Topic: Test Drive: 2019 Ford Ranger

[DriverJeff]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

Sure.  Which do you like better?  As in, if you were offered the keys to both, but could only take one, which would it be?

And Why?

[Fobroader]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

What kind of skidplates do they have? Whats their axles ratios? Do they have proper recovery hooks?? What kind and how many bed tie downs do they have? Is there a limit on how much weight you can put on the tailgate?? Do they have a proper shifter or a dial 4x4 engaging system??

[DriverJeff]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

Sure.  Which do you like better?  As in, if you were offered the keys to both, but could only take one, which would it be?

And Why?

Well, all of that you can read about in a few weeks(?) on AutoTrader....     

[DriverJeff]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

What kind of skidplates do they have? Whats their axles ratios? Do they have proper recovery hooks?? What kind and how many bed tie downs do they have? Is there a limit on how much weight you can put on the tailgate?? Do they have a proper shifter or a dial 4x4 engaging system??

All good questions.  I'll get answers and anything I don't work into the review, I'll share on the forum. 

In fairness, it's a bit lop-sided from an off-roader's perspective since I've got the Taco TRD Pro, instead of the more comparable TRD Off-road (that lines up more with the FX4 Ranger)

[Fobroader]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

What kind of skidplates do they have? Whats their axles ratios? Do they have proper recovery hooks?? What kind and how many bed tie downs do they have? Is there a limit on how much weight you can put on the tailgate?? Do they have a proper shifter or a dial 4x4 engaging system??

All good questions.  I'll get answers and anything I don't work into the review, I'll share on the forum.

Thanks buddy!!

[ArticSteve]

Sure, here is a question: why does the Taco continue to have such a bizarre driving position?

Lack of competition.  Why consider change when something sells at top dollar and plants operate 24/7 for years.

The best thing about the Ranger is the pressure it puts on Toyota to get serious about common complaints that buyers just resign themselves to. 

[rrocket]

^^Because no one buys the Frontier?   

[OliverD]

^^Because no one buys the Frontier?   

I mean, it's no heavy hitter but somehow the Frontier had its best ever sales year in Canada in 2017, and in the U.S. it peaked in 2016 with 2018 being second highest.

[rrocket]

^^Because no one buys the Frontier?   

I mean, it's no heavy hitter but somehow the Frontier had its best ever sales year in Canada in 2017, and in the U.S. it peaked in 2016 with 2018 being second highest.

Like 80k units or something??

[OliverD]

Yeah I think it peaked a bit over 80k units.

[greengs]

Sure, here is a question: why does the Taco continue to have such a bizarre driving position?

They are attempting to address it for next model year with addition of height adjustable seats.

I drove a Lariat ranger last weekend.  The engine is a highlight for sure. I wish the Tacoma had something similar.  The negatives were extremely high bed sides, and back seat folds in one piece only. That's really strange.

As far as pricing, the Lariat Ranger vs Lariat F-150 the difference is about $15,000 msrp to msrp.  When people say pricing is similar, it really isn't, or you're not comparing like trims.  Yes the 2018 F-150 has big discounts but were are 3 months into 2019.  I am sure in March of 2020 leftover Rangers will be going for many thousands under msrp as well. 

[EV-Light]

I've got both the Ranger and the Taco in the driveway this week for a head-to-head.  If there are things you wanna know, ask away.

MPG please!!! TFL had a great comparo where the Ranger came ahead BUT no mention about mpg....


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[PJungnitsch]

Hard I know, but some thought to how serviceable they are, and how the mechanics compare. Does the Ford have a proven drivetrain? (ie 5.4 Triton type reliability or 5.0 Coyote type reliability?)

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Hard I know, but some thought to how serviceable they are, and how the mechanics compare. Does the Ford have a proven drivetrain? (ie 5.4 Triton type reliability or 5.0 Coyote type reliability?)

Well, the 2.3EB hasn't proven too reliable in the Focus RS. 

[Fobroader]

Hard I know, but some thought to how serviceable they are, and how the mechanics compare. Does the Ford have a proven drivetrain? (ie 5.4 Triton type reliability or 5.0 Coyote type reliability?)

Well, the 2.3EB hasn't proven too reliable in the Focus RS.

Yeah, open deck + lots of boost = no bueno.....

[EV-Light]

Hard I know, but some thought to how serviceable they are, and how the mechanics compare. Does the Ford have a proven drivetrain? (ie 5.4 Triton type reliability or 5.0 Coyote type reliability?)

Well, the 2.3EB hasn't proven too reliable in the Focus RS.

Before recall...

I do wonder how my engine will fair in the long term, but not concerned here since my dealer gave me a 5y warranty on it.

Not sure how this engine will fare in a heavy duty application as well such as this, might be ok short term.


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[DriverJeff]

^^Because no one buys the Frontier?   

Which is a serious shame.  The Nissan trucks -- while far from perfect -- are a screaming deal for people who need... well, you know... just a TRUCK and not a pseudo status machine or rolling tech centre. 

[Fobroader]

^^Because no one buys the Frontier?   

Which is a serious shame.  The Nissan trucks -- while far from perfect -- are a screaming deal for people who need... well, you know... just a TRUCK and not a pseudo status machine or rolling tech centre.

A buddy of mine had a Frontier, dated design, but damn did that little thing just work.

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[Great_Big_Abyss]

The frontier is now what the Ranger used to be.

Dated, cheap, but utilitarian and reliable

I'm surprised I don't see more of them around.  I would see tons of Rangers, precisely because of the reasons above.  I wonder if Nissan is pricing them competitively, or trying to match what the newer trucks are charging.