The midsize pickup market has exploded in recent years, and Ford, the large truck king, wants in. The 2019 Ford Ranger was late to the party, but it claimed the torque crown for itself with just a little 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which just eked out another upside: best-in-class fuel economy.
The EPA rated the two-wheel-drive Ford Ranger at 21 mpg in city driving and 26 highway, with a combined mpg of 23, as Automotive News reports. While that combined figure matches the Chevy Colorado diesel, it bests all other gasoline engines in the midsize pickup class. It also beats out the Toyota Tacoma’s combined 21, while the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon top out at and average 22 mpg.
The advantage over other options is small, but it is still an advantage.
If you’re looking for a four-wheel-drive Ranger (and with the off-roading capabilities of the Ranger looking very promising, you really should be) you’ll find also best-in-class milage at 2o mpg city, 24 mpg highway for a 22 mpg average. The only engine on offer for this truck is the 2.3 EcoBoost, so you have no choice but to get good milage. It’s also an opportunity to piss off your grouchy uncle who swears four cylinders isn’t enough for a real pickup.
If you regret not picking up a Ranger after Ford abandoned the model in 2011, now may be a good moment to make up for lost time.