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Whether you’re a Lowes’ weekend warrior, off-road enthusiast, or want pickup utility with a dose of lux amenities, the 2021 Ford Ranger has you covered.
2021 Ford Ranger – ford.com | Shop 2021 Ford Ranger on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 Ford Ranger?
Three years into its US market reintroduction, the 2021 Ford Ranger offers solid midsize pickup truck attributes. New this year is the Tremor Off-Road package that should hold consumers over until the rumored Raptor breaks cover. The Ranger Tremor will feature a lifted, off-road tuned suspension with Fox components and 32” all-terrain rubber. It will also add about an inch of ground clearance for 9.7” total, receive suede trimmed seating, and plenty of graphics. Other updates for 2021 are the addition of dark Ford ovals to the Black Appearance package and additional paint colors like Cyber Orange and Velocity Blue.
The Breakdown
Inexpensive body-on-frame truck capability
WiFi and Co-Pilot 360 available
Punchy turbocharged motor is standard
Easily shift between 4-wheel high and low on the fly
Base model can suffer from bargain bin interior
Good to have the Ranger back in the segment
2021 Ford Ranger Specs
- 270 horsepower from base engine
- 310 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- Up to 52 cu-ft. of SuperCab bed space
- 10-speaker B&O stereo
- Curve Control improves handling on curves
- 60,000 miles of roadside assistance
- Blind spot monitor includes area beside trailers
2021 Ford Ranger Powertrain
All 2021 Ford Rangers can be set up as either SuperCab or SuperCrew. The SuperCab adds a set of mini rear doors and has a 6-foot bed, versus the SuperCrew with its four full size doors and shorter, 5-foot-long cargo box. The only engine available is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost (AKA turbocharged) 4-cylinder making a healthy 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic running power to the rear wheels in standard guise or, optionally, all four.
As a traditional body-on-frame pickup with a leaf-sprung rear suspension, don’t plan on canyon carving with the Ranger. Ford positions it as a utility vehicle first with plenty of off-road tailored add-ons. FX4 and Tremor packages add the Terrain Management System that allows drivers to select from Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Snow modes on the fly. It also brings Trail Control, a sort of low-speed cruise control for managing throttle and braking on rough terrain.
Rangers equipped with 4WD can be shifted on the fly into four-wheel-low and high ranges and come with a locking rear differential. Along with the pre-packaged Tremor edition, buyers can select from three levels of Ford Performance off-road equipment. Each level offers progressively more rough road gear like heavy-duty bumpers, off-road lighting, and specially tuned suspension components.
Towing & Payload
Every 2021 Ford Ranger is fitted with trailer sway control, but you’ll need the $495 Trailer Tow package to achieve its 7,500-pound max tow capability. This package adds a 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness and Class IV receiver allowing the Ranger to easily handle a small camper, a couple ATVs, or personal watercraft. The payload ranges from 1,430 to 1,860 pounds with the higher figure found on RWD SuperCab models. With the available blind spot monitoring tech, the system will alert drivers to vehicles in their blind spots on both the truck and an accompanying trailer.
2021 Ford Ranger Fuel Economy & MPG
Idle start-stop technology is employed on all new 2021 Ford Rangers, but this is two-ton pickup so fuel efficiency is not earth shattering. In RWD configuration, city fuel economy has an EPA estimate of 21 mpg with a highway figure of 26 mpg. Choosing 4WD brings an expected decrease in those numbers to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
On a SuperCab Ranger, there are technically four seating positions, though the rear two are best suited for smaller humans. The SuperCrew has five seats, but in either case, the interior ranges from basic cloth and vinyl up to heated leather on Lariats. You’ll also need the Lariat if you want to open the rear glass, though dual zone automatic climate control is on hand with the XLT trim. As for cargo bed space, the SuperCab can handle 52 cubic feet of stuff in its longer bed while the SuperCrew makes do with 43 cubes of space from its 5-foot bed.
Entertainment & Technology
The Ford Ranger XLT model comes equipped with an 8” infotainment touchscreen and associated SYNC 3 software. That includes Apple and Android phone mirroring tech, voice activated abilities, and Wi-Fi hotspot. Stepping up to the Lariat adds dual 4.2” digital displays within the instrument panel, but the 10-speaker B&O audio system requires an optional package.
Safety Features
Forward collision assistance with auto-emergency braking is a lineup standard system for the 2021 Ford Ranger, but Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of Advanced driver-assistance systems is only included on the XLT or Lariat. It consists of automatic high beams, blind spot with cross traffic alerts, and lane keeping assistance. Airbags cover front row occupants from side and frontal impacts while the Safety Canopy System handles full-length, side-curtain airbag duty.
2021 Ford Ranger Trims & Pricing
XL – $26,015
As the base 2021 Ford Ranger, XL trim is distinguished by its black plastic exterior trim and 16” steelies. Inside, cloth upholstery with manually adjustable seats are on hand with black vinyl floors and a urethane steering wheel. There are power locks and windows, but the rear glass does not open. On the tech-front, FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi capability is included along with the company’s AppLink software and a single USB port.
Several packages are available to spruce up XL models like the value packed $995 STX Special Edition option. It features 18” black wheels, tinted windows, dual-zone climate control, and Ford’s SYNC 3 voice-activated infotainment tech. For $1295, the FX4 package brings an off-road tuned suspension, the Terrain Management System, an electronically locking rear differential, and more. There is also the Co-Pilot 360 package that adds all of Ford’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for $1760.
XLT – $30,315
Like all Ranger trims, the XLT can be setup in SuperCab or SuperCrew configuration and with 4-wheel-drive (4WD) for about $4000. Body colored bumpers and outer trim along with 17” alloys move the XLT away from the pure utility looks of base models, especially in Cyber Orange paint. Added conveniences include remote keyless entry, power adjustable side mirrors, and a 4.2” digital screen in the gauge cluster. Other tech like the SYNC 3 software, 8” center touchscreen, and automatic high beams are a nice touch at this price point.
Blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alerts and Co-Pilot 360 are standard XLT fare, but you’ll need to pony up $4290 for the Tremor package. Requiring 4WD and the SuperCrew body, Tremor’s off-road game is upped with a multi-leaf rear suspension, Fox monotube dampers with rear piggyback reservoirs, better approach/breakover/departure angles, and a dash-mounted set of six auxiliary blank switches awaiting your preferred accessories.
Lariat – $34,355
If you want a touch of lux with your Ranger, the Lariat model – with its leather upholstery, ambient lighting and push button start – is for you. Exterior lighting gets the full LED treatment which combined with chrome accents and 18” alloys makes for a sharp looking truck. Other niceties include a defrostable sliding rear window, heated side mirrors, and auto-diming rearview mirror.
The 501A Lariat package costs $2000, but brings a bumping Band & Olufsen 10-speaker stereo system, remote start, and rain sensing wipers. It also includes the Technology package elements, consisting of adaptive cruise control, navigation, and forward parking sonar.
Warranties
The 2021 Ford Ranger comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on the vehicle and 5-year/60,000-mile of coverage on powertrain items. Aluminum body panel defects are covered for 5 years with unlimited mileage and roadside assistance is complimentary for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
What we think
2021 Ford Ranger – ford.com | Shop 2021 Ford Ranger on Carsforsale.com
The 2021 Ford Ranger is a good option for those needing the utility of a pickup without the massive footprint of an F-150. In SuperCab XL trim, it’s a bare bone, sub-$30K work truck, but there are plenty of options if you’re looking for luxury or off-road prowess.
