Kevin If you’re in the market for a new truck, you probably have the Ford F-150 on your list. It makes sense, as it’s been the best-selling vehicle in America for many years running. But what if your truck needs don’t warrant a full-size model? That’s where the Ford F-150 vs Ford Ranger comparison comes in.
Ford F-150 vs Ford Ranger: Value and Convenience
The first thing to know when comparing the Ford F-150 vs. Ford Ranger is that the Ford Ranger is a smaller truck, and it won’t be able to tow or haul as much as the Ford F-150. It also doesn’t offer as many choices for layouts and engines as the F-150. However, the Ranger does cost quite a bit less, and it’s easier to maneuver thanks to its smaller size.
Configuring a Ford F-150 is sure to take you some time, as there is quite a long list of layouts, engines, and packages. The Ford Ranger only offers a few configurations and one engine. Both trucks come with off-road packages, and both can be had in 2WD or 4WD layouts. Getting a Ford Ranger for under $40,000 or even under $30,000 is easy to do, whereas the Ford F-150 can soar well over $50,000 in the higher trims.
Ford F-150 vs Ford Ranger: Power and Performance
As previously mentioned, there are several engines to choose from for the Ford F-150. The V6 and V8 engine choices for the F-150 make between 290 and 430 horsepower paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. 4WD models have drive modes for difficult terrain, and the FX-4 off-road package includes a Rock Crawl mode. Depending on the model you choose, the Ford F-150 can tow between 5,000 and 12,300 pounds.
When it comes to pure capability between the Ford F-150 vs. Ford Ranger, the Ford Ranger can’t really compete. All Ford Ranger models come with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it makes enough power to give you between 5,510 and 7,500 pounds of towing ability. For many people, this is plenty for an average-sized boat or trailer.
In most cases, the Ford Ranger gets better fuel economy than the F-150, with about 21-23 MPG in combined driving. Hybrid versions of the F-150 do better at 23-25 MPG in combined driving.
Ford F-150 vs Ford Ranger: Safety and Technology
The amount of safety features in the Ford F-150 vs Ford Ranger generally favors the Ford F-150. The full-size Ford truck comes with more standard safety features, and it offers a long list of optional safety features as well. The Ford Ranger has a decent amount of standard safety features, and it has a four-star NHTSA safety rating.
The same goes for the technology between these two trucks. The Ford F-150 is outfitted with more standard tech features in lower trims and advanced features in higher trims. The base Ranger trims have very basic tech features, so you’ll have to move up to higher trims to get similar tech to the base trims of the F-150.
Choosing between the Ford F-150 vs. Ford Ranger is likely to come down to budget and towing needs for most people. If you don’t need massive towing ability, the Ford Ranger is a more affordable truck, and it’s easier to drive. For those who need more power, the Ford F-150 is likely to be the better choice.
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