2019 Ford Ranger Specs & 7 Things You Need to Know

Shopping for a used 2019 Ranger pickup? Ford brought the small truck back - but know the specs first, plus 7 things to keep in mind.

Originally published in December 2018.

San Diego, California – Ford has brought back its popular mid-sized Ranger pickup to Canada and the U.S. after an eight-year absence. With a new Ranger Raptor now in the works.

We headed to California for the Ranger’s initial North American launch to learn more. Here, we look at seven key things to keep in mind about the 2019 Ranger. Followed by the truck’s specs. First, we chat a little bit about the comeback and the different Ranger trims on the market.

You can skip down to the seven top things here.

Ford’s Small Trucks Makes a Proper Comeback

2019 Ford Ranger Lariat front view profile
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat. Photo: Amee Reehal

Although it shares the brand, the 2019 Ranger bears almost no resemblance to its sturdy but out-of-date predecessor, which last rolled off the assembly line back in late 2011. The new truck is a model of modern automotive engineering, featuring all of the convenience, flexibility, towing capacity, and fuel-saving technology consumers have come to expect from their trucks.

In both looks and performance, the Michigan-built Ranger is a worthy competitor for not only the category-leading Toyota Tacoma, but also GM’s highly successful GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado, and Nissan’s dated Frontier.

The new Ranger is based on the so-called world truck platform which has been sold in a number of countries for the past few years. Ford delayed bringing the Ranger to Canada and the U.S. for fear of stealing market share from its best-selling F150 full-sized truck.

2019 ford ranger review
2019 Ford Ranger. Photo: Ford

But, as company spokesmen admit, the mid-sized category has become too hot to ignore – almost doubling since 2014. Fiat Chrysler will be the last of the Detroit Three to bring back a mid-sized truck when the 2020 Jeep Gladiator reaches customers in a few months.

Although the new Ranger shares the world truck’s platform, it has its own high-strength steel frame, unique engine, and other parts designed just for this market.

Ford is aiming the truck at middle America – people who want a reasonably efficient and compact vehicle to drive to work five days a week and to take out into the country for some weekend warrior action.

2019 Ranger Trims & Prices for the XL, XLT and Lariat

2019 Ranger Lariat logo on side of truck
2019 Ranger Lariat. Photo: Ford

The Ranger comes in three trim levels for both the US and Canada markets: the XL, XLT, and Lariat.

The XL model is a contractor-level vehicle. Options in the higher trim levels include a blind spot information system for trailer towing, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, 115-volt power outlets, a B&O Play sound system, navigation, and LED head- and taillights.

It’s a good-looking truck that will be as at home in suburbia as it is in the woods. The looks are enhanced by eye-grabbing colours, such as the orangish Saber, Lightning Blue, and Hot Pepper Red.

Is it the right truck for you? In a highly competitive field, buyers have an embarrassment of rich choices. Ford hosted journalists in San Diego recently to see how the Ranger measures up. For reference, here’s how much the 2019 Ranger cost went it first arrived:

Price in the United States:

  • The base model Ford Ranger XL had a starting price of around $24,300 to $24,000.
  • The mid-level Ford Ranger XLT typically started at around $27,000 to $27,500.
  • The top-tier Ford Ranger Lariat usually had a starting price of approximately $32,000 to $32,500.

Price in Canada:

  • In Canada, the base model Ford Ranger XL started at roughly $30,000 to $31,000.
  • The mid-level Ford Ranger XLT typically had a starting price of around $35,000 to $36,000.
  • The top-tier Ford Ranger Lariat usually started at approximately $42,000 to $43,000.
2019 ford ranger with roof tent
2019 Ford Ranger. Photo: Ford

7 Things to Know Before Buying a Used 2019 Ford Ranger

Level up to the Ranger FX4

The FX4 version is a great off-road toy. Built on a high-strength steel boxed frame, it also has a steel front bumper. It comes equipped with skidplates, generous ground clearance, beefy off-road suspension, an electronic rear locking differential, and a smooth crawl-control system that handles throttle and braking so the driver can concentrate on steering. Its terrain management system has four drive modes – normal; grass, gravel, and snow; mud and ruts; and sand.

New 2.3L EcoBoost Engine

The powertrain is completely different. Gone is the tried and proven 4.0-litre V6, and replaced with a single engine choice: a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline engine. (A diesel option is rumoured to be in the works.) Also gone is the traditional manual transmission, replaced with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic that ensures the Ranger is always right where it needs to be on the power band.

Canadians get All-Wheel Drive (Sorry, America)

Canadian buyers also cannot buy a two-wheel-drive version of the Ranger. All-wheel drive is the only configuration available north of the Canada/U.S. border. An electronic locking rear differential helps ensure the Ford Ranger will carry you through the most challenging terrain.

SuperCab or SuperCrew Only

A single cab is no longer offered. You can choose between a SuperCab, with jump seats in the rear about big enough for your puppy, or a SuperCrew with room enough for five adults. In the SuperCab version, you can get a six-foot box, but in the larger SuperCrew, the only box size offered is five feet – which limits its utility.

Small Truck Fuel Economy

It gets the sort of fuel economy consumers expect these days. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder provides 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which allows you to tow up to 7,400 pounds. Transport Canada rates fuel economy at 11.8 l/100 km city, 9.8 hwy, and 10.9 combined. Below, are the fuel figures for both the US and Canada.

United States (EPA Estimates):

  • 2.3L EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged Engine (2WD):
    • City: Approximately 21-22 mpg
    • Highway: Approximately 26-27 mpg
    • Combined: Approximately 23-24 mpg
  • 2.3L EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged Engine (4WD):
    • City: Approximately 20-21 mpg
    • Highway: Approximately 24-25 mpg
    • Combined: Approximately 22-23 mpg

Canada (Natural Resources Canada Estimates):

  • 2.3L EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged Engine (4×2):
    • City: Approximately 11.8-12.0 L/100 km
    • Highway: Approximately 9.8-10.1 L/100 km
    • Combined: Approximately 10.9-11.1 L/100 km
  • 2.3L EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged Engine (4×4):
    • City: Approximately 13.0-13.3 L/100 km
    • Highway: Approximately 10.6-10.9 L/100 km
    • Combined: Approximately 11.9-12.2 L/100 km

Ranger Accessories for Adventure-Seekers

Yakima’s Ford Ranger project truck for the 2019 SEMA Show had the LockNLoad platform rack and HangOver bike rack
Yakima’s Ford Ranger project truck for the 2019 SEMA Show had the LockNLoad platform rack and HangOver bike rack. Photo: Graham Heeps

Ford has partnered with Yakima to provide custom-made accessories, such as kayak racks, bike racks, and truck-bed storage options. These add-ons can be financed and warrantied with the rest of the vehicle.

Around 150 accessories are available, but here are ten products we like best:

  • Yakima Roof Rack
  • Yakima SkyBox (here’s our review)
  • Yakima BedRock Truck Bed Rack
  • Yakima SwingDaddy Hitch-Mount Bike Rack
  • Yakima LoadWarrior Cargo Basket
  • Yakima HangOver Vertical Bike Rack
  • Yakima HighSpeed Roof Bike Rack
  • Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad
  • Yakima JayHook Kayak Rack
  • Yakima FatCat Evo Ski/Snowboard Rack
2019 Ranger Yakima accessories including roof tent
Yakima accessories for the Ranger include this roof tent. Photo: Ford

Will We Miss the Outgoing V6 Engine?

If there is one question, it is how well the boosted 2.3L four will stand up compared to the traditional V6. Although Ford has lots of experience with EcoBoost engines, only time will tell whether these engines will be chugging strong 20 years from now.   

The Ranger is being produced at Ford’s retooled Michigan Assembly Plant, in Wayne, Mich., and will be in dealerships early in 2019. Here are more recent Ranger reviews and news.

2019 Ford Ranger Specs and Images

Performance Metric2.3L EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged Engine
Engine Type2.3-liter EcoBoost Inline-4 Turbocharged
Horsepower270 horsepower
Torque310 lb-ft of torque
Transmission10-speed automatic
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive (2WD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) TimeApproximately 6.5 to 7.4 seconds (varies by configuration)
Maximum Towing CapacityUp to 7,500 pounds (when properly equipped)
Maximum Payload CapacityUp to 1,860 pounds (when properly equipped)
Fuel Economy (2WD)Approximately 21-23 mpg combined
Fuel Economy (4WD)Approximately 20-22 mpg combined
DimensionMeasurement (inches)Measurement (centimeters)
Length210.8 inches (SuperCrew)535.3 cm (SuperCrew)
210.8 inches (SuperCab)535.3 cm (SuperCab)
Width (excluding mirrors)73.3 inches186.2 cm
Width (including mirrors)85.8 inches218.0 cm
Height71.1 inches (4×2)180.6 cm (4×2)
71.5 inches (4×4)181.6 cm (4×4)
Wheelbase126.8 inches (SuperCrew)322.0 cm (SuperCrew)
126.8 inches (SuperCab)322.0 cm (SuperCab)
Ground Clearance8.4 inches (4×2)21.3 cm (4×2)
8.9 inches (4×4)22.6 cm (4×4)
Bed Length (SuperCrew)61.0 inches154.9 cm
Bed Length (SuperCab)72.8 inches184.9 cm
Curb Weight (SuperCrew)Varies by configuration
Curb Weight (SuperCab)Varies by configuration

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James Lipman for Ford Motor Company
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Author:
Doug Firby
Doug Firbyhttps://bigtreecomms.com/
I am a communications generalist with more than four decades of experience in online, blogging, newspapers, radio and magazines. I'm also a gearhead and an outdoor enthusiast. I write on cars, trucks, bikes and the auto industry for national publications. And I am president and publisher of Troy Media Digital Solutions.