuperCrew cab. Higher grades include a Wi-Fi hotspot and an 8-inch infotainment screen with Ford’s Modern Sync3 user interface.
Ford puts its extensive Co-Pilot 360 suite standard on the XLT and Lariat versions, which may also be upgraded with adaptive cruise control and GPS in a $995 package. Nissan and Toyota offer even more standard safety features. The Ranger has average safety ratings, but so do all of its rivals. The 2023 Ranger still has a lot of tricks under its sleeve despite not being the newest or most outwardly appealing vehicle.
Performance: Ford Ranger
A 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a ten-speed automated gearbox powers all Rangers. Both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available. The Ranger may be considered a medium truck, but vehicles have become more considerable throughout the years, and even the basic model now weighs more than two tons. The 2.3’s 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque may seem overpowered on paper, but that isn’t the case. The Ranger is quick on the road, and all those gears are well-matched to the engine.
The Ranger handles rather well for a tallish pickup truck, with less of the nautical behavior observed in the Toyota Tacoma and far less wandering and jitteriness than the Gladiator. However, it won’t be mistaken for a Mustang. The Maverick, Santa Cruze, and Ridgeline crossover-based trucks can’t equal their smoothness and accuracy, but that isn’t what this vehicle is about in the first place.
In rear-drive SuperCab configuration, the Ranger’s robust structure contributes to its best-in-class 1,860-pound payload capability. It can tow up to 7,500 pounds with the $495 towing kit, which puts it considerably ahead of Honda, Nissan, and Toyota and only behind the Jeep Gladiator and Chevrolet Colorado.
The $4,290 Tremor package, in particular, increases off-road capability. This option includes a 1-inch raise, 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires, a terrain management system, trail control, tow hooks, skid plates, six pre-wired auxiliary switches, and an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox suspension dampers. The Tremor is more enjoyable to drive on the road than the Gladiator Rubicon or Tacoma TRD Pro, even if it isn’t nearly as tough as competitors.
Fuel efficiency: Ford Ranger
Rangers with rear-wheel drive can earn up to 26 mpg on the interstate, 21 mpg in the city, and 23 mpg overall, whereas vehicles with four-wheel drive lose 1 to 2 mpg in each category. This is above average for a midsize truck and practically on par with the considerably smaller Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Jeep Gladiator, a diesel-powered vehicle, has the best economy among conventional trucks and achieves 2 to 3 more miles per gallon on average than the Ford Ranger. However, no truck can match the efficiency of Ford’s 37-mpg Maverick Hybrid.
Due to the Tremor package’s heavier weight and wide all-terrain tires, fuel efficiency is sacrificed. The Ranger Tremors achieve 19 mpg in all three tests, which is on par with the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X and marginally better than the Tacoma TRD Pro.
Safety & Driver Support
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the Ranger a four-star overall rating. At the same time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates it “Good” in most of its assessment criteria. In the small front overlap test conducted by IIHS, it only receives an “Acceptable” rating. These outcomes are typical for small and medium pickup trucks, none of which get excellent ratings, albeit just ordinary by vehicle standards.
The Ranger’s only essential active safety feature pales in contrast to the active safety equipment that comes standard at Nissan and Toyota. Forward automated emergency braking. However, several desired active-safety features, such as blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane departure warnings with lane keep assist, are standard on XLT and Lariat versions. The $995 package includes adaptive cruise control and navigation.
Comfort & Room: Ford Ranger
The cabin of the Ranger is its Achilles’ heel; it is outdated and plasticky, and it seems like a product from the 2000s. Everything is gray or black, except the XLT and Lariat versions’ lighter inside color option, “medium stone.” Despite the outdated look, everything is simple to use. Even for tall drivers, the front seats are supportive and comfy, and the front passengers get a commanding perspective of the road, similar to that of an F-150.
The Ranger is a touch too snug in the back, however. Although crew cabs are for families, few purchasers anticipate substantial space in the rear of an extended cab. Anyone taller than around 5’9″ may have a difficult time fitting in the Ranger’s 34.5 inches of back legroom, but that is still more space than the Frontier (33.5) or Tacoma (32.6). Even though the Chevy Colorado has a bit more space (34.7), none of these conventional trucks have exceptionally spacious backseats. The rear seats of the Ridgeline and Gladiator are virtually full-size pickups and are substantially more prominent.
Infotainment: Ford Ranger
The base-model XL is designed to be a little work vehicle and has just a 4.2-inch LCD screen from the 1980s with essential functions, an AM/FM radio, and a single USB connection. However, surprisingly, it comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot that can link up to 10 devices, which is helpful on the work site. Upgrading to the XLT or Lariat, which features an 8-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync3 system, will provide you with a decent infotainment system. Along with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, this also adds two USB connections.
This method is outdated and straightforward, but that’s not always a negative thing. The Ranger is, in some ways, the low-tech alternative to a screen-heavy device like the expensive Rivain R1T, but the system looks and feels dated. The menus are straightforward, and there are hard buttons for practically everything. The Frontier, Gladiator, and Ridgeline infotainment systems are more up-to-date, but if you use the essentials, the Ranger’s works well.
Storage & Cargo Space:
SuperCab Rangers have beds that are 72.8 inches long (six feet), while SuperCrew variants have beds that are 61 inches long (five feet). This may be compared to other midrange truck bed sizes in a vast sense. While Nissan’s shorter crew-cab bed is a bit smaller, Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota all offer crew cabs with a somewhat longer bed. Honda and Jeep are off the table if you require a long bed since neither brand offers six-foot beds.
The Ranger’s interior storage possibilities are equivalent to those of Nissan and Toyota. Jeep and Honda provide a little more, and the Honda’s interior gains several functional compartments from the connected Passport.
Design: Ford Ranger
Although the Ranger’s unremarkable appearance isn’t terrible, it has little resemblance to other Ford trucks like the Maverick and F-150. It doesn’t seem as antiquated in the United States as in other regions (where it has been available since 2011). Still, it isn’t as standout as the Gladiator or the freshly revised Frontier.
The Ranger certainly does look better with the optional STX, FX2, FX4, Splash, and Tremor packages’ butch body cladding and flashy graphics, but without them, it’s a little bit bland.
The cabin’s interior combines old and modern, excellent and inexpensive stuff. Although it doesn’t appear much more or less antiquated than the inside of the Toyota Tacoma, it does feel less put together. Although it’s not horrible, it is dull, like the exterior.
Is the 2023 Ford Ranger Worth it?
There are two cab variants and three trim levels for the Ranger, with the basic model XL SuperCab costing $28,895 (all costs include a $1,495 destination charge). SuperCrew cab options cost at least $2,100 extra to specify, and 4WD adds significantly more to the price, so pay close attention to the options list. Although the 2023 Ranger is virtually unaltered from the 2022 model, inflation and manufacturing problems have increased the price by around $1,200 for each model.
The XL is designed as a work vehicle and provides cosmetic and off-road upgrades, although bare inside and out. Its enormous payload and towing capacity, high fuel efficiency, and affordable pricing make it the most excellent work-grade option among midsize trucks. The updated Chevrolet Colorado WT costs roughly $2,000 extra, and the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma isn’t worth the trouble.
The XLT SuperCrew, with a starting price of $35,110 and rear-wheel drive, is the most excellent option for overall value since most buyers will desire more than the XL. Customers get a contemporary infotainment system and Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of active safety technologies. However, there is still an opportunity for personalization choices, such as the $995 technology package (navigation and adaptive cruise control), which enables you to choose the Splash and Blackout trim packages.
For individuals who often go off-road, adding 4WD to the XLT SuperCrew raises the price ($38,595) but is worthwhile.
The Lariat features heated front seats, leather upholstery and interior decor, 18-inch wheels, and some other luxuries starting at $38,955 for a SuperCrew cab, but it becomes rather pricey if 4WD is added. For a real off-road enthusiast, the Tremor package and the XLT SuperCrew are excellent combinations; this will cost more than $46,000 on the Lariat. Although not inexpensive, it is still roughly $2,000 less expensive than a Tacoma TRD Pro or Colorado ZR2 and $7,000 less expensive than a Gladiator Mojave.
How Much Does a Ford Ranger Insurance Cost?
For its class, the Ranger’s insurance prices are approximately average. Although this figure covers all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium of $1,947. In contrast, the Chevrolet Colorado costs $1,951, the Toyota Tacoma $2,015, the Honda Ridgeline $1,950, and the Jeep Gladiator $2,071.
Ford Ranger Generations
Fourth Generation
2019 to Present
After a short absence, Ford returned to the U.S. market with a new Ranger for the 2019 model year. This new Ranger is based on the worldwide model of the truck, which Ford of Australia created and was mainly produced for Southeast Asia. The truck, which is relatively new to Americans, dates back to 2011 and underwent significant modifications in 2015 and 2019, the latter of which coincided with its introduction to the country. It meets the demands of purchasers still searching for a smaller truck that will operate well as a daily vehicle rather than a workhorse. It is far more contemporary than the previous North American Ranger.
Third Generation
1998 to 2012
The third-generation Ranger was broader, heavier, and longer than the previous model. This generation of Rangers included a more robust chassis with a significantly modified frame and new front wishbone suspension to enhance handling while closely based on the older Rangers and sharing similar powertrains. Improvements were also made inside. Mazda phased out the B-series in 2010, although Ford continued to sell the now-quite-old Ranger into the 2012 model year, with manufacture concluding in December 2011.
Second Generation
1993 to 1997
In 1993, the Ranger received a thorough restyling but no new chassis. A 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, 3.0-liter V6, or 4.0-liter V6 were more powerful engines for this redesigned Ranger, which had a rounder and more aerodynamic form. The B-series, a Mazda twin of the Ranger, superseded a Japanese design at that Ford-affiliated carmaker in 1994.
First Generation
1982 to 1992
For the 1982 model year, the Ford Ranger made its premiere. It succeeded the Ford Courier, derived from Mazda, which was sold in the 1970s, and was created as a more extensive alternative to tiny Japanese pickup trucks. However, it was still much smaller than the full-size F-150. Several engines, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, and a 2.8-liter V6, were used to power the Ranger in the 1980s. Mazda produced a 2.3-liter turbodiesel and a 2.2-liter diesel engine. With a front-end appearance similar to the Ranger-based Explorer SUV, the Ranger had a significant redesign in 1989.
Verdict
The Ford Ranger will soon get a revamp, but in the meantime, the 2023 model is still available and has a lot to offer. The Ranger is still a reasonably competitive vehicle despite its dated cabin, which has a relatively tiny rear seat for the crew cab. The Ranger has the most significant cargo capacity in its class and a maximum towing capability of 7,500 pounds thanks to its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Additionally, a Tremor package that significantly enhances its off-road capabilities is offered, although at a high cost. Despite its age, there is still plenty to enjoy about this place.
