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2001 Ford Ranger Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2001 Ford Ranger Review:
5. 
Ford Ranger Photos

6. 
Ford Ranger Full Review

7. 
All Ford Rangers

8. 
All Fords


2001 Ford Ranger Review
America's top-selling compact pickup offers a regular cab or an extended SuperCab with two rear fold-down jump seats and optional back-hinged rear doors. Regular cabs use a 6- or 7-ft. cargo bed, SuperCab a 6-ft. A 135-hp 2.3 4-cyl replaces a 119-hp 2.5 as the base engine. A 3.0 V6 continues, but the 4.0 V6 is now an overhead-cam design with 47 hp more than the previous 4.0. All use manual or automatic transmission; the automatic is the only 5-speed offered in a compact pickup. Ranger has rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Four-wheel ABS is standard. Ranger-based Mazda B-Series pickups have slightly different styling and available equipment.
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.

This year we are limiting our Recommended choices to the Toyota Tacoma. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.
News
Ranger's calendar-2000 sales dipped 5 percent from the '99 tally to 330,125, though that was still 56 percent better than class runner-up Chevy S-10. Changes for 2002 should be minimal, as the 2003 Rangers are scheduled to be fully redesigned. No firm specifics are available yet, but one well placed source says the chassis will be wider, which implies a slight increase in other dimensions--and maybe weight too. It also suggests that Ford is making room for a V8 option to counter the Dodge Dakota, currently the sole compact pickup offering V8 power.
2001 Ford Ranger Road Test
Pros Cons
Acceleration (4.0-liter V6) Rear-seat comfort (extended cab)
Build quality Ride
Rear-seat entry/exit (extended cab)
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
3 5 4 4

New V6 feels noticeably stronger than old 4.0, has fine power from all speeds, and meshes nicely with 5-speed automatic. We've had no opportunity to test the new 2.3 4 cyl but expect slight improvement over previous four, which felt underpowered when heavily loaded or going uphill.
Fuel Economy

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
5 5 5 4.5

Test 4x4 SuperCab with prior 4.0 and automatic averaged 15.9 mpg. No opportunity to measure with new 4.0 V6 or 2.3 4 cyl. Ford estimates 4.0 with automatic at 17 mpg city/22 highway, new 2.3 with manual transmission at 24/28.
Ride Quality

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
2 4 3 3.4

Decent for trucks, regardless of engine or brand name. They jiggle some on rough roads, but absorb big bumps well.
Steering/Handling/Braking

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
3 3 3 3.3

Stable in corners with moderate body lean, nicely weighted steering, and good directional stability.
Quietness

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
3 4 3 3.3

Not quite car-quiet as Dodge Dakota is, but has better isolation from engine, wind, and road noise than most compact trucks. New ohc V6 is smooth, quieter than gruff previous 4.0.
Controls

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
7 7 7 5.9

Ranger and B-Series have a convenient dashboard, solid overall assembly, and good-quality interior materials.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
3 4 4 3.9

Good head and leg room, but three adults are a tight squeeze, and entry/exit borders on awkward in high-riding 4x4s and 2WD Edge models.
Room/Comfort (rear)

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
0 1 1 1.3

Explorer Sport Trac serves as Ford's compact-sized crew cab pickup, but extended-cab Rangers and B-Series' rear half doors a plus. With or without rear doors, rear-seat area best used for toddlers or cargo. Regular-cab has slightly more seat travel, seatback recline than rivals.
Cargo Room

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
1 3 3 2.5

Better-than-average behind-seat regular-cab space. Extended cabs carry lots of stuff. Dual rear doors are nice, but don't open independently of the fronts, making loading difficult in confined spaces.
Value within Class

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
8 10 10 6.2

Dodge's larger Dakota offers V8s and more convenient 4WD, but these Ford-built trucks have plenty of assets. Changes for '01 add appeal. Ranger is justifiably a best-seller, and basically interchangeable with the B-Series.
Total Score

Edge 3.0 reg. cab 2WD, auto. XLT SuperCab 2WD, 4.0 V6 auto. XLT SuperCab 4WD, auto. Class Average
35 46 43 38.3
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score
27
Average Score
38
High Score
51
2001 Ford Ranger Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/20/2001
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD XL 2.3-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $12,110 $11,702 $585
2WD XL 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $12,505 $12,070 $585
2WD XL 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, long bed $13,040 $12,567 $585
2WD XL 2.3-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $15,785 $14,490 $585
2WD XL 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $16,175 $14,836 $585
2WD Edge 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $14,700 $13,523 $585
2WD Edge 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $17,140 $15,694 $585
4WD Edge 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $20,645 $18,814 $585
2WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter regular cab Flareside, short bed $16,000 $14,680 $585
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $19,925 $18,173 $585
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter regular cab Flareside, short bed $20,685 $18,850 $585
2WD Edge Plus 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $18,960 $17,315 $585
2WD Edge Plus 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Flareside, short bed $19,440 $17,741 $585
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $23,750 $21,578 $585
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Flareside, short bed $24,190 $21,969 $585
2WD XLT 2.3-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $14,220 $13,096 $585
2WD XLT 2.3-liter regular cab Flareside, short bed $14,695 $13,519 $585
2WD XLT 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $14,940 $13,736 $585
2WD XLT 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, long bed $16,565 $15,183 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 2.3-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $14,545 $13,385 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 2.3-liter regular cab Flareside, short bed $15,020 $13,808 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 3.0-liter regular cab Styleside, short bed $16,785 $15,379 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 3.0-liter regular cab Flareside, short bed $17,260 $15,802 $585
2WD XLT 2.3-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $16,455 $15,085 $585
2WD XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $16,850 $15,437 $585
4WD XLT 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $20,765 $18,921 $585
4WD XLT 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Flareside, short bed $22,745 $20,683 $585
4WD XLT w/393A 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $21,965 $19,989 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Styleside, short bed $18,585 $16,981 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 3.0-liter SuperCab 2-door Flareside, short bed $19,175 $17,506 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $20,670 $18,836 $585
2WD XLT w/Appearance 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Flareside, short bed $21,145 $19,259 $585
4WD XLT Off-Road 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $22,765 $20,701 $585
4WD XLT Off-Road 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Flareside, short bed $23,240 $21,123 $585
4WD XLT Off-Road w/394A 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Styleside, short bed $24,150 $21,934 $585
4WD XLT Off-Road w/394A 4.0-liter SuperCab 4-door Flareside, short bed $24,335 $22,098 $585
Price note: 4WD Edge Plus regular cab, 4WD Edge SuperCab, 4WD XLT SuperCab, 4WD XLT Off-Road require 4.0-liter V6 engine.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
XL
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, 3.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, vinyl upholstery, split bench seat, cloth/vinyl upholstery split bench seat (SuperCab), floor console, cupholders, black vinyl floor covering, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, painted bumpers, dual outside mirrors.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer tow wiring harness, full-size spare tire, 225/70R15 tires, styled steel wheels.
Edge adds to XL:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, cloth/vinyl slit bench seat, rear jump seats (SuperCab), AM/FM/CD player.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Color-keyed bumpers, fog lights, wheel lip moldings (Styleside), bed rail covers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Front tow hooks, Class III Trailer Tow Pkg., raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, sliding rear window.
Edge Plus adds to Edge:
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission (SuperCab).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM w/in-dash 6-disc CD player.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Alloy wheels, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 5-speed automatic transmission, step bars (Flareside), 245/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter adds to Edge Plus regular cab/2WD Edge Plus SuperCab:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sliding rear window, step bars.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
245/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
XLT 2.3-liter adds to XL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, cloth split bench seat, carpeting, AM/FM/CD player, map lights, passenger-side visor mirror, cargo box light.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome bumpers.
XLT 2.3-liter w/Appearance Group adds to XLT 2.3-liter:
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bed rail covers (Styleside).
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/70R15 white-letter tires, chrome steel wheels.
XLT 3.0-liter regular cab adds to XLT 2.3-liter:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V-6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission (long bed).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
XLT 3.0-liter regular cab w/Appearance Pkg. adds to XLT 3.0-liter regular cab:
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bed rail covers (Styleside).
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/70R15 white-letter tires, chrome steel wheels.
XLT SuperCab adds to XLT 2.3-liter:
Powertrain
2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine or 3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear jump seats.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, fog lights, bed rail covers, wheel lip moldings, front tow hooks, raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
4WD XLT SuperCab Flareside XLT SuperCab
Powertrain
4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 5-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sliding rear window, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
4WD XLT w/393A SuperCab adds to XLT SuperCab:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sliding rear window, fog lights, bed rail covers, wheel lip moldings.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab w/Appearance Group adds to XLT 2.5-liter/3.0-liter:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sliding rear window, bed rail covers (Styleside).
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/70R15 white-letter tires, chrome steel wheels.
XLT 4.0-liter SuperCab w/Appearance Group adds to XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab w/Appearance Group adds:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player.
XLT Off-Road adds to XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab w/Appeance Group:
Powertrain
4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/cassette/CD player.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, wheel lip moldings (Styleside).
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Front tow hooks, raised ride height, 245/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
XLT Off-Road w/394A adds to XLT Off-Road
Comfort and Convenience Features
4.0-liter V6 engine, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Step bars (Styleside).
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Appearance Group Discount
2WD XLT w/Appearance Group 3.0-liter SuperCab (credit)
$-325
$-277
Flareside Box Group Discount
2WD XLT 3.0-liter Supercab Flareside, 4WD XLT, 4WD XLT Off-Road/Off-Road w/394A (credit)
$-495
$-421
NA w/Appearance Group Discount.
Power Equipment Group
XLT 3.0-liter w/Appearance, 4WD XLT w/393A, XLT Off-Road, Edge Plus SuperCab, 4WD Edge SuperCab
$405
$344
Power mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry.
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine
Edge Plus regular cab, 4WD Edge SuperCab, 4WD XLT SuperCab, 4WD XLT Off-Road
$720
$612
XLT w/Appearance 4.0-liter, 4WD XLT w/393A, XLT Off-Road w/394A, 4WD Edge Plus SuperCab
$0
$0
5-speed automatic transmission
XL
$1,220
$1,037
Edge, Edge Plus, XLT
$1,000
$850
XL 2.3-liter includes sliding rear window, cloth vinyl upholstery. XL 3.0-liter regular cab includes cloth/vinyl upholstery. XLT/XLT w/Appearance 2.3-liter regular cab include sliding rear window. XL requires air conditioning. NA 2.3-liter SuperCab.
Limited-slip rear axle
4WD XL, 4WD Edge Plus 4.0, 4WD XLT
$295
$251
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
XL
$650
$553
Four Doors
XLT w/Appearance 3.0 SuperCab, 2WD Edge Plus SuperCab
$665
$565
Two rear-hinged rear doors. XLT w/Appearance requires Power Equipment Group.
Cruise control and tilt steering wheel
Edge, XLT 2.5, XLT 3.0 Supercab
$325
$277
XLT includes leather-wrapped steering wheel.
AM/FM/CD player
XL
$240
$204
AM/FM w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
2WD XLT 4.0, 4WD XLT Off-Road 4.0
$270
$229
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bed extender
Edge Plus, 2WD XLT 4.0, XLT Off-Road 4.0
$195
$166
NA Flareside, long bed.
Tonneau cover
Edge Plus, 2WD XLT w/Appearance, 2WD XLT 4.0
$895
$761
NA w/bed extender, Flareside.
Side step bars
2WD Edge Plus Flareside, 4WD Edge Styleside, 4WD XLT
$295
$250
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Class III trailer hitch
Edge Plus 4.0, XLT Off-Road 4.0
$215
$182
2001 Ford Ranger Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Ford Ranger regular cab short bed Ford Ranger regular cab long bed Ford Ranger extended cab
Wheelbase, in. 111.6 117.5 125.9
Overall Length, in. 187.5 200.7 201.7
Overall Width, in. 68.5 69.4 67.9
Overall Height, in. 64.9 64.9 64.8
Curb Weight, lbs. 3085 3100 3310
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. -- -- --
Standard Payload, lbs. 1260 1260 1260
Fuel Capacity, gals. 16.5 20.0 19.5
Seating Capacity 3 3 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.2 39.2 39.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.3 42.2 42.3
Rear Head Room, in. -- -- --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. -- -- --
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 ohv V6 sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.3 /138 3.0 /182 4.0 /245
Horsepower @ rpm. 135 @ 5050 150 @ 5000 207 @ 5250
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 153 @ 3750 185 @ 3750 238 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 24/28 17/22 18/22
5-speed automatic 21/25 16/21 17/22
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Ford Ranger regular cab short bed Ford Ranger regular cab long bed Ford Ranger extended cab
Collision NA NA 3
Collision (HLDI) NA NA 98
Front Impact, Driver NA NA 4
Front Impact, Passenger NA NA 4
Injury NA NA 4
Injury (HLDI) NA NA 76
Side Impact, Driver 5 NA 4
Theft NA NA 3
Theft (HLDI) NA NA 72
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain None/-- --
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 5/unlimited --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2001 Ford Ranger Review:
5. 
Ford Ranger Photos

6. 
Ford Ranger Full Review

7. 
All Ford Rangers

8. 
All Fords


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