For 2008, Ranger got tougher and bolder and, at the same time, more affordable and efficient. Service intervals were extended to 7,500 miles, which helped lower its cost of ownership, and a revised lower front bumper with an integrated 1-inch air deflector freshened its appearance and further improved its fuel economy. In fact, a 2007 Edmunds.com study showed that Ranger offered the lowest cost of ownership of any compact pickup.
For 2009, Ranger offers two engine choices: a 2.3-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) inline four and 4.0-liter single-overhead-cam (SOHC) V-6. The base 4-cylinder (standard in XL and XLT 4x2 Regular Cab and two-door SuperCab models) delivers 143 hp, 154 lb.-ft. of torque and the highest EPA-rated fuel economy of any U.S.- market pickup: 21 mpg city and 26 highway with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. With the optional 5-speed automatic, those ratings fall to a stillrespectable 19 city/24 highway. The 4.0-liter V-6 ups the output ante to 207 hp and 238 lb.-ft. Its maximum towing capacity is 6,000 lbs., and its rated fuel economy ranges from 15/21 for the 4x2 with 5-speed manual to 14/18 for the 4x4 with the automatic transmission.
The '09 Ranger is available in Regular Cab and two- and four-door SuperCab versions and in four model series—XL, XLT, SPORT and FX4 Off-Road—with a variety of options and accessories so buyers can equip and personalize their trucks exactly the way they want them. Last year's "bolder and tougher" claims resulted from appearance upgrades to all models and functional enhancements to off-roadintended models. These included heavy-duty twin-tube gas shocks, cast-aluminum wheels, front, middle and rear skid plates and an available Torsen limited-slip rear axle. A Trailer Tow Package is standard on all models, with Class III towing capability when equipped with a V6 engine, and the segment's only 7-foot box is optional on XL and XLT Regular Cabs. XLTs have body color bumpers and a chrome H-bar grille, SPORT series wear a bodycolor horizontal grille with a bodycolor surround, and SPORT SuperCabs offer standard step bars. All radios except the base AM/FM are MP3 capable with auxiliary input jacks, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio is available in most models, and standard on SPORT and FX4 for 2009.
Standard on base XL are 15-inch, 7-spoke silver steel wheels; black front and rear bumpers, H-bar grille, door handles and outside mirrors; interval wipers; gauge cluster with tachometer; AM/FM radio with clock; black vinyl flooring and 60/40 vinyl split-bench seat (cloth on SuperCab). XL 4x4s get the more powerful V-6 engine, an electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system and all-terrain tires.
XLT models add a cloth 60/40-split bench seat, color-coordinated carpeting and floor mats, air conditioning and MP3-capable audio with a CD player. XLT 4x4s get the V-6 engine, 15-inch chrome steel wheels, heavy-duty gas shocks, tow hooks and (in the 4-door SuperCab V6) rear jump seats. SPORT models boast body-color wheel-lip moldings, mirrors and door latch handles; large front fog lamps; rugged vinyl flooring, heavy-duty gas shocks, tow hooks (4x4), black side-step bars (SuperCab) and 15-inch split-spoke machined cast-aluminum wheels. SPORT 4x4s get 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels and the trio of protective skid plates. Our top-ofthe- line FX4 Off-Road SuperCab test truck was well motivated by the 207-hp V-6 and limited-slip rear axle, and it rode and handled better than expected on its all-terrain tires on 16-inch Y-spoke cast-aluminum wheels and heavy-duty Rancho - branded gas shocks.
Inside its nicely appointed cabin were a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with cruise controls on the spokes, sport bucket seats with driver-side manual lumbar adjustment, a center floor console and storage unit, power windows, mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry, front floor mats, rear jump seats (4-doors) and privacy glass. But the best indication that is was a serious off-road truck was that set of three protective skid plates under its rugged frame.
Among the many Ranger options and packages are a Bright Trim Group with chrome outside mirrors, side-step bars and exhaust tip; a Power Equipment Group with power windows, door locks, mirrors and remote keyless-entry; a Payload Package (higher-rated rear springs) and heavy-duty gas shocks; a "Built Ford Tough" Package (the Payload Package plus a limited-slip rear axle); Other options include a 290-watt Pioneer® Sound System; a cold weather option; privacy glass; five-speed automatic transmission; leather-wrapped steering wheel; leather-trimmed sport bucket seats; four-wheel drive; six- (std) or seven-foot cargo box; a bed extender; a bed liner; and a sliding rear window.
Ford's Personal Safety System®, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system are standard on all models. Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, safety belt height adjusters and pretensioners on outboard front safety belts. A frontpassenger sensing system (FPSS) uses a seat weight sensor and safety belt tension sensor to determine the presence and weight of a front passenger to help prevent unnecessary passenger airbag deployment.
If a tough compact pickup that is likely less expensive to own and drive than any competitor is what you want, Ford's 2009 Ranger should top your shopping list.
