The Ford Ranger is Ford’s adventurous and rugged midsize truck that’s full of personality and energy. It’s a favorite among off-roaders who want serious capabilities but don’t require the larger dimensions of a full-size pickup. If you want a vehicle that’s ready for everyday errands and weekend excursions, the Ranger is for you.
Since Ford is known for its durable and long-lasting vehicles, pre-owned Rangers are popular in the midsize, used pickup market. If you are checking out used Ford trucks for sale and have been considering a Ranger, especially if you know you want a new-ish model, the fourth generation—which spanned 2019 to 2023—is worth a look. Here are the highlights of this recent generation.
2019 Ranger
Starting off the fourth generation is the 2019 model. It’s a rugged beast with a tough steel frame. It only has one powertrain option, but it only needs one. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and auto start-stop technology to maximize fuel economy. With 270 hp, it’s more than powerful enough to keep the Ranger accelerating even when you’re towing (and you can tow up to 7,500 lbs with the optional tow package).
With a starting ground clearance of 8.4 inches and up to 8.9 inches on 4×4 models, the Ranger is more than capable of clearing some rocky, bumpy roads and modest obstacles. Drivers can opt for a 4×4 or 4×2 model, so those favoring more fuel economy can go with the latter. It’s available in a SuperCab (four passengers) or SuperCrew (five passengers) configuration.
Drivers will feel confident on unknown roads in the 2019 Ranger, thanks to a good suite of driver assist features. Available features here include pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, blind spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and reverse sensing.
Drivers looking to take their off-roading to the next level can look for a used Ranger equipped with the FX4 Off-Road Package. This will add an off-road-tuned suspension to better absorb rough terrain, all-terrain tires to maintain traction on all kinds of surfaces, and functional bash and skid plates. Plus, the Terrain Management System gets you four drive modes, each of which makes instantaneous adjustments to adapt to your environments for optimal performance.
One particularly popular feature from this model year is Trail Control. It lets you set the desired speed, and then the vehicle takes over braking and accelerating, maintaining your desired speed even on rough roads, so you can just enjoy the ride.
2020 Ranger
Not much changed between 2019 and 2020. The same trims and configurations were available, as well as the same powertrain. However, Ford did add some new color options for this year, including Iconic Silver, Race Red, and Rapid Red. So, good news if you like red trucks.
Ford also added the FX2 package, which is designed for drivers looking for off-road looks and capability in a 4×2 configuration. Like the FX4 package, it gets an off-road-tuned suspension and underbody protection. It also enjoys off-road-ready tires and an electronic locking rear differential, allowing both rear wheels to turn at the same speed when needed to maximize traction. Plus, it has a fun digital cluster showing off-road-specific stats.
2021 Ranger
The 2021 model year was all about more packages. Trims, powertrains, and configurations remained the same from 2020. However, we got the addition of the STX Special Edition Package and the Tremor Off-Road package. We’ll start with the STX Special Edition Package. It rides on unique 18-inch black wheels with machined-finished edges and gets some nice interior upgrades, too, like silver-painted accents and privacy glass. This package also gets standard SYNC 3 with smartphone compatibility, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch center touch screen.
The Tremor Off-Road Package is what caused a lot of buzz for the 2021 model year. Previously associated with the F-150 and Super Duty, getting this option added to the smaller Ranger was quite exciting. Not for the faint of heart, it adds a lifted suspension with upgrades intended for serious off-roading and huge 32-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires. Red recovery hooks give a rescuer something to grab onto when you need to be pulled out of a sticky situation. You find other red accents on the outside, including the grille inserts. On the inside, you find unique Tremor stitching throughout. Used models equipped with this package will get a whopping 9.8 inches of ground clearance. Put simply, it’s a vehicle you can’t ignore if you are serious about taking off-roading further.
2022 Ranger
Ford kept things pretty consistent for the 2022 model year, but for one exception: the addition of the Splash Package. Or should we say, the return of the Splash Package? Ford first made this bright and colorful package in the 1990s. For 2022, it returned, lending its eye-catching orange and black body-side graphics, matte black wheels, and orange and black trim to the 2022 Ranger. The steering wheel and seats feature orange contrast stitching, too.
The 2022 Ranger Splash is something of a collector’s item because Ford intentionally built a sense of exclusivity around it. It did this by releasing a new color of the Splash Package in limited quantities every few months throughout 2022. If you snag a used example, you have a little piece of history (a very bright, very orange piece of history, if that’s your thing).
2023 Ranger
Ford continued its love affair with the Splash Appearance package for the 2023 model year, adding the Splash Jungle Edition. Available exclusively on the Lariat High SuperCrew, it gives drivers a unique Eruption Green exterior paint job, a black mesh grille, and Magnetic highlights, including the bars, door handles, and grille surround. That sums up the new items for the 2023 model year.
Check Out a Used Ford Ranger for Rugged Refinement
If you’ve been wanting a midsize truck for its maneuverable dimensions and superior fuel economy but wondered how you could get Ford’s more famous off-road capabilities, the Ranger has you covered. When you shop the fourth generation, you get almost all of the current technology features like Bluetooth, smartphone compatibility, and excellent driver assist features, not to mention some built-in navigation options and stunning screens and graphics.
The fourth generation was a solid one for the Ranger. It didn’t see many changes but that’s because it didn’t have to—the Ranger entered 2019 nearly perfect, and this is a fun generation to shop used. Major differences to look out for from the 2019 to 2023 model years really come down to options. From appearance packages to off-road packages, there are some exciting options to explore. Otherwise, the powertrain remained consistent—a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder kicking out 270 hp, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Trims and cab and bed configurations stayed the same, too.
The fourth-generation Ranger was praised for being affordable when new, so when you shop for a used model, you can find some really stellar prices on this adventurous midsize pickup. If you’ve been wanting to treat yourself to a truck that’s ready for some fun, but you also need to stick to a budget, check out the fourth-generation Ford Ranger.
