Shopping for a used Ford Ranger means getting a great price on a powerful, modern midsize truck. Not only can the Ranger tow near the top of its class, but it also offers a range of off-road-ready gear that lets you choose your own adventure. Inside, the used Ranger is roomy and comfortable. But it’s also supremely tech-savvy. On the used lot, you’ll find Rangers with everything from modern smartphone integration to crash-avoidance technology.
Fourth Generation: 2019-Current Model
What you’ll love about the fourth-generation used Ford Ranger: By choosing the midsize Ranger, you’ll enjoy a powerful trucking performance without the outsized footprint of a larger truck.
These Rangers are available with one of two body styles. The extended SuperCab, which is paired with a 6-foot bed and offers room for four passengers. The larger SuperCrew cabin seats five, but its 5-foot bed is slightly shorter. Both cabins are big on passenger comfort, with nicely padded seats and road-trip-friendly space all around.
Properly equipped, these trucks can tow up to 7,500 pounds—quite a lot for this segment. Under the hood, every used Ranger features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that balances modern fuel economy with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Ford’s modern midsize truck is also tech-savvy. All but the base XL model come standard with the Sync 3 infotainment system. And forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking is standard in every trim model, helping you avoid a dangerous situation.
How have these midsize trucks changed over the years? Just about every vehicle sees changes from model year to model year, and the used Ford Ranger is no exception.
The 2021 Ranger introduced the Tremor Off-Road Package. With it, the Ranger becomes more rugged than ever before, with a lifted suspension, 32-inch all-terrain tires, greater approach, departure, and breaker angles, and much more. Also for 2021, the Sync 3 infotainment system becomes optional for the entry-level XL trim models (it’s still standard for the XLT and up).
For 2020, the Ranger rolled out a new FX2 off-road package designed to help rear-wheel-drive trucks navigate trails. It includes bigger off-road tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, and an electronic-locking rear differential, all of which will maximize off-road precision. The package also adds an off-road screen to the digital gauge cluster to help you keep track of performance. Finally, the package adds a 4X2 FX Off-Road bodyside decal to let everyone know you can travel wherever you want.
Third Generation: 1998-2011
What you’ll love about the third-generation used Ford Ranger: With smaller dimensions than later models, these trucks are a bit handier in a tight spot. Although it’s not turbocharged, this batch of Rangers also comes with a four-cylinder engine and a pretty efficient ride, with EPA ratings of up to 27 mpg on the highway. Like the modern Ranger, four-wheel drive was an option for these models, giving you a major advantage over the elements.
How do these trucks differ from the current generation of used Ford Rangers? You’ve probably noticed that there’s nearly a decade-long gap between the third and fourth Ranger generations. And there’s a lot more than just time between them. The third-generation Ranger was a product of its own era, when midsize trucks were smaller and less turbocharged. Like any modern midsize truck, the current fourth-generation used Ranger offers bigger cabins, a higher stance, and more tech features than models of yore