Ford F-150 vs. Ford Ranger

Ford is one of the giants in the truck world – and for good reason. Ford has produced some of the most popular trucks over time, including the top-selling Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. Both trucks have added to the innovation and dependability for which Ford is known, and they have earned legions of loyal drivers.

You can get great deal on new Ford trucks, but shopping for a used Ford F-150 or Ford Ranger will get you even more value, giving you a great truck for even less money. You’ll also be able to get some of the best features and engine options that Ford has put on the F-150 and the Ranger over the years.

Though you can’t go wrong with either the Ford F-150 or the Ford Ranger, you may find that one suits your needs better than the other. Here’s a brief look at how the two models compare:

Power and Performance

You are going to get great power and performance from either the Ford F-150 or the Ford Ranger, but you are going to get a lot more choice when you shop for a Ford F-150. In recent years, the Ford Ranger has come with limited engine options – often just one. The engines have been competent, but they haven’t left much option for those who needed more power for hauling cargo or for managing rough terrain – or just for the fun of it.

The Ford F-150 has come with up to six engine options in recent years, which means you’ll have a lot of choices when you shop for used Ford F-150 models. The base model powertrain has typically been about as powerful as what’s offered on the base model Ford Ranger (usually a bit higher though), but the other engine options allow you to get significantly more power for enhanced performance. Some engine choices can nearly double horsepower and torque.

If you need a power horse for your work or for your hobbies, you might be better focusing your used truck search on the Ford F-150. But if you just need a daily driver, you can have great success with either truck.

Towing Capacity

Most people buy a truck because they want to haul something – even if it’s their weekend camping gear or their luggage for their road trip. Many people have much heavier loads they want to haul, including equipment for their work, materials like gravel and mulch, and more. Fortunately, both the Ford F-150 and the Ford Ranger offer a competent towing capacity to haul what most people will need to haul.

The Ford Ranger has the lower towing capacity of the two. Typically, it would max out around 7,500 pounds of towing capacity, depending on the configuration and the model year. Meanwhile, recent Ford F-150 models can tow up to 13,000 pounds or more – again, depending on the configuration and the model year.

The great news is that unless you have some seriously heavy-duty needs for a truck, you can find what you need in a used model Ford Ranger or Ford F-150. You’ll get the towing capacity and the performance to do what you need to do with ease.

Fuel Economy

Trucks aren’t known for their fuel efficiency. In fact, they’re usually known for being pretty terrible in fuel economy. You have to trade in a higher gas bill for that higher power and towing capability.

While you won’t get the outstanding fuel economy you could find on a sedan or a hybrid with the Ford Ranger or F-150, you also won’t struggle as much with keeping the tank filled as you would with other models. The fuel economy will vary depending on the model year and the specs of the truck, but you should expect to get miles per gallon in the low- to mid-20s, not the teens like in many other trucks. The Ford Ranger is going to get better fuel economy on account of its lighter engine and design.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Lighter trucks tend to be smaller trucks, and vice versa. This has certainly been true for past models of the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. What that means is that if you want the more powerful Ford F-150, you can also expect to get more in the way of passenger and cargo capacity. Meanwhile, if you choose to sacrifice some power by choosing the more fuel-efficient Ford Ranger, you will also sacrifice some passenger and cargo capacity.

The good news is that both Ford truck models come with a variety of cab configurations so that you can get the seating options you want. By shopping for used trucks, you can take advantage of larger cab configurations without having to pay significantly more, like you would if you were shopping for new models.

The Ford F-150 also has a number of configurations for the bed, allowing you to get more or less space for cargo as you need it. However, recent models of the Ford Ranger have only been offered with one bed size, regardless of the cabin choice. You may need to attach a trailer bed if you need to haul larger items with the Ford Ranger.

Choosing the Right Truck for You

Both the Ford F-150 and the Ford Ranger have a lot to offer. They have been some of the most popular trucks on the marketplace for a long time – which means you know that they have a reputation for excellence and which means that you will have a lot of options when you go shopping for used models.

Visit Tim’s Truck Capital today to explore our selection of used Ford truck models, including the popular F-150 and Ranger. We have several models in various configurations, so you can find just the features you need in a truck that’s just the right price. We also offer a variety of financing options to help you make the truck affordable for your monthly budget.

Visit us today to explore your options and to take a test drive. We’re ready to help you find the perfect Ford truck today!