What should you expect from a great pickup truck? Beyond just a well-sized truck bed and a reasonably robust engine, the answers may vary. Although a select few may expect a bit more from their pickup truck. They may be looking for more than a utility champ; instead they might have their eye set on a pickup truck that can do more than just perform well on the pavement but can be a master of the wilderness as well. The number of pickup trucks out there that could possibly fit the bill are numerous, and one of the many is the ever-popular 2019 Ford Ranger. This robust, charming, and oddly classic pickup truck brings a lot to the table. Some may love it, some may hate it, but we’ll dig a little deeper and see if this Ford truck deserves to be considered an adventure-worthy pickup truck.
What To Look For in a Pickup that is Ready for Adventure
There are certain things drivers should look for when on the hunt for a vehicle that is ready for adventure. While your standard commuter car or minivan may be a great substitute in the short-term, there is no guarantee that any of these vehicles will be able to take on the rough terrain that can come with particularly wanderlust drivers. That said, there is a range of factors to keep an eye out for when shopping for your ideal adventure-ready vehicle.
One thing is a capable drivetrain. While a front-wheel or rear-wheel drivetrain might get you part of the way, chances are you’ll find yourself stranded in particularly rough terrain. For this reason, it is always suggested that you invest in a vehicle with an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive drivetrain. Each of these drivetrain options provides power directly to all four wheels. This means that when two wheels are stuck, the other two can compensate for the loss of traction.
Capability isn’t the only factor to consider. Adventure-thirsty drivers should seek a vehicle that sports enough space for cargo. While your compact sedan might come with plenty of trunk room, chances are you’ll need something with an excess of space to hold all of your gear and the occasional travel buddy. Extra cargo space really comes in handy during long road trips when every cubic inch counts.
Speaking of distance, an adventure-ready vehicle ought to be pretty decent on gas mileage. While these vehicles don’t need to be fuel-sipping hybrids, you certainly don’t want to find yourself stopping to refuel every couple hundred miles. This is particularly true of the more adventurous driver, as out in the middle of nowhere you might struggle to find a gas station.
So, how does the 2019 Ford Ranger hold up in this regard? Pickup trucks tend to be masters of utility, sporting plenty of room for cargo, and the power and drivetrain to make all of your exploration dreams a reality. That said, not every pickup is up for the task, and some serve better as around the town work vehicles, rather than robust, ready for anything kind of vehicles. But his pickup is for ready both work, and anything. Forbes helps explain this as well.
Looking Beneath the Hood of the 2019 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the Ford family lineup (apart from the Ford F-150 of course). With a starting price of $24,300 MSRP, the Ford Ranger is certainly affordable, and that alone may be appealing to some drivers. That said, what’s beneath the hood may turn some pickup truck fans away.
The 2019 Ford Ranger only comes with a single engine option, a small but powerful 270 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Don’t let this single small engine option fool you, the Ford Ranger is ready to deliver. The four-cylinder is a turbo engine, and it is supported by a smooth and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. All of these components work together to provide some pretty great fuel economy as well, clocking in at 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Towing is a big deal for the Ford Ranger too, as the max capacity tops out at 7,500 lbs.
The 2019 Ford Ranger can be purchased in one of three trim options, the XL, XLT, and Lariat. While rear-wheel drive is made standard in the Ford Ranger, you can always shell out a bit more cash and upgrade your Ford truck to a manually activated four-wheel drive system. This system is an interesting shakeup, especially considering when other competitors utilize an ‘always on’ approach to their four-wheel drive. That said, the Ford Ranger makes up for this by providing a range of off-road features in higher trim options like off-road cruise control and a locking rear differential.
Spacing and Bells and Whistles
One of the first questions potential drivers ask when they’re purchasing a pickup truck is, ‘how long is the truck bed?’ Well the 2019 Ford Ranger gives drivers two options a 5-footer in the crew cab configuration and a 6-footer for the extended cab configuration. Speaking of cabs, the extended cab prioritizes cargo over passengers, and while there are rear seats getting to them isn’t easy. If you’re the kind of pickup driver who wants access to transporting both passengers and cargo, the crew cab might be the better choice. Thanks to a set of wide rear doors, accessing the back seating of the crew cab Ford Ranger should be no issue at all.
So, when it comes to spacing, the Ford Ranger does a decent job offering an option for all sorts of drivers. That said, the level of tech in your adventure-ready vehicle matters as well. Chances are you’ll be spending long hours behind the wheel, and having features that make driving easier can make all the difference. So, in this area, how does the 2019 Ford Ranger fare?
When it comes to safety, the Ford Ranger does a decent job, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection across all models. While this is the only advanced safety feature you’ll find in the base model of the 2019 Ford Ranger, that is far from the Ranger’s overall limit. For a bit of extra cash, you can add next-level safety features like active lane control, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control to your model.
Beyond safety, the Ford Ranger comes with some pretty nifty tech. Base models get a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, giving drivers the ability to stay connected even while on the road. Take things up a few notches, and you’ll find a Ford truck that includes features like heated front seats, remote start, a leather wrapped steering wheel, power-folding side mirrors, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, and power-adjustable front seats.
Is the Ford Ranger Adventure Worthy?
While base models of the Ford Ranger can seem somewhat bare at first glance, even the most adventurous driver will find satisfaction behind the wheel. If you’re willing to put down the extra cash, you can expect to be left with a vehicle that is ready to take on the worst the outdoors has to offer. Between the Wi-Fi hotspot, the intuitive 4×4 off-road system, and a sizable truck bed, the 2019 Ford Ranger is certainly ready to take on your next excursion.
