After driving cars my entire life, I would finally like to get myself a compact 4 wheel drive vehicle. Has anyone out there owned both vehicles mentioned above and could shedd some light on which one they were happier with?? The vehicle won't see much off-road action. I've just always wanted a 4-wheel drive and want to drive a more rugged vehicle. While I know that the longer wheelbase on the Ranger will allow it to ride more smoothly, everyone I know that owns a Wrangler loves (must be a jeep thing) it and those that knock them, it seems has never owned one. Slightly more passenger space in the Wrangler but more cargo space in the Ranger. That point aside, any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Personally, I would go with the Ranger.

I have a Ranger with the off-road package and let me tell you, it doesn't ride like a dream either. Any vehicle with the off-road package will have stiff shocks, and therefore will ride like a log wagon on the highway. So if you are concerned about the ride quality, and you won't be off-road much, I would get a Ranger 4x4 that does NOT have the off-road package if I were you. Just my opinion.

Also, the Ranger will be safer, may be cheaper to insure (not certain on that), will look better (in my opinion), and I think you'll find it more useful because with the supercab you still have interior space to throw your stuff in the back like a Jeep, but you also have a 6-foot bed to haul things in. The Ranger is a more refined, more useful vehicle that is still rugged and in 4-wheel drive form will get you anywhere you want to go. I've heard stories of Rangers pulling Jeeps out of muddy situations before...

Whatever you decide, I think you'll instantly fall in love with your new truck, and you probably won't drive a car again. I have been there myself...and I'm not going back to a car anymore. A truck just feels more secure, and is much more useful. Goodluck...

 

I think that you'll come to find that the ranger will out perform any wrangler in handling, towing, overall ride, side impact safety as well as frontal, and just overall durability.

As I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota, there are a lot of jeeps and they are excelent for rock climbing and such. But the minute the snow flys, 90% are parked because they just can't get around in snow worth a dam (wheel base has alot to do with this). Another reson that most of them are parked, is because when it gets icy here, they tend to end up in roll overs.

my .02

super