2021 RAM 1500 vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the U.S. market in 2019 after an eight-year break, drawing from its international design—different from its pre-2011 predecessor. Styled with a resemblance to the F-Series in terms of grille, the similarities stopped there. The Ranger's design deviation avoided the common "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks, featuring a clean and aggressive look that highlighted its sporty and capable nature.

Inside, the Ranger provided a purpose-driven cabin that emphasized functionality over luxury. Common among trims like the XL, XLT, and Lariat, hard plastics were prevalent but made the interior able to withstand rough use, although it paled compared to competitors such as the Jeep Gladiator and the Honda Ridgeline which offered a more upscale cabin feel. The base XL trim was quite basic, featuring steel wheels and a black grille, while the XLT trim came equipped with aluminum wheels, remote locking, and advanced features like Ford SYNC 3. The Lariat trim upscaled the offer with machined aluminum wheels, chrome accents, and a more luxurious interior thanks to leather upholstery and additional tech.

Ford also presented several appearance and performance packages like the STX, FX2, and FX4, enhancing the truck's rugged look and off-road capability.

In the case of the 2021 RAM 1500, there was no redesign since its 2019 revamp. The TRX trim, though, drew massive interest with its commanding presence and a design inspired by off-road rallies. Its look was aggressive with a functional hood scoop, large grille, and fender vents that hinted at the truck's capabilities. The TRX also had unique dimensions that made it noticeably larger compared to standard Ram trucks.

Its interior mirrored the same first-class comfort seen across the Ram lineup, elevated in durability and luxury. Upholstery options ranged from premium cloth to leather and suede material, all finished with detailed stitching and carbon fiber accents. The flat-bottom performance steering wheel augmented the sporty feel while the considerable 12-inch Uconnect infotainment display served as the tech centerpiece. The TRX also featured a vehicle-specific ID plate with playful easter eggs like a height comparison between iconic figures and the truck.

All trims of the 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was praised for its punchiness and capability at low speeds and for passing on highways. The Ranger also excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 7,500 pounds when properly configured, and the SuperCab with a 4x2 drivetrain provided a top payload capacity of 1,860 pounds.

However, the Ranger’s drivability suffered due to its stiff ride, especially noticeable on small bumps, and body roll around corners. Off-road enthusiasts appreciated the FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages that added off-road tires, suspension tweaks, and useful tech like the Terrain Management System and Trail Control.

The 2021 RAM 1500 TRX, on the other hand, possessed a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 engine, known as the Hellcat engine, shared with FCA's other high-performance vehicles. It boasted a massive 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, achieving impressive figures such as 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,310 pounds.

During testing, the TRX demonstrated remarkable comfort on city roads and stellar off-road performance. Equipped with extensive off-road features and eight drive modes, the TRX excelled in various conditions, from sandy terrains to rocky paths. However, its fuel economy left much to be desired, clocking in at 10 mpg city and 12 mpg combined, a consequence of its high-performance engine.

The 2020 Ford Ranger offered versatility in configurations with both SuperCab and SuperCrew models. The SuperCab version, with its 2+2 layout and rear-opening clamshell half-doors, provided a massive entrance, though the rear seats were quite cramped, better suited for children. For those seeking more practicality, the rear seats could be deleted to create extra cargo space inside. The SuperCrew featured four full-size doors and a rear bench comfortable for adults, accommodating five passengers. In terms of bed length, the SuperCab paired with a six-foot bed and the SuperCrew with a five-foot bed, both with available features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting. The Ranger excelled with a max payload capacity of 1,860 pounds but did not offer specific features like a bed-step.

The 2021 RAM 1500 TRX’s interior dimensions remained consistent with other Ram models, offering 40.9 inches of front headroom and 39.8 inches of rear legroom. The TRX cabin was rich with storage solutions and luxuries, including adjustable pedals, cushioning seats with optimal adjustability, and a large central storage bin. For functionality, it included available full-length rock rails providing both a step and additional body protection. The TRX also featured standard LED headlights and taillights for enhanced visibility and various optional tech based on packages.

Cargo-wise, the Ram TRX had a lower payload capacity but a significantly better towing capacity at 8,100 pounds, which highlighted its strength in handling substantial loads.

The 2020 Ford Ranger’s tech offerings varied across trims. The base XL trim was equipped with basic amenities such as an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth, and a USB port, but also featured FordPass Connect for remote functionalities and WiFi hotspot capabilities. The XLT trim came with SYNC 3 and an 8-inch touchscreen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Lariat trim included a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, adding a layer of sound quality for audiophiles.

Contrastingly, the 2021 RAM 1500 TRX standardly included a 12-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 4C infotainment system. This system offered a customizable display, but was criticized for its orientation towards rear passengers rather than the driver. The TRX featured tech-centric features such as Performance Pages and Off-Road Pages for detailed data on vehicle performance and conditions, wireless charging, and comprehensive connectivity options. Entertainment came in the form of a 10-speaker Alpine system, with an option to upgrade to a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon system. Conveniences like remote start and a unique head-up display added to the tech-savvy layout.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came with a standard array of airbags, child-seat anchors, and tire-pressure monitoring. It began with basic safety tech like automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, with more advanced features bundled into the Ford CoPilot 360 suite on the XLT trim. This included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional optional tech raised its safety quotient but noted that such features were often standard in competitors. The Ranger performed well in IIHS crash tests, scoring Good in most areas but earned an overall four-star rating from the NHTSA. One recall related to its ten-speed automatic transmission was a noted concern.

The 2021 RAM 1500 TRX was yet to be rated by IIHS or NHTSA at launch, but it carried over 100 safety features. Standard safety included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines, while a full array of ADAS systems was available through various package upgrades like the Advanced Safety Group, offering adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. Passive safety features like auto-reversing windows added to the comprehensive safety net given the truck's adventurous purpose.