The Ranger Returns
The 2019 Ford Ranger has arrived, and reviewers are impressed by the little truck that could. Ford has spent the last eight years largely ignoring the mid-sized pickup truck market, but the Ranger represents Ford’s renewed interest in recapturing the crowd. Cars.com teamed up PickupTrucks.com to try out Ford’s newest truck, and they returned with quite a tale to tell. Here’s four of 2019 Ford Ranger’s best features, according to the car and truck sites.Energetic Engine
The 2019 Ford Ranger packs plenty of power under the hood. The Ranger features a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that is capable of 270-horsepower. The engine also puts out 310 pounds-feet of torque. It is aided by the inclusion of a 10-speed automatic transmission, as well as either 4×2 or 4×4 drivelines. Mark Williams, editor of Cars.com’s sister site PickupTrucks.com, was a big fan of this powertrain. In his larger review, he said the Ranger was quick to respond when he put his foot to the floor.“Some may think choosing a four-cylinder engine to power a pickup truck (even a smaller one) is a risky move,” Williams said in his First Drive. The smaller engine is no slouch, though. Williams wrote that the turbo four “delivered plenty of motivation in all the configurations we drove; in fact, the only engine with more torque in this segment is the bigger and brawnier turbo-diesel option in the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.”Tremendous Towing and Payload Power
2019 Ford Ranger Small Stature Big Brawn That small-but-mighty engine makes the 2019 Ford Ranger a workhorse, despite being one of the smaller trucks on the market. “Of course, we know that most people who buy a mid-size pickup will not tow or haul that often but given that most … are purchased with adventure activities in mind, it’s good to know how they perform just in case they get the call,” Williams said in his review. The 2019 Ford Ranger proudly provides the highest maximum tow rating for any gas-engine small pickup, rated for a whopping 7,500 pounds. As for loading up with cargo, Cars.com said that maximum payloads are 1,860 pounds for a SuperCab 4×2 and 1,770 pounds for a SuperCrew 4×2. The 2019 Ford Ranger handles well despite the added weight. Williams’ test involved a 500- to 600-pound load, and he was impressed by the Ranger’s ride. “The extra weight over the rear axle was almost neutralized by the fairly aggressive Tow/Haul mode.”Williams added that even with 5,500 pounds in tow, the 2019 Ford Ranger was more than capable. “We found our little four-cylinder engine plenty strong enough to keep its revs up and slot the right gear in the transmission to make short work of the extra weight.”Easy Control and Ride
Another highpoint for the 2019 Ford Ranger was how responsive and balanced the controls and chassis feels. Williams found the Sport driving mode particularly enjoyable, with tighter throttle sensitivity and steering creating an exhilarating experience. This is helped by the fact the Ranger is blessed with a well-balanced chassis. “We never found a situation where the front end didn’t carve into the turn or where the rear end became unsettled,” Williams noted. He also pointed out that “the rear-end suspension is a standard feature as well, not feeling too soft or tuned for empty ride quality.”As Cars.com noted, all Rangers use the same single parabolic arched rear leaf spring and overload spring for better balancing. Hitachi monotube shocks, specifically tuned for each configuration, take the thump out of hitting bumps.Impressive Interior Design
The 2019 Ford Ranger may work hard, but it also looks good doing it, and keeps you comfortable along the way. Williams noted the appeal of the interior, saying that “the cockpit of our Lariat package was quite impressively appointed with leather, a simply designed center console and instrument panel, as well as a nice, big navigation screen.” Passengers packed into the back won’t feel like canned sardines, either. Williams praised the rear seating, saying that it “is is quite reasonable for adults and will offer generous amounts of seating area (with a center armrest) for kids.”Want to range out in Ford’s mid-size maverick? Check out one of our 2019 Ford Rangers today at Flagship Ford today!
