The Ford Ranger Is This Year’s Most American Car
After a long hiatus, the Ford Ranger came back aiming to please. The current Ranger earns acclaim for its power and capability. And for 2020, the Ranger is considered the most American car you can buy.
What makes the Ford Ranger the most American car of the year?
The 2020 Ranger is the most American car based on a Made in America Auto Index study. This study is designed to help buyers determine just how “American” a vehicle is based on its label and country of origin. The Ranger ranks highest with its U.S.-made engine, and parent company General Motors tops this year’s list overall.
The 2020 Ranger is a class leader
Every model in the compact truck class has its own niche. The Honda Ridgeline boasts luxury; the Jeep Gladiator has the most distinctive style. But the Ranger is the one to go with if efficiency is your top priority.
The Ranger is equipped with a 270-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. In most situations, the Ranger feels lively and powerful. This pickup can tow up to 7,500 pounds, one of the best ratings for the class.
Additionally, the Ranger has excellent fuel economy ratings compared to some rivals. In Consumer Reports’ road test, it returned 20 mpg overall. CR also likes the Ranger for its off-roading abilities. For the best off-roading experience, enthusiasts will want to opt for the FX4 trim.
According to U.S. News, the Ranger’s driving dynamics and towing capacity contribute to its #2 ranking as the best compact truck. Consumer Reports also ranks the Ranger as its #2 pick, right after the Ridgeline. CR officially recommends the Ranger for its performance and considers it as one of the most reliable pickups of the year. Reviewers at CR gave the truck a four out of five for predicted reliability.
Interior elements
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The Ranger is a pretty versatile truck, so there’s almost something for everyone. This pickup features two body styles: the SuperCab and the SuperCrew. The SuperCab seats four, the SuperCrew seats up to five.
Basic cloth upholstery is standard on the Ranger with vinyl or leather upholstery available as upgrades. You’ll appreciate the Ranger’s interior because of its generous head- and legroom. But even though the Ranger is a new truck, it’s cabin looks pretty outdated. It’s also heavy on the plastic finishings.
The Ranger’s tech features might also make you question its price tag. Base models start at $24,110, but the upper-level models range to $40K. Standard tech features on the Ranger include Bluetooth connection and a wifi hotspot. That said, you can load your Ranger with more tech if you’d like. Ford’s available SYNC 3 system is worth the upgrade and comes with a large touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Regarding active safety equipment, the Ranger is standard with automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning. If you would like more advanced safety features, CR recommends the XLT trim. The XLT trim adds functions, including blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning.
