Daily Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know About the 2019 Ranger
With the debut of the Ranger at the Detroit Auto Show, there is a bevy of information to go along with the truck. Check out the slides to learn everything there is about the return of the Ranger.
Welcome back
After seven long years, Ford has brought back the Ranger to our great states and returning to the mid-size truck segment. The truck will go on sale in the first quarter of 2019 and is based on the global Ranger platform that is sold all over the world. However, while the platform is the same, the North American spec will have certain styling, features, and powertrain mods that will be just for us. If you are in the market for a smaller truck, the 2019 Ranger will very likely be the best one that you can buy.
The U.S. spec Ranger has been given the design language of being Built Ford Tough with a more robust grille, a twin power dome hood, high beltline, and a short front overhang.
>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 Ranger right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Move over
When the last U.S. Ranger was shown the door in 2011 it had been on a decade-long sales decline for what was formally the best-selling compact pickup in America. In that time the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Canyon and Honda Ridgeline have made the segment quite a profitable place... but now the king is back for the crown.
For those who couldn't attend the Detroit show, the Ranger is Colorado-sized with a single wheelbase accommodating SuperCab and SuperCrew cab styles. The SuperCab will get a 6-foot bed longer wheelbase and the SuperCrew will get the 5-foot shorter one.
>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 Ranger right here in Ford-trucks.com.
What's under the hood
Right from the start, the new Ranger will come equipped with a new engine and transmission that will differentiate the blue oval from competitors in the mid-size segment. Under the hood will be a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a ten-speed automatic transmission that will allow the truck to tow better while also being more fuel-efficient than rivals. Sadly, there will be no manual transmission on tap for those who like to row their own gears.
The EcoBoost 2.3-liter engine has been passed over from the Mustang, but Ford hasn't released any numbers as of yet for performance. In the Mustang that powerplant makes 310 horsepower and 350-lb-feet of torque. The nice part about this is that even if the engine gets tweaked to generate a broader build over the powerband, the truck will still be more powerful than the Tacoma and Colorado-GMC Canyon. The 10-speed powertrain will be the only one available at launch and will the most advanced tech in a truck that could possibly start around $20,000.
>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 Ranger right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Handling whatever gets thrown at it
The truck will come in both two and four-wheel drive versions and come in entry-level XL, mid-level XLT, and the fancy Lariat trim levels. For lovers of the off-road, there will be packages for both the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models on any trim level: the FX2 or FX4. Both designations include an electronically locking Dana rear differential, three functional steel skid plates mounted to the frame, off-road tuned shocks, and all-terrain tires. The FX4 also has F-150 Raptor inspired Terrain Managment system that will allow drivers to lock in throttle response, transmission settings, and terrain control intervention in order to tackle conditions like grass, gravel, snow, mud, and sand. All of the four-wheel-drive Rangers will have hill-descent control and low range gearing. One more treat for FX4 Ranger buyers will be "Trail Control" that works like cruise control for off-road driving. The tech can handle throttle and brake control for the driver while traversing difficult terrain leaving only steering to be focused on.
>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 Ranger right here in Ford-trucks.com.
Creature comforts
The Ranger will come equipped with all the modern equipment such as the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Andriod Auto, Amazon's personal assistant Alexa, and navigation. FordPass Connect service will supply occupants with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi enabled hotspot for up to 10 gadgets, and a premium Harmon B & O play sound system will be available.
Safety tech will include automatic emergency braking will be standard equipment on the base level Ranger XL. The Ranger XLT and included will be lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, reverse sensing system and blind spot monitoring that will cover a towed trailer to warn the driver of other vehicles up to 35 feet behind the truck. Lariat trim will be equipped with adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning system that comes with pedestrian detection.
>>Join the conversation about the new 2019 Ranger right here in Ford-trucks.com.
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