GMC CANYON Archives — Auto Trends Magazine

The 2019 Ranger makes an online splash.

The wait is nearly over. For the all-new Ford Ranger, that is.

After an eight-year hiatus, the 2019 Ford Ranger is set to return. Indeed, this week Ford opened the online order book, which allows customers to configure a new Ranger on the dealer’s website or through the Ford retail site. That moved revealed several things about the new model, although a few details remain unknown.

Here is what we know about the 2019 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck:

1. It is larger than the model it replaces.

This isn’t new information, rather it simply underscores what Ford told us early on: the new Ranger is larger than the previous model. Importantly, instead of matching up with the small pickup trucks of the past, the new model is ideally suited to take on the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon and the Nissan Frontier. Its arrival comes just ahead of the all-new Jeep Scrambler. Next year, a Ford Bronco SUV variant debuts.

2. You’ll find one powertrain combination.

Whereas the big Ford F-150 has multiple powertrain combinations, the 2019 Ranger has just one. At least for now. Powering every model is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. It works with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

What’s absent from the Ford site is any mention of its performance numbers, including horsepower and torque. Moreover, we don’t yet have the payload and towing information. These are critical omissions for anyone wanting to compare the Ford Ranger to the competition.

The 2019 Ford Ranger is available in two cab sizes and three trims.

3. There are two cab choices available.

To the disappointment of some, but probably only for a small number, the 2019 Ranger will not offer a regular cab model. This isn’t surprising as the market long ago abandoned two-door pickup trucks.

Instead, you’ll find an extended or SuperCab and SuperCrew choices available, with room for as many as five individuals. Now I cannot tell you that five people will fit in comfort, especially if you’re looking at work crew type individuals. Families, however, will likely gravitate to the SuperCrew for its roominess alone.

4. You have a choice of two bed sizes.

Depending on the cab size chosen, you’ll find two bed choices. All SuperCab models have a six-foot bed, while all SuperCrew models come with a five-foot bed. Rumors of an eight-foot bed option are just that. Rumors.

5. There are three trims to start.

Talk of a Ford Ranger Raptor is just that. Talk. At least for the U.S. market. Yes, there is a Raptor in the Ranger fold, but it isn’t available in North America at this time.

Instead, buyers will choose from three trims: XL ($25,395), XLT ($29,035) and Lariat ($33,305). These prices are based on the standard SuperCab 4×2 model and include a $1,095 destination fee. Start with the SuperCrew and you’ll add $2,220 to your price. Opting for four-wheel drive adds $4,160.

We expect additional trims to roll out in the future, including an off-road romping and stomping Raptor.

(See Also — Ford Ranger Fun Facts)

6. It comes with a long list of standard features.

There isn’t a stripped 2019 Ranger to be had. Sure, the amenities list grows as you work your way up the trim and package chain, but the base model is certainly a decent place to start shopping.

Among the standard items are automatic headlamps, a pair of front tow hooks on four-wheel-drive models, 16-inch steel wheels, a cargo lamp and four cargo bed tie downs. Inside, this model has power windows, cloth seats, air conditioning and a four-speaker audio package. You’ll also find a pre-collision assist system with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and brake support.

Other trims will have such features as heated front seats, leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control and additional power accessories. Then again, as the next section indicates, many of these items will be bundled in a package for lower trim models.

7. Yes, we have packages!

Pickup truck models allow for much customization and the 2019 Ranger is no exception. If you have ever built a Ford F-150, you know that there are millions of ways to craft one. The Ranger will be a bit easier, but it does offer package options that are worth exploring.

On the base model, the 101A Package ($1,135) adds power mirrors, SYNC connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a six-speaker audio system. The 301A Package ($995), which is available with the XLT, brings in SYNC 3 infotainment with satellite radio and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. A 302A Package builds on this, adding power-controlled and heated front seats with lumbar support, sport appearance touches, a manual sliding rear window and remote start.

Although the Lariat comes well equipped, there are a few upgrades of note. For instance, the 501A Package ($1,795) brings in the Technology Package and remote start along with rain-sensing wipers and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. Like elsewhere, you’ll find trailer tow, sport appearance and chrome appearance packages.

7. Building Your 2019 Ford Ranger

With performance details missing, the 2019 Ranger configurator doesn’t tell us everything we want. But it does provide a lot of information. As new details become available, we will update this article. In the meantime, have fun building your sample Ranger.

See Also — Return of the Ford Ranger?

All photos and the configurator screen shot are courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Find the right truck at the right price.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Centennial Edition. — 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Centennial Edition.

If you are in the market for a new pickup truck, you may be considering a brand you are already familiar with. That’s a sensible approach as pickup truck buyers are typically brand loyal. In particular, they are more likely to stick with what they already know and like. For everyone else, shopping for a new truck requires research in an effort to make an informed decision. The following points are worth considering as you undertake your quest.

When Size Matters

When shopping or purchasing a new truck, there are essentially three size categories to consider: medium, full-size and heavy duty.

These days, your medium truck options include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and the slightly larger Honda Ridgeline. Models from Ford (Ranger) and Ram (Dakota) left the market in recent years, although the Ranger is set for a return.

The smaller models offer extended and crew cab choices. You’ll also typically find standard and extended beds.

The main segment for pickup trucks are the full-size models. The Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan compete in this segment, with each supplying a variety of cabin configurations and truck bed sizes.

The heavy-duty truck market is essentially controlled by the American truck manufacturers. The Ford Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD and the Ram 2500 and 3500 occupy this segment. Each heavy duty line has oversized gasoline or diesel engines.

Nissan also offers a model that straddles the standard full-size and heavy-duty lines, the Titan XD. This truck has a higher towing capacity than the standard Titan, although models such as the light-duty F-150 now match or beat those limits.

2WD vs. 4WD

What you use your truck for will go far in helping you determine what type of drivetrain layout that is right for you. Two-wheel drive trucks come with the rear wheels while four-wheel drive trucks can activate all four wheels as needed. Choose the latter and your truck can give you the traction and off-road prowess as you desire.

The Honda Ridgeline is the lone exception to the 2WD vs. 4WD debate. This model is all-wheel-drive or powered by its front wheels most of the time with its rear wheels activated as needed.

Payload and Towing

Of big concern to many pickup truck owners is how much weight a truck can carry (payload) and how much weight it can pull (towing). These numbers vary from truck to truck and even from model to model. It is advisable to find the manufacturer’s payload/towing capacity chart, usually supplied right on its sales page.

The payload includes the weight of the driver, his passengers, fluids and what’s stored inside the pickup and in the bed. Towing is the ability of any truck to pull something behind it when hitched — such as a boat, a trailer or a camper. Add towing and payload together and you get your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight.

Consider all three numbers when buying a new truck.

Convenience Features

Today’s pickup trucks come well equipped and outfitted with many of the luxury appointments you can find in a premium sedan, such as leather seats, a heated steering wheel and wood trim. Still, when buying any new vehicle, you should determine which amenities are important to you.

Most pickups offer standard equipment such as an automatic transmission, power accessories, cloth seating surfaces, climate control, an audio system, multiple storage compartments and important safety features such as airbags and antilock brakes.

Popular options include fog lamps, off-road tires, power side mirrors, a navigation system, a rear backup camera, folding rear seats, an overhead console, a rear DVD entertainment system and a lined cargo area.

Truck Fuel Economy

There was a time when buying an economical pickup meant choosing the smallest truck and opting for the manual transmission. These days, your choices have improved considerably, although few trucks get 30 mpg on the highway. These come with a turbo-diesel engine.

What you will usually find are trucks that get 25 mpg on the highway, something both the smaller Toyota Tacoma and larger Ram 1500 achieve. The smaller trucks come with inline-four or V-6 gas engines, while the larger trucks are usually equipped with a standard V-6 or optional V-8 gasoline engines. Again, only select models offer diesel engines.

As for transmissions, you’ll find very few manuals. Most pickups have six-, eight- or even 10-speed automatic transmissions. The few manual gearboxes available come with the median-sized trucks.

Other matters to consider when buying a new pickup is its price, with your cost ranging from just over $20,000 for a basic medium pickup to well over $65,000 for a fully optioned heavy-duty model. Each manufacturer offers a dizzying array of model variations, enabling you to customize your truck to suit your needs and budget.

See Also — How to Buy a Repo Vehicle

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GMC CANYON

Ford Opens Order Book for 2019 Ranger