2020 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, during which it was sold internationally in a different form. The current-generation Ranger was based on this international version, making it larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor. Ford attempted to align the Ranger with the F-Series lineup through similar grille styling, but the similarities ended there. The Ranger's design avoided the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks, instead opting for a clean, somewhat aggressive appearance that highlighted its sporty and capable nature.

Inside, the Ranger featured a function-first cabin that was modern but not entirely welcoming. Hard plastics dominated the interior, making it durable but giving it a low-rent feel compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL came with basic features, while the XLT added more amenities like dual-zone climate control and Ford SYNC 3. The top-tier Lariat offered upscale touches such as leather upholstery and ambient cabin lighting. Various appearance packages and off-road options like the FX2 and FX4 were also available.

Ford's 2021 F-250 Super Duty took the blocky and muscular looks of the F-150 to the next level, appearing larger and more robust in every way. This heavy-duty truck was designed for serious work, featuring long bed lengths for better cargo hauling and a tall ride height for improved ground clearance. The Super Duty's exterior was characterized by giant grilles, heavy-duty bumpers, and bodywork built to withstand daily abuse.

The Super Duty's cabin varied depending on the trim and cab configuration. The base XL trim was a stripped-down work truck with simple cloth upholstery, while higher trims like the Super Duty Limited offered leather and upscale finishes rivaling luxury cars. The truck's size made it more suitable for job sites than city streets, with challenges in parking, maneuvering, and visibility. However, it featured a clever tailgate design with optional steps and a handle for easy bed access, though not as elaborate as those on Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. The turbo engine provided ample power at low speeds and for highway passing. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped and had a maximum payload capacity of 1,860 pounds in the SuperCab 4x2 configuration.

In normal driving, the Ranger felt a bit stiff, similar to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It wasn't as comfortable as a Honda Ridgeline, with noticeable chatter and vibration over small bumps and body roll around corners. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension. The FX4 package further included Trail Control and the Terrain Management System, offering various drive modes for different off-road conditions.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered three powertrains. The base engine was a 6.2-liter V8 producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. An available 7.3-liter V8 delivered 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine produced 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Super Duty came standard with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive available. The F-350 could be ordered in a dual-rear-wheel configuration for better towing capacity, reaching over 36,000 pounds with a gooseneck setup. Payload capacity extended to 4,060 pounds in some configurations.

The Super Duty could be equipped for off-roading with the Tremor package, which included factory lift kits and beefy tires. Fuel economy ratings were not required for heavy-duty trucks, but it was expected that mpg levels would drop significantly during towing or hauling heavy loads.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four with a 2+2 layout, featuring rear-opening clamshell half-doors for accessing the tight rear seats, which were more suitable for kids. The rear seats could be folded up for additional storage or deleted altogether for more cargo space. The SuperCrew was a full four-door crew cab with seating for five, offering more comfortable and spacious rear seats for adults. Both body styles had deep in-door pockets, bottle holders, and ample storage in the center console and dash. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, despite its focus on utility, offered plenty of creature comforts. The front seats came in a 40/20/40 folding bench setup as standard, providing a comfortable armrest with cupholders. Crew Cab and Super Cab models had generous rear seats with easy access through large doors. However, the truck's size made it more suitable for job sites than city streets, with challenges in parking, maneuvering, and visibility. Loading child seats and entering the truck could be difficult, though running boards helped. The Super Duty's tailgate could be optioned with steps and a handle for easy bed access, though it wasn't as elaborate as those on Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was included, offering remote lock/unlock, remote start, and WiFi hotspot capability for up to ten devices, though these features required a subscription after initial complimentary periods. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, known for its intuitive and easy-to-use interface. The base XL trim had a non-touch display, while higher trims offered a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The trucks could be equipped with a variety of tech options, including a WiFi hotspot, upgraded heated and ventilated seats, and adjustable upfitter switches for accessories. Diesel-equipped trucks could also have a rapid heating unit for quickly raising the cabin temperature.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. The Ranger earned top scores in most crash tests by the IIHS and an overall Four-Star rating from the NHTSA. There was one recall for the ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered various safety features as added-cost upgrades or in higher trims. A trailer tow package included special camera views and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Available features included blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision alerts. As a commercial vehicle, the Super Duty was not crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.