2020 Ford Ranger Review

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.

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.

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.