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2009 Ford Ranger Bottom Line

July 9, 2009

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

Experts at TheCarConnection.com have searched far and wide to bring you the information in this review about the 2009 Ford Ranger. The editors have driven the Ranger to offer you expert input, then looked for further insight from other reviewers. This inclusive review thus gathers the best and most thorough information about the 2009 Ford Ranger available so that you can make a smart buying decision.

Likes:

  • True compact size
  • Four-cylinder fuel economy
  • Off-road model

Dislikes:

  • No V-8 option
  • No full four-door body style
  • Short six-foot bed

Buying Tips:


If that relative lack of safety features is an issue, hold your horses for a short while and wait for the 2010 model, which makes some substantial feature improvements.

The 2009 Ford Ranger is the oldest vehicle in its class—by a long shot. It got its last full redesign in 1990, and despite a powertrain update and a few other refinements, the style has mostly carried over in recent years.

Nearly identical to the Mazda B-Series, the 2009 Ranger is still available in four- and six-cylinder forms, in rear- or four-wheel drive, and two-door Regular Cab and four-door SuperCab configurations are offered. The latter version has two small access doors for cargo stowage; no true four-door model is on the list.

Periodic updates have kept the Ranger's front end looking fresh even if the profile is familiar, and it's actually aged better than some compact trucks. Another plus is that the Ranger's interior has better materials than many compact trucks. Seating is, however, a step behind most compact-pickup rivals.

The Ford Ranger can be an entertaining off-road vehicle, if that's the purpose you have in mind. Its six-foot bed is useful for some weekend and professional uses, but the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood won't fit.

Safety will be an issue for some shoppers; the 2009 Ford Ranger just doesn't have a competitive features list. Side airbags aren't available; neither is electronic stability control, on a vehicle with a three-star rollover rating.

Trim levels of the 2009 Ford Ranger include the XL, XLT, Sport, and an FX4 Off-Road model, which gets standard Rancho shocks, a Class III trailer package, skid plates, sport bucket seats, and an available Torsen limited-slip differential.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Ford Ranger, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Mazda B-Series is a version of the Ranger that Ford supplies to its Japanese partner; you may prefer the B-Series' styling, but it's not available in as many specialized models as the Ranger. The most direct competitors for the Ranger are the GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado compact trucks. The Ranger has a smoother V-6 engine, but the GM twins have an optional five-cylinder engine with more power and, for 2009, a V-8 option that in some respects gives it the ability of a larger truck. The Canyon and Colorado also offers a true four-door model with a back bench seat, though it's uncomfortable for long trips.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Ford Ranger is an economical—if not modern and refined—choice for those who just want a truck and don't have higher expectations.

Experts at TheCarConnection.com have searched far and wide to bring you the information in this review about the 2009 Ford Ranger. The editors have driven the Ranger to offer you expert input, then looked for further insight from other reviewers. This inclusive review thus gathers the best and most thorough information about the 2009 Ford Ranger available so that you can make a smart buying decision. Likes:True compact sizeFour-cylinder fuel economyOff-road modelDislikes:No V-8 optionNo full four-door body styleShort six-foot bedBuying Tips: If that relative lack of safety features is an issue, hold your horses for a short while and wait for the 2010 model, which makes some substantial feature improvements. The 2009 Ford Ranger is the oldest vehicle in its class—by a long shot. It got its last full redesign in 1990, and despite a powertrain update and a few other refinements, the style has mostly carried over in recent years. Nearly identical to the Mazda B-Series, the 2009 Ranger is still available in four- and six-cylinder forms, in rear- or four-wheel drive, and two-door Regular Cab and four-door SuperCab configurations are offered. The latter version has two small access doors for cargo stowage; no true four-door model is on the list. Periodic updates have kept the Ranger's front end looking fresh even if the profile is familiar, and it's actually aged better than some compact trucks. Another plus is that the Ranger's interior has better materials than many compact trucks. Seating is, however, a step behind most compact-pickup rivals. The Ford Ranger can be an entertaining off-road vehicle, if that's the purpose you have in mind. Its six-foot bed is useful for some weekend and professional uses, but the ubiquitous 4x8 sheet of plywood won't fit. Safety will be an issue for some shoppers; the 2009 Ford Ranger just doesn't have a competitive features list. Side airbags aren't available; neither is electronic stability control, on a vehicle with a three-star rollover rating. Trim levels of the 2009 Ford Ranger include the XL, XLT, Sport, and an FX4 Off-Road model, which gets standard Rancho shocks, a Class III trailer package, skid plates, sport bucket seats, and an available Torsen limited-slip differential. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Ford Ranger, also consider:Chevrolet ColoradoGMC CanyonMazda B-SeriesReason Why:The Mazda B-Series is a version of the Ranger that Ford supplies to its Japanese partner; you may prefer the B-Series' styling, but it's not available in as many specialized models as the Ranger. The most direct competitors for the Ranger are the GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado compact trucks. The Ranger has a smoother V-6 engine, but the GM twins have an optional five-cylinder engine with more power and, for 2009, a V-8 option that in some respects gives it the ability of a larger truck. The Canyon and Colorado also offers a true four-door model with a back bench seat, though it's uncomfortable for long trips. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Ford Ranger is an economical—if not modern and refined—choice for those who just want a truck and don't have higher expectations. Experts at TheCarConnection.com have searched far and wide to bring you the information in this review about the 2009 Ford Ranger. The editors have driven the Ranger to offer you expert input, then looked for further insight from other reviewers. This inclusive review thus gathers the best ...

Other Choices:

The Mazda B-Series is a version of the Ranger that Ford supplies to its Japanese partner; you may prefer the B-Series' styling, but it's not available in as many specialized models as the Ranger. The most direct competitors for the Ranger are the GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado compact trucks. The Ranger has a smoother V-6 engine, but the GM twins have an optional five-cylinder engine with more power and, for 2009, a V-8 option that in some respects gives it the ability of a larger truck. The Canyon and Colorado also offers a true four-door model with a back bench seat, though it's uncomfortable for long trips.

Next Steps:

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See the Ford Ranger in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Doug lampman #1, Posted: 9/19/2009

    The ranger should not be compared to the Colorado the price offered after Ford incentives was $5000 cheaper. The ranger is less truck then the GM but they have no 4 cyl. trucks the perfect inexpensive comfortable 200,000 mile truck. I drive it to work on week days the Kids use it on week ends.

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