2011 Ford Ranger Review
2011 Ford Ranger Review





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Used Ranger for sale
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2011 Ford Ranger appraisal values can range from $5,128 - $9,788.
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy
- smaller dimensions make for better maneuverability.
Cons
- Dated interior design
- ridiculously cramped jump seats in SuperCab models
- choppy ride, subpar handling and braking
- many desirable features not even offered.
What’s new
There are no significant changes for the 2011 Ford Ranger.
Edmunds says
The 2011 Ford Ranger may have an affordable starting price and decent fuel economy going for it, but its dated design and cramped passenger cabin just can't compete with its more modern rivals.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2011 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 $3.76 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$194/mo
Ranger XL
vs
$271/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
We've all heard the fondly spoken cliché about something being "an oldie but a goodie." But sometimes an oldie is, well, just old, with little "good" to recommend it. A prime example would be the 2011 Ford Ranger.
Ford's compact pickup truck has gone more than a decade without a major redesign, which makes this truck positively geriatric when it comes to the automotive world and even dated by truck standards. While there have been updates to this fourth-generation model – the 2010 Ranger (finally) got electronic stability control and side-impact airbags, for instance -- the Ranger doesn't measure up to the competition in several important areas.
The biggest drawback is the 2011 Ford Ranger's dated design. Because of a comparatively small size and lack of a four-door crew cab model with forward-facing rear seats, the Ranger is hard to recommend to anyone but business owners. Such buyers might appreciate the Ranger's low price and relatively decent fuel economy, but they'll still be disappointed by a lack of features. For example, the Ranger is one of only a handful of Ford vehicles that still lack the company's new technological features like the Sync hands-free system or the contractor-friendly Work Solutions.
While we're waiting for Ford to introduce the next-generation Ranger, we suggest shoppers looking for a compact pickup check out the larger and more refined 2011 Nissan Frontier and 2011 Toyota Tacoma. Commercial users may also want to consider the new Ford Transit Connect van, which offers better fuel economy than V6-powered Ranger models and significantly better cargo capacity.
Performance & mpg
The 2011 Ford Ranger comes standard with a 2.3-liter inline-4 that produces 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a five-speed automatic is optional. This engine is only available with rear-wheel drive. EPA estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with the manual and 19/24/21 with the automatic.
The available 4.0-liter V6 (an option on XLT and standard on Sport) yields 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual are standard, with four-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic available separately. Fuel economy ranges from 15/21/17 with rear drive and the manual to 14/18/15 on the 4X4 with the automatic.
Safety
The 2011 Ford Ranger comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and stability control. Side curtain airbags are not available.
In government crash testing, the Ranger earned a top five-star rating for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for front passenger protection. Side-impact protection for the front passengers also got five stars.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash tests, the Ranger earned an "Acceptable" rating (the second highest on a scale of four) and a top "Good" rating for side impacts on SuperCab models equipped with side-impact airbags. The IIHS also noted that the SuperCab's inward-facing rear jump seats are "not recommended for safe transport."
Driving
The 2011 Ford Ranger offers acceptable acceleration with the 4.0-liter V6 under the hood, though its giddy-up pales in comparison to its competitors. Opt for the 143-hp four-cylinder engine and you'll get relatively good fuel economy but relatively pokey performance.
Ride and handling seem good enough until you drive the Ranger back to back with more up-to-date models from Dodge, GM, Nissan and Toyota, at which point the truck's choppy ride and subpar handling and braking become readily apparent.
Interior
The Ranger's interior hasn't had a significant makeover in more than a decade. What it lacks in style it makes up for with straightforward ergonomics, including simple user-friendly controls. The front seats are comfortable enough for most folks, though taller drivers will feel a little cramped.
SuperCab models can be had with a pair of rear-seat access doors and small, inward-facing rear jump seats. While these fold-down perches will accommodate a couple of young children or even a flexible adult for short jaunts, they're no place to put anyone whose comfort or safety you care about.
2011 Ford Ranger models
The 2011 Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck available in regular-cab and extended-cab (SuperCab) body styles. Both are available in XL, XLT and Sport trim levels. A 6-foot bed is standard on all cab styles and trims (though a 7-foot bed is optional for fleet buyers on the XL regular cab model).
The XL is sparsely equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, a trailer hitch, a 60/40 front bench seat, vinyl (cloth on the SuperCab) upholstery, air-conditioning and an AM/FM stereo. The XLT gets foglamps, upgraded exterior trim, cloth upholstery (regular cab), full power accessories, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel and an upgraded stereo with CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The XLT 4X4 includes 15-inch alloy wheels, heavy-duty shock absorbers and tow hooks. The Ranger Sport receives upgraded wheels (16-inch alloys on 4x4 models), a full-size spare tire, heavy-duty gas shocks (SuperCab), skid plates (SuperCab 4x4 models only), sidestep bars, bucket seats and a center console.
The optional Payload Package #2 (V6 SuperCabs only) adds increased rear spring rates and heavy-duty shocks. A bedliner, rear tinted glass and a rear sliding window are also optional on the XLT and Sport.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2011 Ford Ranger.
5 star(83%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
23 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
New 2011 Ranger owner
jmmtn,01/07/2012
XLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
Can't speak from experience yet. I have been driving 02 Explorer for 8 years and love it. I like the excellent ride, handling, braking, and feel of this new Ranger. I have driven my son's Tacoma and I fail to see the inferior handling and braking of the Ranger spoken about in the Edmunds review.
It has Sirius Radio,MP3, PW,PDL, so I don't see the deficit here either. I also don't look to … a truck for sports car performance.
The criticisms I have mainly read are mostly superflous fluff. So they haven't changed the styling. BFD! I look for a truck to haul/tow my stuff reliably through 0 degree weather 30 miles from nowhere and not guzzle gas. I think the Ranger will work for me.
4.5 out of 5 stars
2011 XLT Supercab 4 cyl/manual
gene2,02/12/2011
XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
Traded my 2001 Ranger regular cab in for a 2010 Mustang GT.
Once the novelty wore off, I missed my old Ranger so much that I traded the Mustang for a new Ranger.
Nothin' fancy - easy to understand/operate controls, great big windows for tremendous visibility, very stable
and comfortable ride, nice turn radius for parking lot ops, and 25 MPG with only 800 miles on this new truck.
Although … the 4 cylinder engine won't let you win any drag races, it's certainly enough power to get around town and accelerate to highway speeds safely.
Great 5 speed manual transmission and clutch.
Perfectly sized truck; easy to get into and out of.
Perfect bed height for loading/unloading cargo.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Keep on trucking!
crimsoncoasty1,07/02/2015
SPORT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
This is my second Ranger and I love it. I'm a Ford guy and had a 2007 King Ranch F-150 with all the bells and whistles and it was time to get back to the basics. I owned a 96 Ranger Sport V6 and missed my "little" red truck. The reliability, compact workhorse is all I ever needed. The gas mileage is better compared to the V8 Triton and its nimbleness is perfect to whip it anywhere I … want. The 4x4 keeps me out of jambs and the upkeep is easy compared to Abilene Kimg Ranch leather. I love it!
5 out of 5 stars
2011 Ford Ranger Supercab Sport 4x2
4ranger,12/18/2011
SPORT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)
Just purchased my 2011 Ranger Sport Supercab in November 2011. This is my 5th Ranger, 1989,1997,2000,2006 and this 2011. I've not had any problems and most had over 100K miles on them when I sold them. I hate Ford is ending the production, thats why I bought my new 2011. I'm 6'2", 285lbs and I have plenty of room.
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
2 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall2 / 5Driver2 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall3 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat3 / 5Back SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover21.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestAcceptable
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More about the 2011 Ford Ranger
Used 2011 Ford Ranger Overview
The Used 2011 Ford Ranger is offered in the following submodels: Ranger SuperCab, Ranger Regular Cab. Available styles include XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M), XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M), XLT 2dr Regular Cab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M), XL 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M), XLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), SPORT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), XLT 4dr SuperCab Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), SPORT 4dr SuperCab Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), SPORT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), XL Fleet 2dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M), and XL Fleet 2dr Regular Cab Styleside LB (2.3L 4cyl 5M). Pre-owned Ford Ranger models are available with a 2.3 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 143 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2011 Ford Ranger comes with rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual. The Used 2011 Ford Ranger comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2011 Ford Ranger?
Price comparisons for Used 2011 Ford Ranger trim styles:
- The Used 2011 Ford Ranger XLT is priced between $12,890 and$26,998 with odometer readings between 37146 and143646 miles.
- The Used 2011 Ford Ranger XL is priced between $9,995 and$17,990 with odometer readings between 56720 and183312 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2011 Ford Rangers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2011 Ford Ranger for sale near. There are currently 14 used and CPO 2011 Rangers listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $9,995 and mileage as low as 37146 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2011 Ford Ranger.
Can't find a used 2011 Ford Rangers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 2011 Ford Ranger?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Ford lease specials
Check out Ford Ranger lease specials
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