FordRanger

　　

2023 Ford Ranger Review

byBrian WongSenior Reviews Editor

　　Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.

　　While the big trucks may get more sales and attention, midsize pickups should not be overlooked, as they provide more than enough capability for most people and fit better into parking spaces. The 2023 Ford Ranger fits this niche even as it shows its age. The Ranger is getting long in the tooth (this generation debuted in 2011), but thankfully this is the last model year before a new Ranger, based on an all-new global platform, debuts in 2024.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ford Ranger XL 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$165/mo  for Ranger XL

　　Ranger XL

　　XL 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $27,400 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $29,585 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $31,045 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $33,230 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $31,460 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $33,420 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $34,945 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $36,905 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,500 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $37,460 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $38,985 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $40,945 MSRP

　　vs

　　$219/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　Since it's the last model year of the current generation, there are no major changes to the Ranger. It competes with a mix of rivals, from the car-based Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Fe to off-road specialists like the Jeep Gladiator, not to mention the omnipresent Toyota Tacoma. Each of those models is newer and has a higher Expert Rating than the Ranger, which feels dated by comparison (especially inside the cabin). The Ranger's charm continues to come from its strong turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but that might not be enough to power it past this strong set of competitors. See below to find out more about what our experts think about the 2023 Ranger.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Ranger drive? The Ranger has one main trick: a stout turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It doesn't make the most horsepower in the class, but it's not far off the mark. The result is a gutsy engine that delivers plenty of punch as long as you're in Sport mode. In zzdcar' testing, our 4WD crew-cab test truck covered 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is quick for a midsize truck.

　　Beyond that, though, the Ranger stumbles. The 10-speed automatic is great in other Fords, but in the Ranger's Normal mode it's unresponsive and slow to downshift. The steering is too light and numb, the suspension is unsettled in corners with bumps, and the truck's nose dives significantly with sudden braking.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Ranger? Aspects of the Ranger's ride could be a deal-breaker for some. Even mild road undulations generate very springy and bouncy ride motions. This too soft, underdamped feel seems to amplify the size of certain bumps you pass over, and more than one of our passengers actually got queasy.

　　On the other hand, the front seats are nicely shaped, comfortably padded and able to accommodate a variety of body types. The crew cab's rear seatbacks are a little more upright than we'd like, but they are otherwise acceptable. Wind, tire and road noise is nicely controlled. We found it hard to use the climate system. The four vents cannot be shut off individually, and the system has numerous small control buttons that are hard to distinguish.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below