Ford Ranger Used Buying Guide

• While both generations do feature off-road capability, the second generation does it a bit better thanks to the Raptor joining the family, and coming with a more powerful engine that is ready to tackle the trails.
• Both generations offer the same engine, making it so that you can look for features, and not which model can tow the most, as they all come with the 7,500-pound max towing capacity.
• The XLT is the best option in the first generation as the price will be lower, but it will come with better trims over the base XL trim.

While the Ranger existed in other markets, Ford finally brought it to North America in 2019, and when it hit the market, it came in just 3 trims. The trims for this generation are the XL, XLT, and Lariat, these can be found in both four-door SuperCab and four-door SuperCrew configurations. While there are a few trims, and configurations, there’s only one engine option, and that’s the 2.3L I4 engine that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. While this isn’t the largest engine compared to others in the Ford family, this one is capable as it can tow up to 7,500 pounds. Being that this is a smaller engine, it is efficient, and it makes using the Ranger as a daily driver a very viable option. This engine comes with an EPA rated 23 MPG combined.

When this generation first came out, it did feature some packages, but the most notable one came in 2021. This was the Tremor package, and it comes with an updated suspension tuned for off-road use thanks to FOX Dampers. When the terrain starts to get a bit testy, the terrain management system with trail control will come in handy, helping you conquer it with ease. The last standout for this is the massive 32-inch off-road all-terrain, helping you tackle just about everything you could ever encounter.

While the Ford Ranger is still new around this time, it didn’t really come with much on the lower-end XL trim. You can find basic features like the four-speaker AM/FM audio system, but if you want just a bit more, then you’ll want the other trims as they come with SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with swipe capability.

With the Ranger being something that the North American market liked, Ford added a new trim to the lineup, and this is the Raptor. It joins the existing XL, XLT, and Lariat trim, but adds some off-road fun. The Raptor is equipped with a 3.0L V6 twin-turbocharged engine that is capable of 405 horsepower. This is much more than the 270 on the base engine, making it the one to look for when you want something fun. The base engine for the rest of the lineup is a carryover from the generation before, really highlighting how it’s the best for what it does.

Being that Ford decided to go all in on this model, it came with some upgraded features, one of these being the standard 10.1-inch screen, but if you want more, then you can look for models that are equipped with the 12.4-inch screen.

This generation also saw the switch from physical to digital controls, putting all of the controls on the infotainment screen. This clears up the dash, and makes it look more sleek, making it seem more futuristic than the generation before.

If you want the best value, then Car and Driver thinks that you should look for XLT trims, which is because it “adds desirable equipment”. Some of these features are the in-dash navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a power outlet inside the truck bed. The XLT is also equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360, which adds blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist.

If you find yourself looking at a model that is equipped with the technology package, you’ll find that it comes with adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and front parking sensors.