2019 Ford Ranger vs F-150

The demise of the old Ranger in 2011 meant that Ford pickup fans would have to get the larger F-150 or swallow the tough pill of switching to a Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma(which are both great in their own right, don’t get me wrong). That choice no longer has to be made with the arrival of the new 2019 Ford Ranger. Providing much of the same “Built Ford Tough” utility but in a smaller package, it is poised to contend in the midsize pickup truck industry as a viable competitor. It’s worth noting, however, that some previous and current F-150 drivers may also find a lot to like about the new Ranger, to the point where downsizing could be worth it. Here's what separates the Ranger and F-150, so you can figure out which truck would be a better workhorse for your particular needs.

Ranger vs F-150: Exterior

In addition to the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims like the Ranger, the F-150 gives you the option of the venerable Raptor, as well as the more luxurious King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited levels. The Ranger Raptor exists, but sadly doesn't seem to be coming to the states.

Across the board, the F-150’s style is certainly not subtle. It’s a larger truck than the Ranger and is not afraid to show it. The front fascia keeps up with the current trend of imposing, brawny pickup trucks that is now common in the industry. The large headlights anchor a two-piece chrome bar that is similar in style to the Ranger, albeit much bigger.

The Ranger fits more into Ford’s global style, with fewer overt “Americana” elements. All trims feature the signature Ford hexagonal grille, but only the Lariat gets the dual floating chrome bars as are found on virtually all F-150’s. The lower Ranger trims have an all-black rectangle pattern, while all trims feature inserts on the side with Ford’s favored honeycomb pattern. The Raptor Ranger would likely feature some drastic and aggressive styling changes, both inside and out.

Looking at the rear of both trucks, the bottom part of the tailgate is a concave trapezoid that is adorned with the name of the respective model. The upper lip flares up slightly, giving a very slight spoiler look the tail end.

The Ranger is available in a host of Ford standard shades, but also features the new, model-exclusive Saber color. It could perhaps best be described as a copper-tinged gold, that would not be out of place in a Martian landscape. Overall, with Ford granting the Ranger just eight colors, the fourteen options for the F-150 allow more chance for personalization.

Perhaps paradoxically (as the Ranger is the smaller truck), only the F-150 is available in a regular cab configuration; this indicates that many buyers may not find that style as useful and that its popularity has declined over the years. The Ranger comes with either a 5-foot (for the SuperCrew) or 6-foot (for the SuperCab) box, while the F-150 box ranges from 5.5 feet to a massive 8-foot size. This gives the F-150 quite an advantage in terms of total capacity, but also simply shows that the two trucks are designed for different purposes.

Both the F-150 and Ranger come only with even-spoke wheels, typically in six-spoke format. This is certainly a matter of personal preference, but for those that think odd-symmetry is the only way to go, aftermarket parts will do the trick.

For a look that is (at least moderately) smoother and sportier, the Ranger is the superior visual choice. If you want rugged looks to match the toughness of the build, the F-150 better fits that design style.

Ranger vs F-150: Interior

The Ranger’s interior, though not ground-breaking, is clean and modern. The style feels fresh and slick, with some contrasting stitching throughout, similar to the F-150. It’s practical as well, with physical knobs in addition to the SYNC touchscreen (for applicable trims). The seats are either cloth or vinyl in the lower trims, while the high-level Lariat comes with bucket seats trimmed in leather. All seats come in a traditional Ebony black and a beige-hue Medium Stone. This truck isn’t going to give you studio-quality sound in the base XL model, which only has four speakers. With the 501A equipment group in the Lariat, however, you can give your ears the experience of listening to the premium Bang & Olufsen sound system (SuperCrew body style only). That equipment group also includes the Technology Package, adding navigation and adaptive cruise control, plus remote-start and rain-sensing wipers.

The F-150’s cabin naturally feels bigger due to the larger size, but this is also helped by the optional panoramic moonroof. Controls are laid out in a logical fashion, with large knobs for audio and climate control. There’s a certain ruggedness to the dashboard style, although the overall design does feel more outdated when put up against the Ranger. Ambient interior lighting and faux carbon fiber trim options can help to add even more personality. Interior colors include cool choices like the Navy Pier unique leather in the Limited trim, black with orange accents in the Raptor, plus a variety of neutral palette leather options in other trims.

Ranger vs F-150: Engine

The Ranger will only come with Ford’s powerful yet efficient 2.3 liter EcoBoost motor, with the 10-speed automatic transmission that Ford is now featuring heavily. The engine is available with auto start-stop technology and can be paired to either a 4x2 RWD or 4x4 drivetrain. Choosing the latter will cost about $4,000 more, which will likely steer urban and light-duty users towards the 4x2, which will very likely get better fuel economy. Splurging on the Lariat trim will add technology features such as Intelligent Access and push-button start

Unlike the Ranger, which comes only with the 2.3 liter EcoBoost, the F-150 can be had with a myriad of engines. There are two 3.5 liter EcoBoost variants, a 2.7 liter EcoBoost, a 3.3 liter V6, an efficient 3.0 liter turbo diesel, and the highly-regarded 5.0 liter V8 Coyote, which is slightly different from the one used in the Mustang GT, but which still performs admirably. Auto start-stop technology is included on all F-150 engines. In addition to Ford’s favored 10-speed transmission, the F-150 is also offered with an older six-speed automatic on the 3.3 liter V6 only. To help provide safety and control when towing, the F-150 also offers Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Ford’s unique system that allows the driver to use a knob to steer where they want the trailer to go...the truck will then do the rest. Given that the F-150 is larger and more likely to be used for heavy-duty towing, it makes sense that this feature is not available on the Ranger.

The 4WD Ranger achieved the highest EPA fuel economy in its class, rated at 22 mpg combined, 20 mpg city, and 24 mpg highway. The F-150’s vast range of engines means that the fuel economy ranges from 16 mpg city on the low end to 30 mpg highway for the diesel 6 cylinder.

Although these trucks are not in the same class, there are some technical specifications that can further be contrasted to demonstrate their differences. The Ranger’s fuel tank is 18 gallons, versus a range of 23 to a whopping 36 gallons for the F-150. Another interesting point is that the F-150 uses a push-pedal parking brake, like many SUVs and trucks do. The Ranger, on the other hand, uses an e-brake lever to the right of the driver’s seat, as one might find in a sedan.