2020 Ford Ranger vs 2019 Ford F-150

When Ford redesigned the F-150 in 2015, it caused quite a stir with its twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine and extensive use of aluminum throughout the body panels. General Motors had criticized the F-150's aluminum design in ads, but later incorporated aluminum into the hood, doors, and tailgate of their new Silverado. The 2019 F-150 maintained the same visual design as the previous year after a refresh in 2018. It offered various trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited, each adding incrementally more features and luxury.

The XL trim was a basic work truck with few frills. The XLT added more comforts like power windows and a larger infotainment screen. The Lariat introduced leather interiors and heated seats. The King Ranch, offered since 2001, had a unique interior upholstery called Camel Back and luxurious features. The high-end Platinum trim added a wood-panel interior and power-deploying running boards, while the Raptor was geared towards off-road performance with a wide-body kit and Fox Racing Shox. The pinnacle of luxury, the Limited trim, featured 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, a moonroof, dual exhaust, and massaging seats.

The comeback of the Ford Ranger to the U.S. market in 2019 ended an eight-year hiatus and introduced a larger and more sophisticated truck than its predecessor. The Ranger's design was influenced by its international counterpart, avoiding the bigger-and-blockier trend seen in American trucks. The Ranger featured a clean, sporty appearance and a purpose-first cabin.

The Ranger came in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims. The base XL had steel wheels and a black grille, while the XLT included more creature comforts like body-color bumpers and dual-zone climate control. The Lariat trim, the most upscale, boasted 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a chrome grille, leather upholstery, and ambient cabin lighting. Furthermore, several appearance packages were offered to personalize the Ranger's aesthetic.

In 2019, the F-150 introduced a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 making 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. Its lineup also included several carryover engines: a base 3.3-liter V6 with 290 hp and 265 lb-ft, a 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, and a larger 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in 375 hp and 450 hp variants. There was also a 5.0-liter V8 producing 395 hp and 400 lb-ft.

The King Ranch we drove came with the new diesel engine, which offered a towing capacity of up to 11,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 4WD. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission in most configurations and a 6-speed automatic in base trims. The fuel economy for the diesel engine with RWD stood at 22 mpg city, 30 highway, 25 combined.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was equipped exclusively with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to 1,860 pounds. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added performance features like off-road tires and locking differentials, with the FX4 further including Trail Control and the Terrain Management system, offering drive modes for various terrains.

The 2019 F-150 offered multiple bed and cab configurations, including a single cab, extended SuperCab, and full four-door SuperCrew with different bed lengths. The SuperCrew we tested had a spacious cabin with plenty of cupholders, a massive center console, and large in-door bins. It also offered substantial rear legroom and versatile cargo space with a fold-up rear bench.

The 2020 Ford Ranger could be configured as either a SuperCab or SuperCrew. The SuperCab seated four with tight rear seats suitable for children and clamshell half-doors for access. The SuperCrew, accommodating five, featured more adult-friendly rear seats and more interior space. In front, both configurations had deep in-door pockets and ample storage options.

The Ranger’s bed options included a six-foot bed for the SuperCab and a five-foot bed for the SuperCrew, with features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting available. However, it did not offer a bed-step or spray-in bed liner as standard.

The base XL trim of the 2019 F-150 employed Ford’s basic Sync infotainment system with a 4.2-inch screen. Higher trims like XLT and above came with Sync 3, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, including third-party map apps after an iOS 12 update. The King Ranch we tested had a Wi-Fi hotspot and a B&O Play premium sound system by Harman.

Similarly, the 2020 Ranger’s XL trim had basic audio equipment but included FordPass Connect, enabling remote locking/unlocking, remote start, and WiFi hotspot capabilities. The XLT upgraded to Sync 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range-topping Lariat featured a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The F-150 came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. Higher trims featured a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. The F-150’s broad range of safety features ensured it was equipped to handle various driving conditions safely.

The 2020 Ranger included front- and side-impact airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and forward collision avoidance. The XLT added the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. In safety evaluations, the Ranger scored well, earning a four-star rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, despite a recall related to the ten-speed transmission.