Car Life Nation

When Driving is about Lifestyle, Car Life Nation is the Answer

When Driving is about Lifestyle, Car Life Nation is the Answer

Orange Ford Ranger

Why Bringing the Ranger Back is a Clutch Move

Ever since it’s planned reintroduction was first announced, the idea of a 2019 Ford Ranger (preceding a resurrected 2020 Ford Bronco) reflects a master stroke in Ford’s ability to thoughtfully flesh out any lineup.

Despite the F-Series’ indisputable position as supreme ruler of all-things-truck, one might argue that the F-150 (however capable) was stretched thin covering the gamut of mid-to-full-size offerings. Bottom-line, the absence of a compact / true midsize entry in Ford’s lineup was felt by the consumer, and Ford’s decision to bring it back from the dead after a 7-year retirement is both prudent and welcome within the North American market.

Simply put, midsize pickups provide an accessible jumping-off point for those who want the utilitarian versatility of a truck, but may not need the full-size or SuperDuty capability. Having twice purchased used Ford Rangers in my teens and early-20’s, I have experienced this first-hand. And speaking from personal experience, I expect that the Ranger will retain its strength in terms of resale, appealing to second-owners just as it always has.

This wide appeal is only furthered by the Ranger’s sporty redesign, channeling some of the badass design-notes that (in more exaggerated styling) is celebrated in the overall aesthetic of the F-150 Raptor. With that in mind, and considering the Raptor’s staggering popularity, it’s not a stretch to think that a badass Raptor variant of the Ranger could find its way to market in the coming years. Maybe that’s a stretch, but at bare minimum, the Ranger’s return is a decisive defensive move against GM’s and Toyota’s growing foothold within the midsize segment.

For a thorough breakdown of the 2019 Ranger, and everything it has to offer, enjoy this hands-on tour:

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *