2011 Ford Ranger – Value In A Rugged Compact Pickup

Advantages

Smaller dimensions make for superior maneuverability; four-cylinder engine offers decent fuel economy.

Disadvantages

Lacks most desirable features; old-fashioned interior design; subpar braking and handling; ridiculously cramped jump seats in SuperCab models; choppy ride.

Introduction

2011 Ford Ranger has been one of the best selling compact pickup trucks of America, thanks to its serious truck capability at affordable price. It might have decent fuel economy and affordable starting price going for it, but its cramped passenger interior and dated design just can compete with its more contemporary rivals. The Ford Ranger pickup powered by available 4.0 liter V6 comes equipped with frame mounted trailer hitch, providing large towing capability up to 5,800 pounds. All Ranger models come equipped with standard trailer tow receiver hitch, offering towing capability up to 2,160 pounds with 2.3 liter inline four-cylinder engine and up to 5,800 pounds with the available 4.0 liter V6 when properly equipped.

The 2011 Ford Ranger has maintained a solid reputation in the trucking industry as a rugged workhorse of compact pickup truck. While plenty of entry-level pickup trucks from other manufacturing companies have moved up in roominess, size, refinement and features, but the Ranger maintains its position as a true compact pickup, which provides solid value for money. Though quite old fashioned now, the Ranger remains a reliable, good and proven truck with attractive pricing and worthwhile features. For 2011, there are few changes, but are significant from a safety standpoint. AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control becomes standard equipment, which can help prevent skidding and roll-over conditions.

The all-new 2011 Ford Ranger is the latest in a wave of global vehicles and made its worldwide launch at 2010 Australian International Auto Show. It has a powerful presence and promises to give pickup truck owners more transformed truck ownership experience and can-do capability. From impressive gains in safety and power to outstanding towing capability, the Ranger emerges as a clear segment leader. It not only gives truck owners sophisticated driving experience and a comfortable, spacious, feature packed cabin, they would expect to find in a car, but also builds on marvelous Ranger inheritance of pickup truck ability.

Destined for sale over 180 markets and across 5 continents, the 2011 Ford Ranger will be available as complete family of small pickup trucks with 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, 3 different cab body styles, up to five series choices and two ride heights, depending on the market. For almost two decades, it has been one of the most popular pickups of Ford across the world and has offered millions of shoppers with Ford Tough Truck abilities such as pulling trailers, absorbing punishment on the roughest roads and hauling heavy payloads. The Ranger now has even more capability but has been transformed into a toned, muscular and taut modern shape exuding toughness and strength.

With all-new front and rear suspension, steering system and chassis frame, the 2011 Ford Ranger offers outstanding towing and more payload capability. It is available in three different powerplant choices, including fuel-efficient six-speed transmissions and two Ford Duratorq TDCi common-rail state-of-the-art diesels. Add in safety technologies and more chassis, and the story of Ranger truck leadership becomes as vivid as its purposeful, powerful stance. It creates a purposeful and bold presence with a contemporary, fresh exterior design, which exudes the well-known Built Ford Tough personality. Toned, taut muscularity, bold, confident stance instantly signal the capability and strength of ultra modern pickup truck.

The 2011 Ford Ranger has gone over a decade without major redesign that makes it positively a geriatric when it comes to automotive world. In 2010, it featured electronic stability control as well as side impact airbags. Due its lack of four-door crew cab and relatively small size with forward facing back seats, the Ranger is difficult to recommend to anyone except business owners. Meanwhile, you can check out the more refined and larger Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. You might also want to consider the Ford Transit Connect Van that provides superior fuel economy as compared to V6 powered Ranger as well as drastically better cargo space.

Variants, Body Types and Features

The 2011 Ford Ranger is a small pickup truck, which is offered extended-cab (SuperCab) and regular-cab body styles; both of which are offered in XLT, Sport and XL trim levels. The six-foot bed is standard on all body styles and trim levels.

The XL comes equipped with a trailer hitch, 15-inch steel wheels, vinyl (cloth on the SuperCab) upholstery, a 60/40 front bench seat, an AM/FM stereo and air-conditioning. Opting for XLT will get you upgraded exterior trim, foglamps, full power accessories, cloth upholstery (regular cab), a leather wrapped tilt steering wheel, an upgraded stereo with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player and keyless entry. The XLT 4X4 gains heavy duty shock absorbers, tow hooks and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport comes with a full-size spare tire, upgraded wheels (16-inch alloys on 4×4 models), skid plates (SuperCab 4×4 models only), heavy-duty gas shocks (SuperCab), bucket seats, a center console and sidestep bars.

The optional Payload Package includes heavy-duty shocks and increased rear spring rates. The rear tinted glass, a rear sliding window and bedliner are optional on Sport and XLT.

What’s Beneath The Hood Of 2011 Ford Ranger?

The 2011 Ford Ranger is powered by an inline four-cylinder 2.3 liter engine, which is good for producing 143 horsepower with 154 pound feet of torque. The engine is mated to five-speed manual transmission with rear wheel drive system and offers the fuel economy of 27 mpg highway, 22 mpg city and 24 mpg in combined driving.

The available V6 4.0 liter engine of 2011 Ford Ranger pumps out 207 horsepower with 238 pound feet of torque. This powerplant is teamed up with five-speed manual transmission as well and offers the fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway and 17 mpg in combined driving.

Safety and Reliability

Standard safety features on 2011 Ford Ranger include stability control, antilock disc brakes on all four wheels and side front seat airbags. In government testing, the Ranger got four-star rating for front passenger and five-star rating for driver protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Ranger the highest rating of Good for side impact protection.

Special Features and Cockpit Design

The 2011 Ford Ranger provides spacious and comfortable accommodations along with convenient features. The seats feature high seatbacks and sculpted bolsters, and offer more than adequate comfort. Plug your MP3 player into audio input jack and enjoy all your favorite tunes through its surround sound system. Everything worth listening to is on SIRIUS. Enjoy an introductory 6-month subscription to over 130 channels, including 100 percent commercial-free music, best in news,sports, entertainment and talk.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Ford Ranger provides acceptable acceleration with its 4.0 liter V6 beneath the hood. It delivers a confidence you need to tackle just about anything, with suspension, which together can handle any task and sturdy steel ladder frame, as well as strong double-wall cargo box. You want everything a Ford truck has to offer in a small size. Ranger models come with standard 4.0 liter V6 engine with electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case that lets you shift between 4WD and 2WD High or Low.

The coil spring front suspension with stabilizer bar of Ranger keeps the ride smooth under normal driving situations. But for rougher going, the front torsion bar is substituted on SPORT and XLT 4×4 vehicles that are more likely to off-road it. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control uses a combination of selective wheel braking and reduced engine power to help driver maintain control and will automatically use its gyroscopic sensors for measuring vehicle turning rates and roll, then apply proper response to help keep your vehicle under control. As a work truck, the Ranger provides serious truck capability at affordable prices.