2023 Ford Ranger Review

Name: 2023 Ford Ranger Review
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $27,998 - $39,992

Ford Ranger Lariat Crew Cab Pickup Exterior. Tremor Package Shown.

Ford Ranger XLT Crew Cab Pickup Exterior. Tremor Package Shown.

+244

The 2023 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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Crew Cab
SuperCab

2023 Ford Ranger Review

byBrian Wong^{Senior Reviews Editor
Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.}

Pros

Quick acceleration from powerful turbocharged engine
Many available modern safety features
Better size for cities than the F-150

Cons

Unsettling ride over undulating pavement
Limited in-cabin storage
Infotainment system isn't the easiest to use

What's new

No major changes for 2023
Part of the fourth Ranger generation introduced for 2019

Overview

While the big trucks may get more sales and attention, midsize pickups should not be overlooked, as they provide more than enough capability for most people and fit better into parking spaces. The 2023 Ford Ranger fits this niche even as it shows its age. The Ranger is getting long in the tooth (this generation debuted in 2011), but thankfully this is the last model year before a new Ranger, based on an all-new global platform, debuts in 2024.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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Certified 2023 Ford Ranger
XLT Crew Cab
$29,500
great price
$4,542 below market
- 39,252 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5'1” bed, 2.3l, 4cyl
- Fullerton Ford (187 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Somerville, NJ
Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat 2023 Ford Ranger XLT 4WD 10-Speed Automatic EcoBoost 2.3L I4 GTDi DOHC Turbocharged VCT FORD CERTIFIED, LUBE, OIL, & FILT...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (20 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FTER4FH6PLE29250
Stock: PLE29250A
Certified Pre-Owned: Yes
Listed since: 01-15-2025
Price Drop
2023 Ford Ranger
Lariat Crew Cab
$35,250
fair price
$1,168 below market
- 25,552 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5'1” bed, 2.3l, 4cyl
- Country Chevrolet (27 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Warrenton, VA
2023 Ford Ranger Lariat Shadow Black 4WD EcoBoost 2.3L I4 GTDi DOHC Turbocharged VCT 10-Speed Automatic 4WD, Driver vanity mirror, Front Bucket Seats,...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (20 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FTER4FH0PLE32953
Stock: 55111B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-11-2025

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Since it's the last model year of the current generation, there are no major changes to the Ranger. It competes with a mix of rivals, from the car-based Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Fe to off-road specialists like the Jeep Gladiator, not to mention the omnipresent Toyota Tacoma. Each of those models is newer and has a higher Expert Rating than the Ranger, which feels dated by comparison (especially inside the cabin). The Ranger's charm continues to come from its strong turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but that might not be enough to power it past this strong set of competitors. See below to find out more about what our experts think about the 2023 Ranger.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The 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

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

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's Normal mode it's unresponsive and slow to downshift. The steering is too light and numb, the suspension is unsettled in corners with bumps, and the truck's nose dives significantly with sudden braking.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Ranger? Aspects of the Ranger's ride could 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.

Interior

7/10

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.

Technology

8/10

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 smartphone integration. 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 warning.

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

6/10

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.

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

7/10

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 its case. Warranty coverage is in line with the rest of the class.

Wildcard

6/10

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?

The midrange XLT trim represents our pick in the Ford Ranger lineup. The XL feels too bare-bones and we also like the XLT's flexibility. With the XLT, you can add on the convenience and tech options you need as well as the Tremor Off-Road package if you plan to take the Ranger off pavement.

Compare 2023 Ford Ranger trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2023 Ford Ranger models

The 2023 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck offered as either an extended cab (SuperCab) with a 6-foot bed or a crew cab (SuperCrew) with a 5-foot bed. It is available in three trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. All are powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine (270 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that drives either the rear or all four wheels.

The base Ranger XL is pretty basic, with feature highlights that include:

16-inch steel wheels
Manually locking tailgate
Air conditioning
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
3.5-inch display screen
Wi-Fi hotspot
Four-speaker sound system
One USB port
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

To that, the available 101A package adds:

Cruise control
Power mirrors
Keyless entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Larger central display screen
Sync 3 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Six-speaker audio system

For more safety features, the available Co-Pilot360 package includes:

Automatic forward emergency braking (automatically brakes the vehicle if it detects a potential collision)
Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

The midtier XLT trim includes all of the above plus:

17-inch alloy wheels
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

The XLT is eligible for additional options.

The XLT 301A package adds convenience items that include:

Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
110-volt power outlet
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Choice of Sport, Chrome or Black exterior appearance package

The 302A package can be added to the 301A and brings:

Remote ignition
Power-folding, heated mirrors
Manual-sliding rear window
Power-adjustable, heated front seats

The Technology package requires at least the 301A package and adds:

Front parking sensors
Navigation system
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Ranger and the car in front)

The top Lariat trim adds most of the XLT's 302A package as well as:

LED headlights
Leather upholstery

The Lariat's 501A package adds the Technology package plus:

Remote ignition
Automatic wipers
Digital information display in gauge cluster
10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
Universal garage door opener

The Tremor Off-Road package is available with the XLT and Lariat trims. The SuperCrew body and four-wheel drive are prerequisites. It includes:

Revised suspension and 0.8 inch more ground clearance
Off-road-specific Fox shocks
32-inch all-terrain tires
Auxiliary switches for user-specified accessories
Side steps
Underbody protection

Other notable packages for the Ranger include the FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages and the Trailer Tow package.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above 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

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

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

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.}

Ford Ranger Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

34 reviews

5(62%)

4(11%)

3(6%)

2(12%)

1(9%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

10 Speed Transmission Issues Ford Ranger

Terry, 06/29/2023

2022 Ford Ranger XLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

I purchased a new 2022 Ranger XLT extended cab. Ever since I purchased it the 10R80 10-speed transmission can't find it's gears. Engine revs up to 3000rpm from cold start caused with a delay in the transmission finding first gear; gear shifting is hard until you get to cruising speed. Engine vibrates shaking the truck between 10-30mph. Taken the vehicle to the dealer no less than 4 …

Poor Transmission

Florida Ranger, 12/26/2022

2022 Ford Ranger XLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

The electric 10 speed transmission was a deal breaker. It decided when to shift, sometimes from a slow or rolling stop, the transmission would rev up in first, then go to neutral, and finally jump into third. I had two dangerous situations happen when I was entering into traffic. The dealer spent time with the truck, made a repair, recommended by central repair and it didn't repair …

Great truck needs refining

John Yockey , 08/06/2022

2022 Ford Ranger XLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

Owned my 2022 Ranger XLT for about 4 months, prior to that I had a 2015 F150 Platinum. Love the Ranger, with that said there are a few things that need work. Has a vibration at low speeds on acceleration ( pinion needs shimmed) the hvac fan is so loud on high you cannot almost carry on a conversation, they also need to include the bed bulkhead rail so you can mount a tonneau cover as it …

5’1” box bulkhead 1” lower?

Disappointed customer, 02/03/2023

2023 Ford Ranger XLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A)

Love the truck, 2023 crew cab xlt- Only problem & a big one is the bed’s bulkhead is 1” lower than sides w/ plastic rails? This creates a gap in most tonneau cover tops. I’ve tried to get a part number for the missing bulkhead space/gap to fill the space but there isn’t one? Pretty disappointing considering a brand new truck/product?

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Ford Ranger, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ranger since its last redesign.

See all 34 reviews of the Ford Ranger

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2023 Ranger Highlights

Type:

Crew Cab

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,585
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$155/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	7,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Ranger models:

Forward and Reverse Sensing System: Warns you of objects both in front and to the rear of the vehicle to prevent low-speed impacts.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Alerts you of an imminent front collision and can automatically apply the brakes if you don't react in time.
Lane Keeping System: Emits a warning when there's a lane change without the use of a turn signal and can provide steering input to keep the vehicle in the lane.

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2023 Ford Ranger Review

Price & Payment

2023 Ford Ranger Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale nearby

Certified 2023 Ford RangerXLT Crew Cab

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2023 Ford RangerLariat Crew Cab

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Towing and Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Ranger does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Ford Ranger models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Ford Ranger Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

10 Speed Transmission Issues Ford Ranger

Poor Transmission

Great truck needs refining

5’1” box bulkhead 1” lower?

2023 Ranger Highlights

Safety

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XLT Crew Cab

2023 Ford Ranger
Lariat Crew Cab