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Some excellent used pickup trucks are coming out of three-year leases. The Ford Ranger might be an affordable work truck that you’re sleeping on. Seriously, the 2021 Ford Ranger should be on your shortlist for a reliable option. 

How reliable is the 2021 Ford Ranger? 

The 2021 Ford Ranger is one of the most reliable used trucks available. According to J.D.Power, it has a reliability rating of 85 out of 100, which is great. 

Scores between 81 and 90 are above average while scores between 91 and 100 are best. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma earned a score of 81 and the 2021 Chevy Colorado got an 82. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline actually falls behind the pack with a 78. 

You can expect the average Ranger model to last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. But with the proper care and regular maintenance, the Ranger can surpass 300,000 miles. 

If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, then your Ranger could provide about 17 years of service on the road. 

The 2021 Ford Ranger in mountain snow
2021 Ford Ranger | Ford

The annual maintenance cost for the Ranger rings in at $615. This is slightly below the annual maintenance cost of $650 for other new vehicles. It also has the lowest five-year cost-to-own price in its class at $40,532. 

It maintains 75.99% of its residual value after five years of ownership to maintain a resale value of $30,898. It may depreciate by about $9.762, but milage and condition may change these values. 

The 2021 Ranger has a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mg in 6.8 seconds. 

When properly equipped, the 2021 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,860 lbs. It’s a stout work truck. 

Some people complain that it has a small rear seat and limited interior storage. Plus, the ride can get pretty bumpy at times. But the front seats are comfortable and the interior is fairly quiet with intuitive tech.