2021 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 Ford F-150 exemplified the classic truck design with an emphasis on functionality and a timeless aesthetic. Unlike its more aggressively styled competitors such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the F-150's design was marked by clean lines and a blocky grille that conveyed confidence without being overly assertive. The restrained design approach meant that the F-150 retained its appeal even as it aged, ensuring it would look just as stylish by the time it reached its third owner. The exterior styling was meant to stand the test of time, providing a sense of durability and practicality.

Inside the F-150, one encountered a straightforward, mechanical dash that initially might seem cold and unwelcoming. However, upon startup, the dash and infotainment screen brought the cabin to life. The truck prioritized form over function, using durable materials like hard plastics in lower trims, while higher trims added some soft-touch materials and leather. Despite these upgrades, the F-150's interior never reached the luxury levels of the Ram 1500, but it was more than sufficient for a workhorse designed to endure rough use.

The F-150's trim levels ranged from the basic XL to the luxurious Limited. The XL was a no-frills work truck equipped with essential features such as steel wheels, air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio. The XLT added some refinement with 17-inch painted aluminum wheels and the SYNC 3 infotainment system. The mid-tier Lariat trim bridged the gap with leather-trimmed seats and power heated and cooled front seats. Higher trims like the King Ranch and Platinum offered unique features like saddle-leather upholstery and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems, while the Raptor focused on off-road performance with its rugged design and specialized equipment. The top-tier Limited trim delivered maximum comfort with premium leather upholstery and a dual-panel moonroof.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Ford Ranger opted for a more contemporary and slightly adventurous look, particularly with the Tremor Off-Road Package. Available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with six-foot and five-foot cargo beds respectively, the Ranger catered to a different truck buyer. The Tremor package enhanced its stance with unique dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and red grille accents. These features, along with off-road hook-style side steps and "Tremor" graphics, gave the truck a purposeful and rugged appearance.

Inside, the Ranger's cabin was marked by clean and contemporary design. The Lariat trim with the Tremor package featured simulated suede seat inserts and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The combination of all-weather floor mats and six upfitter switches added a functional yet well-equipped feel. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the cabin didn't look or feel cheap, offering simple, intuitive controls that were easy to use. The Tremor package's interior upgrades made it the best-equipped Ranger model available.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a diverse range of powertrain options catering to different needs and preferences. The base XL and XLT trims came with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, generating 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. For those needing a bit more power, an optional 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 was available, producing 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. There was also a 5.0-liter V8 engine option that delivered 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque for enthusiasts fond of traditional, large-displacement engines.

A more powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 offered 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, making it the most potent engine in the F-150 lineup. For those preferring diesel, Ford provided a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, which produced 250 hp and a robust 440 lb-ft of torque. Lower trims featured a 6-speed automatic transmission, while higher trims came with a more advanced 10-speed automatic that included a Drive Mode selector with options such as Normal, Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect, and Sport.

The F-150 boasted remarkable towing capabilities, able to tow up to 12,300 pounds when properly equipped, making it a leader in the light-duty truck segment. This required opting for the XLT SuperCrew RWD with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, 20-inch tires, and the Max Trailer Tow Package.

The F-150 Raptor stood out with its wider body, flared fenders, and specialized off-road gear. Its 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, combined with a Terrain Management System and Fox Racing Shox, made it an off-road marvel capable of handling various terrains with ease.

Comparatively, the 2021 Ford Ranger utilized a single, efficient powertrain: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for daily driving and off-road adventures. The Ranger's engine delivered distinctive character with a muffled chuffing note under acceleration, which added to its personality.

The Ranger's Tremor Off-Road Package included a new off-road suspension with revised springs and Fox off-road performance shocks, enhancing both off-road and on-road driving capabilities. It provided 9.7 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with protective skid plates. The Tremor's towing capacity stood at 7,500 pounds, while its payload capacity was 1,430 pounds, slightly less than non-off-road versions. During testing, the Ranger averaged 18.5 mpg, close to its 19 mpg rating in combined driving.

The Ranger felt enjoyable to drive, with swift acceleration and refined suspension tuning that didn't compromise on-road comfort. The off-road capabilities of the Tremor package were impressive, matching competitors like the Tacoma TRD Pro in challenging conditions, and offered better maneuverability in tight spots.

The 2020 Ford F-150 provided three cab and three bed sizes in various combinations. Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew offered different passenger capacities and door configurations. Bed sizes included 5-and-a-half-, 6-and-a-half-, and 8-foot options. The Regular Cab was a single cab, while the SuperCab featured rear half-doors that required the front doors to be opened first, potentially inconvenient for those frequently accessing the rear seats. The SuperCrew's full four-door configuration, with its expansive rear legroom and seat flip-up feature, maximized cabin space and convenience.

Inside, the F-150 boasted numerous storage solutions such as cubbies and cupholders, along with a sizable center console storage bin. The tailgate featured a bed step for easier access, though GM trucks' integrated corner bed steps offered a simpler, more durable solution.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured sturdy individual hoop-style step bars, which, while providing a rugged look, posed difficulties for both shorter and taller individuals. The Ranger's interior included an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, both comfortable and heated, though the driver's seat lacked sufficient travel for taller drivers.

Rear-seat space in the Ranger was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, except for the Honda Ridgeline, though it lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. The storage bins under the rear-seat cushion lifted as a single piece, which was less convenient than a split design. The tailgate, while light and easy to lift, slammed down unsophisticatedly and lacked damping. The SuperCrew's cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space, compared to the SuperCab's 51.8 cubic feet, with few standard cargo solutions aside from tie-down hooks.

The 2020 Ford F-150’s base XL trim came with a basic AM/FM radio. For those requiring more, the optional SYNC infotainment system provided a touchscreen, USB ports, and voice recognition. The XLT trim featured the advanced SYNC 3 system, which included an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it user-friendly with its intuitive menu navigation and helpful dock buttons.

Higher trims incorporated FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem, which allowed pairing with up to 10 devices and remote vehicle access via a mobile app. For audio enthusiasts, a Kicker subwoofer was available on lower trims, while upper trims could enjoy the B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

Similarly, the 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a WiFi hotspot. The system included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Though Sync 4 was making its way into other Ford vehicles, Sync 3 remained competitive within the midsize truck segment.

However, the Ranger’s voice recognition was inconsistent during testing, struggling with certain requests but performing well with others. This inconsistency slightly marred the overall infotainment experience, though essential commands like climate control adjustments could still be managed via the system.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came standard with a comprehensive set of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Standard driver assistance included pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. Depending on the trim, additional features from the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite were available, such as blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The F-150 also offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist to simplify trailer maneuvering. The F-150 SuperCrew received 5-star safety ratings from the NHTSA and top marks from IIHS, while other cab configurations received 4 stars.

The 2021 Ford Ranger also offered the Co-Pilot360 collection of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system covered trailers, and adaptive cruise control was standard on the Lariat trim. The Ranger featured a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and parking sensors. Despite these features, the Ranger received an overall 4-star safety rating from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS, with "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings in certain tests.