Pickup trucks are incredibly popular these days, making it a good time to introduce new models or bring back those that were discontinued. The mid-size Ford Ranger got its chance when it returned for the 2019 model year after an eight-year absence. Fans of the original Ranger were excited to see it back on sale, but this isn’t the Ranger of old.
This is an all-new Ranger. It has bold, rugged styling in line with today’s crop of trucks, along with upgrades that make if far better than the truck you may remember. Here are 10 things to know about the 2020 Ford Ranger.
Pickup trucks are incredibly popular these days, making it a good time to introduce new models or bring back those that were discontinued. The mid-size Ford Ranger got its chance when it returned for the 2019 model year after an eight-year absence. Fans of the original Ranger were excited to see it back on sale, but this isn’t the Ranger of old.
This is an all-new Ranger. It has bold, rugged styling in line with today’s crop of trucks, along with upgrades that make if far better than the truck you may remember. Here are 10 things to know about the 2020 Ford Ranger.
1. There’s only one powertrain.
Power for the 2020 Ford Ranger comes from a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo engine with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That’s the best gas-powered torque rating in its class, making this mid-size pickup truck more responsive and more capable than you might expect. The engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger for maximum responsiveness with minimal turbo lag so you can simply enjoy the drive.
That engine is paired to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission. It provides fast, smooth shifts that make good use of the engine’s power. Whether you’re making your way through the morning commute or heading off for a weekend off-road adventure, the Ranger has the power you need to do the job with ease.
2. It gets fuel economy that’s easy on your wallet.
The 2020 Ford Ranger gets good fuel economy, so it’s easy on your budget — even if you have a lengthy commute or long-distance road trips in your future.
When equipped with rear-wheel drive, the Ranger gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those numbers drop slightly with four-wheel drive to 20 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. (Keep in mind that adding a heavy payload or a towing a trailer will drop those numbers further depending on driving conditions.) Regardless of which version of the Ranger you choose, it offers good fuel economy for the segment at a starting price that comes in below competitive models, making it a budget-friendly option.
3. It has an impressive maximum tow rating.
In addition to having a bed that you can fill with all manner of stuff, pickup trucks have the bonus of being able to tow. This makes them a great option for those who need to take along something that’s too bulky to fit inside the bed or in an SUV. While the highest towing numbers come from full-size and heavy-duty trucks, not everyone needs over-the-top tow ratings to manage their cargo.
The 2020 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, so things like boats and ATVs can easily come along for the ride. It also has a best-in-class payload rating of up to 1,860 pounds for handling smaller cargo that doesn’t need to sit on a trailer.
4. You choose among three trim levels.
While mid-size trucks can have a range of trims and configurations that can be confusing, the 2020 Ford Ranger keeps things simple with just three trim levels. The base Ranger XL starts at $24,410 with standard features that include manually adjustable front seats, one USB port, and four-speaker audio. The mid-range XLT at $28,460 adds standard Sync 3 infotainment with a six-speaker audio system. The Lariat sits at the top of the Ranger lineup, priced at $32,500 with eight-way power front seats and leather seating surfaces.
Aside from picking a trim with the amenities you want, every trim is available in two body styles: a SuperCrew with a 5-foot bed and seating for five or a SuperCab and a 6-foot bed with room for four passengers. While rear-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is optional across the lineup. The simplified offering of the Ford Ranger makes it easier to figure out which is best for your needs.
5. There’s a new off-road package this year.
Those who off-road previously had only one option with the FX4 package, which is available only on four-wheel drive versions of the Ranger. This adds specially tuned shocks, off-road tires, an electronic-locking rear differential, and an exposed steel front bash plate and skid plates to protect the electric power-assist steering motor, transfer case, and fuel tank. Inside, the system displays information about the truck’s pitch, roll, and steering angle. The Terrain Management System and Trail Control are also a part of this package.
New this year exclusively for rear-wheel drive Rangers is the FX2 off-road package. It adds a smaller group of off-road features for those who don’t need quite the same capability. It includes an electronic-locking rear differential, off-road tires, off-road-tuned suspension, and an off-road screen cluster that helps make navigating more challenging surfaces easier.
6. It has serious off-road capability.
The 2020 Ford Ranger offers several features that make it ready for off-road adventure. It has a high-strength steel frame, steel frame-mounted bumpers, and off-road chassis components to withstand the rigors of off-road driving. Shifting to four-wheel drive requires only the turn of a dial and you can choose from four-high or four-low for more challenging conditions. The Terrain Management System, which is included in the FX4 package, has selectable driving modes — normal, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, and sand — so you can tailor vehicle responses to current conditions.
There’s also Trail Control, which is again included in the FX4 package. Think of it as off-road cruise control. It manages throttle and braking at each wheel and maintains a constant speed. This lets you concentrate on steering so it’s easier to tackle rugged terrain.
7. Sync 3 infotainment is not available on the base trim.
Infotainment is an increasingly important part of today’s vehicles. The Ford Ranger offers a range of standard and available infotainment features across the lineup with a simplified offering for the base trim. The XL includes AM/FM with four-speaker audio and Sync infotainment as an option only.
The XLT takes a leap forward with standard Sync 3 infotainment. This adds a six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Sirius XM, and an 8-inch touchscreen. It also allows for the option of navigation and includes two USB charging ports. The top Lariat has the same Sync 3 system that’s on the XLT but adds extra infotainment options. These include a 10-speaker audio system or a premium B&O sound system, both of which are available only on SuperCrew models.
8. FordPass Connect is standard.
In addition to the connectivity offered through Sync 3, the 2020 Ford Ranger comes standard with FordPass Connect. This adds Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity for up to 10 devices and works within 50 feet of the vehicle. It lets you stay connected even if you step outside or need to get some work done while you’re sitting on the open tailgate.
The system also lets you access select vehicle features from a smartphone app. These include start/stop, lock/unlock, remote start scheduling, vehicle location, fuel levels, and even current mileage. The app also lets you keep track of Wi-Fi data usage so you’re sure to stay within your selected plan. The Ranger offers the connectivity you need for you and your passengers no matter where you roam.
9. Automatic emergency braking is a standard feature.
The 2020 Ford Ranger has a good range of standard safety features. On the list is pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. This detects vehicles or pedestrians in the car’s path and issues a visual and audible alert as a warning to slow down. If you don’t take corrective action, the system can automatically apply the brakes. It’s a safety feature that’s been shown to significantly reduce collisions and it’s standard on even the base trim of the 2020 Ford Ranger.
Available standard safety features include curve control and trailer sway control. Available on select trims are front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic alert and trailer monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and trail control with hill descent control.
10. There are lots of available appearance packages.
There are multiple appearance packages that can be added to your Ranger depending on whether you want a more rugged look or something more upscale and refined. The XL Chrome Appearance Package gives the base Ranger extra appeal with chrome bumpers, fog lamps, black tow hooks, and body-color wheel lip molding. The XLT gets its own version of this package that includes chrome tow hooks and chrome exhaust tips.
The XL STX Appearance Package gives the Ranger a bolder look with 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, fog lamps, a box decal, two hooks, and premium cloth four-way Ebony Black seats. The Black Appearance Package adds a long list of features including 18-inch Black painted aluminum wheels with black center caps, black running boards, a body-color front bumper, black sill plates, a black grille, and a spray-in bed liner for the XLT and the Lariat trims.
