2006 Ford Ranger Review
2006 Ford Ranger Review
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Used Ranger for sale
Appraise This CarFord Ranger model years
Ford Ranger types
- Regular Cab
- SuperCab
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Multiple trim levels and options, functional interior, solid off-road capability.
Cons
- Dated platform, weak engines, choppy ride, lack of modern features and amenities, no crew-cab body style or side airbags.
What’s new
The 2006 Ford Ranger pickup receives revised exterior trim and styling details. Available on both two- and four-door extended cabs this year, the FX4 model now comes with rubber flooring. Lastly, the Edge model has been renamed the Sport.
Edmunds says
Old, tired and completely outclassed by its competition, the 2006 Ford Ranger only deserves a look if you're content with a cheap price and passable performance.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$177/mo for Ranger XL
Ranger XL
vs
$233/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
After years of serving as a trim designation on the F-Series pickup, the Ford Ranger became a separate model when it replaced the Mazda-supplied Courier pickup with an in-house design in 1983. The Ranger quickly became the best-selling compact pickup and has dominated the segment ever since.
Today's Ford Ranger still rides on the same basic platform and structure as that 1983 original, though substantial revisions for 1989, 1993 and 1998 have kept the Ranger competitive. Demographically, buyers range widely, with Rangers serving for work, play or both. A wide range of trim levels and features makes it easy to configure the Ford truck according to your needs, unless of course you want a crew cab. The Ranger is still offered only in regular- and extended-cab (SuperCab) body styles.
After all these years, the Ford Ranger is still a decent truck for light-duty work needs, but competitors offer more spacious interiors and more refined driving dynamics. The Ranger does hold its own off-road when equipped with one of the FX4 packages. The cabin offers a user-friendly control layout, and the seats are acceptably comfortable, particularly with the optional leather upholstery. Out on the road, though, the Ranger's age becomes apparent. Acceleration is adequate on trucks equipped with the 207-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 engine, but ride quality, handling and braking are at the bottom of the class. Given that many competitors have recently redesigned the compact trucks in their lineups, the Ranger's over 20-year-old design just doesn't cut it anymore. Unless you're a die-hard Ford truck fan, we would recommend taking a pass on the 2006 Ford Ranger.
Performance & mpg
Three engine choices are available on the 2006 Ford Ranger. The base engine is a 2.3-liter inline four with 143 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Next up is a 3.0-liter V6 rated for 148 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the engine chart is a 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 rated for 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. Properly equipped, a 4.0-liter Ranger can tow up to 5,740 pounds. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic, and most models offer a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.
Safety
The Ford Ranger comes standard with four-wheel antilock brakes. Side airbags are not available. Two-wheel-drive SuperCabs received four stars (out of five) in NHTSA frontal- and side-impact crash tests. Regular-cab models earned a five-star side-impact rating.
Driving
The 2006 Ford Ranger pickup is a decent performer when equipped with the 4.0-liter V6, but it tends to feel underpowered with the 3.0-liter V6 or the base four-cylinder, especially if you get the automatic transmission. Rangers are quite capable off-road, especially when equipped with one of the FX4 packages. Ride and handling characteristics on pavement are tolerable, but when driven back-to-back with newer offerings from Dodge, GM, Nissan and Toyota, the Ranger's age shows.
Interior
Controls are easy to find and use, and the available white-faced gauges add a little extra style. SuperCabs can be equipped with small jump seats in the rear, suitable only for children or small adults.
2006 Ford Ranger models
The 2006 Ford Ranger is available in regular- or extended-cab (called SuperCab) body styles. Regular cabs can be ordered with either a 6- or a 7-foot bed. SuperCabs come only with a 6-footer and can be equipped with reverse-opening rear access doors. Trim levels include XL, STX, XLT, Sport and FX4. The XL is basic -- cloth upholstery and an AM/FM radio are among the few amenities. The STX and XLT are the next step up, and they're your ticket to the Power Equipment Group, which offers keyless entry and power windows, locks and mirrors. The Sport has body-color bumpers, while the XLT gets a more traditional chrome finish. Both have a CD player, but the Sport version is MP3-compatible. A Tremor package gets its name from its 510-watt Pioneer stereo system. Two versions of the FX4 are available: Off-Road and Level II. The Off-Road package includes heavy-duty shocks, skid plates, tow hooks, 16-inch all-terrain tires and a limited-slip rear axle. The Level II gets a Torsen limited-slip differential, Bilstein shocks, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and Alcoa wheels.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Ford Ranger.
5 star(52%)
4 star(37%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
56 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
It's a truck.
kdub989, 10/18/2012
2006 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
Bought mine used off Clist.
Love my truck!
The 4cyl isn't fast on steep grades but neither am I.
However, with the 4cyl and 5spd, I'm averaging 29.5mpg combined and 32.2mpg hwy and that's running the a/c and with a Leer canopy.
The truck is very quiet and comfortable that we prefer to take it on long road trips instead of our honda, subaru or dodge caliber.
Our ranger is a 2wd but I … installed a powertrax no-slip in the rear end and off road it's fantastic.
I've pulled a small utility trailer with 2 motorcycles on it with no problems.
I've had zero problems with our truck.
It handles well on windy twisty back roads and is a great truck for exploring those same roads.
4.88 out of 5 stars
FX4 Awesome to Drive
afmkolo79, 07/06/2006
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
Ok so I traded in a VW Jetta and got this truck. Friends of mine were like what am I thinking, but when we took it off-roading for the first time everyone was impressed! A friend has a Nissan Frontier (2006) and I was able to get through stuff and his frame was scrapping. So much for that wider body on the Frontier. I love this truck and the price for what I got was unbelievable. All … those people that complain about not having a crew cab, maybe you should consider a sedan 'cause trucks haul things not people.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Ford Ranger LEVEL 2
Dave, 07/10/2006
2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
I bought it for towing, off roading sometimes both at the same time. And I commute to work in it. It has performed flawlessly. Couldn't ask for a better truck, I would say it's even with Toyota with quality and fit and finish, except the Ranger is still small enough to run on the narrow trails in the mountains, and it's cheaper to purchase and operate.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Great Truck!
Terry, 12/29/2008
2006 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside LB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
I love the little truck. With a 4 cylinder engine, I can only wish that it had more torque. I shouldn't complain when I'm getting about 29 miles to a gallon on the highway.
2006 Ranger Highlights
Regular Cab
XL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,450 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $177/month |
Seating | 3 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 2,260 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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