Ford Ranger III Regular Cab (facelift 2019) 2.0 EcoBlue (170 HP) 4x4

The Ford Ranger may be fairly new to the American market, but it has been around for a decade in other parts of the world. This may make it hard to justify against midsize truck rivals like the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado. Still, it's worth pointing out that the Ranger has received at least three significant facelifts since it was introduced in other parts of the world in 2011, so the pickup truck you see on US roads is the best possible version of the Ranger there is. To take the fight to the rest of the market, Ford offers the Ranger in a simple three-trim lineup, with just two cab styles available. A 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is also the only engine available, producing 270 hp and enabling it to tow up to 7,500 lbs.

While it shares the same basic structure as Rangers sold elsewhere, the American Ranger has several unique features that you won't find anywhere else in the world. Ford put the Ranger through a rigorous testing process before it went on sale here, but was it good enough? Can the Ranger hide its age well enough to make it an excellent pickup in 2021?

In true Ford fashion, the Ranger features several enhancements to keep it attractive to the buying public. The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-pot now comes as standard with auto start-stop technology, while the ten-speed automatic has been retained.

Four new colors have been added, and four colors have been axed. The STX Special Edition package now comes with 18-inch alloys, while 17-inch alloys are standard on the Tremor Off-Road package.

On the inside, the eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat has been downgraded to a six-way power-adjustable seat - this feature is standard on the XLT and Lariat. A 110V AC power outlet has been added as an optional extra on XL and XLT models. The XL now features dual-zone climate control if you add the optional SYNC3 infotainment system. Power-folding side mirrors with power glass are now standard on the XLT and Lariat.

On the tech side, the forward sensing system is now included in the Technology package. Simultaneously, the reverse sensing system is now available as an optional extra on XL and XLT models but standard on the Lariat.

Finally, there are some new packages aimed at particular customers for the new Ford Ranger lineup of trucks: the Tremor Off-Road Package and the STX Special Edition Package.

The Ranger is available in three trim levels and two body styles. Ford calls the 2-door extended cab the SuperCab, while the crew cab, or 4-door Ford Ranger, is called the SuperCrew. The extended cab has two doors and a six-foot bed, while the four-door crew cab has a five-foot bed. The entry-level XL has black plastic bumpers, wheel arches, door handles, mirrors, and a black grille, coupled with 16-inch steel wheels. The XLT adds body-color bumpers and arches, along with 17-inch alloys. The top-end Lariat includes LED lights all around, its model-specific grille, body-color mirrors, and 18-inch alloys.

The Ranger is only available with one engine, and it's a good one. While there are multiple engine options available in other parts of the world, only the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was deemed good enough for the USA. That's the main reason why we don't get the Raptor version of this truck, as it's available with a diesel engine only.

The engine is essentially a detuned version of the 2.3-liter unit used in the Mustang, and it's mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Even detuned, this engine feels lively and has good specs. It packs a 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft punch. That's good enough for a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than seven seconds based on independent testing. That's not bad for a pickup. It's slightly slower once you add the SuperCrew cab's weight and a part-time 4x4 system, but even then, it pulls strongly. All Rangers have a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs with the optional towing package fitted.

With ten ratios on offer, the gearbox isn't easily flummoxed. All 4x4 models are equipped with a part-time four-wheel-drive system, which means you can power either the rear axle or all four wheels. A low-range transfer case is also standard for those serious off-road obstacles.

The Ranger has some sporty potential, but it's not a sports car. It is fun on a daily basis, especially if you get a kick out of racing from one set of traffic lights to the next. It offers a perfect balance between everyday comfort and the ability to carry a load. It can feel on the floaty side, and it rolls a bit in the corners, but what pickup doesn't? The steering is light and provides little in the way of feedback, and that's perfectly fine for a pickup. It makes it much easier to maneuver around town.

Ford has a number of packages that allow you to tailor a Ranger to your specific needs. The FX2 Package, for example, adds some chunky off-road tires and a beefed-up suspension. The Sport Package gives you a Ranger more suited to tarmac driving, while the all-new Tremor Package aims to make the Ranger as off-road capable as possible. It adds a lifted suspension with dampers from Fox and 17-inch alloy wheels with off-road rubber.

The ambiance of the Ranger depends on the trim. In base models, you get cloth or vinyl upholstery, while top-spec models come with genuine leather. Unfortunately, there is one thing they all have in common: Hard plastics throughout the interior. Unfortunately, this is one thing Ford didn't focus on while preparing the Ranger for America. The base model is particularly bleak. Its infotainment screen is tiny, and its interior is fifty shades of gray. Equipment levels are adequate on the XLT and Lariat trims, however. The Ranger may not be as car-like as its rivals in this department, but it does at least feel as if it will last a long time.

The new Ranger is a practical option, even if you opt for the SuperCrew with the smaller, five-foot bed. The bed on this particular model is suitable for 43.3 cubic feet. You can load a pair of dirt bikes if you fold the tailgate down. The longer six-foot bed offers more practicality (51.8 cubes) and is the model to go for if you're after a workhorse rather than a leisure vehicle. Whichever model you choose, the Ranger has enough space for the adventurous. The SuperCab 4x2 has the best payload figure of 1,860 lbs.

The Ranger's cabin is on the small side, so packing space is limited. The center console and door cards are on the small side, but you do at least get cupholders for four people.

Price Range (MSRP): $24,820 - $39,035.