2021 Ford Ranger vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the more rugged looks of its competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels featured a unique grille, and the truck's overall appearance was both imposing and refined. The LED headlights on the upper trims were sleek, and the chrome or body-color bumper options added to its upscale feel. The Limited trim, in particular, came with 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, enhancing its sophisticated look. Inside, the RAM 2500 was a marvel of craftsmanship, especially in the higher trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior featured soft-grained, perforated leather, intricate stitching, light wood trim, and aluminum speaker covers, creating a luxurious environment. The optional 12-inch vertical touchscreen and large switches added to the truck's premium feel, making it a class leader in interior design.

The 2021 Ford Ranger, available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, offered a more utilitarian design with a focus on functionality. The Tremor Off-Road Package added unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road side steps, giving the truck a rugged, off-road-ready appearance. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with the Tremor package provided simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches on the dashboard. The cabin design was clean and contemporary, with simple radio and climate controls, partial digital instrumentation, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While hard plastic was prevalent, it didn't detract from the overall quality feel. The Ranger's interior was practical and comfortable, especially with the power-adjustable and heated front seats, though it lacked some of the premium touches found in the RAM 2500.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel. The Hemi V8 produced 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination allowed for a maximum payload of 4,380 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 17,350 pounds. The diesel engine, with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, could tow up to 19,780 pounds and haul a payload of 3,060 pounds. The diesel's exhaust brake was particularly effective, enhancing safety and extending brake life. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 offered decent ride quality and was unexpectedly quick on the highway, though it lacked the precision of smaller trucks. Fuel economy was not rated by the EPA, but the diesel engine averaged close to 19 mpg over 515 miles of mostly highway driving.

The 2021 Ford Ranger came with a single powertrain option: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, providing swift acceleration and a distinctive engine note. The Ranger's 4WD system included a rotary dial for switching between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo, along with a Terrain Management System with various settings for different terrains. The Tremor Off-Road Package added a new suspension with revised springs and Fox off-road performance shocks, increasing ground clearance to 9.7 inches. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul a payload of 1,860 pounds, though the Tremor's payload capacity was reduced to 1,430 pounds. The EPA rated the Ranger at 19 mpg in combined driving, and it averaged 18.5 mpg during testing. The Ranger's handling was average for its class, but its off-road capabilities were impressive, matching those of the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. The Single Cab provided the highest payload and could seat three with a fold-down center console. The Crew Cab, available with either bed length, offered ample space and comfort, while the Mega Cab provided reclining rear seats and additional luxury. The Power Wagon trim came exclusively with a Crew Cab and short bed. The RAM 2500 featured power running boards, a retractable tailgate step, and a power tailgate. The bed could be equipped with a spray-in liner, LED lighting, and pre-drilled holes for a fifth-wheel hitch. Diesel models included a countdown timer for glow plugs and an analog gauge for Diesel Emissions Fluid levels.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured individual hoop-style step bars, a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, and comfortable power-adjustable front seats. The rear seats offered more space than most midsize trucks, though they lacked air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding window. Storage was decent, with bins under the rear-seat cushion, though the design was not split for convenience. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) with four tie-down hooks. Ford provided a range of accessories to customize the Ranger for specific needs.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, but the 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was highly recommended. The system was quick, logical, and high-resolution, though climate controls for the seats and steering wheel were hidden in the settings menu. The optional 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering large maps, dual information tiles, and 360-degree camera views. The system made it easy to adjust settings for trailers and other features, and the large display in the instrument cluster duplicated many functions.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor was equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive in the midsize truck segment. Voice recognition performance was inconsistent, but the system allowed for climate control adjustments via voice commands.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Most driver-assist features, such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking, were optional. The RAM 1500's strong crash test performance suggested a high level of safety for the RAM 2500.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The system included a blind-spot warning with trailer coverage and adaptive cruise control, though it lacked full-stop capability. The Ranger also featured rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer system. The NHTSA gave the Ranger a 4-star overall rating, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Ranger highly, except for "Acceptable" front-passenger protection and "Marginal" headlights.