Detroit 2018: Ford Ranger Returns To The US After 6 Years Hiatus

After a 6 years hiatus, the Ford Ranger has returned to North America. Set to debut as a 2019 model year, the North American Ford Ranger now allows the company to compete directly against the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado.

In terms of powertrain, Ford did not mention specific output figures, though the company did mention that the all-new Ranger will be powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, a segment first.

As for the all-new Ford Ranger’s exterior design, Ford has elected to differentiate the North American and global model by giving the former a more noticeably bulging hood, revised fender garnish, more muscular front bumper and new tail lights. 

Despite its differences, both the North American and global model share a similar exterior design, with both models featuring the Blue Oval proudly on the signature front grille, flanked by a pair of optional LED headlights.

Ford will offer the all-new Ranger across two options – bed and crew, though both models will share the same wheelbase. The SuperCab Ford Ranger will get a longer bed, while the SuperCrew Ranger gets a shorter bed, albeit with a full-sized rear door. Similar to the larger F-series pick-up trucks, the all-new Ranger is likely going to receive aluminium front fenders, tailgate and hood. 

Bed options aside, the all-new Ford Ranger is available in three trim levels – XL, XLT and Lariat, all of which can be had with optional Chrome and Sport appearance packages. Also new to the North American Ford Ranger is the FX4 Off-Road Package. The FX4 package includes off-road-tunedd shocks, all-terrain tyres, frame-mounted heavy-gauge steel front skid plate and bash plates plus FX4 emblems. On top of that, the Ranger FX4 comes with Terrain Management System with four drive modes – normal, grass, gravel and snow.

Inside, the all-new Ford Ranger can be had with Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, integrating both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also optional are the FordPass Connect 4G LTE modem, AC power outlets, USB outlets and B&O PLAY premium audio system.

Production of the all-new Ford Ranger will commence later this year at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, before the model goes on sale as a 2019 model.