2000 Ford Ranger: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

America's best-selling compact pickup adds a 4x4-look 2-wheel-drive model and a base-trim 4-door cab for 2000. Ranger offers regular-cab or extended SuperCab bodies in base XL and uplevel XLT trim. All SuperCabs have a pair of fold-down rear jump seats and are available with two rear doors hinged at the back to open in conjunction with the front doors. The rear doors had been an XLT exclusive. Regular-cabs get a 6- or 7-foot cargo bed, SuperCabs the 6-foot box. A flare-fender Flareside short-bed is optional.
Two-wheel-drive Rangers come with a 4-cylinder engine. A 3.0-liter V6 is optional on 2WD models, standard on 4x4s. A 4.0-liter V6 is optional for XLT models. Manual transmission is standard. The 4-cylinder and 3.0 V6 offer a 4-speed automatic option, the 4.0 a 5-speed automatic.
A new Trailhead option gives 2WD regular-cab XL shortbeds the raised suspension, 16-inch wheels, and exterior trim used by 4WD Rangers. Also for 2000, front bucket seats are available on 2WD XLT models; they had been limited to 4WD XLTs. Mazda's B-Series pickups are built by Ford to the basic Ranger design but have slightly different styling. Due in early fall, the 2001 Ranger will feature appearance and suspension changes and replace the current 160-horsepower overhead-valve 4.0 with a 205-hp overhead-cam version.

COMPETITION

Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out. The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda B-Series). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.
Among the Recommended choices we really like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma for their drivability and comfort. General Motors' compacts (the Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma) are getting a bit long in the tooth. But they still offer class-leading ride quality and a strong V6 engine.