Test drove a Ranger Tremor today

I test drove the new ranger tremor this afternoon. It was the first time I’ve driven a ranger before so I’ll give you guys my brief review.

Pros:
- The fox shocks felt stiff, but in a good way
- Tremor comes with 32” tires from the factory (which is bigger than the Pro)
- Cool rims, stance was a little wider than the normal ranger
- Engine has enough pep for a 4 cylinder (though very comparable to the 3.5L that the taco has)
- The side mirrors were big and made the truck feel beefier
- The steering wheel telescopes out much further, making you feel less like you’re reaching for the wheel (though I’m 6’ 6” so that might be a ‘me’ problem in the taco)
- Seats were nice and very comfortable
- Some cool styling options available for the ranger (vinyl hood stuff, side door protectors, exhaust, etc.)

Cons:
- Looks too much like a car in the front
- For similar power/pep and mpg I’d rather have the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6
- Interior felt bland and dated
- The windshield feels too big (like a Camry or something)
- The engine was very quiet (I kind of like the rowdiness of the taco’s engine)
- No bed liner or electrical outlet in the bed

Overall it was a cool truck, wouldn’t hate on anyone for buying one, has some cool things about it. But for $45K I’d opt to get a TRD Pro for another few thousand.

 

The 2020 headlight > the ranger tremor


I don't think you can buy a PRO for 50k... anymore

 

Your Taco sitting next to it looks 1000% times better. Makes it look like a Subaru.

 

Yeah I agree, honestly when I first saw the tremor I was like “oh looks kinda cool” and then next to the taco I was like “Ehh not into it”

 

The Ranger kind of reminds me of Hyundai's Santa Cruz or Honda's Ridgeline. I'd definitely take the Tacoma over the Ranger. Plus, the Tacoma looks tuff while parked.

 

The Ranger is a weird overseas model that they brought to the US. That's why it looks so strange. Hard pass for me.

 

Tacoma looks so much better

 

dress up the Ranger with a lift and a few after market parts and it'll perk up the looks of it. I've seen a couple around here lifted and dressed up that look pretty sharp.

As they sit, sire the Tacoma takes the looks prize BUT it's dressed up for show, and the Ranger is still stock.

BUT the Tacoma is known reliable, the Ranger has yet to take the longevity test.

 

Hate the ridiculously high bed sides on the Ranger.

 

Lol totally true

 

Truth. I have 2 inch block in the rear. Parked by a ranger the other day, bed height was exact same.(almost)

 

I know it's exaggerating but the Ranger looks like you need a ladder to reach over the side of the bed, lol.

 

Unpopular opinion: I prefer the understated look of the Ranger. That said, Tremor pricing is a big ask for a pretty stale overall design.

 

I'd hold out for the twin turbo Ranger Raptor version with much bigger fenders.... and an extended warranty.

 

I don't mind the smaller front end on the Ranger. It looks way better than the ridiculous grille of the Maverick.



There was a time where pickup trucks didn't need huge front ends.



Now the Silverado and new Tundra are really pushing the envelope with their giant cheese graders.

 

Another unpopular opinion: The Ranger Tremor has the lowest payload of all of the Ranger trim levels and it's still 300 lbs higher than the TRD Pro.

The highest Ranger payload is 2,128 lbs vs the highest Tacoma payload at 1,685 lbs.

Love my Tacoma. Would love it more if I wasn't right at GVW every time I come home from the grocery store.

 

This is what killed my interest in the Ranger. I don't know why Ford, GMC and Chevrolet seem to think the bed on a mid-size truck needs to be as high as possible and at an angle. The Tacoma is the only mid-size truck left that looks normal to me.

 

A new Ranger isn't far away. Ford actually has been seen testing it and Ford Australia released a teaser video recently. Honestly I just can't stand the styling of the truck. I prefer bold lines and less "bubbliness."

 

It’s the width I don’t like. It’s too narrow

 

The front just seems too small and rounded compared to the massive tall bed in the back