Test Drive Impression(s)

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I just bought a ranger after running the entire gamut of midsize trucks. My honest first choice was a Chevy Colorado, which I think is a better overall honest truck. But availability shortages have been persistent on those things for months because GM put too much technology in the infotainment unit. The current Ranger gave me everything I wanted in a truck except a naturally aspirated V6, rides a little rough than the Colorado, and having 10 gears means that sometimes it doesn't know what gear to be in. The old 'new' frontier is an old truck with a modern drivertrain, and is genuinely a bitch to maneuver. The new Frontier wasn't available to drive, but if it's trying to compete with a Toyota Tacoma, I struggle to reconcile how I could have liked it. The Tacoma, in my opinion, is a genuinely awful truck to drive. It feels too heavy, moves too slow even with the V6, and from the driver seat it feels like it takes up two lanes and I can't tell where the rear axle is. I cannot fathom how anyone who is shopping objectively comes to the conclusion that the Tacoma is the best mid-size truck to buy. You buy that truck because you trust Toyota's reputation for reliability, not because you care about driving dynamics, vehicle capabilities, or even price since Toyota never has a problem moving them off lots and dealers are never really incentivized to beat another manufactuer's price on a similarly equipped vehicle.

I didn't like the floaty feeling of the Colorado. For that matter I feel the Ranger is a little too floaty. I increased air pressure in tires and made it more truck feeling. My next investment will be some new shocks and struts.

 

[Crosscut_Drifter]

When I went over my quote again, I was laughing when I saw a $300 "Trade-In Fee". These dealers really must be starving.

 

[Blmpkn]

I just realized you said the truck you drove is 39k.. is that the otd price? Seems high..must be cause your in Canada? I paid around 32k before tax&gap coverage for my '21 xl supercrew stx back in Feb.

 

[sgtsandman]

From discussions we’ve had here in the past, it seems the FX4 package models are more floaty the the others. I’ve only driven the FX4, so I have no basis of comparison. I think changing the shocks would fix the issue.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Only gave 33k for a 20 xlt sport crew in Dec. But cant touch one for that around here now

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

From discussions we’ve had here in the past, it seems the FX4 package models are more floaty the the others. I’ve only driven the FX4, so I have no basis of comparison. I think changing the shocks would fix the issue.

I drove an xl fx4 and the ride between it and my sport wasn't much difference. I raised air pressure to 35 and it made a huge difference. In my opinion 30 lbs is just too low for a truck that you use as a truck. I pull toys and tools and load the bed up with weight a lot. 30 made the ass end swing around.

 

[Crosscut_Drifter]

I just realized you said the truck you drove is 39k.. is that the otd price? Seems high..must be cause your in Canada? I paid around 32k before tax&gap coverage for my '21 xl supercrew stx back in Feb.

Yes, sir, the one I drove. My build would be same price with the options I need/want. And my options are conservative. Ranger - Build & Price (ford.ca)

 

[Inherited Thunderbolt]

I didn't like the floaty feeling of the Colorado. For that matter I feel the Ranger is a little too floaty. I increased air pressure in tires and made it more truck feeling. My next investment will be some new shocks and struts.

I get that and it makes sense. For what I wanted, my priorities were a comfortable vehicle with a capable drivetrain, relatively modern head unit, the agility to haul and tow dirty objects, and maneuverable in a parking lot. The best vehicle I could have bought for myself was a Honda Ridgeline, but I wasn't paying $45,000 for a psuedo-truck, and didn't even bother looking at one.

I didn't go with a Colorado because the lack of available options would have had me compromise myself into an inferior vehicle that I could get for the same money as the Ranger. Even with more options, I may have still gone with a Ranger, because either one could've been everything I realistically wanted in my next vehicle. I don't think the Colorado is an objectively better truck; the Ranger is a faster and more capable truck for hauling and towing, and I think it looks better, while the Colo had a better ride, a naturally aspirated drivetrain (which I am assuming will be more reliable by being simpler), a diesel option, and a true high-performance off-road version. Most new vehicles I honestly think are good overall and the buyer ends up selecting on either preference or availability, and not because 'one is better.'

That being said, My Ranger is at the dealership today to finish my purchase transaction, getting a spray-in liner and step rails installed. My loaner is a Ford Flex, and I fully understand why they stopped selling them. I think they got the driver's seat design from the CIA's enhanced interrogation unit, because sitting in it is akin to torture unless you have the ass of a nine year old boy.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Uh, the diesel in the Colorado is turbocharged like the Ranger plus the myriad of emissions garbage to keep a diesel clean enough to sneak thru production in the 2020's.

Just sitting in both, I did not care for much about the Colorado.

 

[Inherited Thunderbolt]

The complexity of a diesel engine was not my point in comment. In list, I only attribute reliability to the NA engine. Can we not spend the thread playing this game? My feeling is that the Ranger and Colorado are both great trucks, the Tacoma is overrated, and the Frontier is old. If you need any more proof that I like Ford Rangers, I own two vehicles, they're both Rangers. I also happen to think the Colorado is a nice truck, and I can think of plenty of reasons to buy one over the other depending on what you need.

 

[Crosscut_Drifter]

I hear the 2023 Ranger is getting complete refresh. Potential 2.7 EcoBoost and styling to make it look like a F-150.

I do like the look of the current Ranger as they sell these all over the world and all sort of accessories for them.

I would love a removable canvas top and I like the tie down anchors on the bed for anchoring the bungie from the tarp down.

No, this Ranger is not North American, I wish it were.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Dang... a Hi Rider package.

Ford has been screwing us for years by not selling the Ranger here

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The complexity of a diesel engine was not my point in comment. In list, I only attribute reliability to the NA engine. Can we not spend the thread playing this game? My feeling is that the Ranger and Colorado are both great trucks, the Tacoma is overrated, and the Frontier is old. If you need any more proof that I like Ford Rangers, I own two vehicles, they're both Rangers. I also happen to think the Colorado is a nice truck, and I can think of plenty of reasons to buy one over the other depending on what you need.

Sorry I did not know I was playing a game.

I just found it amusing you seemed to ding the ranger for having an engine with a turbo while dinging it again for not having a more complex engine with a turbo. That is all.

 

[sgtsandman]

I hear the 2023 Ranger is getting complete refresh. Potential 2.7 EcoBoost and styling to make it look like a F-150.

I do like the look of the current Ranger as they sell these all over the world and all sort of accessories for them.

I would love a removable canvas top and I like the tie down anchors on the bed for anchoring the bungie from the tarp down.

No, this Ranger is not North American, I wish it were.

View attachment 60678

The current U.S. Ranger is ok. Ford had to Americanize the World Ranger, so it is what it is. I bought one. So, acceptable.

Supposedly, the replacement is going to be based off the Bronco platform, which does offer the 2.7 if I remember correctly. Being that the World Ranger has been around since around 2012, it is due for a refresh and using the Bronco platform follows Ford’s past practice with the Ranger in general and makes sense. The Ranger needs to be body on frame and the general frame size is about right.

Especially since Ford is bringing back the Courier based on a unit body frame to get back into the small truck market.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Actually that style of bed tie down is more a global thing than a North America thing too...