Ford Ranger (fourth generation)

Rear view

In January 2018, one year after announcing the return of the Ranger to the United States and Canada, Ford introduced the 2019 Ranger at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, marking the first Ford entry into the mid-size pickup truck segment.[4] The American Ranger is derived from the Ford T6 global midsize truck architecture designed by Ford of Australia. While already designed to accommodate left-hand drive use, the T6 chassis underwent further modifications for use in North America. To better accommodate American crash standards and increase its payload, the frame was revised to include fully boxed frame rails.[4] All versions of the Ranger sold in the United States and Canada have a 127-inch wheelbase, regardless of cab or drivetrain configuration.[4]

2019 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab FX4

The Ranger is sold in four-door SuperCab and four-door SuperCrew configurations (Ford has no current plans to market a two-door Ranger in North America).[4][5]

While externally similar to its global counterpart, the Ranger features a number of exterior design changes. Most visibly, the front fascia was redesigned with a frame-mounted steel bumper. At the minor expense of frontal aerodynamics, the sturdier front bumper was designed to better comply with American crash standards.[5]

To better market the vehicle towards private buyers in North America, the Ranger was given a distinct hood design and grilles related to trim level.[4] Additional trim included color-contrasting fender molding and fender grilles (in line with the F-Series trucks).[5] The "RANGER"-embossed tailgate was modified; in the interest of aerodynamics, a spoiler was added (sharing the locking tailgate handle from the F-150).[5]

As the global Ranger was designed before the current F-Series, usage of aluminum in the body is minor, with only an aluminum hood and tailgate.[5]

For North American production, the Ranger is produced with a single powertrain: a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-4 paired with 10-speed 10R80 automatic transmission.[6][7] For increased fuel economy, the engine includes direct fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, and a twin-scroll turbocharger.[8]

While offered in both rear-wheel drive and part-time four-wheel drive, all Rangers in North America are produced using the "HiRider" chassis of the Ranger T6 4x4. For 2019 production, Ford has not announced sales plans for the Ranger Raptor nor the Ranger Wildtrak for the United States or Canada.

The fourth-generation Ranger shares the traditional trim levels used by Ford light trucks in North America, with base-trim XL, mid-level XLT, and top-trim Lariat. To supplement each trim level, Chrome, Sport, and FX option packages are offered for all three trim levels.[9]

The base XL trim includes features such as sixteen-inch (16") silver-painted steel wheels, a four-speaker audio system with an AM/FM radio, auxiliary audio input, and USB port, along with cloth seating surfaces, power windows, and door locks. Options include aluminum-alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, and carpeted flooring with floor mats.

The mid-level XLT trim adds more convenience features to the base XL trim, such as an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio input and USB port, a FordPass 4G LTE internet connection, seventeen-inch (17") aluminum-alloy wheels, keyless entry, carpeted flooring with floor mats, Ford SYNC with Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio streaming capabilities, and a six-speaker audio system. Options include a SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities and GPS navigation, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Travel Link, remote start and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The range-topping Lariat trim adds luxury features to the mid-level XLT trim, such as the SYNC 3 infotainment system with GPS navigation, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Travel Link, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, polished aluminum-alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, additional chrome exterior accents, keyless access with push-button ignition, luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, and LED front headlamps. Options include remote start, a Bang & Olufsen B&O Play premium amplified audio system, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

There are several different appearance packages available for each trim level. The base XL trim offers the STX Appearance Package, which adds options such as aluminum-alloy wheels, Ford SYNC, and a six-speaker audio system. Mid-level XLT and range-topping Lariat trims offer two different appearance packages: either the Sport Appearance Package, which adds features such as upgraded aluminum-alloy wheels and darkened exterior accents, and the Chrome Appearance Package, which adds features such as polished aluminum-alloy wheels, and additional chrome exterior accents. An FX-4 Off-Road Package is available on all 4X4-equipped models, adding features such as side pickup box FX-4 Off-Road decals, an off-road suspension package, and on/off-road tires.

To comply with American safety mandates, a rearview safety camera is standard.[5] Several sizes of interior touchscreens are offered, depending on trim packages ordered.[6][5] To increase interior storage, waterproof storage compartments were added under the rear seats.[6]

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