Ford returned with its midsize pickup with the launch of the 2020 Ford Ranger. It is a solid competitor to its rivals with superb towing & hauling capabilities, athletic performance, and highly comfortable cabins. In fact, it is a segment leader & a top-notch truck in many categories. The Ford Ranger is sold in many parts of the world; however, it’s new to North America. The 2020 Ford Ranger is available in SuperCrew (crew cab) and SuperCab (extended cab) styles, and it comes in Lariat, XLT, & XL trim levels. The 2020 version comes with upgrades, including a new FX2 Off-Road Package, a new pickup box extender option, and front parking sensors. Let’s explore more on 2020 Ford Ranger specs & features:

 

Performance

The 2020 Ford Ranger is equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. It puts out 310 pound-feet of torque and 270 horsepower. Acceleration is quick, and it powers you up whether you are towing a trailer down the highway or driving to work. The 2020 Ford Ranger gets 26 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city when equipped with rear-wheel drive. And, the ratings go to 24 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city with four-wheel drive. Riding and handling the Ranger is easy and comfortable with sharp steering. The ride is firmer as compared to other rivals like Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline. The off-road performance is pretty good. While it does not have off-road-oriented trim, there are optional packages, including crawl control, a terrain management system, a locking rear differential, special off-road tires, and an off-road-tuned suspension. The payload capacities lie somewhere between 1,560 to 1,860 pounds. The SuperCab & SuperCrew model comes with 6-ft and 5-ft beds, respectively. 

 

Interior & Comfort

The interior comfort and material are cut above, which you usually find in the midsize pickups. You get a feel and sense of style with the solid build quality, and a couple of switchgear is drawn from a standard component set. All the controls are functional and simple— the power window switch is located on the dashboard instead of the door panel, which is the only oddity. The 2020 Ford Ranger is equipped with comfortable front seats made with durable fabric. Like most mid-size trucks, the 2020 Ford Ranger SuperCrew’s back seat feels small for the adults. They are padded and fabric-wrapped, which helps your shins and knees rest well. The cabin design is a bit mediocre, which is particularly visible in the base trim. The family-friendly SuperCrew accommodates five people and has four full-size doors. And, the SuperCab offers seats for four with two smaller half-doors. There is ample room and wide door openings in both cab styles. 

 

Technology

The 2020 Ford Ranger technology update is a mixed bag. While there are a lot of active safety features, there are others that are a hindrance. For instance, the instrument cluster of the Lariat is quite challenging to handle while you are on the go. And, the bar graph tachometer is difficult to read. The infotainment technology does not feel as advanced as the buyers expect — Ford’s Sync 3 system has a slow loading time and the voice recognition system is not advanced either. However, the good thing about Sync 3 is that it is user-friendly, and the size of the 8-inch touchscreen looks good for the Ranger’s cabin. Also, the driver does not have to interact with the display very often because of the separate climate controls and stereo. The Sync 3 also has FordPass Connect services (like a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot), Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a FordPass App for Apple smartwatches and smartphones. The FordPass App supports both Waze & Alexa, along with remote door locking & remote engine operation. 

 

Key Competitors:

- 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

- 2021 Honda Ridgeline

- 2021 Nissan Frontier

 

What’s Your Final Call?

The 2020 Ford Ranger specs and features make it overall a good mid-sized truck. The turbocharged engine drives well even on rough roads, and it handles almost all driving situations. For the mid-sized pickups, the gas mileage is good. The front seats are comfortable, and there is enough leg- and head-room in the SuperCrew models. The infotainments are user-friendly, and there are many other available features. But it also has drawbacks— like the ride is not as comfortable. The 2020 Ford Ranger cabins look old-fashioned, and the material quality is not up-to-the-mark. A lot of infotainment features are missing. Look closely at every single aspect and make an informed decision.