The
2010 Ford Ranger is a pickup truck that is available in an array of trim configurations: XL Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XL Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XL Extended Cab Pickup, XLT Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XLT Extended Cab Pickup, and Sport Extended Cab Pickup. Available only with rear-wheel drive, the base trim of the Ford Ranger is equipped with a 2.3-liter inline-4 engine that outputs 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque paired to five-speed manual transmission with a five-speed automatic as optional. Optionally, a 4.0-liter V-6 engine produces 207 horsepower and 238 pound-feet of torque is available. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission are standard, with four-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic optional separately.
The Ford Ranger has a small footprint, while offering the capabilities of a big truck. However, the Ranger's interior is substandard and lacks desirable technologies, such as a navigation system and a premium stereo. The base inline-four engine gets great fuel economy for a truck, but the V-6 gives up some fuel economy for greater towing power.
New for 2010
For 2010, the Ford Ranger gains standard stability control and side airbags, and a Class III trailer hitch and air-conditioning become standard. The FX4 Off-Road trim and the seven-foot bed were discontinued.
Essentials
Engines: 2.3L I-4, 4.0L V-6
Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Body Style: Truck
Trims: XL Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XL Long Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XL Extended Cab Pickup, XLT Short Bed Regular Cab Pickup, XLT Extended Cab Pickup, Sport Extended Cab Pickup
On the Outside
The Ford Ranger is available in two cab configurations, regular cab or extended (two or four doors), while a six-foot bed is the sole offering. The sport trim gets wide fender flares.
From the Inside
The Ford Ranger XL and XLT trims come with a bench seat up front that can seat three passengers, while the extended trims come with dual side-facing jump seats and can seat up to five passengers. The Sport trim gets front bucket seats and a center console.
Driving Performance
The Ford Ranger's 2.3-liter I-4 engine with 143 horsepower, 154 pound-feet of torque is not very powerful, but it does get the best gas mileage of any truck on the market. However, the more powerful 207 horsepower V-6 engine can tow up to 5,860 pounds, but of course that reduced fuel economy. Regardless of configuration, the maximum payload is 1,260 pounds.
Safety Equipment
Standard safety equipment on the Ford Ranger include four airbags (dual front and front side), a four-wheel antilock brake system, a tire pressure monitoring system, and roll stability control, which monitors yaw and roll motions.
Gas Mileage
I-4: 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway (manual); 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway (automatic)
V-6 Manual 2WD: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway
V-6 Manual 4WD: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway
V-6 Automatic 2WD: 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
V-6 Automatic 4WD: 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway
Plusses
- I-4 engine fuel economy
- Small footprint
Minuses
- V-6 engine fuel economy
- Subpar interior
Rating
Oldest pickup truck on the market marches on
People Who Like the 2010 Ford Ranger Also Like
- Chevrolet Colorado
- GMC Canyon
- Nissan Frontier
- Suzuki Equator
- Toyota Tacoma