2022 Ford Ranger

Overview

If a full-size F-150 is larger and more capable than you need, the 2022 Ford Ranger is the mid-size Ford-brand pickup truck that should suit your lifestyle without draining your bank account. Instead of its bigger brother's V-6 and V-8 powertrains, the Ranger makes do with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available across the lineup. Towing and payload capacities are stout and are competitive with other mid-size pickups such as the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. If you’re looking for off-road capability, the Tremor model is your best bet for now, but we're still hoping Ford will come through with a Ranger Raptor model that will bring more performance to the equation.

What's New for 2022?

The cheeky Splash trim returns to the Ranger lineup for 2022 and it'll be available as a $1495 package on XLT and Lariat models. The Splash package shows off its Nineties flair with orange- and-black body-side graphics, unique 18-inch matte-black wheels, orange grille trim, and gloss-black exterior accents. Inside, the Splash wears orange contrast stitching on the seats and special pin-striped trim. A Splash Limited Edition will also be available and will come in a variety of colors, but Ford will roll these out one-by-one and only offer a few hundred at a time before moving onto a new theme. A new Splash Limited Edition truck will launch every few months with a different color, with the Splash Snow Edition kicking off the series.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

If you’re going for value and performance, look to the base, XL extended-cab model, which Ford calls SuperCab. It has all the power and ride quality of the other Rangers, but thanks to its smaller cab, rear-drive configuration, and lower level of standard equipment it’s not as heavy as the XLT and Lariat trims, meaning it’ll get up to speed a little quicker. It comes standard with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking—things that are only available on the Chevrolet Colorado's and the GMC Canyon's highest trims. Our first choice, however, is the SuperCrew crew-cab body style dressed in the mid-level XLT trim and equipped with four-wheel drive. We'd add the FX4 off-road suspension, a bed liner, and the 302A package that includes heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch touch-screen infotainment system.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Pop the hood of the 2022 Ford Ranger, and you'll be greeted by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. There's enough muscle there to make the Ranger XLT we tested reasonably swift, and output is silky. Things get even more impressive with the lighter Ranger XL, which surprised us with its speed and agility when we put it through its paces at the track. With all Ranger trucks, a 10-speed automatic rules the roost, and it provides shifts that are smooth and quick. Rear-drive models offer 8.4 inches of ground clearance, while four-wheel-drive versions offer 8.9 inches. The Ranger is available with a Terrain Management System that tweaks things like engine responsiveness and transmission gearing to optimize the truck's performance on various types of terrain. Four selectable drive modes are offered: Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand.

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Towing and Payload Capacity

When equipped with the optional tow package, the 2022 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7500 pounds, and when towing, the truck’s power delivery remains smooth and consistent. As for payload, the Ranger is good for up to 1860 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the rear-wheel drive Ranger will earn up to 21 mpg city and 26 highway. The all-wheel-drive version has estimates as high as 20 mpg city and 24 highway, but the Tremor model sees both ratings drop to 19 mpg. We subjected three Rangers to our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. Two of these were crew-cab four-wheel-drive models, and they achieved 16 mpg and 15 mpg combined after some fairly aggressive driving. The third version was rear-wheel drive, and it achieved 25 mpg in highway testing. For more information about the Ranger's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Rangers are available as either an extended cab (SuperCab) or a crew cab (SuperCrew) model. The roomier SuperCrew seats up to five and comes with four full-size doors, while the SuperCab provides seating for four occupants and has two smaller half-doors. As in some other Ford products, the Ranger cabin's design and materials are inconsistent—mostly dull and littered with cheap plastics, but also fitted with small bits of trim that look and feel surprisingly upscale. Both the SuperCab and SuperCrew cabins are comfortable, however, and their controls are user-friendly.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The base XL model comes standard with a few infotainment and connectivity features including a four-speaker AM/FM audio system, a single USB port, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices. Upgrade to either the XLT or Lariat model, and you’ll get an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability and SiriusXM satellite radio. An integrated navigation system and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system are both available.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Ranger comes standard with basic driver-assistance features but more advanced technology requires jumping to a higher trim or adding an option package. Luckily for those who want these systems, the option packages are relatively affordable. For more information about the Ranger's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford provides the Ranger with a competitive warranty. Unlike the Toyota Tacoma, the Colorado, and the Canyon, the Ranger isn't available with complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs