Ford Ranger 2019 - Pretender To The Throne

The Ford Ranger returns for 2019, but will it regain the small-truck Ccrown?

- Brett T. Evans

The last brand-new Ford Ranger sold in the U.S. was a ’12 model, the final in a line of trucks whose bones dated back nearly 20 years. When it was discontinued, the compact Ranger was thoroughly outclassed by its midsize competitors, some of whom had seen two or three redesigns since the Ranger’s most recent. But its simplicity and long production run ensured the Ranger would retain a robust enthusiast following even after it was canceled.

In the ensuing years, the cheap and cheerful Ranger abdicated the small-truck sales crown it had dominated for decades, allowing the Toyota Tacoma to take the throne. Since 2012, the truck market has changed significantly: While fullsize pickups will probably always reign supreme, the success of the new-for-’15 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon and the evergreen popularity of the Toyota Tacoma have convinced Ford that there’s a market for people who are willing to sacrifice size and outright capability for a cheaper, more maneuverable package. Enter the ’19 Ranger.

When it was revealed at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, rumors ran wild about the new Ranger: Would it offer one of the F-150’s EcoBoost V-6s or its 3.3L naturally aspirated mill as options? Would a manual transmission be available? How much would it be able to tow? Our imaginations ran wild, let down somewhat when Ford later announced the Ranger would come with one engine and transmission combo: a 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 descended from the base Mustang engine, mated to Ford’s fine 10R80 10-speed automatic gearbox. In a market segment where most retail pickups are sold with six-pot motors, would Ford’s single engine option—a four-cylinder, no less—be good enough to run with its competitors?

In one word: Yes.