The 9 Best Ford Ranger Models of All-Time

It's safe to say that the Ford Ranger pickup truck is among the most well-known vehicles in the world. It all began in 1958 and has been going strong ever since. Since its inception in 1983, the pickup we know as the Ranger has undergone numerous revisions. You probably already know that there is a sizable subset of the population that is obsessed with the Ford Ranger to the point of wanting nothing else. Due to its robust construction, several of these remain in use today.

Although the widespread popularity of pickup trucks in the United States is no secret, their rapid spread across Europe and the rest of the world caught many by surprise. The Ranger has been the best-selling truck in the UK year after year, thanks in large part to its popularity among local consumers.

Its popularity is due in no small part to the fact that it is closely associated with the highest-selling vehicle in the world, the North American Ford F-150. Yes, it is true that it outsells every other pickup in its own nation, but it also ranks higher in popularity than any other car. It's large, reasonably priced, and has more street cred than anything short of an SUV. What does the Ranger have over the Mitsubishi L200, the Nissan Navara, and the Toyota Hilux? The smaller Ranger gives much of this attraction in a package that is somewhat better equipped to European roads.

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The Ford Ranger is certainly not a weakling, but it is the performance-oriented Ranger Raptor that commands the most attention. It evokes the same macho spirit as the F-150 Raptor, but it is powered by a diesel engine, making it more affordable to operate in Europe. Luxury trucks are becoming increasingly popular thanks to vehicles like the VW Amarok and the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which have brought opulent features to a segment that was formerly more at home on the worksite than it is on King's Road. Top models feature plenty of amenities.

Several Ford cars have shared the Ranger moniker since 1958. It all began in the 1960s with the iconic Edsel Ranger vehicle and continued in 1965 with the F-Series pickups as a model level name. The small pickup series was introduced in 1983, making the Ranger name synonymous with the cars we know today; by 2006, the Ranger moniker had been given to all compact pickups.

For the past few years, I've made it a point to study the evolution of this truck by seeking out and driving older models. You may observe how the Ford Ranger has changed over the years, from a basic ute vehicle to the capable truck/SUV it is now, by reading about it on Wikipedia.

Ford Ranger returned to the United States following its eight-year foreign deployment in 2018. The Ranger passed all of our tests with flying colours, but we were left wondering if this was finally the one we'd been waiting for. Aside from its engine, the Ranger drove like it was eight years old, with poor body control, a tiny, rental-grade interior, and subpar craftsmanship that didn't justify its price.

How Good Is the Ford Ranger?

The Ranger is an excellent pickup. It has a peppy turbocharged engine and is easy to manoeuvre around tight corners. And in terms of gas mileage, it's among the best in its class. The Ranger's interior features supportive front seats and, in the case of the SuperCrew, rear seats with sufficient space for people. There are a lot of options to choose from, and one of the easiest infotainment systems to operate is included.

All the wonderful stuff is out there. Here we will discuss the Ranger's flaws. Although the ride is firm, it is not unpleasant. The interior of the Ranger is old-fashioned and poorly made. The lack of commonplace forms of entertainment technology is also a drawback.

The Ford Ranger is a vehicle that competes head-on with the best in its class. Ford Philippines has made sure that all needs of purchasers are met by offering a full range of Blue Oval pickups, from the most basic to the most extreme, the Raptor. A couple of 2019 Ranger trim levels are right in the middle between the expectations and the reality of the Australian pickup truck market.

Ranger buyers can choose from eight different configurations, including manual, automatic, four-wheel-drive (4WD), and rear-wheel-drive versions across four distinct trim levels. This article could be just what you need if you're having trouble deciding between two options. Let's figure out which option strikes the optimum balance between cost and accessibility to modern conveniences.

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9. Ford Ranger 2WD 1988

Even though it was manufactured in 1988, this vehicle is as sturdy as ever. Indeed, it is still widely used by individuals all around the country. It sports a super cab design and a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. It also includes air conditioning and a five-speed manual transmission. That's a huge perk. Even though it won't break any speed records, this model is still good enough to rank tenth.

8. Ford Ranger 2WD 2000

For good reason, this tiny pickup vehicle was a top seller in 2000. Included in this one was a trail-head option bundle. That tricked onlookers into thinking the 2WD model was actually a 4WD car. All-terrain tyres measuring in at 16 inches in diameter are included. Fog lights are another option that motorists have, and they can be very helpful in rainy or snowy climates. This truck now rides more smoothly and comfortably thanks to an improved suspension.

7. Ford Ranger 4WD 2003

It was a pickup with a longer cab and a shorter bed. It has a two-door body style and a five-speed manual transmission. The mpg was good, averaging 19 for cities and 23 on the interstate. The truck is practical because it has enough for five people. The only problem is that it's going to be a really snug fit. Place two folks in here and have a relaxing ride to wherever you're going. The Ford Ranger is the eighth-best vehicle Ford has ever produced.

6. Ford Ranger 2010

The 2010 Ranger is a bargain in every respect. It cost less to operate than most other utes in its class and used less gas. It could be driven off-road and came in a 2WD form. It's a reliable pickup that has made its owners proud for decades. The leather seats were an available upgrade. There was also a high-tech Pioneer sound system, which was a big selling point.

5. Ford Ranger 2WD 2001

When the 2001 Ranger was being assembled, new sheet metal was used for the area just ahead of the windscreen. This resulted in a new, more compact appearance for the car. It had a sleek exterior and was a sporty-esque 2WD vehicle. The tyres are a generous 16 inches in diameter. Drivers have remarked that this feature gives the vehicle an intimidating appearance, like that of a 4WD. It comes with a longer cargo bed and a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Also included on this model was an anti-lock braking system. As of 2001, front passengers had the option of selecting between a 3-piece split bench seat or front bucket seats. Having that choice is a plus.

4. Ford Ranger 2008

As a result of these improvements, the Ford Ranger 2008 is often considered to be a top-tier vehicle. The front bumper of this vehicle has been upgraded and made more aerodynamic in comparison to preceding variants. With the 2008 model year, a smart anti-theft security system became standard, further benefiting owners. In addition to having the option between manual or automatic gearbox, it also had an audio-input jack included. This Ranger was customizable down to the last detail, with two cab configurations, three engine options, and two sets of 16-inch wheels to pick from.

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3. Ford Ranger 2011

A decade after its release, the Ford Ranger 2011 is still a best-seller. This pickup has two doors and an expanded cab. There's a lot of space in the bed, even with the added length, considering how compact the vehicle is. If you need to transport more than just freight, there are seats for five people inside.

 2. Ford Ranger 4WD 1999

The 1999 Ranger Pickup 4WD comes in at number two for best-selling pickups of this year. It is a conventional cab truck with a short bed and a five-speed manual transmission. This vehicle gets 22 mpg in cities and 27 mpg for highways, respectively.

1. Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Wildtrak models, on the higher end of the spectrum, cost between $71,990 and $92,990. Until the release of the Raptor in September 2018, these were the pinnacle of the blue-oval brand's offerings. The Wildtrak's 18-inch alloy wheels and 2.0-liter single turbo or turbo diesel engine are the most noticeable improvements.

Under the hood of both the XLS & XLT can be found 158 horsepower and 385 Nm torque. Furthermore, both are equipped with both manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. Ford has upgraded the Wildtrak models with a more capable and economical 10-speed automatic transmission, specifically the single turbo and Biturbo automatic models. Both automatic Wildtrak variants now feature enhanced power outputs thanks to the new transmission, with the Single-Turbo 4x2 AT now producing 178 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque and the Biturbo generating 210 hp and 500 Nm of torque.

The outside of the Wildtrak model is accented with London Gray, and it comes standard with a hoop sports-bar, roof rails, bed rails, Wildtrak scuff-plates, and a tailgate lock in addition to the standard equipment. These distinguishable exterior features set apart generic Rangers from the genuine article. The thrill of picking the Wildtrak, however, does not end there.

With standard features like GPS, Dual-zone EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control), smart keyless entry, and ambient lighting, the Wildtrak clearly outperforms the other two trims in terms of comfort and convenience. With the basic rear parking cams and an integrated rearview camera, this trim makes parking in reverse a breeze.

2 USB ports as well as a 230V inverter make it easier to stay wired. Front, side, and curtain airbags, together with hill-start assistance and seatbelt reminders, will make you feel more at ease.

When it comes to safety features, the top of the line Biturbo 4x4 AT has it all, including lane departure warning & keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, forwards collision warning with active park assist, autonomous emergency brakes, hill-descent control, and automatic high beam control. The driver's seat in the 8-way electrically adjustable version is a significant upgrade above the 6-way manually adjustable seating in the other versions.

The price of a new pickup truck is through the roof. Prices for a brand-new Ranger began at $6,203 in its debut year of manufacturing (1983), which works out to nearly $16,000 in today's money. A simple, honest, and reasonably priced work vehicle, the Ford Ranger XL ST-X 4x2 is important to consider despite its lack of frills if that's all you're after.

Is It Better to Buy a New or Used Ranger?

Due to the Ranger's recent reinstatement to Ford's lineup, finding a secondhand example may prove difficult. Because of the lack of significant changes for the 2020 model year, you can save money by purchasing a pre-owned Ranger if you can find one.

For 2020, the FX2 package has been expanded to include several off-road-oriented additions for rear-wheel-drive versions. Additionally, several features are swapped around between the 3 Ranger trim levels. The 2020 Ford is otherwise identical to the 2019 model.

Ford released a brand-new Ranger in 2019 to replace the model that had been in production for decades. The 2011 Ranger was the last generation of this truck sold before 2019.

Is It a Good Idea to Get a Ford Ranger?

Buyers can't go wrong with the Ranger. When compared to other tiny pickup trucks, this is among the most competent and versatile options available. However, there are a lot of great choices in this market, so do some research online before visiting a dealership. The Chevrolet Colorado & Toyota Tacoma are two competitive pickup trucks to the Ranger.

Conclusion

The Ranger pickup truck has come a long way since its beginnings in 1983. Despite being powered by a diesel engine, it manages to conjure the same masculine vibes as the F-150 Raptor. However, the smaller Ranger offers a lot of the same appeal in a package that is better suited to the roads of Europe. In 2018, after an overseas deployment of eight years, Ford Ranger was finally brought back home to the United States. The Ranger is a great pickup because of its agile handling and quick turbocharged engine in confined spaces.

You may pick from a wide variety of features, and the infotainment system is among the simplest to use. The Ford Ranger ranks as Ford's ninth greatest car overall. It's been a trusted pickup for decades, and its owners have nothing but praise for it. Compared to comparable pickup trucks in its class, the 2010 Ranger has lower operating costs and lower gas consumption. The Ford Ranger Pickup 4WD has been the year's second best-selling pickup.

Top-tier Ford Ranger Wildtrak models cost between $71,990 and $92,990. These were the apex of the blue-oval brand's products up until the debut of the Raptor in September of 2018. The XLS and XLT offer a choice between a manual and an automated 6-speed powertrain. A hoop sports bar, roof rails, bed rails, Wildtrak scuff plates, and a tailgate lock are all standard on the Wildtrak. Ford has added a more capable 10-speed automatic transmission to the Wildtrak vehicles.

Autonomous emergency braking, hill-descent control, automatic high beam management, and lane departure warning & keeping aid are just some of the features standard on the top-of-the-line Biturbo 4x4 AT. Ford discontinued the Ranger it had been making for decades and replaced it with a new model for 2019.

Content Summary

• It's safe to say that the Ford Ranger pickup truck is among the most well-known vehicles in the world.
• Since its inception in 1983, the pickup we know as the Ranger has undergone numerous revisions.
• The Ranger has been the best-selling truck in the UK year after year, thanks in large part to its popularity among local consumers.
• Several Ford cars have shared the Ranger moniker since 1958.
• Aside from its engine, the Ranger drove like it was eight years old, with poor body control, a tiny, rental-grade interior, and subpar craftsmanship that didn't justify its price.
• The interior of the Ranger is old-fashioned and poorly made.
• Ford Ranger 2WD 2001
• As a result of these improvements, the Ford Ranger 2008 is often considered to be a top-tier vehicle.
• Ford Ranger 2011A decade after its release, the Ford Ranger 2011 is still a best-seller.
• The 1999 Ranger Pickup 4WD comes in at number two for best-selling pickups of this year.
• Under the hood of both the XLS & XLT can be found 158 horsepower and 385 Nm torque.
• Ford has upgraded the Wildtrak models with a more capable and economical 10-speed automatic transmission, specifically the single turbo and Biturbo automatic models.
• Both automatic Wildtrak variants now feature enhanced power outputs thanks to the new transmission, with the Single-Turbo 4x2 AT now producing 178 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque and the Biturbo generating 210 hp and 500 Nm of torque.
• The outside of the Wildtrak model is accented with London Gray, and it comes standard with a hoop sports-bar, roof rails, bed rails, Wildtrak scuff-plates, and a tailgate lock in addition to the standard equipment.
• With standard features like GPS, Dual-zone EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control), smart keyless entry, and ambient lighting, the Wildtrak clearly outperforms the other two trims in terms of comfort and convenience.
• The price of a new pickup truck is through the roof.
• Because of the lack of significant changes for the 2020 model year, you can save money by purchasing a pre-owned Ranger if you can find one.
• Ford released a brand-new Ranger in 2019 to replace the model that had been in production for decades.