2022 Ford Ranger
When you see a pickup truck on the road, there’s a strong chance it’s carrying Ford badging. How strong of a chance? Ford is well known for its pickup trucks, one of which is the best-selling truck of all time, the F-150. However, today’s discussion is about a different Ford truck: the 2022 Ford Ranger, your next workhorse to help conquer your favorite trails and even new ones. The immense durability that Ford trucks possess is something you’ve likely heard of before; it’s even in the motto “Built Ford Tough.” Couple this with the off-roading performance people continuously crave and expect from big-name manufacturers, and it’s a match made in heaven.
The 2022 Ford Ranger is available in three trim levels. The Ranger XL is the base model with a starting price of $25,715, and the following two trims are the XLT and LARIAT.[a] Moving up to the XLT or LARIAT is undoubtedly going to give you more features, namely safety and interior additions. Each trim is available in either a SuperCab or SuperCrew, the latter being a four-door truck with a 5-foot long bed, and the SuperCab is a two-door configuration with a longer 6-foot bed. So if you’re looking for more passenger space, go with the SuperCrew, and if you’re looking for more cargo space, then the SuperCab will be your best option.
MSRP: $25,715 [a]
Horsepower (hp): 270
Torque (lb-ft): 310
Towing Capacity (lbs): 7,500
Performance
The Only Engine You Need
There’s only one powertrain configuration for the Ford Ranger, and this means that each trim level offers identical levels of performance. If you’re looking to save money but retain the towing power of the pricier models, then the XL will give you that. Best of all, having one powertrain doesn’t limit the Ranger whatsoever, unlike some competitors. Ford went with the more preferable route and opted for a turbocharged 2.3L I-4 as opposed to something like a 3.6L V6 engine. The benefit of choosing a turbocharged engine is that its fuel efficiency capabilities can truly shine while retaining a hefty towing rating.
The turbocharged engine inside of the Ranger will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, even if you purchase the base XL. Your 2022 Ranger will create 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 lbs and payload capacity of up to 1,905 lbs. With this kind of power, the Ranger is certainly multi-purpose, allowing drivers to enjoy the fully-fledged off-roading experience on their days off while remaining a capable towing machine during the workday.
It’s a Fuel Efficient Truck?
Thanks to the turbocharged nature of the powertrain, superb fuel efficiency is granted in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. As impressive as it is that Ford has fit so much power within a relatively small frame, it’s perhaps more impressive that its slow fuel burning is more reminiscent of your average sedan. With 2WD, the Ranger earns EPA-estimated ratings of 21 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Switching to 4WD, which is the preferable move for off-roading enthusiasts, you’ll get ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.
Off-Roading
Of course, the 4×4 capability of the Ranger is what makes off-roading possible. By default, Ranger models with a 4×4 configuration will give you 8.9 inches of ground clearance, which is certainly a decent amount for off-roading. However, equipping the proper off-roading packages will raise this to 9.7 inches. Ground clearance is essential for off-roading because you don’t want to scrape up the sides of your vehicle.
The same off-roading package will include a specially designed suspension that utilizes gas-pressure shocks, perfect for all of the unpredictable moments of off-roading. Another reason to get this towing package is the Terrain Management System which allows the driver to select between different modes of traversal depending on the surface they’re driving on, such as snow. Along with a crucial electronic-locking rear differential, the Ranger’s ability to trek through harsh terrains is nothing short of impressive. The electronic-locking rear differential is important because, without it, your vehicle can get stuck in the mud, which is never fun for anybody. Of course, skid plates come too, so that flying debris doesn’t damage the bottom of your truck, and tow hooks can accommodate either the front or back of your Ranger.
Interior
Plenty of Room for Your Cargo
The 2022 Ford Ranger’s interior continues the trend of feature-rich offerings by this beloved manufacturer. Regardless of which cab size you opt for: SuperCab or SuperCrew, the maximum seating capacity remains five passengers. However, if you opt for the SuperCab for its longer bed size, then you can reduce the seating capacity to two, giving you more interior space for extra cargo. The base model is restricted to manually-adjustable seats, but with 8-ways of movement, it still offers plenty of posture variety. Stepping up to the XLT retains the standard manual seats, but this trim allows for an optional 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat. With the XLT, you can also replace the regular cloth stitching with a Miko Suede trim, which adds a sleek and sporty design.
If you decide to go all-in and purchase the LARIAT, the available power-adjustable seats from the XLT will come standard, but this time in leather. It’s also worth noting that each trim allows for available seats with a built-in storage container underneath for another increase in cargo space. For a truck that already gives you plenty of room without even mentioning what you can tow, there’s a surprising amount of ways to store your cargo. The 5-foot long bed gives you 43.3 cu.ft. of bed volume, and the 6-foot bed increases this to 51.8 cu.ft. Coupled with the aforementioned cargo containers that you can add under your seats, you won’t be limited in any sense of the word.
Interior Infotainment Tech
Ford is ahead of most other manufacturers when discussing technology. If you compare a brand new truck to an example from ten years ago, the differences are rather eye-opening. In a constantly evolving world of tech, manufacturers such as Ford knew that blending the best technologies with the performance capabilities of a pickup truck would make life easier for its drivers.
While the XL trim in its standard form does miss out on some of the more enticing features, there’s an available SYNC 3 infotainment center with an 8-inch screen. On each following trim, this will come standard. Features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Amazon Alexa app are all included with SYNC 3. Also available on the XL and standard on the XLT and LARIAT is a 4.2-inch productivity screen located on your instrument cluster.
Safety
Safety Features: A Crucial Part of Your Truck
Safety is crucial for all facets of driving. Highway and city travel, off-roading, and towing are all key areas of trucks such as the Ranger. Ford has added a variety of features to help with each one. For example, the Ranger has trailer sway control, which can detect if your trailer is beginning to swing back and forth. If this happens, your Ranger’s speed will be slightly adjusted and lowered until the trailer regains stability, which could easily prevent disaster from occurring. Additionally, the Ranger includes the useful Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite, a common sight on Ford’s vehicles and undoubtedly a new staple of reliability.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite gives you multiple advanced safety features at no additional cost. If that’s not enough, you can opt for further additions to the already bustling set of features. Standard features include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and a Lane-Keeping System. Starting with the Pre-Collision Assist, your Ranger is designed to warn you of potential collisions, and the Automatic Emergency Braking portion of the safety suite will bring your vehicle to a stop in an emergency. The Lane-Keeping System has two built-in functions: you can set it for alerts, assist, or both. In alert mode, the Ranger will make your steering wheel rumble slightly if you’re drifting lanes, and assist mode will subtly turn your vehicle back into position.
Other features that come with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite include Cross-Traffic Alert and BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). Starting with BLIS, your Ranger will give you an alert if a vehicle is encroaching your blind spot, and the visual alert on the mirror will change depending on which side you need to consider at that moment. Cross-Traffic Alert utilizes the same technology as BLIS, but it’s designed to warn you of bypassing traffic when your truck is in reverse. As a bonus, Cross-Traffic Alert works for both the rear side of your truck and any connected trailer.
Find the Best Truck for You at Pearson Ford
Being the best dealership around isn’t an easy thing to do. During our time in the business, we’re confident to say that we’re exactly that. The best dealership isn’t just about the vehicles they sell; it’s how they go about selling them. At Pearson Ford, our professional staff members don’t see you as a run-of-the-mill customer that we just want to quickly sell a car to but as someone genuinely interested in what the automotive market has to currently offer. Our sales team will be more than pleased to chat about the latest offerings, and we’ll take you on a tour around our lot while we help you decide what kind of vehicle is on your mind.
Here at Pearson Ford, our long list of services includes our on-site service center, and we make the process of making an appointment straightforward. We guarantee our certified mechanics are more than ready for any task, and you can bring your vehicle to us even if you didn’t purchase it here. So, are you ready to find the perfect truck for you? We think the 2022 Ford Ranger might be it, and we are happy to help you test drive and buy it here at Pearson Ford.