The Blue Oval birthed the latest generation of the Ford Ranger (codenamed T6) in 2011. Though some might say that’s enough years to merit a new generation, the midsize pickup is still going strong, thanks to its timeless look and smart scheduling of updates. Having undergone its first nip and tuck in the 2016 year model, the Ranger went through another facelift in 2019, albeit with some massive major changes, especially in the powertrain and safety departments. Let’s take a look at how the Ford Ranger has changed between predecessor and successor.
Ford ditched the 3.2-liter engine for the recent Ranger version. That said, buyers still get to choose between three engine options—a 2.0-liter Turbo Diesel (178hp, 420Nm), a 2.2-liter TDCi Diesel (158hp, 385Nm), and a new 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo Diesel (210hp, 500Nm) for the top-ranging Raptor variant. A new 10-speed automatic gearbox takes on the responsibility of delivering each engine's power to the wheels for the top variants. That said, a 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual remain available options for the lower trims.
A tougher chassis comes courtesy of high-strength low alloy steel optimized for off-road performance. The suspension on the other hand, has been tweaked to handle tough terrain at top speeds with ease. Towing and payload capacity is 2,500kg and 766kg, respectively.
Retaining the adventurous look characteristic of the current generation, the Ranger features a more focused front fascia, thanks to new twin-louver grille and a retooled central air intake, albeit the Raptor does retain the wide front bumper of old. Ford has also upgraded the halogen headlamps to xenon, and LED daytime running lights are now installed in the middle trims. A first-in-class tailgate lift assist is also an invisible yet incredibly welcome addition.
Though it’s not immediately obvious, the interior design is actually even more user-friendly than its predecessor, with plenty of new technology thrown in for good measure. The 4x4 trims come with a shift-on-the-fly feature that lets you select between 2WD and 4WD with ease. Other tools to make life easier for Ranger owners include, voice-controlled SYNC 3 infotainment operating system, smarter start button, navigation, and active park assist. An 8-inch TFT touchscreen and leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls serve as the stylish focal points for the entire cabin. Meanwhile, an 8-way power adjusted seat (4x4 variants only) enhances driving comfort.
With the ever-growing demand for safety in today’s cars, Ford certainly poured a lot of effort into making the latest Ranger as safe as can be. Thus, safety is one area where the old and new Ranger greatly differ. Of course, the standard safety features remain: anti-lock brakes, airbags, cruise control, seatbelts, ISOFIX child anchors, and burglar alarm. These are complemented by a slew of driver assistance systems (top variants only) including lane keeping aid, driver alert, adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, semi-auto active park assist, auto high beam control, and pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. The last feature is an exceptionally nice touch, as it can alert you to pedestrians and vehicles that cross your path, even automatically applying the brakes if need be, thanks to a built-in autonomous emergency braking system.
The Ford Ranger comes in 15 variants in all, including the top-ranging Raptor. The Ford Ranger 2.0L BiTurbo Raptor 4x4 AT is available in five shades (Arctic White, Absolute Black, Conquer Gray, Performance Blue, and True Red), while the rest of the lineup has ten (Arctic White, Saber (Ranger Wildtrak only), Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Gray, True Red (except Ranger Wildtrak), Blue Lightning (Ranger XLT and XLS only), Sunset (Ranger XLT and XLS only), Diffused Silver (Ranger XLT and XLS only), and Deep Crystal Blue (Ranger XLT and XLS only). Pricing for the 15 different Ranger variants are as follows:
Carmudi has both new and used Ford Rangers for your perusal. Check out our selection here.
Photos from Ford
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