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2009 Ford Ranger Safety Review

July 9, 2009

SAFETY | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Acceptable," front-impact; "marginal," side impact; "poor," rear-impact rating
IIHS

Four stars for front-impact protection
NHTSA

The 2009 Ford Ranger doesn't provide a clean sweep of top-notch safety gear, but TheCarConnection.com finds it earns mostly acceptable crash-test scores.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2009 Ford Ranger "acceptable" and "poor" ratings for frontal and rear impacts, respectively, in its assessments.
Side impact tests resulted in a "marginal" rating. According to Edmunds, in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-test ratings, the 2009 Ford Ranger "earned four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts."

Anti-lock brakes are standard on the 2009 Ford Ranger, but the Ranger shows its advancing age in its lack of side and curtain airbags. Electronic stability control—an especially important feature on rollover-prone pickups—isn't offered either.

Conclusion

The 2009 Ford Ranger shows its age here, with the lack of several key safety features and a lackluster crash-test record.

SAFETY | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:Acceptable," front-impact; "marginal," side impact; "poor," rear-impact ratingIIHSFour stars for front-impact protectionNHTSA The 2009 Ford Ranger doesn't provide a clean sweep of top-notch safety gear, but TheCarConnection.com finds it earns mostly acceptable crash-test scores. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2009 Ford Ranger "acceptable" and "poor" ratings for frontal and rear impacts, respectively, in its assessments. Side impact tests resulted in a "marginal" rating. According to Edmunds, in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-test ratings, the 2009 Ford Ranger "earned four out of five stars for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts." Anti-lock brakes are standard on the 2009 Ford Ranger, but the Ranger shows its advancing age in its lack of side and curtain airbags. Electronic stability control—an especially important feature on rollover-prone pickups—isn't offered either. ConclusionThe 2009 Ford Ranger shows its age here, with the lack of several key safety features and a lackluster crash-test record. 2009 FORD RANGER STYLING | [6 out of 10] Edmunds: "due to its aged design, it falls short in many other areas, making just about any other small or midsize pickup a better choice" MyRide.com: "truck desperately needs an update" ConsumerGuide: "basic design is more than a decade old and ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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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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