Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger has been America’s best-selling compact pickup for 17 years running. As a work truck, the Ford Ranger offers the driver the ability to carry a large amount of eqiupment through the Watertown region at affordable prices.
Available as a 4×2 Regular cab or 4×2 and 4×4 Supercab the Ranger is offered in four trims: XL, XLT, Sport and FX4 Off-Road. A 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine generates 143 horsepower and a 4.0-liter V6 engine produces 207 horsepower. Available transmissions include a standard five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic. The supercab is available as a two-door, or as a four-door with jump seats. A trailer hitch and safety features such as four-wheel anti-lock brakes and dual-stage front airbags are standard equipment.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck available in regular-cab and extended-cab (called SuperCab) body styles. Both are available in XL, XLT and Sport trim levels, while the SuperCab can also be had in the FX4 Off-Road trim. A 6-foot bed is standard on all cab styles and trims, but a 7-foot bed is optional on the regular-cab XL and XLT.
The XL is sparsely equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, a 60/40 front bench seat (vinyl with regular cab, cloth with SuperCab) and an AM/FM stereo. The XLT adds chrome exterior trim, air-conditioning, a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack. These items are optional on the XL. The Sport is similarly equipped but adds unique styling elements (such as a color-keyed grille surround and bumpers), a Class III trailer hitch, satellite radio and different wheels. The FX4 Off-Road adds two-tone paint, 16-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, heavy-duty shocks, a limited-slip rear axle, skid plates, full power accessories, keyless entry, bucket seats with a center console, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and cruise control.
Options on the XLT and Sport levels include bucket seats, leather upholstery, inward-facing fold-down jump seats (SuperCab only), full power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry, a tilt steering wheel and upgraded stereos.
Powertrains and Performance
The Ranger lineup offers a choice of inline-4 or V6 power. The base engine is a 2.3-liter inline-4 with 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. The available 4.0-liter V6 is rated for 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices include a standard five-speed manual and an optional five-speed automatic, and most models offer a choice of two- or four-wheel drive. Properly equipped, Rangers with the 4.0-liter V6 can pull a maximum of 6,000 pounds.
Fuel economy estimates range from 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for a 2WD Ranger with the 2.3-liter and five-speed manual drivetrain to 14/18/15 mpg for a 4WD Ranger with the 4.0-liter and five-speed automatic drivetrain.
Safety
The Ford Ranger comes standard with four-wheel antilock brakes, but features such as stability control and side curtain airbags are not available.
Interior Design and Special Features
The Ranger’s ergonomics are quite straightforward, with easy-to-use controls. Front-seat comfort is up to standard. SuperCabs can be equipped with an extra pair of access doors and small, inward-facing rear jump seats. These seats are appropriate only for children on short trips. For work purposes, the optional 7-foot bed is the longest available in the compact-truck market.
Stop into our Watertown Massachusetts dealer, near Boston and drive off in a Ford Ranger!