2022 Ford Ranger Crew Cab

　　

2022 Ford Ranger Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Midsize pickups are a great alternative for shoppers who need the utility of a truck but don't need the size and capabilities of a more expensive full-size truck. The 2022 Ford Ranger is an example of the latest crop of these smaller trucks, though maybe not the best. Despite its relatively recent appearance in the U.S., this generation of Rangers has been on sale around the world for almost a full decade and its age is showing.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford Ranger XL 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$165/mo  for Ranger XL

　　Ranger XL

　　XL 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $25,980 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $28,165 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $29,835 MSRPXL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $32,020 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $30,030 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $31,990 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $33,730 MSRPXLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,690 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $34,070 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $36,030 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $37,770 MSRPLariat 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $39,730 MSRP

　　vs

　　$219/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　For 2022, the bold colors of the '90s will be back in the form of a new Splash appearance package and a Splash Limited Edition for the Ranger. Otherwise, it returns mostly unchanged, and that makes sense given the rumors of a full redesign for 2023. At the moment, the Ranger remains a back marker in the midsize truck class. You can check out our Expert Rating to see where it comes up short against higher-ranked rivals that include the Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Ranger drive? The Ranger has one main trick: a stout turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It doesn't make the most horsepower in the class, but it's not far off the mark. The result is a gutsy engine that delivers plenty of punch as long as you're in Sport mode. In zzdcar' testing, our 4WD crew-cab test truck covered 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, which is quick for a midsize truck.

　　Beyond that, though, the Ranger stumbles. The 10-speed automatic is great in other Fords, but in the Ranger normal mode it's unresponsive and slow to downshift. The steering is too light and numb, the suspension is unsettled in corners with bumps, and the truck's nose dives significantly with sudden braking.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Ranger? Aspects of the Ranger's ride could be a deal-breaker for some. Even mild road undulations generate very springy and bouncy ride motions. This too soft, underdamped feel seems to amplify the size of certain bumps you pass over, and more than one of our passengers actually got queasy.

　　On the other hand, the front seats are nicely shaped, comfortably padded and able to accommodate a variety of body types. The crew cab's rear seatbacks are a little more upright than we'd like, but they are otherwise acceptable. Wind, tire and road noise is nicely controlled. We found it hard to use the climate system. The four vents cannot be shut off individually, and the system has numerous small control buttons that are hard to distinguish.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below