The 2023 Ford is Ford’s mid-size pickup truck, sandwiched between the larger F-150 and the smaller Maverick. It has a starting price of around $29,000 MSRP, and all in all, it offers great value for that price. Here’s a look at three reasons to buy the 2023 Ford Ranger and three reasons to skip it.
1. Pros: The 2023 Ford Ranger has a great engine
Accordingly, one of the main reasons to buy a Ranger is its engine. Currently, the Detroit automaker has only one engine option for the midsize truck, and it’s a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It gets 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is unique in the segment because most competitors have a V6 instead.
From the Toyota Tacoma, it’s currently the best-selling midsize truck. For comparison, a properly equipped Tacoma only tows up to 6,800 pounds, which is 700 pounds less than the Ranger can tow.
3. The positives: Ford gave the Ranger some smarts
Finally, the Ranger has good handling capabilities for a pickup truck. In general, trucks won’t handle well, so the Ranger’s handling can’t be compared to sedans or SUVs. However, Ford’s midsize truck is fast and fun to drive compared to its class.
1. Con: Ford didn’t award the Ranger’s good ride quality though
Still, the Ranger isn’t a perfect truck, and there are three good reasons why auto shoppers should avoid buying one. The first has to do with ride comfort, which simply isn’t a comfortable truck to sit in. It’s not the worst ride quality in its class, but it’s bad enough to be noticeable, especially on certain pavements.
2. Con: The 2023 Ford Ranger lacks interior space compared to its competitors
Moreover, Ranger has a maximum seating capacity of five, but people will not enjoy sitting in the seats. This maximum seating capacity is only possible if shoppers outfit the truck with the SuperCrew configuration, as the SuperCab configuration only gives the truck seating for four passengers. No matter which configuration drivers choose, the rear seats are due to limited legroom.
3. Con: Off-road enthusiasts will have to wait
Like many other trucks, the Ranger as it is today can go off-road quite well. The problem is, Ford has an option coming up for a midsize truck that off-road enthusiasts are likely to love. The Ranger Raptor, as the model is called, is still a few months away and should debut later in 2023. This trim option makes a lot of significant changes to the truck that should improve its on- and off-road performance.
The most significant change is under the hood. Instead of the standard four-cylinder that every Ranger gets, the Detroit-based automaker has given the Ranger Raptor a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 making 392 horsepower. This is more than 120 hp more powerful than the standard engine.
