This week I had the 2027 Ford Ranger Lariat, and after driving the F150 previously, this did feel like a midsize compact truck. Although large enough to have a full second row of seats with leg room, not that I was driving anyone around.
My biggest takeaway from the test drive was the difficulty climbing in. I am use to my Ford trucks having a step up ledge, for those like myself, who are vertically challenged. However, the Ford Ranger was without. There was also no hand bar on the front frame of the vehicle to use. This meant that I was gripping the wheel and pulling myself up and into my seat each time I entered, and then gingerly lowering myself down each time I exited. This work was also a shock for anyone who got into my front row passenger seat, although they did get a bar to help.
I did enjoy the signature Ford door handle that requires a squeeze before you push out.
For a truck I found it handled easily well, thanks to it being lower to the ground, which is probably why they didn’t think that step up was necessary. There was no whip outs, nor did I have any trouble controlling the backend. I only caught myself hydroplaning a handful of times when I was too eager on the gas, leaving the line on the green light. Then, the Frontier skidded and the car stalled.
It didn’t feel as big as it looked, but the cabin was spacious and quiet. I did not hear all the gravel under the tires or the rain pounding on the roof. Inside, I was warm and toasty and things felt more luxurious, and if I didn’t look out the rearview mirror, I would forget I was in a truck with a flat bed and enough space to haul a pallet.
They did well to combine the industrial feel of a truck and its natural inkling towards rugged with modern and luxurious conveniences that the everyday consumer is looking for.
From the soft leather-like wrap around the dash and seats to the double stitching around the wheel, and the cosmetic plastic honeycomb pattern along the door. This coupled with all the ribbed textured plastics. One helped to create a bit of a ledge above the glove compartment, which was ideal for storing smalls.
The air-conditioning vents were just as stylish. They too were honeycombed, but in a wider pattern. They framed the tablet shaped infotainment system controls well. Most of the navigation was done on this touch screen surface, with the climate control as its own panel of buttons and knobs that you push and turn.
I could have used less information on the dash. It gave me everything in a series of circle, although it did feel very compartmentalized for easier viewing.
