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.
According to Edmunds.com's True Market Value calculations, the retail price of a used 2020 Ford Ranger's most popular trim, the XLT, in great condition with 36,000 miles on its odometer, is $32,171. Prices vary by trim, region and options included.
What engine does the 2020 Ford Ranger come equipped with?
The 2020 Ford Ranger comes equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine.
How does the Ranger drive?
The Ranger has a stout turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder 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. The 10-speed automatic is slow to downshift in normal mode and the steering is too light and numb.
How comfortable is the Ranger?
The Ranger's ride may be a deal-breaker for some because it is very springy and bouncy even when going over mild road undulations. The front seats are nicely shaped and comfortably padded, but the rear seatbacks are a little too upright. Wind, tire and road noise is nicely controlled but the climate system is hard to use due to the small control buttons and the four vents cannot be shut off individually.
Which Ranger does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds recommends the XLT as 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, and opens the doors to several packages that further add driver aids and passenger comfort features.
What features are included with the XLT?
The XLT includes 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.
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