2020 Ford Ranger Review
2020 Ford Ranger Review
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The Ranger seems like a competitive truck based on its specs and features list. But its ride quality and interior come across as carryovers from several years back, not something cooked up new to expressly serve the needs of U.S.-market customers in a competitive midsize-truck field.
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2020 Ford Ranger Review
byCameron Rogers
Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).
Pros
- Quick acceleration from powerful turbocharged engine
- Many available modern safety features
Cons
- Queasy ride quality over undulating pavement
- Limited in-cabin storage
- Not as capable off-road as rivals
- Infotainment system isn't the easiest to use
What's new
- Minor revisions to standard feature availability
- New FX2 off-road package
- Part of the fourth Ranger generation introduced for 2019
Overview
There was a lot of excitement surrounding the Ford Ranger's return to the American market last year. Unfortunately, that excitement turned to disappointment once we drove it. With an uncomfortable ride quality, limited interior storage space and awkward-to-use controls, the Ranger essentially brings up the rear of the midsize pickup truck market.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Ford Ranger XL 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$188/mo for Ranger XL
Ranger XL
vs
$240/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
This might seem odd considering Ford just introduced the truck. But the reality is this Ranger generation dates back nearly a decade in other markets. Ford did give it some new features as part of the U.S. debut, and the Ranger's turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers quick acceleration and one of the highest tow ratings in the class. But the Ranger just seems old in most other aspects.
If you don't plan on hauling a lot or venturing off-road, the Honda Ridgeline is a great pick. It offers the utility of a pickup with the all-day driving comfort of an SUV. At the other hand of the spectrum is the Jeep Gladiator. It's pricey but can tackle rocky terrain like no other. The Toyota Tacoma's off-road prowess and remarkable resale value can't be ignored, and neither can the aging but still effective Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins.
Even the Nissan Frontier, basic as it is, stands as a more competitive pick simply because of its lower price. In short, there's no compelling reason to consider the Ford Ranger over any of its many superior rivals.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Below Average
6.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Ranger seems like a competitive truck based on its specs and features list. But its ride quality and interior come across as carryovers from several years back, not something cooked up new to expressly serve the needs of U.S.-market customers in a competitive midsize-truck field.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
7.0/10
How does the Ranger drive? The Ranger has one main trick: a stout turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It doesn't make the most horsepower in the class, but it's not far off the mark. The result is a gutsy engine that delivers plenty of punch as long as you're in Sport mode. In Edmunds testing, our 4WD crew-cab test truck covered 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is quick for a midsize truck.
Beyond that, though, the Ranger stumbles. The 10-speed automatic is great in other Fords, but in the Ranger normal mode is unresponsive and slow to downshift. The steering is too light and numb, the suspension is unsettled in corners with bumps, and the nose dives significantly with sudden braking.
Beyond that, though, the Ranger stumbles. The 10-speed automatic is great in other Fords, but in the Ranger normal mode is unresponsive and slow to downshift. The steering is too light and numb, the suspension is unsettled in corners with bumps, and the nose dives significantly with sudden braking.
Comfort
6.5/10
How comfortable is the Ranger? Aspects of the Ranger's ride may be a deal-breaker for some. Even mild road undulations generate very springy and bouncy ride motions. This too soft, underdamped feel seems to amplify the size of certain bumps you pass over, and more than one of our passengers actually got queasy.
On the other hand, the front seats are nicely shaped, comfortably padded, and able to accommodate a variety of body types. The crew cab's rear seatbacks are a little more upright than we'd like, but they are otherwise acceptable. Wind, tire and road noise is nicely controlled. We found it hard to use the climate system. The four vents cannot be shut off individually, and the system has numerous small control buttons that are hard to distinguish.
On the other hand, the front seats are nicely shaped, comfortably padded, and able to accommodate a variety of body types. The crew cab's rear seatbacks are a little more upright than we'd like, but they are otherwise acceptable. Wind, tire and road noise is nicely controlled. We found it hard to use the climate system. The four vents cannot be shut off individually, and the system has numerous small control buttons that are hard to distinguish.
Interior
7.0/10
How’s the interior? The Ranger's front seats are roomy and easy to get in and out of. The driver's seat is nicely placed to reach the truck's controls and see over the hood, but some of our drivers found it difficult to find an ideal reclining angle for the seat. The tall bedsides constrain rear visibility.
The drawback to the Ranger's interior comes from the irritating switchgear. The controls are grouped well from an overall point of view, but their operation falls short at the end-user level. The total lack of hard infotainment controls and the climate system's many small buttons are two examples.
The drawback to the Ranger's interior comes from the irritating switchgear. The controls are grouped well from an overall point of view, but their operation falls short at the end-user level. The total lack of hard infotainment controls and the climate system's many small buttons are two examples.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? We like most of what the Ranger has to offer, especially if you buy an XLT or higher. Those come with multiple USB ports and the Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also standard at this level is the Co-Pilot360 suite of driving aids, which includes forward collision warning, lane keeping assistance and a blind-spot monitor.
But the touchscreen could stand a few shortcut buttons, and folks without a smartphone and reliable data service will need to opt for the Technology package to get built-in navigation. The Sync 3 system's voice commands work reliably, and they respond to many natural language commands to access music, radio stations and certain navigation functions.
But the touchscreen could stand a few shortcut buttons, and folks without a smartphone and reliable data service will need to opt for the Technology package to get built-in navigation. The Sync 3 system's voice commands work reliably, and they respond to many natural language commands to access music, radio stations and certain navigation functions.
Towing and Storage
6.0/10
How are the towing and storage? The Ranger posts strong towing and payload capacities. There are six tie-downs in the bed, and we appreciate how the central locking system includes the tailgate. But the tall bedsides can hamper loading, and the undamped tailgate and steel bed are rather plain offerings.
The Ranger comes up short on interior storage. You can't easily store stuff underneath the rear seat, and the fact that it's a one-piece bench makes it impossible to seat three in the rear with a portion of the seat flipped up for cargo. A small center console and door cubbies mean there's not much small-item storage either.
The Ranger comes up short on interior storage. You can't easily store stuff underneath the rear seat, and the fact that it's a one-piece bench makes it impossible to seat three in the rear with a portion of the seat flipped up for cargo. A small center console and door cubbies mean there's not much small-item storage either.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? On paper, the Ranger has the best gasoline fuel economy of the bunch. The EPA says you can expect 22 mpg in combined driving (20 city/24 highway) with 4WD. That's a little bit better than V6-equipped rival trucks. But past experience with other Ford turbocharged engines makes us wonder if this one will deliver that advantage in the real world. Our test truck's best observed tank was 20.9 mpg, but more investigation and seat time are needed.
Value
7.0/10
Is the Ranger a good value? The Ranger can end up getting a little expensive if you want a reasonably well-equipped model. That would be OK if we thought you got a lot in return, but the Ranger's interior, with its mediocre interior quality and dated design, doesn't help out here. Warranty coverage is in line with the rest of the class.
Wildcard
6.0/10
The Ranger doesn't necessarily live up to expectations. It posts some good marquee numbers, and it has a powerful engine. But these things can't really mask the fact that this is a hand-me-down truck that was new in 2011 in other world markets.
Which Ranger does Edmunds recommend?
If you decide the Ranger is the right truck for you, the XLT is undoubtedly the sweet spot between the sparsely equipped XL and the pricey Lariat. It comes with both of the XL's primary option packages, plus a handful of desirable luxury features. It also opens the doors to several packages that further add driver aids and passenger comfort features. There's nothing wrong with the base XL if you want to save some money, but we recommend adding the relatively inexpensive 101A package for its quality-of-life upgrades.
2020 Ford Ranger models
The 2020 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck available with two cab configurations: extended cab (SuperCab) with a 6-foot bed or a crew cab (SuperCrew) with a 5-foot bed. There are also three trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. All Rangers are equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft of torque) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The base Ranger XL is rather sparsely equipped, but there are some feature highlights. Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels, a manually locking tailgate, automatic headlights, air conditioning, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a four-speaker stereo system. Also included is forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
There are two core features packages for the XL. The 101A package adds a few desirable amenities, including cruise control, power mirrors, a larger central display screen and a six-speaker audio system. Buyers looking for modern driving aids will want to check out the Co-Pilot360 package, which gets you a blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and pedestrian detection for the forward collision warning system.
Next up is the XLT, which includes the XL's 101A and Co-Pilot360 packages. It further adds extras such as alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, a 110-volt power outlet, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The XLT has three additional option packages: 301A, 302A and Technology. The first two get you a variety of extra convenience features while the Technology adds a navigation system and adaptive cruise control.
The 301A package consists of the auto-dimming mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, and your choice of the Sport, Chrome or Black exterior appearance package. The 302A package includes the 301A fixings, plus remote engine start, a manual-sliding rear window, and power-adjustable and heated front seats. The Technology package requires at least the 301A package, and it adds front parking sensors, a navigation system and adaptive cruise control.
The top trim level for the Ranger is the Lariat, which includes almost all the features from the XLT's 302A package plus a few more upgrades such as LED headlights and leather upholstery. The Lariat's 501A package adds the Technology package plus remote engine start, automatic wipers, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
>Other notable packages for the Ranger include the FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages and the Trailer Tow package.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average
#4 out of 8 among Midsize Trucks
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Ranger from 2008-2022.$433/yr
vs. $451/yr
for Average Midsize Truck
for Average Midsize Truck
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1x/yr
vs. 0.79x/yr
for Average Midsize Truck
for Average Midsize Truck
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).12.1%
vs. 13.6%
for Average Midsize Truck
for Average Midsize Truck
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Ford Ranger.
5 star(59%)
4 star(19%)
3 star(6%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(6%)
49 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
One month review
NewRangerfan, 07/05/2020
2020 Ford Ranger Lariat 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
It’s been a month since I took delivery of a Lariat Crew Cab 4x2 and thought I’d write some first impressions before I forget. I’ve owned Platinum versions of the F150 and most recently the lowest model XL std cab version.
This appears to meet all I was asking for. A decent size small bed, room for 4 adults to sit comfortably, the latest safety tech and nice styling. One positive … surprise was finding Bridgestone dueler tires as std. These are much better than the crap tires that came with every F150 I bought.
The big negative was an obvious fitment issue with the hood and left fender. It overhangs the fender by a quarter inch with uneven gaps along both sides. Either the fender was installed incorrectly, the hood or both. Otherwise the paint and other exterior badging etc looks great.
The sticker did not show any Bed liner so I was less than thrilled to find a plastic dropin bed with huge round cutouts for access to tie down hooks. That’s getting removed and a spray on liner put down which in my opinion should be the standard for all beds. The location of the tie down hooks is another concern. The back of a short bed need tie downs close to the back wall so you can secure the bottom of ladders from tipping out.
Interior finish is nice, seats are comfortable and the dash laid out in a logical manner. I was disappointed to find manual seat back adjustments and manual steering wheel adjustment. I hoped the upscale Lariat version would have a power adjusted steering wheel with an easy access feature that comes with the F150 since it’s a smaller interior and tight fit getting into.
That actually is a bigger issue. The rubber seal at the door pillar is now shredded with a large hole in it. Part of the issue is the pillar and seal location and the other is the seal is very flimsy rubber that tears easily. The dealer has agreed to replace it, just waiting for the replacement part to arrive.
I’m in central Florida where the roads are level and smooth so no ride issues here. The engine seems well matched for the size of the truck which is an improvement over the F150 with the 6 cylinder Ecobust engine, Time will tell if the fuel economy meets expectations.
Update 4 days later. Surprise! The Radio is not an HD model so you can’t get the extra stations on them. Sound quality is also below average.
I’m finding the location of the headlight controls is poor. I keep hitting with my knee as I get in and out which changes the setting, there isn’t much resistance between settings so all it takes is a slight bump.
The Driver Assist Lane Keeping function is sporadic. Driving north on one street it works fine but when I come back driving South on the same street it turns itself off. It doesn’t work at all on another local street that’s clearly marked with lines. I realized it only works above 40mph so it doesn’t even turn on when the system recognizes the speed limit is under 40.
The good news is the system does recognize curbs when parking even though it’s a tall vehicle with lots of clearance. I wish my low sports car would do that.
An open question... if and when the software is updated will my truck get it automatically? Do I have to pay extra for any updates?
One more update. The dealer agreed to swap out the bed liner and do a spray liner. They dropped off a loaner which is an XLT version extended cab.
Good news is the dash display is better with a dedicated tachometer and speedometer. There’s a small center screen with variable data that makes much more sense than the layout for the Lariat.
Bad news, this truck has the same hood / fender figment issues. Apparently there’s a manufacturing flaw they’re repeating fairly consistently.
5 out of 5 stars
Great "little" truck
Jared, 07/20/2020
2020 Ford Ranger XLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
so far, I'm very impressed with my ranger xlt fx4. I'm convinced the bad "professional" reviews are from some sort of brand bias. The turbo lag was a little concerning for the first 1000 miles but once the break- in programming went away I couldn't be happier with how this truck runs. Plenty of power with smooth shifts on pavement and dirt. I'm not generally concerned about fuel mileage … out of pickup trucks but I do get 23 overall driving mostly on dirt and two lane roads. The fx4 package includes some nifty toys I'll never use, however it's pretty cool that the off road cruise control exists even if it's not my thing. The ride is excellent for a pickup with this much payload capacity, it barely rides like a truck at all. I suppose if you're lumping it in with sedans and luxury SUVs it is a little bumpy but if you're used to pickup trucks it's quite nice going down the road. Even better than the 2012 F150 I used to drive.
My extra cab has plenty of room for my 6'8" 260 lb frame. If you have older kids or like to run around with adult friends I would get the four door. The interior is nice without trying to be real fancy, which I like. There's lots of electronics that aren't too confusing for someone with a love- hate relationship with technology like me. It was fairly simple getting my phone to hook up, set up the Ford Pass and navigate through all the screens to find what I needed. It's easy to find the differential locker, switch in and out of for wheel drive and switch up the terrain management if needed. There's also both touchscreen and manual controls for the HVAC and radio, with radio and phone controls on the steering wheel as well. All the models come with crash mitigation systems which I've never been a fan of as a commercial driver but this system is so smart I didn't even think I had it turned on. It's not annoying at all, I have left it on but you can turn it off, which is a nice feature as well.
In short, I have owned and driven all manner of pickup trucks and SUV's, Broncos and jeeps and I absolutely love this truck. It is a joy to drive and is capable of doing its job as a pickup and a 4x4. I highly recommend despite if what the "professionals" say. Ford really knocked it out of the park with this thing, in my humble opinion.
5 out of 5 stars
Nice truck!
Joe Bike, 06/15/2020
2020 Ford Ranger Lariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
Always had F-150's till 2009 when I began driving a Lincoln MKS. Loved that care for 164,000 miles. Decided to go back to a truck. Didn't want to give up mileage so looked at the Ranger. The Lariat trim level made me feel like I was back in the Lincoln. (Only thing missing is ventilated front seats, which I miss living in Florida) I have to admit, I was not prepared for the ride … difference from the MKS. My wife reminds me it's a truck. The Off-road suspension package makes the ride stiffer than my friend's two wheel drive Ranger XLT. I went with the 4 x 4 because it allows flat (4 wheels down) towing behind my motorhome. The dealer had no 4 x 4's without the off road suspension package available. After three months, I'm used to the ride. I am amazed by the incredibly quick pick up from the 4 cylinder. The truck sounds futuristic because when it's being driven, you can hear the whir of the turbo-chargers. The truck handles well and has a surprisingly tight turning radius. I have pulled a 6700 lb trailer and the trailer package functions admirably, although I'm not sure I'd want to pull a trailer of that weight without electric trailer brakes. The pearl colored paint is awesome looking and reflects the Florida sun (and heat) well. The seats are comfortable, the ride is quiet, and the creature comforts abound. The 10 speed automatic transmission works flawlessly. Best highway mileage so far has been 25.6 mpg. Average mileage 19.7 mpg. Very pleased with the truck so far. Stereo system is only "good". Can't say "excellent." It would be nice if the Supercab was offered with a 6' bed.
5 out of 5 stars
Perfect truck for my needs
Doctor Art, 08/03/2020
2020 Ford Ranger XL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)
The 2020 Ford Ranger is ideal for my purposes. The powerplant is solid and it accelerates smoothly. The driving position is comfortable, and instrumentation is thoughtfully laid out. The auto off/on feature is something I have not made up my mind about thus far. I'm assuming it will save a little bit of fuel, but the shut down at traffic lights is hard to get used to. The good news of … course, you can disable this feature if you so desire. All in all, good fit and finish, and a nice truck for the money.
2020 Ranger Highlights
Crew Cab
XL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,810 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $188/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 7,500 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Ranger models:
- Forward and Reverse Sensing System
- Warns the driver of objects both in the front and the rear of the vehicle to prevent low-speed impacts.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Alerts the driver of an imminent front collision and can automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Lane Keeping System
- Emits a warning when there's a lane change without the activation of a turn signal and can provide steering input to keep the driver in the lane.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover29.2%
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