A Look Inside The New 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger is a rugged workhorse pick up, but with an added focus on family comfort and utility.  The ford ranger has changed its focus from a purely work truck to a more well-rounded vehicle.  It now focuses on being a comfortable passenger vehicle as well as a rugged workhorse.

The Ranger is a pickup that lifts well above its weight in a manner that is synonymous with the ford design philosophy.  The Ford Ranger offers a multitude of options to suit your needs.  The number of configuration possibilities for the 2020 Ranger is nearly dizzying.

The Ranger model line has an equal number of trims for the vehicle’s crew cab, so it is in line with Ford’s new focus on multi-role pickups.  Whether you’re looking for a dedicated trucking platform to use as a workhorse or a comfortable family carrier that can haul cargo, there is a Ranger suitable for your needs.

Lets focus on the XLT Trim. It is believed that this will be the mos popular trim level for 2020.  This trim level starts at an MSRP of $57,615

Performance Specs

The XLT features a 3.2L five-cylinder turbo diesel engine that can be paired with a manual or an automatic transmission.  This puts the XLT at somewhat less pulling power than the Volkswagen Amarok V6 or the Chevrolet Colorado.

When it comes to the all driving conditions with smooth and intuitive shifts, the 6-speed automatic gearbox performs exceptionally well.  It responds well to driver input, making quick power transitions when instructed to do so. There’s also an option for manual override.

Regarding towing capacity, the Ranger stacks up well to other pickups in its class.  It is estimated to be able to tow  3500kg.  This is the same as the Colorado, Isuzu D-Max, BT-50, and the HiLux.  When equipped with the crew-cab, It has a decently sized flatbed, but other options offer more room for cargo if you’re looking to maximize load space.

With Ford’s 4WD drive-train option and excellent ground clearance, it’s suspension provides a smooth drive both on and the off-road.  It has an even more remarkable off-road capability plus locking rear-differential and low-range gearbox.  The Ranger is capable of handling any terrain condition.

Safety Features

The Ranger XLT is outfitted with a respectable amount of standard entertainment and safety features.  However, Ford could have made the extra $800 Tech Package as standard, considering how much the vehicle cost.  The optional tech package includes a lane-keeping aid, lane-departure warning, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control and a driver impairment monitor to serve as a warning system when you are too tired to drive. Selecting this package will be a no-brainer for those who are already comfortable with the XLT’s price and feel as though they must have it.

Entertainment Features

The debut of the Sync 3 infotainment package, Ford’s easy-to-use entertainment software is one of the highlights of this year’s model.  When this software is coupled with the center-mounted 8-inch touchscreen panel, it provides a high-quality satellite navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto and of course a rear-mounted camera for reversing.  Available utility and convenience features include a digital instrument panel, dual-zone climate control, a handy 12V socket in the truck bed and a front and rear parking sensors.

Competition

When other leading vehicles were compared with the Ford Ranger, it  either meets or beats the competition.  The Ranger provided a good account of itself by giving high-end output to satisfy the vast majority of daily highway drivers and enough low-end power to be used as a workhorse.  However,  It is important to recognize that the exceptional Amarok V6 thoroughly overshadows it in the area of speed.

The Ranger doesn’t compete well with its higher-end rival when it comes to interior quality, which isn’t exactly a surprise.  The Volkswagen Amarok V6 has it beaten in design quality, with nicer seats and much sturdier (read: not plastic) paneling.  That doesn’t rule the Ranger out of the race, considering both vehicles compare favorably with each other when it comes to utility and comfort.

Although they have a shockingly similar dash layout, The Ranger boasts digital instrument panels on its interior dash layout while the Amarok does not.  The Ranger can comfortably accommodate two tall adults in its backseat and has more legroom.  With its wider bench, The Amarok is more cramped because of its shorter cabin size.  Both the Amarok and the Ranger have extra features like plugins for phone chargers, storage pockets, and much more.

As mentioned above, Ranger’s flatbed while not exactly tiny doesn’t have much available space either.  Ranger XLT’s is 1549mm deep and 1139mm wide at the wheel while the Amarok is 1555mm deep and 1222mm at the same point, which is the best in cargo space for that class. While not an enormous difference, if you need that extra bit of room for cargo, this may be the deciding factor.

Although it sits at the higher end of the price range, the Ranger XLT still cost less than the Amarok’s at its $60,000+ figure.

Fuel Efficiency

The Ranger XLT’s fuel efficiency is Up to 21 city / 26 highway, as claimed by Ford.  However, real-world tests clock it at 5-10% higher than the advertised value which is very good for its class.  The Ranger XLT now meets the Euro 5 emissions requirements and has an 80L tank.

Pros and Cons

It’s very likely this year’s model of The XLT will find itself making “best-of” lists for consumers and reviewers alike. It’s an absolute delight to drive, with plenty of power for a daily driver and it handles more like a compact SUV than a  pickup truck.  The XLT handles itself exceptionally well in both hauling and off-road conditions and especially when things get dirty, making it a fantastic multi-role vehicle for play and work.

Families will love the long list of useful features that the XLT has to offer as well as its wide interior space.  It’s safe enough to have peace of mind that it’s doing its best to keep you out of an accident as well as keep you comfortable enough on long drives.  You can comfortably seat three small children in the backseat (if you have kids), there are also charging places for their gizmos to keep them occupied.

The Ranger XLT is not entirely without its cons.  This biggest disadvantage is that it’s not exactly cheap. Although you’d be hard-pressed to convince yourself that the more expensive Amarok is, the better choice.  Also, the plastic-like interior can be a turn off for consumers, causing them to pick another pickup that offers a less “cheap” feel but still within the price range of the XLT. Ford could do much worse, as far as faults go.  The Ford Ranger is gearing to be a top-seller for pick-up style vehicle this year.