2021 Ford Ranger

With an old model, Ford further surprised everyone by carrying forward the same model in 2020 with just smoke minimal changes. However, that's not going to be the case for 2021 though. While the all-new Ford Bronco based fifth-generation Ranger is in the pipeline for 2022, the 2021 Ranger does get its fair share.

No major changes expected in the regular line-up, but we are getting a 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor very soon. Yes, a Ranger crew cab with more muscle, aggression and power than its regular version. With complete details still awaited, we take a quick look here at the 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab series. 

With the probable major revisions rested for 2022, the 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab shall most likely hit the stores in its three familiar trim levels. You would still get an XL, XLT and Lariat versions of Ford’s smallest pick-up even in 2021. The configuration on the existing 2020 Ranger shall also remain the same. 

A standard FWD with an optional upgrade to the AWD system. Distribution of necessities across the trim-line in hierarchical order should also remain constant. However, for 2021, you would also have to offer a more powerful and meaner Ranger Raptor. The Raptor should house a new and powerful engine along with standard AWD and several trim-specific fitments, similar to those in its larger siblings. 

*2020 model data used for reference

Expected Price and Release Date of the 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab

Since there's not much to happen around the 2021 Ford Ranger lineup, its prices are expected to remain somewhat similar to the present 2020 model. Because of the very same reason, there should be no delay in the 2021 Rangers being rolled out. Though Ford is yet to officially speak a word, we expect the 2021 Ford Ranger to hit the stores somewhere towards fall 2020. However, the all new Ranger Raptor shall arrive a bit late, somewhere in the first half of 2021. Expect the 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab to kick-in at somewhere around $27,000, while the 2021 Ranger raptor could carry a tag over $45,000.

If you are hoping for some fresh blood in the 2021 Ford Ranger, you are only heading towards disappointment. While the 2022 fifth-gen Ranger is supposed to get a new engine, the 2021 story should be familiar. The 2021 Ford Ranger would still flaunt its tried and tested 2.3-liter turbo EcoBoost engine. The upcoming 2021 Ranger Raptor though is rumored to sport the 3.5-liter turbo unit, alo seen in the likes of the Expedition.

The Ranger’s 2.3-liter turbo though is indeed one of the best engines in the class. The pot makes 270 hp and 310 ft-lbs of torque. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the engine feels energetic and refined with ample power to swiftly haul the ranger. There's always a strong torque available on the lower rpm range along with a very good mid-range for easy highway passings. The 10-speed auto shifts very smoothly and quickly and never feels in the wrong gear. 

*2020 figures used for reference

The 2021 Ford Ranger on the basis of its predecessor will have a competitive and impressive engine to fight a deadlock rivalry even in 2021. Ford leads in the torque production sector by a huge margin and even its 270 hp output is better than most of its competitors. The highest competition stake is of the Honda Ridgeline due to its 3.5L V6 engine alongside Honda's incredible reliability. However, what makes the Ford Ranger’s powertrain shine in its class is its preppy and punchy behavior alongside a buttery smooth transmission. Combine these two and the Ranges offers the most engaging drive experience among the lot. 

How quick is the 2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab?

Acceleration is indeed one of the strongest aspects of the fourth-gen Ford Ranger. With a punchy engine and smooth transmission, a 2020 Ford Ranger races from 0-60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

Thankfully though, with no changes in the powertrain front, the 2021 Ford Ranger shall delight us with similar enthusiasm. The upcoming Ranger Raptor, touted to have a 3.5-liter turbo could further set new benchmarks in the segment.

*2020 figures used for reference

Floor the ford Ranger flat on empty stretches and you feel spurting energy that is not common among pick-up trucks. The Ranger does feel faster than it actually is. No surprise, its 6.1-second 0-60 run is the best in its segment. It beats its rivals in the acceleration game by a fair margin. The only one that manages to get close to it, is the Honda Ridgeline. The honda does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and that too with a larger 3.5-0liter V6 pot.

How well does the 2021 Ford Ranger crew cab brake system work?

Taking into account the braking system and safety measures provided to the 2020 Ford Ranger, it can be said the pickup is a safe and secure bet. Features like anti-lock brakes, stability control and 4-wheel ABS do help the fourth-gen Ranger, braking its momentum sincerely. With all its braking armament, the 2020 Ford Ranger manages to stop from 60-0 in just 127 feet.

*2020 figures used for reference

While the Ranger’s braking performance seems fair enough for its class and size, it's surprisingly, not the best in class. Interestingly, all the four rivals in the ring here are not too far behind from each other. However, for the sake of numbers, the Chevrolet Colorado leads the braking test with a class-leading 60-0 braking distance of just 124 feet. Thanks to its significantly larger discs and lesser weight than the Ford. 

How well does the 2021 Ford Ranger Handle?

No mechanical changes on the move and the 2021 Ford Ranger should behave exactly the way its 2020 model does. The slated 2021 Ranger Raptor though should bring some delight to our faces but we are yet to know its final configurations. For the time being, the fourth-gen Ford Range seems well-equipped and attentive to even minute details of a coarse road. The handling is relatively better than its rivals without delivering discomfort to its passengers.

For a midsize pick-up truck, the Ranger does make some strong promises. Though don't expect it to be as comfortable and humble as the Honda Ridgeline. It's swift, agile and switches its temperament in a fraction. For smooth negotiations with harsh surfaces, it gets a terrain management system with four selectable drive modes. Flipping between Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand tweaks the overall mechanics specifically. 

While it keeps things pretty comfortable on smooth straight highway passings, it tends to be a bit bumpy on encounters with hard obstacles. The bumpy movements get even more pronounced with the FX4 off-road package introduced in 2020. This could be probably because of its softer suspension tuning. However, switching to the non-FX4 4wd version, makes things a lot more easy-going. Apart from its disciplined manners, the Ranger feels immensely capable as well. It can easily tow up to 7500 lbs and has a payload capacity of 1860 lbs. What's interesting is the fact that even when loaded to the glitch, it responds with the same energy and enthusiasm. 

Probably the greatest highlight of the fourth-gen Ford Ranger is its powertrain. A smooth-transmission and a peppy 2.3-liter turbo engine not only offer great driving pleasure but also favorable fuel economy. A perfect balance between power and efficiency is what its powertrain strives for. No surprise, the 2020 Ford Ranger delivers a 23 mpg combined efficiency which is best in class.

*2020 figures used for reference

While the Ranger is surely the most promising in terms of efficiency, its rivals are not far beyond either. The Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado closely follow the Ranger with their 21 and 22 combined mpg respectively. Even with a large 3.5-liter base V6, the Honda Ridgeline first as well with its 21 combined mpg. However, what its rivals miss out is the Ranger’s equilibrium of power and efficiency. 

The 2021 Ford Ranger doesn’t come with exciting interior developments, however, it does satisfy the consumer with its existing luxury. The cabin appears to be roomy enough, however, Ford is mainly focussed on its utmost level of utility. The visibility is good enough along with the well-positioned driver's seat. The seat material isn’t taken into account given the car’s actual purpose.

However, compared to today’s evolving norms, the interior layout does feel a bit darted now. Step inside a 2020 Ranger and you would instantly be reminded of older Ford’s cabin. The materials on the inside though might not be as plush as Ridgeline, they work well with the Ranger’s overall character. With no expected before 2022, the 2021 Ford Ranger would have the same cabin on offer. 

Complaints apart, it has a very utilitarian yet spacious cabin for sure. The doors open wide allowing easy ingress and egress and the seats have a very comfortable height as well. The cabin feels roomy with plenty of space and the good seat height along with thin pillars allow great outward visibility as well. Speaking of seats, both the front and row seats come nicely padded with good bolstering and under-thigh support. Based upon selected trim, the Ranger can also serve you well with 8-way power front seats with heating and power lumbar support. 

*2020 figures used for reference

No shortage of creature comforts as well with auto climate-control, power windows, cruise control and leather steering wheel on tap. However, the available leather upholstery doesn't feel as smooth and soft as some of its rivals. While the cabin might feel adequately roomy, it's not as generous as the Colorado or Ridgeline, when it comes to seat room. Front seat headroom and legroom is ample for taller passengers, and so is the second row headroom. However, the cramped legroom at the rear might get uncomfortable for taller passengers. 

Interior Features:

• Automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery
• Leather steering wheel
• 1-touch power windows
• 8-way power front seats with heating and power lumbar support
• Front & rear cupholder
• Cruise Control w/Steering mounted Controls

Infotainment

On the infotainment front, the Ford comes with a 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment that also gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and SiriusXM Satellite radio. However, that's the configuration in the XLT and Lariat models. The base XL gets bare bones fitment with a 4-speaker AM/FM audio, single USB port and a WiFi hotspot. Go down the optional shopping lane and you could also grab in-built navigation as well as a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio. Based on your trim though, you could also get either one or two 4.2-inch productivity screens in the instrument panel. Irrespective of their number, the productivity screen gets a bit difficult to configure while driving and it's also not the most easily readable.

The main infotainment system runs on Sync3 and its clean interface and decent graphics make it quite easy to operate. However, it is not the most responsive in iits class. High on optimism and with things mostly intact in the higher trims, we do expect better standard features across the 2021 Ford Ranger line-up. We could only wait till its launch to figure out what's on offer with the new 2021 Ford Ranger. For the while though, some of the infotainment highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger are listed below.

Infotainment Features

• Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto
• 911 Call Assist
• In-built navigation
• WiFi hotspot
• Applink
• Single Smart Charging USB Port
• FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi
• Remote vehicle control

What are the other storage spaces inside?

In terms of cabin-storage spaces, the Ford Ranger is pretty much in line with what its rivals have to offer. It gets front and rear cup-holders, overhead console with storage space, front door pockets as well as front seatback storage. Door pockets in the rear pockets would have certainly been more appreciable though. 

Not something out of the box for sure, but the fourth-gen Ford Ranger’s exterior silhouette very aptly resonates with its elder brothers. Take a look up close and you will spot inspirations from several Ford products. While the tall nose and upright face remind you of the F-series, the slim LED headlamps and chrome-surrounded grille with two parallel bars remind of the Everest. 

In line with its class aspirations, the side profile is highlighted by black wheel-arches housing up to 18’ inch steel wheels. The rear end proudly wears the Ranger badging, vertical block tail lamps and black rear-bumper with integrated footstep. Get along the optional shopping bay and you can equip your Ranger with a plethora of accessories. No dearth of exterior necessities and it also gets heated mirrors, power door locks, and hands-free entry. Since there’s not much noise around the upcoming 2021 Ford Ranger, expect the exterior touches to be the same. However, the 2021`Ford Ranger Raptor will get an aggressive face, larger wheel arches with off-road wheels and several other distinctive styling cues for sure. 

Overall, the Ford Ranger manages to maintain a very balanced yet purposeful exterior styling. No doubt it can be easily mistaken for a “compact F-150” pick-up truck. Compared to its rivals, it's neither as humble as the Honda Ridgeline nor as aggressive as the Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado. It does show some wild intent on its chin, but in a very controlled manner and one which is strictly purpose-driven.

Exterior Features:

• Chrome grille
• Heated mirrors
• Hands-free entry
• Power door-locks
• Black wheel arches
• LED headlamps
• Convex driver and passenger mirror
• Black front bumper with black rub strip
• Reverse opening rear passenger doors
• Black door handles
• Galvanized steel/aluminum body material

With no compromise on the safety front, the fourth-gen 2020 Ford Ranger comes with a healthy suite of safety features. Thanks to the standard Ford Co-Pilot360 standard on each trim which packs in automated emergency braking, curve control, forward collision monitoring, and a rearview camera. Apart from these,  front side impact and side curtain airbagsare also part of the standard equipment. 

The higher XLT and Lariat models also unlock even more safety features like blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, and a reverse-sensing system. If that doesn't seem satisfying, you can always pick from the several options on tap. Expect an exact same safety suite on offer in the 2021 Ford Ranger as well. Some of the safety highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger are listed below.

Safety features:

• Automated emergency braking
• Curve control
• Reverse-sensing system
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keeping assistance
• Rearview camera
• Forward collision monitoring
• Front side impact, and side curtain airbags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• SecuriLock passive anti-theft system
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System

2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab vs 2020 Honda Ridgeline

In the comparison of Ford Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline, it's a battle of classes and preferences here. This is because of the fact that the Ridgeline is not technically a truck. Not only is the Ridgeline more comfortable, premium and more drivable, it's also more handsome looking as well as the more powerful one.

Above all, the Ridgeline outshines its rivals with plentiful features and very thoughtful utility. The Ford Ranger on the other hand is meant for heavy duty while maintaining all the driving fun. The Ranger is also more efficient and less costly than the Ridgeline. 

2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab vs 2020 Chevrolet Colorado

With these two intact rivals in comparison, the only choice left up to a potential customer is the subjective choice of brand. With only minimal differences, the 2021 Ford Ranger produces better power than Colorado and is also better to drive and handle. Also, in contrast to the Ranger’s balanced styling, the Colorado seems far more aggressive and capable, which it actually is not.

However, the Colorado comes with the option of a 5.2 ft and 6.2 ft bed which is better and more logical than what Ford offers. The price margin also appears to have a mild variation. It all comes down to personal preferences.

2021 Ford Ranger Crew Cab vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma

The 2020 Tacoma serves nothing different apart from its affordable price which can also be found in the 2021 Ford Ranger. Yes, the Tacoma is a fairly capable truck, but loses significantly when pitched against the Ranger.

The Ranger is not only the better looker among the two, its also more powerful and playful, more efficient and spacious as well. 

As it is in 2020, the upcoming 2021 Ford Ranger is also expected to remain the same before it gets a probable redesign in 2022. But that doesn't seem like a serious grouse at all. Yes, the cabin of the fourth-gen Ranger might be dated, but it compensates that very well. It's spacious, workaholic, powerful and efficient and most importantly, fun-to-drive. However, if that's not enough for you, the upcoming all new powerful and even more capable 2021 Ford Ranger Raptor should aptly fulfill all your desires.