Pickup truck sales continue to increase – expected to exceed 2.8 million in US sales this year – and the midsize truck segment went over half-a-million last year, so Ford, the perennial truck-selling champ, has re-entered the midsize segment competition by bringing back Ranger. After an eight-year hiatus, the Ford Ranger is back and touted by Ford as “most fuel-efficient gas-powered midsize pickup in America.”

Ford’s Ranger began its truck life in 1965 as a Ford F-Series trim package, and became its own compact pick-up line in 1983, replacing the Ford Courier. The compact Ranger ceased production in 2011 for the U.S. and Canada, but began globally as an international mid-size pickup. Well, Ranger is back in the US as a versatile midsize -- it can be configured with several cab and bed sizes, to 2x4, 4x4, and with off-road, in-town or hauling-load capabilities.

The old Ranger was a small, rather pedestrian truck. The new Ranger is larger, tech savvy, infotainment rich, upscale and ruggedly sporty, with workhorse attributes. Ranger is all-new and all-modern, inside and out. Its body-on-frame construction (an all-steel frame and steel bumpers) is sculpted into a muscular body with a high beltline, raked grille and windshield to increase aerodynamics and reduce wind noise while taking on an athletic demeanor; and short overhangs mean better approach and departure angles and improved off-road capability.

Available in three trim levels (X, XLT and Lariat) in either rear-wheel-drive or 4x4, Ford Ranger is assembled at the Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan. With a 126.8-inch wheelbase, 210.8-inch length 85.8-inch width and height ranging from 70.7 to 71.5-inches depending on configuration, Ranger has a running ground clearance of 8.4 to 8.9 inches (depending on configuration) and curb weights of 4145 to 4441 lbs. Towing capacity maxes out at 7,500 pounds, and its payload is rated at 1,860.

Ranger has not spared the muscle … especially for a mid-size. While a 335-hp Ranger Raptor may be available in 2020, the 2019 Ranger shows plenty of brawn. Powered by an aluminum 2.3-liter EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop, mated to a 10-speed SelectShift® automatic, the system puts out 270hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, for an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. My week of winter-condition testing realized an average of 23.3mpg.

With little turbo lag, my heavily feature-filled test Ranger smoked the pavement to a 7.2-second zero-to-60 sprint during a 15.6-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile. Uphill grades were conquered easily and passing at speed is no prob. Steering is more carlike than trucklike, and while you do get sway during high-speed or autocross maneuvers, feedback is good for the segment. That helps translate into a gentle driving and passenger experience, as the short- and long-arm independent front suspension with tubular stabilizer bar works well with the Hotchkiss-type non-independent rear with live, leaf springs and outboard shock absorbers to smooth out pavement irregularities, while allowing for off-road feel and success on odd terrain.

Interior space is supple with front headroom of 39.8 inches, front legroom of 43.1 and front shoulder room of 56.6. With seating for five, rear measurements are headroom: 35.9, legroom: 30.4 and shoulder room: 55.3. Quiet inside, Ranger is refined, with little road noise, no squeaks, rattles or typical truck noises; and a host of niceties. The cabin is equipped with dual zone air conditioning, SYNC® 3, infotainment, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8-inch touch screen, power windows and mirrors, and heated seats.

Safetywise, Ranger utilizes standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking; a Lane-Keeping System that includes lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning and reverse sensing; and class-exclusive Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage; all standard on XLT and Lariat. Adaptive Cruise Control is standard on Lariat. Ranger is also outfitted with dual-stage driver and right-front passenger front airbags; front-seat side airbags and a Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor. You also get Automatic Emergency Braking, Anti-Lock Brake System, rear view camera, Remote Keyless Entry with remote tailgate lock, SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System, SOS Post-Crash Alert System™, Tire Pressure Monitoring System and trailer sway control.

The 2019 Ford Ranger starts at $24,300 for the base XL with SuperCab, 6-foot box and 4x2. The XLT starts at $27,940 and the upscale Lariat starts at $32,210. My test XLT went to the Super Crew Cab and 5-foot-box for an extra $2175. I need 4x4 drive stability and upgraded from 4x2 for an additional $4000. My Ranger was covered in Saber (Burnt  Orange) paint as part of the $1790 301A package that added an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, folding sideview mirrors with power glass, and SiriusXM® Satellite Radio, SYNC® 3. Package 302A was also added for $2800 – we got 8-way power driver and passenger heated seats with power lumbar, manual sliding rear window, remote start and a Sport Appearance Package with lots of cool cosmetics. The bed utility package with bedliner added $395, and the $795 Technology Package added a number of technology features including navigation and Adaptive Cruise Control. Front and rear splash guards were $130, and destination charges were $1195, for a sticker-as-tested of $39,430.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

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