The new Ford Ranger isn't trying to compete with the Toyota Prius on gas mileage, but Ford is touting new midsize pickup for its fuel efficiency.
Powered by a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Ranger has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in the city, 26 on the highway and 23 combined for its two-wheel drive truck. The ratings top the EPA estimates for less powerful four-cylinder competitors including the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.
Four-wheel drive Rangers rated 20 mpg city, 24 highway and 22 mpg combined. "This is best-in-class EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of any gasoline-powered four-wheel-drive midsize pickup," Ford said.
While Ford touts the strength of the Ranger, the Dearborn-based carmaker will have trouble winning back shoppers who were abandoned by the company when the popular truck was discontinued in North America.
"The Toyota Tacoma is certainly Ranger's No. 1 target," said Ivan Drury, senior analyst at Edmunds. "When Ranger left the market, they left a huge gap. Tacoma filled that niche very well. Unfortunately for Ford, it gave up share to a loyal consumer base, and that's Toyota buyers. To regain share from them is extremely difficult."
He said fuel economy is all comparable in the midsize pickup segment and Ranger doesn't appear to be breaking any new ground.
Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit, agreed that decent mileage in a certain range is assumed these days.
"The two primary competitors for Ranger are the Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma," she said. "This all falls in the fuel economy range a consumer will expect for a midsize truck. If fuel economy is perceived to be bad or off pace, it can be a detractor; but if fuel economy is within range of expectations, other vehicle attributes can be more important. People don't buy just on fuel economy, and with different engines, comparison isn't always apples to apples. The mpg Ford has announced is competitive."
The standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine produces 310 pound-feet of torque, delivering the most torque of any gas engine in the midsize pickup segment, Ford said.
The Ranger is being built at the Michigan Assembly Plant and arrives at dealerships in January.