The Ford Ranger is a vehicle nameplate that has been used by the American carmaker Ford Motor Company on multiple pickup trucks worldwide. The nameplate has been used for distinct model lines of vehicles worldwide since 1982 from the compact and mid-size pickup categories. The Ford Ranger debuted as a compact pickup mainly sold in North America from 1982 for the 1983 model year, with later introductions in some South American countries. Between 1998 and 2011, the Ranger nameplate was also used for models developed by Mazda for sale outside the North American market.
History of the Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger North America (Compact Pickup; 1983–2012)
For the 1983 model year, Ford introduced the Ranger for the United States and Canada. The first compact pickup truck designed by Ford, the American-produced Ranger replaced the Mazda-produced Ford Courier. Produced across three generations using a single chassis architecture, the model line was marketed from 1983 to the 2012 model years (ending retail sales after the 2011 model year). The Ranger light-truck chassis architecture served as the basis for a wide range of vehicles over its production. Along with sharing body and powertrain components with the Ford Bronco II and Ford Explorer SUVs, the Ranger also shared components with the Ford Aerostar minivan and the Ford Explorer Sport Trac mid-size pickup truck. Through the use of rebadging, from 1994 to 2009, Mazda marketed the Ford Ranger in the United States and Canada as the Mazda B-Series (the reverse of the 1970s Ford Courier and also the reverse of the Ford Ranger outside of North America). While among the highest-selling vehicles in the compact segment for nearly its entire 29-year production, an overall decline in demand for compact trucks led to its discontinuation after the 2011 model year (a short 2012 run was produced for fleet sales). On December 22, 2011, the final Ford Ranger produced for North America was assembled at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant, the final vehicle assembled at the facility.
Ford Ranger (Mid-Size Pickup; 2019–Present)
For the 2019 model year, the Ranger returned to its model range in North America after an eight-year hiatus to slot below the F-Series. The first example was assembled on October 22, 2018. The first generation of the model line sold as a mid-size pickup truck, the fourth-generation Ranger is derived from the global-market Ranger T6 designed by Ford Australia with adaptations to accommodate US government regulations along with other modifications made to match local market demands. The current generation of the Ranger is offered in two configurations on a 127-inch wheelbase, including a 2+2-door SuperCab (6-foot bed) and a 4-door SuperCrew (5-foot bed). As of the current model, the two-door standard cab is not offered for sale in North America. The model line is produced by Ford at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
Ford Ranger (Mazda-based; 1998–2011)
In 1971, Ford entered the compact truck segment as it marketed the second-generation Mazda B series under the Ford Courier nameplate; the Courier was sold worldwide. In 1983, the Ranger replaced the Courier in North America, but Ford continued to source the Courier from Mazda for global markets into the 1990s, following the development of the B-Series model line. In 1998, Ford introduced the Ranger name on Mazda-sourced pickup trucks, however, the Courier name continued through 2006 in Australia and New Zealand. The first-generation Mazda-based Ranger was produced from 1998 to 2006, while the second generation was produced from 2006 to 2011; the latter was derived from the Mazda BT-50 (which replaced the Mazda B series). These Ranger models were sold in Asia, Australasia, Europe, Africa, and several Latin American markets.
Ford Ranger Double Cab
(2011–2015)
The third generation of the international version of the Ford Ranger was launched in 2011 in Australia. It was designed by Ford Australia and it also was sold in Europe. There was a completely new chassis for the 2011 Ranger or the T6 version as it was internally named. Destined for sale across five continents and more than 180 markets, Ford Ranger was offered as a complete family of compact trucks - with three different cab body styles, 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, two ride heights, and up to five trim levels, depending on the market. Three engines were available, including a 2.2L inline-four-cylinder and a 3.2L inline-five. For specific markets, there was also a new 2.5L Duratec four-cylinder gasoline engine that Ford says will have more power than its major competitors and is flex-fuel capable. For the transmission, the Ranger was offered in a 4x4 or 4x2 configuration, with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.
(2015–2018)
Ford introduced the T6 Ranger in 2011 and enhanced it several times, and made it compliant with the Euro 6d regulations after the 2015 facelift. Thanks to its vast experience in building pickups, it was no wonder that it became an absolute market leader in Europe. Even the best cars needed some upgrades from time to time, and Ford improved the T6 Ranger in 2015. Ford's design department worked hard to change the car's look. It lost the chrome-plated three-slat grille design, but it gained a massive black one instead. Inside, it was a completely new interior, with better materials and an SUV-like design. The SYNC 2 infotainment system adorned the top of the center stack. Under the hood, Ford offered the Ranger Double Cab with two engine choices: a 160 hp 2.2L and a 200 hp 3.2L inline-five. Both sent their power through a six-speed manual fitted as standard. The latter was available exclusively on the Wildtrak version.
2018–2021
After eight years, Ford Ranger returned to the U.S. market, trying to get back its place in the mid-size pickup segment. Instead of researching a completely new product, the blue-oval brand just adapted the European/Australian Ranger. While that version was good on markets where the regular F-150s looked like monster trucks, in the U.S. was less impressive. Its old chassis and inline-four engines had to deal with Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma, which was doing good on the U.S. market. But Ford knew it couldn't lose. With its SUV-like front fascia, enhanced by a skid plate under the bumper and LED daytime running lights on top of the headlights, the 2018 Ranger Double cab tried to be the family friend that could jump and help with anything. Inside, the carmaker installed a car-like dashboard with a SYNC infotainment system on top of the center stack. The instrument panel placed in front of the driver showed a center-mounted speedometer flanked by two TFT displays. The carmaker installed a 2.3L EcoBoost (turbocharged) gasoline engine paired as standard with a ten-speed automatic gearbox. Two other turbo-diesel versions were available as well, especially for the Canadian market.
2021–Present
Ford introduced the fourth generation of the Ranger lineup (the fifth including the North American model) in late 2021, even though its sales across Europe and other countries placed it at the top of its segment. Ford designed the 2021 Ranger with strong inspiration from its American siblings F-150 and the Bronco. Its C-shaped daytime running lights surrounded the outer sides of the headlights, which flanked the wide, massive grille. The carmaker placed a step integrated into the rear bumper at the back, which eased up the bed's access. Unlike in the previous versions, Ford stamped the Ranger nameplate onto the tailgate and integrated the third brake light. Inside, the carmaker placed a new SYNC4 infotainment system with an 8" touch screen (landscape mode) or a 12" unit (portrait mode) as an option. Under the hood, Ford announced a 2L turbodiesel available in two power outputs, or a V6 oil burner developed with Volkswagen. In addition, a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic was available, depending on the version and options. A 2.3L EcoBoost gasoline powerplant and a hybrid option were available in specific markets.
Price
In the Philippines, Ford Motor Company retails the 2023 Ford Ranger with a starting MSRP of ₱1,198,000 ($21,844) for the base Turbo XL 4x4 MT variant, rising to ₱1,885,000 ($34,370) for the top-spec Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 AT variant.
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo XL 4x4 MT - ₱1,198,000 ($21,844)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo XLS 4x2 MT - ₱1,198,000 ($21,843)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo XLS 4x2 AT - ₱1,278,000 ($23,30)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo XLT 4x2 AT - ₱1,374,000 ($25,052)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Sport 4x2 AT - ₱1,479,000 ($26,967)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Wildtrak 4x2 AT - ₱1,579,000 ($28,786)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Sport 4x4 AT - ₱1,599,000 ($29,150)
- Ford Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 AT - ₱1,885,000 ($34,370)
Features of the Ford Ranger
Exterior Features
The Ford Ranger is tougher and more stylish than ever thanks to an exterior overhaul. The midsize pickup truck sports a reworked front fascia with a bolder grille and new C-clamp headlights, which are either reflectors, multi-reflector LEDs, or matrix LEDs, depending on the trim level. Ford increased the Ranger's track and wheelbase by 50 mm each, giving the pickup truck a wider and more aggressive stance. At the rear, the Ranger features a redesigned truck bed that provides even more utility and convenience. There are new integrated side steps sitting behind the rear wheels for easier bed access. There's also a new plastic molded bed liner for worry-free cargo loading. Wheel options range from 16-inch steelies on the base model XL to 18-inch alloys for the Sport and Wildtrak variants. The front grille also carries different looks, with the Sport and Wildtrak getting unique painted accents. Models from XLT above get the daytime running lights (DRLs) and front fog lamps. The Sport and WIldtrak also feature an easy-lift tailgate.
Interior Features
Ford has redesigned the Ranger's cabin with versatility in mind. The interior can fit a variety of needs, whether it's for family use, city driving, or off-roading. Ford has moved most of the button controls to the central touchscreen, giving the Ranger a much cleaner and more sophisticated interior. The seats are fabric on the XL, XLT, and XLS, while the Sport and Wildtrak get a mix of leather and synthetic leather with variant-specific styling. Only the Wildtrak models get an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with the lower models getting 6-way or 4-way manual-adjustable front seats. The Ford Ranger still seats five people maximum.
Specs and Performance of the Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger body-on-frame pickup truck rides on Ford's T6 platform that is shared with the Everest midsize SUV. The Ranger is available in either rear-wheel-drive or with a 4x4 configuration, depending on the variant. There are two available powertrain options for the local-spec Ford Ranger. The lower-performance engine is a 2.0L Single-Turbo EcoBlue diesel engine with 170 hp at 3,500 RPM and 405 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 RPM. This power plant shifts with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The higher-spec motor comes in the form of a 2.0L Bi-Turbo EcoBlue diesel engine that delivers 210 hp at 3,750 RPM and 500 Nm of torque from 1,750 to 2,000 RPM. This engine, along with the 10-speed automatic transmission and an electronic rear-locking differential, is exclusive to the Wildtrak 4x4 model.
Release Date
Ford Motor Company has been producing and using the Ford Ranger nameplate on multiple model lines of pickup trucks since 1982. The 2023 Ford Ranger was released in late 2022.