BUYER'S GUIDE: 2019 Ford Ranger

For sure, Ford designed the Ranger to be a highly versatile vehicle that can meet the diverse demands of different pickup owners. With nine trims to choose from, the new 2019 Ford Ranger offers something for everyone, while ensuring a great combination of performance, comfort, and technology for each. If you think you're ready for the value that the 2019 Ranger can provide, dive into this Buyer's Guide for this Ford pickup's latest version.

Specification

For the 2019 model year, Ford brought the number of variants from 15 down to just nine, mainly by ditching the 3.2-liter-equipped trims. That said, buyers still get to choose between three engine options—a 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo Diesel (210 hp, 500 Nm), 2.0-liter Turbo Diesel (178 hp, 420 Nm), and a 2.2-liter TDCi Diesel (158 hp, 385 Nm). A 10-speed automatic gearbox takes on the responsibility of delivering each engine's power to the wheels. A tougher chassis comes courtesy of high-strength low alloy steel optimized for off-road performance. The suspension on the other hand, has been tweaked to handle tough terrain at top speeds with ease. Towing and payload capacity is 2,500 kg and 766 kg, respectively.

Exterior

The Raptor's dimensions stand at 5,354mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1821mm high. The top-of-the-line Raptor BI-Turbo 4x4 is more sizeable than the rest, at 5,398mm long, 2,028mm wide and 1,873 high. Wheelbase is at 3,220mm, and ground clearance at 232mm--283mm for the Raptor. Retaining the adventurous look characteristic of the current generation (its third), the Ranger features a more focused front fascia, albeit the Raptor does retain the wide front bumper. The HID headlights look the same, as does much of the truck's exterior features, but the fog lights are made smaller with a thick black border accent. Some of the cool color options out of the twelve available include Saber, Blue Reflex, and Meteor Gray.

Interior

The interior design looks even more user-friendly than its predecessor, with plenty of new technology thrown in for good measure. The 4x4 trims come with a shift-on-the-fly feature that lets you select between 2WD and 4WD with ease. Other tools to make life easier for Ranger owners include a first-in-class tailgate lift assist, voice-controlled SYNC 3, smarter start button, navigation system, and active park assist. An eight-inch TFT touchscreen and leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls serve as the stylish focal points for the entire cabin. Meanwhile, an eight-way power adjusted seat enhances driving comfort.

Space

The 2019 Ford Ranger offers spacious and comfy seating for five, while the truck bed ensures you can haul practically all types of cargo. Measuring at 1,540 mm long and 1,560 mm wide and 511 mm deep, the bed is practically good for hauling almost anything.

Safety

With the ever-growing demand for safety in today’s cars, Ford certainly poured a lot of effort into making the Ranger as safe as can be. Six airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rearview camera make driving on and off the road a safer experience. The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is an exceptionally nice touch, as it can alert you if pedestrians and vehicles cross your path, even automatically applying the brakes if need be.

Our Verdict

As one of the Ford's biggest sellers in the Asia Pacific region, a lot is at stake in ensuring that the 2019 Ford Ranger continues to be the tough and versatile performer it's been known to be. Fortunately, there's no need to worry, as the pickup delivers on all expected fronts.