History/Overview
After a long absence, the Ford Ranger returned in 2019 and marked Ford's coming back to the small pickup segment. Small here being relative, of course, because modern small pickups, what used to be called the quarter-ton size, are much larger and better-equipped than ever before.
What's New
Just a couple of years old, though with a new model anticipated coming soon, changes to the Ranger were small for 2021. So small that they were limited to some new paint colours and the dropping of some old ones.
Available Trims
The Ford Ranger is offered for 2021 in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, with the first two offering a SuperCab with half rear doors. XLT offers a full four-door SuperCrew cab and the Lariat comes only with the larger cab. All get a 2.3L EcoBoost turbo-four engine, 10-speed automatic, and 4x4.
Standard Features
XL offers pre-collision assist with emergency braking including pedestrian detection, collision warning, and brake support. It has vinyl floors, manual locks, cloth manual-adjust seats, and black bumpers and trim. XLT offers dual-zone climate control, blind spot warning, auto high beams, carpeted floors, intermittent wipers, lane-keeping, power locks, and tilt/telescoping wheel. It has a 4.2-inch dash display screen, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Sync3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and body-colour trim as well as a locking tailgate.
Lariat adds leather seats and dual 4.2-inch dash screens plus dual-zone climate control. It also has push-button start and proximity keyless entry and LED head and taillights.
Key Options
XLT offers a reverse sensing system, leather-wrapped wheel and 110V outlet as part of package 301A. Eight-way power-adjust and heated leather seats as well as remote start are included in 302A. A Technology Package adds adaptive cruise, forward sensing, and navigation.
Lariat offers a Technology package with B&O audio, remote start, rain-sensing wipers, and more.
Fuel economy
Ford Ranger offers 11.8 L/100 km city, 9.8 highway.
Competition
The Ford Ranger competes with the Toyota Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins, the off-road-oriented Jeep Gladiator, and the car-like Honda Ridgeline.
