How quick is the new 2019 Ford Ranger? We put it on our test track for a 0-60 MPH and in a drag race against a Toyota Tacoma V6 to find out.
The Ranger is packing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm from a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. 10-speed automatic is doing the shifting. Ford lists this rating with 87-octane fuel, although some reports suggest that the truck could be making closer to 300 horsepower on 93-octane. No matter, 93-octane is not available in Colorado due to higher elevations. Our test track is at approximately 1-mile above sea level.
The Tacoma’s V6 is rated at 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm. The Tacoma we test here is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Is this comparison totally predictable? Well, the Tacoma crew 4×4 TRD Off-Road you see here weighs approximately 100 lbs less than the fully loaded Ranger Lariat 4×4 FX4. The Toyota has a higher horsepower rating, and it has been known to get a good launch off the line. We did a couple of runs with and without the ECT PWR mode.
The Ranger offers a Sport transmission shift mode, but no other performance enhancements. In the end, the Ranger was indeed quicker than the Tacoma. The 0-60 MPH at elevation is 7.34 sec. This is impressive, considering that the quickest midsize truck we tested until now was the Chevy Colorado with the 3.6L V6 and an 8-speed automatic at 7.93 seconds 0-60 mph on the same track.
Take a look at the Chevy Colorado gas V6 versus GMC Canyon turbo-diesel comparison here.
