2021 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger was a reinvigorated model that reentered Ford’s American lineup after an eight-year hiatus. Over that period, Ford sold the Ranger internationally in a different guise, which deeply influenced its reimagined form in the U.S. The 2020 Ranger was larger and considerably more sophisticated than its third-generation predecessor, drawing on its international evolution. Ford incorporated styling cues from the F-Series lineup into the Ranger, such as a similar grille design. However, the similarities largely ended there. The international hiatus resulted in a distinct styling language that spared the Ranger from the “bigger-and-blockier” aesthetic dominating American trucks after 2011. Instead, the Ranger presented a clean, somewhat aggressive appearance, hinting at its sporty and capable nature.

Inside the 2020 Ranger, Ford focused on function-first design, creating a modern but not particularly inviting cabin. It came with durable hard plastics akin to those in many trims of the larger F-Series trucks—a practical choice for a truck—but this made the interior feel less upscale compared to rivals like the Jeep Gladiator or Honda Ridgeline. The trim levels—XL, XLT, and Lariat—offered increasing levels of features and comfort. The base XL trim included essentials like steel wheels, a black grille and door handles, vinyl floors, manual air conditioning, and basic seats with limited adjustments. Moving up to XLT included more refined elements like 17-inch aluminum wheels, body-color bumpers, and added tech features such as Ford SYNC 3 and Ford CoPilot 360. The top trim Lariat featured upscale touches like 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, chrome accents, and leather upholstery.

The 2021 model, by contrast, was sold in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, offering either a six-foot cargo bed or five-foot cargo bed, respectively. The Tremor Off-Road Package, available on the SuperCrew Lariat, added unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, tow hooks, hoop-style side steps, and special "Tremor" graphics. The interior of the 2021 Ranger, especially in the Tremor package, was highlighted by features like simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and upfitter switches on the dashboard, adding to its luxurious feel.

Overall, the 2021 Ranger featured a clean and contemporary cabin marked by practical switchgear, a partial digital instrument panel, and abundant technology, remaining competitive within its class despite a significant amount of hard plastic.

Both the 2020 and 2021 Ford Ranger models shared the same 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided punchy performance with plenty of power for low speeds and highway passing. The engine brought a distinct sound under acceleration that gave the Ranger a specific personality.

For the 2020 Ranger, Ford offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and an available four-wheel drive (4WD) with low-range gearing, making it highly versatile. The Ranger was capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds and offered a payload capacity of 1,860 pounds for the SuperCab with a 4x2 drivetrain. Driving the 2020 Ranger felt somewhat stiff, and complaints included body roll in corners and discomfort over bumps, though Ford’s FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages offered upgrades like off-road tires, locking differentials, and off-road-tuned suspensions. Terrain Management System and Trail Control were notable off-road helpers.

The 2021 Ranger, especially in Tremor Off-Road specification, maintained similar engine and towing capacities but improved on-road and off-road performance. The Tremor package featured revised springs and Fox performance shocks for enhanced off-road capability and compliant pavement performance. The 2021 model also boasted impressive 9.7 inches of ground clearance, better approach and departure angles, and protective underbody skid plates. The Terrain Management System and Trail Control continued to provide substantial off-road driving support.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab, seating four, featured rear seats accessible via clamshell half-doors requiring the front doors to open first. This setup was less adult-friendly and more suited for children, with foldable rear seats for additional cargo storage. The SuperCrew, in contrast, offered a full bench seat in the rear, suitable for five passengers, proving more comfortable for adults with no comparable issues.

Ford paired the SuperCab with a six-foot bed and the SuperCrew with a five-foot bed. Both configurations provided practical in-cabin storage areas, including deep door pockets, a sizeable center console bin, and an upper dashboard coin/key tray. Notable bed features included options like a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and an available spray-in bed liner.

For the 2021 Ranger Tremor, the design included sturdy hoop-style step bars, though their high mounting limited practicality. Inside, the seats in the Tremor were power-adjustable and heated, providing substantial comfort, though the driver’s seat could have used more track travel for taller drivers. Rear-seat space remained competitive, though the lack of air conditioning vents in the rear was a downside.

The cargo bed capacities were similar to the 2020 model but with the Tremor’s payload capacity slightly lower at 1,430 pounds due to the enhanced off-road equipment. The tailgate of the 2021 Ranger was light but undampened, and the cargo bed remained roomy with tie-down hooks, despite lacking extensive built-in storage solutions.

The 2020 Ford Ranger started with a basic AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port in the base XL trim. The FordPass Connect app introduced functionalities including remote lock/unlock and remote start with subscription-based WiFi hotspot capability. Upgrading to XLT brought in the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice-activated navigation, and better sound quality. The top Lariat trim added a premium 10-speaker B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen.

The 2021 model featured SYNC 3 as well, showcasing an 8-inch touchscreen with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and other modern entertainment features. This model included a navigation system and an upgraded B&O premium sound system, though voice recognition was occasionally inaccurate. Ford was transitioning to the more advanced SYNC 4 system, but the existing system remained competitive.

Safety was a prioritized aspect for both models. The 2020 Ford Ranger included front and side-impact airbags, a child seat anchoring system, tire pressure monitoring, automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection as standard. Upgrading to the XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, encompassing lane-departure warning and assistance, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. The Ford Ranger scored well in IIHS and NHTSA tests, achieving top marks in several crash test categories, though the rollover resistance was average.

The 2021 Ford Ranger continued with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard or optional, packed with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and assist, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and other visibility-enhancing features. Ratings from NHTSA awarded it four stars overall, while IIHS noted some weaknesses in frontal-small overlap, passenger-side protection, and headlight performance.