2020 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Ford F-350 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 particularly welcoming. Hard plastics dominated the interior, making it durable but less refined compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL trim came with basic features, while the XLT added more amenities such as dual-zone climate control and Ford SYNC 3. The top-tier Lariat trim offered upscale touches like leather upholstery and ambient cabin lighting. Various appearance packages and off-road options like the FX2 and FX4 were also available.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, particularly in its Limited trim, was a luxurious and powerful pickup truck. Gleaming in Iconic Silver paint with a chrome grille and polished wheels, it exuded a stately yet purposeful presence. The interior was equally impressive, featuring plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and power-deploying running boards for easy access. The F-350 offered cavernous space, large seats, and plenty of storage, making it both comfortable and functional.

The F-350 came in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Higher trims like the King Ranch and above featured more luxurious interiors. The truck was available in regular, extended (SuperCab), and crew cab (SuperCrew) styles, with options for a standard or long cargo bed and a single or dual rear-wheel-axle setup. Our test truck was a crew cab with a single-rear-wheel axle and standard cargo bed, equipped with a turbodiesel V8 engine and four-wheel drive. The Limited trim included upscale features like soft two-tone leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and real wood and aluminum trim, justifying its high price tag.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was powered by 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 for low-speed driving and 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.

However, the Ranger's ride quality was somewhat 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. Ford offered FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages, which 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, optimizing the truck for various off-road conditions.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, delivering an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, the F-350 averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway driving. The diesel engine provided remarkable performance, effortlessly motivating the truck and handling loaded trailers with ease. The Tremor off-road package offered additional capabilities, including a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, making it suitable for challenging terrains.

Driving the F-350 in urban environments presented challenges due to its size. Parking required extra care, and the truck's adaptive steering, while helpful, still demanded significant effort. The brakes were stout but required acclimation to the pressure needed. The engine-braking system proved useful for mountain driving. Overall, the F-350's performance was impressive, but its size and handling characteristics made it best suited for those who needed its towing and hauling capabilities.

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. The SuperCrew, on the other hand, offered seating for five with a full rear bench, providing more comfort for adults. Both configurations had spacious front seats with deep storage pockets and a helpful coin/key tray atop the dash. The SuperCab came with a six-foot bed, while the SuperCrew had a five-foot bed, both offering options like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided ample space for five people. The Limited trim featured power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a commanding driving position, and extensive storage options, including a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with plenty of legroom and heated outboard seats. The cargo bed was accessible with an integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step, and the BoxLink system made securing cargo easy. The optional spray-in bedliner added protection and grip, while LED box lighting improved visibility.

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 and start, as well as WiFi hotspot capability. 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-350 Super Duty's Limited trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. While Sync 3 was functional, it was losing its competitive edge compared to newer systems. The F-350 included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services, and a B&O premium sound system. The small screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer assist features. The truck also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment.

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 emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it had one recall related to the ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's safety depended on its size and weight, which provided an advantage in collisions with smaller vehicles. The truck offered a range of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror positioning to be effective. The F-350 also featured 911 Assist via the Sync 3 system for emergency situations.