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2005 Ford Ranger Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
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2005 Ford Ranger Review
Ford's compact pickup enters 2005 little-changed. Ranger offers regular-cab and extended SuperCab body styles. SuperCabs have two rear fold-down jump seats as standard or optional, depending on model. SuperCabs are available with back-hinged rear doors. Regular cabs use a 6- or 7-ft straightside cargo bed; SuperCabs get the 6-ft version. Engine offerings include a 2.3-liter 4-cyl, and V6s of 3.0- and 4.0-liters. All use manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Ranger has rear-wheel drive or 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Four-wheel ABS is standard. Leather upholstery is available. Ranger's design is also used by the Mazda B-Series, but the two differ slightly in styling and available features.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks include the Dodge Dakota and Ford Ranger.
News
Word is that the 2006 Ranger will be yet another update of the vintage-1993 basic design. Ford still said to be mulling the future of its compact pickup, due to low profit margins in a declining market segment. There's talk of Japanese affiliate Mazda being tapped to design a new Ranger, but sources don't see any action on this front before 2010.
2005 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

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
3 5 5 4.9

The 3.0-liter V6 is adequate, but we prefer the 4.0; it has fine power at all speeds and works nicely with the 5-speed automatic. No 4-cyl models made available for testing.
Fuel Economy

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
4 4 3 4

Test FX4 SuperCabs with 4.0 V6 and automatic transmission averaged 12.9-14.4 mpg in mix of city/highway driving. EPA fuel-economy estimates for 2WD versions are 2-4 mpg better. Expect little difference with 3.0 V6. 4-cyl models should average in the low-to-mid 20s. Ford and Mazda recommend regular-grade fuel for all engines.
Ride Quality

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
3 4 3 4

Decent for trucks, regardless of engine or brand name. These pickups jiggle on rough roads, but absorb big bumps pretty well. FX4 has surprisingly civilized ride for an "off-road" model.
Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
3 3 3 3.8

Noticable body lean, but nicely weighted steering and good directional stability for the class. The rear end is prone to hop in bumpy turns.
Quietness

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
3 4 3 4

Not as quiet as Dodge Dakota, but good isolation from engine, wind, and road noise. The 4.0 V6 is smoother, quieter than the 3.0 V6.
Controls

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
6 6 6 5.8

Ford and Mazda versions share a convenient dashboard design, solid overall assembly. Materials appropriate for the price.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
3 4 4 4.9

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. Regular cab has slightly more seat travel and seatback recline than most rivals.
Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
0 1 1 2

Extended cab's rear half doors are a plus, but are awkward to maneuver around in tight spaces. With or without rear doors, rear cab of extendeds is best used for toddlers or cargo. Explorer Sport Trac (see separate entry) serves as Ford's compact-size crew-cab pickup.
Cargo Room

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
1 3 3 3.1

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

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
6 7 7 6.3

Some newer-design competitors overshadow the Ranger and B-Series for power and refinement. And neither Ford nor Mazda offers a compact crew-cab pickup. Still, Ranger is a solid workhorse with proven mechanicals and aggressive pricing that's frequently discounted. Ranger offers a wider array of popular features than the B-Series, and is available at a greater number of dealers. That makes it a Recommended pick.
Total Score

2WD Edge 3.0 reg. cab, auto. 2WD XLT 4.0 SuperCab, auto. 4WD XLT FX4/Off-Rd. SuperCab, auto. Class Average
32 41 38 42.8
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score
32
Average Score
42
High Score
52
2005 Ford Ranger Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/28/2005
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
2WD XL 2.3-liter regular cab, short bed $14,610 $13,816 $635
2WD XL 3.0-liter regular cab, long bed $15,730 $14,847 $635
4WD XL 3.0-liter regular cab, short bed $18,300 $17,211 $635
4WD XL 3.0-liter regular cab, long bed $19,425 $18,246 $635
2WD XL 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $17,500 $15,775 $635
4WD XL 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $21,215 $19,044 $635
2WD STX 3.0-liter regular cab, short bed $16,375 $14,785 $635
2WD STX 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $18,290 $16,471 $635
2WD STX 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $19,615 $17,636 $635
2WD Edge 3.0-liter regular cab, short bed $17,025 $15,357 $635
4WD Edge 3.0-liter regular cab, short bed $20,750 $18,636 $635
2WD Edge 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $19,095 $17,179 $635
2WD Edge 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $20,275 $18,217 $635
4WD Edge 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $22,810 $20,448 $635
4WD Edge 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $23,990 $21,487 $635
2WD XLT 2.3-liter regular cab, short bed $16,530 $14,922 $635
2WD XLT 3.0-liter regular cab, long bed $17,705 $15,955 $635
4WD XLT 3.0-liter regular cab, short bed $20,395 $18,323 $635
4WD XLT 4.0-liter regular cab, long bed $21,570 $19,357 $635
2WD XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $18,735 $16,862 $635
2WD XLT 3.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $19,915 $17,900 $635
4WD XLT 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 2-door, short bed $22,455 $20,136 $635
4WD XLT 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $23,635 $21,174 $635
4WD XLT FX4 Off-Road 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $25,500 $22,815 $635
4WD XLT FX4 Level II 4.0-liter SuperCab ext. cab 4-door, short bed $26,795 $23,955 $635
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 or 3.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission (short bed), 5-speed automatic transmission (long bed).
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock brakes.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, vinyl upholstery (regular cab), cloth upholstery (SuperCab), split bench seat, floor console, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, black vinyl floor covering.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, painted bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/70R15 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 3.0-liter V6 engine or 4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires.
STX adds to XL:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, rear jump seats (SuperCab 4-door), rear-hinged rear doors (SuperCab 4-door).
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Color-keyed bumpers, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
225/70R15 white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
Edge adds to XL:
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, cloth upholstery, rear jump seats (SuperCab 4-door), rear-hinged rear doors (SuperCab 4-door), AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Color-keyed bumpers, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 3.0-liter V6 engine or 4.0-liter V6 engine, sliding rear window (4WD SuperCab), front tow hooks, raised ride height, 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires (4WD SuperCab), chrome steel wheels (regular cab), alloy wheels (SuperCab).
XLT adds to XL:
Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission (long bed).
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel (SuperCab 4-door), cloth upholstery, rear jump seats (SuperCab 4-door), rear-hinged rear doors (SuperCab 4-door), AM/FM/CD player, passenger-side visor mirror, carpeting, floormats.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 3.0-liter V6 engine or 4.0-liter V6 engine, fog lights, chrome bumpers, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires (regular cab), 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires (SuperCab), chrome steel wheels (regular cab), alloy wheels (SuperCab).
XLT FX4 Off-Road adds to XLT:
Powertrain
4.0-liter V6 engine, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, limited-slip differential.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Body-colored bumpers, fog lights, rear privacy glass, sliding rear window.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Front tow hooks, skid plates, raised ride height, heavy-duty shock absorbers, 255/70R16 all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels.
XLT FX4 Level II adds to XLT FX4 Off-Road:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Front bucket seats, AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Rear tow hook, Bilstein shock absorbers, 31x10.5R15 all-terrain tires.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Appearance Pkg.
2WD XLT
$405
$344
Chrome bumpers and grille, full-size spare tire, 225/70R15 white-letter tires, chrome steel wheels.
Bright Appearance Pkg.
2WD XLT SuperCab
$495
$421
4WD XLT SuperCab
$245
$208
Chrome bed rails, chrome step bars, chrome exhaust tip. 2WD XLT requires Appearance Pkg.
Bright Trim Group
2WD STX/Edge/XLT SuperCab
$355
$302
4WD Edge/XLT SuperCab, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$105
$89
Bright step bars and exhaust tips.
Power Equipment Group
STX, Edge, XLT
$405
$344
Power mirrors and windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry. Std. XLT FX4.
BFT Component Pkg.
XLT
$490
$417
Limited-slip differential, 1560-lb payload pkg., Class III Trailer Tow Pkg. NA w/2.3-liter engine.
Tremor Pkg.
Edge SuperCab
$925
$787
Upgraded sound system, rear floor-mounted subwoofer, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, 235/70R16 all-season white-letter tires, alloy wheels (2WD). Requires 5-speed automatic transmission. 4-door models require rear jump seat delete. NA w/rear jump seats.
Powertrain
3.0-liter V6 engine
XL 2.3-liter, XLT 2.3-liter
$425
$362
XLT requires 5-speed automatic transmission.
4.0-liter V6 engine
2WD SuperCab
$800
$680
XL, STX require air conditioning.
5-speed automatic transmission
Edge, STX, XL, XLT, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$1,000
$850
Std. 2WD long bed, 4WD XLT long bed.
Limited-slip rear differential
Edge, XL, XLT
$300
$255
Requires 3.0-liter or 4.0-liter V6 engine. Std. XLT FX4. NA 4WD XLT regular cab long bed. NA STX.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning
XL, STX
$850
$723
Cruise control and tilt steering wheel
Edge, STX, XL, XLT
$385
$328
XLT regular cab/SuperCab 2-door include leather-wrapped steering wheel. Std. XLT FX4.
AM/FM/CD player
XL, STX
$275
$234
AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 player
XLT, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$150
$128
STX
$425
$362
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Edge, XLT, XLT FX4
$300
$255
STX
$575
$489
Pioneer AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Edge/XLT SuperCab, XLT FX4
$510
$433
STX SuperCab
$785
$668
Requires 5-speed automatic transmission. Edge, XLT require front bucket seats.
Cloth upholstery
XL regular cab
$220
$187
Leather upholstery
SuperCab
$365
$310
Requires 5-speed automatic transmission. NA XL, STX, XLT FX4 Level II.
Leather front bucket seats
Edge/XLT SuperCab, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$695
$591
STX SuperCab, XLT FX4 Level II
$365
$310
Front bucket seats
SuperCab
$330
$281
NA XL. Std. STX, XLT FX4 Level II.
Rear jump seats
SuperCab 2-door
$225
$192
Rear jump seat delete
SuperCab 4-door (credit)
$-225
$-192
Smoker's Pkg.
Edge, STX, XL, XLT, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$0
$0
Ash tray, lighter.
Rubber floormats
XLT
$0
$0
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bed extender
STX, Edge, XLT, XLT FX4
$195
$166
NA w/bedliner.
Under-rail bedliner
Edge, STX, XL, XLT, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$275
$167
Step bars
Edge, STX, XL, XLT
$300
$255
NA XL, XLT FX4.
Rear privacy glass
Edge, STX, XLT
$110
$93
Std. XLT FX4.
Sliding rear window
Edge, STX, XL, XLT
$125
$107
Requires rear privacy glass. Std. 4WD Edge SuperCab, XLT FX4.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Payload Pkg. 2
4WD XL/Edge/XLT
$75
$64
NA XLT FX4/Level II.
Skid plates
4WD
$140
$119
NA long bed. Std. XLT FX4.
Class III trailer hitch
Edge, XL, XLT, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$215
$182
NA w/2.3-liter engine. Requires full-size spare tire. NA STX.
Full-size spare tire
Edge, STX, XL, XLT, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road
$110
$93
Alloy wheels
2WD Edge, 4WD XLT SuperCab
$205
$174
2WD XLT
$100
$85
2WD XLT SuperCab requires Appearance Pkg.
2005 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. 111.5 117.5 125.7
Overall Length, in. 188.5 200.5 202.7
Overall Width, in. 69.4 69.4 69.4
Overall Height, in. 64.9 64.9 64.8
Curb Weight, lbs. 3010 3073 3179
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. -- -- --
Standard Payload, lbs. 1260 1260 1260
Fuel Capacity, gals. 17.0 20.0 19.5
Seating Capacity 3 3 5
Front Head Room, in. 39.3 39.3 39.3
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.4 42.4 42.4
Rear Head Room, in. -- -- 33.3
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. -- -- 40.1
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I4 ohv V6 sohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in. 2.3 /140 3.0 /182 4.0 /245
Horsepower @ rpm. 148 @ 5250 148 @ 4900 207 @ 5250
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 154 @ 3750 180 @ 3950 238 @ 3000
Availability Standard Standard Standard
EPA City / highway mpg
     
5-speed manual 24/29 18/23 18/23
5-speed automatic 22/26 18/22 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
Front Impact, Driver 4 NA 4
Front Impact, Passenger 4 NA 4
Rollover Resistance 3 2 3
Side Impact, Driver 5 NA 4
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/-- 5/100,000 on Focus. 8/100,000 on Escape Hybrid battery pack. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty.
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 2005 Ford Ranger Review:
5. 
Ford Ranger Photos

6. 
Ford Ranger Full Review

7. 
All Ford Rangers

8. 
All Fords


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