Critical Decision: Should I Buy a Ford Ranger or Ford F-150?

Pickup trucks have practically become America’s vehicular mascot. Ford pickups are the go-to vehicle for work-related tasks, towing, hauling, and trailering. That’s not to mention the constantly growing enthusiast community surrounding off-road activity, racing, and motorsports. However, do you need the capability and size of an F-150, or will you be better off with the midsize Ranger? When it comes to looking at used Ford trucks for sale, there is a lot to consider beyond just the better pricing. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights and differences between the two truck models and see if you should buy a Ranger or an F-150 for all your truck needs.

The Ford Ranger: A Spunky Midsize Pickup

Both the Ford F-150 and the Ford Ranger are pickup trucks, but pickup trucks of different varieties. The Ranger was originally a midsize pickup that came in a variety of configurations just up until Ford exited the midsize pickup market in North America during the late 2000s. The Ford Ranger made a return to the North American market with a 2019 model year outing, this time as a much sportier light-duty truck that comes in two or four-door models and in two-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations.

The resurrected 2019 Ranger is situated on a 126.8-inch wheelbase and can seat up to five people in the four-door iteration while the two-door seats up to four. Since both the SuperCab two-door version and SuperCrew four-door iteration are situated on the same wheelbase, it means that the SuperCrew version has slightly smaller bed-length dimensions at only 60-inches in length, compared to the SuperCab’s 72-inch bed.

What the SuperCrew lacks in bed space it makes up for in passenger volume. Not only does it seat five, but the passengers and driver of 2019 and 2020 SuperCrew configurations of the Ford Ranger have more room to make use of thanks to a passenger volume of 97.6 cubic feet. This means more hip room, more legroom, and more shoulder space, giving everyone ample amounts of comfortable moving space compared to the SuperCrew’s 89.2 cubic feet of passenger volume.

Both two and four-door versions of the 2019 and 2020 Ranger share the same fuel economy, with 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The real treat of the Ranger, though, is in its maneuverability and ride-height, making it ideal for off-road traversal. So, if you like to hit the trails frequently, you should definitely consider a Ranger.

You can often find used Rangers in three different trims and around a dozen different configurations, depending on what you happen to be looking for. The trims include the XL, the XLT, and the Lariat, the last of which is designed for off-road use thanks to optional packages such as the FX2 Package for the rear-wheel drive configuration, which comes with 18-inch off-road tires, an electronic locking rear differential, and exposed front tow hooks.

For the four-wheel drive configurations, there’s an FX4 package that comes bundled with specially tuned off-road monotube shocks, off-road tires, and a traction-enhanced electronic-locking rear differential. This differential helps with crawling, uphill inclines, and utilizing a lot of low-end torque for difficult terrain. For added off-road protection, the FX4 Package also comes equipped with a front bash plate, skid plates for the undercarriage, and a digital cluster screen for vehicle performance feedback, including a Terrain Management System and Trail Control.

There’s also the Lariat Technology Package, which comes with a built-in adaptive cruise control and navigation system, as well as a forward-sensing tech. For aesthetic alterations, there is the Sport Appearance Package and the Black Appearance Package. Meanwhile, work-related add-ons are available in the form of a Bed Utility Package that adds in a plastic drop-in bedliner and a 12-volt plug. The Trailer Tow Package buffs the towing and trailering proficiency of the Ranger with a Class IV trailer hitch receiver.

When properly equipped, the 2019 Ford Ranger can tow up to 3,500 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,770 pounds, efficiently fulfilling its role as a mid-sized, light-duty pickup. Keep in mind that when looking at used models, you are going to see a large variety of packages and capabilities equipped. You may get lucky and find a Ranger with all of the aforementioned packages, or you may only find one with a few. So, when shopping for a used model, keep in mind what you want to use your truck for and look for a model with the packages and features that will make you happy to be driving your used Ranger.

The Ford F-150: A Popular Full-Size Pickup

The Ford F-150 is the most popular iteration of the F-Series of pickup trucks from the American automaker. It’s classified as a light-duty, full-size pickup and has been on the market since 1948, making it one of the longest-running pickup brands in the industry. Over the years, the Ford F-150 and its heavy-duty siblings have steadily adapted to the times, being highly configurable for a number of different tasks and jobs, including towing, trailering, off-road traversal, and hauling. Ford has consistently improved the design and look of the F-150 without going overboard in one way or another, which has also helped its popularity stay high among truck drivers who want something durable with reliable performance, rather than a show-truck.

The Ford F-150 comes in two different cab formats, including the regular cab and the SuperCab, the former of which is a two-door cab that seats up to three, while the four-door SuperCab seats up to six. Both cab formats can be paired with two different drivetrain configurations, including rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, which applies even to older models for those of you buying used.

At its base, the Ford F-150 has always been capable of impressive towing feats when properly equipped. The 2015 F-150 is capable of towing a minimum of 5,000 pounds and up to 12,200 pounds, while the 2018 through 2020 Ford F-150 manages between 7,700 pounds and up to 13,200 pounds. If you were planning on getting a used Ford F-150 from the last several generations for the express purpose of towing and hauling, then you’re in good hands.

Unlike the Ford Ranger, the Ford F-150 comes in a number of different wheelbase sizes, depending on what you want and what you need from the truck. The wheelbases also vary depending on the model year, but both newer and older models range between 122 inches and 164 inches, depending on the cab size. So if you were planning on buying a used F-150 from the older generation, typically, the 6.5-foot regular cab features a wheelbase of around 122 inches, while the 8.0-foot regular cab has a wheelbase of 141 inches. The SuperCrew 5.5-foot cab typically has a wheelbase of 145.4 inches, while the 6.5-foot SuperCrew cab has a wheelbase of 157.2 inches. For maximum length, the SuperCab is situated on a 145.4-inch wheelbase for the 6.5-foot iteration and up to a 164-inch wheelbase for the 8.0-foot style cabin.

Each of the options gives you more variety in bed length, passenger volume, interior storage, and hauling capacity. All of these options do raise the price of entry for the F-150 over the Ranger, even if both are used, so this is something to consider when you’re shopping for a pickup truck. However, if you need some good capability from your pickup truck, then you should definitely consider looking at some used F-150 models.

Choose The Right Pickup For You

Both the Ford Ranger and Ford F-150 are great trucks, depending on what you’re looking for in terms of performance, towing, and size. The Ranger is obviously smaller, situated in the midsize pickup category, and because of that, the price is much lower than the Ford F-150. It would work as a great starter truck or an interim vehicle while you save up for something bigger.

Alternatively, the Ford F-150 packs a lot more punch to its performance and is much larger since it’s a full-size pickup. It has more options when it comes to powertrains and wheelbases, and this is a huge advantage for shoppers looking for something larger, more capable, and with additional features. This truck is great for those who really need a moderate-sized truck for work purposes or recreational activities that require a decent amount of towing capability.

So when you ask yourself, “should I buy a Ford Ranger or F-150?” take into consideration what you’re looking for out of a pickup truck, and you can use this information as a guide on what the differences are between the two. Ultimately, the price, performance, and size distinctions between the F-150 and Ranger will determine which one might fit the criteria you have set when shopping for a used Ford truck for sale. If you are ready to buy a used Ford truck, or you still have a few questions and want to test the different models out yourself, we can help. Stop by Kings Ford and let our amazing sales team help you find the perfect Ford truck for your lifestyle needs.