Road Tests: Long-Term Test

We're 10 months into our Ranger experience and the truck shows no signs of excessive wear and tear (except for the continuing decomposition of the side steps and bedliner). The red paint is still as bright and attractive as the day we brought it home, and the handsome interior still has staffers raving.

Managing editor Grant Whitmore is convinced that the Ranger's thoughtful interior is the number-one reason the truck sells so well. He commented on the well-placed controls, excellent visibility, comfortable seats and roomy cab. He was also impressed by the quality of sound coming from the Ranger's AM/FM/CD player and the use of high-grade materials on the seats, door panels and dash. In his words, "These standards are not matched by any other small pickup I've driven."

One problem Grant did have with our Ford was the amount of noise coming from the truck's rear suspension. It is particularly noticeable when loading cargo into or out of the bed, with the truck "squealing like a pig" as it rocks back and forth on its springs. Since it just had its 10,000-mile service, we can only assume that a suspension lube isn't part of the service (or it is, and wasn't performed).

Drivetrain comments centered on the adequate power the truck has and its ability to spin the rear tires when the road surface is less than perfectly dry. Extra care must be taken during inclement weather to keep the back of the truck in line with the front. An interesting note was made about the Ranger's five-speed automatic. Since second gear is relatively short, the tranny tends to shift excessively during around-town driving. This trait isn't really annoying, but if you are the type of driver who pays attention to what gear your vehicle is in, you'll quickly notice it.

Both our managing editor and our vice president, Lev Stark, agree that the Ranger's raised perspective adds to the driving experience. While not quite as high as some full-sized SUVs, the small Ford still towers over the majority of vehicles on the road, adding to driver confidence.

The rear seats in the Ranger saw duty twice in the month of June, though neither time did it involve more than a single passenger. One of our managing editor's adult friends rode back there, as did our vice president's 13-year-old niece. Both times the rear-seat accommodations proved adequate, leading us to decide that although the Ranger isn't a four-person vehicle realistically, an argument can be made for it as a fully functional three-person truck.

Time marches on, yet the Ranger continues to age gracefully. As a functional cargo (or three-person) hauler, this compact Ford has plenty to offer in terms of looks, comfort, quality and value. We wonder how many SUV buyers could save some money and still get by with an extended-cab Ranger.

Total Odometer Reading: 13,135
Best Fuel Economy: 17.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.3 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $0
Maintenance Costs: $0