Oppo 10 Minute Review: 2019 Ford Ranger

"UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy" (smithtaylorm)
02/11/2019 at 14:16 • Filed to: None

Had to get a new antenna for the fost, so I decided to choose the dealer in the Cincinnati area with the largest ranger inventory so I could check one out as it’s a close contender for the next DD. They had a hot pepper red but I don’t believe it had been delivered yet. I’m hoping to see one in person to see the contrast between my fost’s HPR.

In person, I like the way it looks.

put the front seat at a reasonable distance from the dash to fit comfortably (keep in mind I’m 5’10”, 170 lbs.). Plenty of room.

his angle makes it seem crunched, but behind the front seat there was plenty of room for me to sit comfortably.

Interior felt good, ergonomically I liked how things were placed, some things seemed a little aged but this has been around for 8 years in other markets. It was still up to date and It didn’t bother me. A bit plasticy in the XLT but again, this isn’t a luxury truck, and luxury shouldn’t be expected.

Overall, I enjoyed the truck. I could definitely see myself owning one. I haul stuff more than I haul people, and I will keep my ST/gf’s SEL for the people hauling. I would most likely opt for the super cab with the 6’ bed instead of the shorter bed on the super crew. The super crew + 6’ bed is more space than I need. I’ve been in my share of Silverado’s, f150’s, Rams, etc. due to family and this is the first truck where I have been able to say I’d like to own it. I’ve also had seat time in a taco and I was not impressed personally.

DISCUSSION (13)

jimz > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
02/11/2019 at 14:29

if you test drive one, make sure you take it down a road with less-than-perfect surface. I find the ride to be a bit “jiggly” in those cases.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > jimz
02/11/2019 at 14:37

Good point. The roads around this dealer (and kind of Cincinnati In general) are not very good right now. When I go in for the recall on the focus I think I will actually test drive. It was cold and rainy this day so I didn’t want to kick tires and waste a salesman’s time in shit weather.

DasWauto > jimz
02/11/2019 at 15:26

Is it reminiscent of the the F150 in that way? I find the F150 has that quality to its ride more than other full size trucks. I’m surprised no-one other than Ram offers a coil sprung rear axle yet, especially given how many will never see work duty.

I’m looking into a Ranger for my next DD, probably sometime in the fall, and that jiggliness would be a strike against it in my book. It’s my least favourite thing about my dad’s F150.

jimz > DasWauto
02/11/2019 at 15:34

I think it stuck out to me because of how differently it rides compared to my 2011 Ranger. The new one has more suspension travel and Dana axles where mine has about 2" of travel and Ford axles. My truck is always crashing into the jounce bump stops driving on what Detroit calls “roads.”

I guess the word I’d use to describe it is the new one feels “springier.” whether it’s annoying is a judgement call.

shop-teacher > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
02/11/2019 at 19:16

I don't believe they are offering a crew cab with the 6' bed. Which is too bad, as that's the configuration I would want. I have kids to haul, and a 5' bed is too small IMO.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > shop-teacher
02/12/2019 at 06:45

huh, didn’t even realize as GM and Toyota offer that I assumed they did too. Looked online and sure enough the super crew isn’t available with it, only the super cab is. I guess I’d have to look elsewhere if I wanted a full cab and 6’ bed, the 5’ is just too small. We aren’t planning on kids however, the ST won’t be my DD but If we haul people we can just use that or my girlfriends focus luckily. I think the super cab may work in that case, but I need to see one in person first.

shop-teacher > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
02/12/2019 at 07:22

Yeah, I was disappointed by that. The super cab will probably work fine for you.

DasWauto > jimz
02/12/2019 at 13:47

I’m familiar with the old Ranger’s ride though (parents had a ‘97 from ‘01-‘17 and I know someone with a ‘10) so I can see what you mean. It’ll feel much more like the bigger trucks than it will the old Ranger, I gather.

I’ll just have to drive the new one, and will do when an XLT shows up at a dealer near me. It’s only been L ariats so far and the local dealer hasn’t had one that isn’t pre-sold yet.

Rochambeaux > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
02/13/2019 at 02:53

What does "fost" mean?

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Rochambeaux
02/14/2019 at 15:06

Focus st

Gerry197 > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
03/09/2019 at 11:31

Considering this “new” Ranger is just a stop gap for the US until the next generation that will be coming globally soon, I don’t expect a lot of options for this T6 based Ranger.

CRider > shop-teacher
03/09/2019 at 22:40

I think most people who want a crew cab and a 6' bed will just buy an F-150 for $2k more.

shop-teacher > CRider
03/10/2019 at 09:55

Many will, but that’s the kind of logic that kept Ford from bringing the Ranger over at all. Obviously, they were wrong, because F-150 sales are still going gangbusters, and the Ranger plant has so many orders they’re working forced overtime for the foreseeable future.

People don’t buy a mid-sized truck over a full-sized one to save a bunch of money. They buy them because they want the smaller truck. Even with the longer bed, they’re still shorter overall, and narrower than a full-sized truck . That makes them a lot easier to park and to fit into garages . GM offers their mid-sized trucks with a crew cab and a 6' bed, as does Toyota. I think Nissan does too, but I’m too lazy to check. There is a market for them.