There is no denying that a full-size truck like the Ford F-150 is a great option when you want to get some serious work done, but there are plenty of times when it is more truck than you really need. In those instances, a midsize pickup like the 2023 Ford Ranger is often the perfect choice, giving you impressive power and capability in a smaller package that is easier to handle in a wide range of situations. The beauty of the Ranger is that it comes through in all kinds of different environments. Whether you need something to get you to a job site or to take off-road, the Ford Ranger is ready to deliver.
This is thanks in large part to the fantastic engine and remarkable engineering that Ford’s designers have utilized with this truck. With midsize trucks, it is all too common for manufacturers to come up short and outfit it with an engine that cannot really get much done; that is absolutely not the case with the Ranger. Ford has loaded the Ranger with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that delivers 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving it tremendous muscle to handle just about anything you throw at it. Even though this is a midsize model, it can still handle up to 7,500 lbs of towing, giving you the ability to haul a trailer full of supplies or a boat behind you. This is the perfect truck for both work and play.
If you are interested in taking your pickup off-road, then the 2023 Ranger is an amazing choice, thanks in large part to the available Tremor Off-Road package. When you choose this package, the Ranger gains skid plates, six upfitter switches for off-road accessories, and FOX shocks on a modified suspension to increase your ground clearance and give you better capability out on the trail. Yet, even with all of this remarkable muscle and impressive performance, the Ford Ranger still has plenty of sophisticated features inside. With its available eight-inch infotainment display, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and dual productivity screens, the Ranger is just as fun to drive as it is powerful.
MSRP: $27,400 [a]
Max Towing (lbs): 7,500
Max Payload (lbs): 1,905
Torque (lb-ft): 310
Performance
The Power and Capability of This Midsize Truck
With any truck, no matter what size it is, one of the most important things to look at is the engine and the kind of performance and real-world capability it delivers. A midsize truck is not going to be able to match the raw power and muscle of a full-size model, particularly a full-size heavy-duty option like the Ford Super Duty models, but it should still be able to hold its own. The 2023 Ford Ranger does exactly this with a powerful engine and impressive engineering that allows it to tackle a lot of weight, making it the perfect option for handling a wide range of tasks.
You have a single engine on offer with the Ford Ranger, which keeps things simple, so you do not have to worry about judging the merits of one engine compared to another. The Ranger is powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost that delivers 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, giving it the highest gas torque in its class. This is important for handling some serious towing and for giving you a fantastic experience every time you get behind the wheel of your Ford Ranger. The engine is paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, which delivers a smooth and responsive drive, something you do not often find with a midsize truck like this.
Although a 4×2 setup comes standard, you can choose an available 4×4 system for improved traction and control when conditions get slippery. This is perfect if you want a midsize truck that can handle rough weather, including plenty of rain along with snow and slush, if you like to spend your time off up in the mountains, or you simply want to be ready for anything. Thanks to Ford’s incredible commitment to unbeatable engineering, the midsize Ranger still offers up to 7,500 lbs of maximum towing capability, giving it the muscle to haul a tremendous amount of weight behind it for work, play, and everything in between.
Off-Road
How This Midsize Truck Handles Unpaved Paths
Midsize trucks have become increasingly popular in recent years not only for their ability to handle a surprising amount of work but for how well they can deliver on the weekend. The 2023 Ford Ranger is a terrific option for a wide range of tasks, including hauling a trailer full of building materials to a job site, taking your boat to a launch on a day off, and reaching your favorite campground. If you like to really let loose and take your truck out onto the trail, then the Ranger is a great option, particularly if you choose the available Tremor Off-Road package.
For starters, the Tremor Off-Road package includes a modified heavy suspension that increases ground clearance for the Ford Ranger, making it easier to navigate over obstacles on the trail. This also includes FOX shocks for added stability and maneuverability while going off-road, which not only helps keep you and your passengers more comfortable on rough terrain but helps the Ranger absorb whatever the trail throws at it. You also get skid plates with this package to protect the underside of your truck, along with tow hooks and six upfitter switches that are perfect for installing additional lights or other accessories onto your truck.
The Tremor Off-Road package also includes Ford Trail Control, which acts like cruise control for going off-road: simply set a speed, and the Ranger will maintain it by accelerating and braking, so you can focus on navigating the terrain. Speaking of which, you also get Ford’s Terrain Management System with this package, providing you with four selectable drive modes, including Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. Once selected, the Ranger adjusts performance based on the mode you choose, providing you with the power and traction you need to handle any situation that you find yourself in. It is worth noting that this package is only available on some models with 4×4, making them the perfect midsize trucks for the trail.
Technology
The Tech That Enhances This Midsize Truck
Over the last few years, the technology found throughout the auto industry has become more impressive than ever before. It is a mistake, however, to assume that these things are only found on sedans and family-friendly SUVs. Even hard-working trucks should be loaded up with incredible tech features that make driving more enjoyable and help you get your job done. If these features happen to also make your days off more enjoyable, then that is just icing on the cake. The 2023 Ford Ranger has fantastic technology available, both in terms of your enjoyment on the road and how well it helps keep you safe.
The kinds of tech features you find in the Ranger will depend on the trim level you look at. To keep things simple, we will focus on the Ranger Lariat, the top trim, and the impressive systems it comes with. For starters, you get an eight-inch infotainment display in the Lariat, along with an available pair of 4.2-inch color productivity screens in the instrument cluster. You get dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control in the Lariat, ambient lighting with fade-to-off interior lighting for added warmth every time you get into your truck, and Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start. Available features for the Lariat include Adaptive Cruise Control, Rain-Sensing Wipers that come on automatically, and a ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Not all of the tech features in the Ranger Lariat are meant for comfort and driver enjoyment—many of them are designed to help protect you. The Lariat comes with a Pre-Collision Assist System with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Blind Spot Information System, and Automatic High Beams. You also get a Lane-Keeping System to help you stay in your lane while on the road, along with an auto-dimming rearview mirror. All of this comes together to make the Ranger an incredibly safe option that you will enjoy driving for many years.
Come Find Your Midsize Companion; The 2023 Ford Ranger
With gorgeous style, robust performance, and the ability to take you anywhere you want to go, the 2023 Ford Ranger is one of the most impressive and popular midsize trucks on the road. Although a midsize pickup is not the right option for every situation, if you are looking for the perfect combination of modest size and remarkable power, then the Ranger is definitely one to check out. Here at Future Ford of Sacramento, we are pleased to offer the full selection of Ford models, including the midsize Ranger and the legendary full-size F-150. No matter what you are looking for in your next truck, we are ready to help you find it and make sure you get the right pickup with everything you need.
Our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will work closely with you to ensure you get the perfect vehicle. That means we will answer your questions, discuss your options, and make sure we understand exactly what you are looking for. The most important thing to us is that you drive away happily in the right vehicle with the kind of capability and reliability that you know you can count on to get your job done and enjoy your time off. Plus, with our certified service center and parts department, you will always know who to turn to any time you need scheduled maintenance or any other repairs for your vehicle. Call or come visit us at Future Ford of Sacramento today to find out more, and let us help you find the perfect pickup.
