Ford Jumping Back into the Mid-size Truck Market in 2019

It looks like Ford plans to toss their hat back into the mid-size truck ring, starting in 2019. The new Ranger will be priced similarly to the Tacoma, starting around $25k.



Likely powertrain options:

3.2L Power Stroke Diesel -

• 185 hp @ 3,000 rpm
• 350 lb-ft @ 1,500 -2,500 rpm

3.2L naturally aspirated -

• 282 hp @ 6,250 rpm
• 253 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

2.3L Ecoboost (Mustang) -

• 310 hp @ 5,500 rpm *
• 320 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm *

2.3L Ecoboost (Focus RS) -

• ~350 hp @ 5,500 rpm
• ~350 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm

2.7L EcoBoost

• 325 hp @ 5750 rpm **
• 375 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm **

* 2.3L EcoBoost with a canned ECU tune = 366 horsepower & 407 torque.

** 2.7L EcoBoost with a canned ECU tune = 393 horsepower & 440 torque.

(note low RPMs for torque measurements on EcoBoost engines, ideal for trucks)

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Toyota's 3.5L six-cylinder -

• 278 hp @ 6000 rpm
• 265 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm

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Hopefully Ford's reentry into the mid-size truck market will spur Toyota to answer back with meaningful improvements to the Tacoma and/or address issues with their 2016 model. Competition is always a good thing for buyers and I'll definitely be watching this new Ranger closely.

 

Might be interesting. The first Rangers had a rotten reliability record. As I understand it, Ford continued with the same basic design for several years and finally got the bugs out--though the one I had ('04) wasn't so great. My personal view is that I would watch the new ones for several years before making a commitment.

 

Rather Ford than a Chevy but still would like to see a new compact instead.

 

Hopefully it will force TOYOTA to do something about that horrible grill on the new ones.

 

Think there will be a Mazda version of the Ford Ranger like the B2300 or B3000?

 

Not what I'd hoped for but it is what I expected. It honestly doesn't look that much different than any other modern day mid-size truck styling-wise, and that includes the third gen Tacoma (though I do think the Taco is the best looking modern day mid-size truck). Everything is so....chunky and plastic looking.

Here I was hoping to see they'd revive the compact truck market

(I know that'll never happen)

 

How about a Raptor Ranger, I'd definitely at least test drive one of those.

 

I'm sure it'll change a few times before 2019. I had a 95 that I drove until I bought my Taco. The last 5-6 years it needed to see the inside of a repair shop on a regular basis

 

For sure, I'd have to see them on the market for a couple of years before I'd even consider one. Always nice to have options though.

 

The possibility of mid-size truck with 393 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of TQ, available at 3000 RPM, is definitely something that catches my interest. That comes out to 30% more HP and 40% more TQ than the 3.5L in the 2016 Tacoma...pretty significant. Also, Ford is preparing to offer a 10-speed transmission in their F-150s (time will tell how it does of course) that should offer up very solid performance and mileage if they offer it with their Ranger. If Ford's new Ranger proves to have a build quality similar to their current F-150 trucks it will be on my radar as a potential replacement for my Tacoma when the time comes.

I've followed Ford's EcoBoost engine line pretty closely since purchasing a car with the 3.5L EcoBoost in 2013 and they are legit engines. With the 3.5L EcoBoost engine it rolls off the lot with lots of options to see significant performance boosts with bolt-on modifications, with owners reliably getting close to 600 HP out of them on stock internals. In the case of my car it was putting out around 425 HP and 440 lb-ft of TQ with a $400 canned ECU tune, a 4400 pound full-size sedan that ran mid/high 12-second quarter-miles with 0-60 times in the mid 4s. A great car that left a LOT of people scratching their heads after we lined up at stoplights, but at the end of the day I needed a truck.

I guess we'll see what comes of this new mid-size truck...and Toyota's response to the new competition. Until then I'll continue to enjoy my Tacoma.

 

That truck looks so good.

 

Ford is my favorite truck maker, but them Rangers are ugly. Just like the Colorados

 

Some silly fanboys in here. The global ranger has been on the market for a LONG time and is a proven platform. The ford of the past is not the same ford of today. I'm willing to bet the first year ranger will be less problematic bug wise or the same as the 2016 Tacoma. Competition is good folks.

 

I doubt it now that Ford no longer owns Mazda, but that doesn't mean they can't work together after all Mazda builds a Scion for Toyota. Scion IA is a Mazda 2.

 

I usually don't get too spun up about looks when it comes to trucks, but cars are a different story. If a truck has the performance numbers, good approach angles, solid reliability, etc it is typically a contender in my book. That said...I don't think the pictures of the new Ranger are too bad (kind of similar to the 'new' Tacoma IMO) and as others have said, the final design will likely change 20 times by the time it is released. I can't wait to get a look at some of their off-road oriented concepts...the FX4 or even a 'mini Raptor' model.

If you guys come across any other details on this new truck please post info or links here. I will watch the EcoBoost forums I used to frequent and post up anything new as well.

 

these have been available in this design overseas for some time, same with the new frontier (navara) design that will soon migrate

 

This is an interesting video that offers insight into Ford's most recent 3.5L EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission. Even though I seriously doubt they'd ever offer the 3.5L Ecoboost in a mid-size truck (although that would be awesome in my opinion) the video still illustrates Ford's general approach when it comes to advancing their drivetrains. Very cool stuff in my opinion and I really hoped to see something along these lines when talk of a GEN3 Tacoma initially started.

https://youtu.be/tkScQN7fxGg

 

My source is a local Ford dealership owner. The Ranger is confirmed for 2019 with availability in Q4 of 2018. Engines will be a V6 (standard), Ecoboost I4 (upgrade), and I5 Diesel (Powerstroke from Transit). They will be keeping most of the standards from the Australian version but they will make suspension and safety adjustments (likely soften the suspension, drop it down an inch, and add more safety features.) A refresh of the front end look is also in the works. Expect something that says "I'm just a little F150".

The year delay is due to the amount of time it will take to setup production in North America. Ford will need to start making the small Powerstroke in amounts over 100K here and rebuld the old Michigan Focus line once it shuts down.

He asked if there will be a Raptor version. He was told SVT is already cooking something up so don't count out a V6 Ecoboost Ranger either...

 

I may be jumping ship if this is the case.