Ford Finally Shows the New Ranger

Ford gave us a well-anticipated treat in Detroit this weekend: the Ranger’s back in the United States, but it’s nothing like what we had before. Still, this smallish pickup will probably sell like hotcakes, because not everyone wants to maneuver an F-150 through parking lots day after day.

There’s a lot to this truck, but instead of getting bogged down in all the details, here are some of the more interesting highlights.

The Ranger uses a 2.3-liter EcoBoost, paired with a 10-speed automatic tuned just for the truck. All models feature Dana AdvanTek solid front and rear axles. Some four-wheel-drive models also have an electronic-locking rear axle for better traction in really slick conditions.

If you want to hit trails, the FX4 Off-Road Package comes with more trail-worthy tires, skid plates, upgraded shocks and suspension, a Terrain Management System and Trail Control. It’s not quite the Baby Raptor everyone’s been talking about, but maybe that makes an appearance next year?

As a truly modern truck, the Ford Ranger can be loaded with all kinds of tech. Among the options is lane departure warning, a reverse-sensing system, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, Ford+Alexa, 4G LTE mobile WiFi, a B&O PLAY premium sound system, and Smart Trailer Tow.

Production of the Ranger fires up in late 2018, according to Ford. That means the trucks should start hitting dealers by the first quarter of next year. Three trims will be available: XL, XLt, and Lariat. SuperCab and SuperCrew versions are also part of the mix.