The 2021 Ford Ranger lasts around 250,000 miles with some fuel canister and shock noise reported. At $26,525 to $39,350, it’s a decent value for a compact truck with a high towing capacity.
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a good year for the Ranger since it pairs practicality with great reliability ratings. Owner reviews praise the high towing capacity, low fuel costs, along with the stereo system
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are decent in the 2021 Ranger, the seats offer a decent amount of support, two bed lengths are also available.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread issues found on the 2021 Ford Ranger, in general models from 2019 through 2022 are all reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – The Ranger is reasonably powerful for a small truck, with a higher towing capacity than a lot of the competition.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2021 Ranger is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, as well as lane keep assist.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 23 MPG, giving 414 miles of range out of the 18 gallon tank. Gas costs are $33 cheaper than average at $243 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Ford Ranger is similar in price to other small trucks with slow depreciation rates, making it a good value.
What Do Critics Say About the Ford Ranger?
- Consumer Reports Says the 2021 Ranger is a great truck for people looking to tow and haul while still fitting in small parking spaces, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Ranger at 4.5/5, enjoying the peppy turbocharged engine, but doesn’t like the bouncy suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Ranger a 4.4/5, praising the very high towing capacity for a small truck, but owners don’t like it only has a four-cylinder engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Ford Ranger Have?
Common problems found on the 2021 Ford Ranger include a fuel smell in the cabin, excessive noise from the shocks, along with premature brake wear. Overall, these problems are similar to some other small trucks on the market, leading to average repair bills as the Ranger ages.
A fuel smell in the cabin is the most widespread complaint from 2021 Ford Ranger owners, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. The problem is more common in hot environments where the fuel vapors off-gas, making it through the charcoal filter. Replacing the charcoal filter costs around $250, depending on local labor rates.
Excessive noise from the shocks are another issue mentioned by 2021 Ranger owners in the first 5,000 miles. Usually, when there’s a lot of noise from the shocks, it’s a sign that there’s a loose connection. Tightening and adjusting the shocks can be done for under $100, although if they are worn out then replacements cost over $250.
Premature brake wear also shows up on some 2021 Ranger models, particularly if they are used to tow or haul a lot of weight. The front brake pads will wear out quickly, and will need to be replaced. A new set of front brake pads costs around $150, while rotors are an additional $250.
There are three recalls on the 2021 Ford Ranger, which is similar to other small trucks from the same year. The most serious recall is for a seat belt issue, Ford will replace the seat belts in affected models for free. Other recalls cover the child seat system, along with the radar module, which Ford will also fix for free.
How Long Will the 2021 Ford Ranger Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Ford Ranger can last around 250,000 miles, which is shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than other small trucks, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $585 per year.
As a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the suspension ball joints for $200, a power steering hose costing $300, along with the knock sensor which costs around $150.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is okay with a standard 4.2-inch screen. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch Touchscreen with SYNC 3, along with more powerful stereo options.
Standard safety technology is average offering:
- Rearview camera
- MyKey which lets you set limits on secondary drivers
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Rear cross traffic alert with trailer coverage
- Cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Ford Ranger is a good value since it offers the practicality of a small truck with decent reliability ratings. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $26,525 to $39,350, making it similar in price to the Chevy Colorado or Nissan Frontier. When new, the price range was $24,820 to $39,035. Depreciation is nearly nonexistent in current market conditions, although in the future we expect it to lose about 8% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Ford Ranger?
There are three main models of the 2021 Ford Ranger offered from the base XL all the way through to the more luxurious Lariat. The Ranger comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
XL is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Manual Locking Tailgate
- Air Conditioning
- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
- 3-Inch Central Screen
- Four-Speaker Sound System
XLT is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- 8-Inch Touchscreen With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Sport Appearance Package
- Remote Ignition
- Power-Folding Mirrors
Lariat is the flagship model which has:
- Remote Ignition
- Premium Upholstery
- Trailer Tow Package
- Automatic Wipers
- 10-Speaker Bang & Olufsen Audio System
Optional Tremor Off Road Package:
- Raised Suspension For Increased Ground Clearance
- Off Road Suspension With Fox Shocks
- Terrain Management System
- Electronic Locking Rear Differential
- 32-Inch All Terrain Tires
- Auxiliary Switches Installed
- Side Steps
- Recover Hooks
- Underbody Skid Plates
What Engines Come In the Ford Ranger?
The engine found in the 2021 Ford Ranger is an average 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder which makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 23 MPG. It comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s also capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped.
What Colors Does the Ford Ranger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Ford Ranger?
The 2021 Ford Ranger is designed to deliver a comfortable driving experience for both drivers and passengers. The interior is spacious, with seating configurations varying depending on the chosen cab style. The SuperCab model features seating for up to four people, while the SuperCrew model can accommodate up to five passengers. The front seats are well-cushioned and supportive, providing comfort on long drives, and both cab styles offer adequate legroom and headroom for adults.
For rear passengers, the SuperCrew model provides more legroom and is generally better suited for adults or taller passengers. The SuperCab, on the other hand, has smaller rear jump seats that are more suitable for children or occasional adult passengers.
How Much Storage Space Does the Ford Ranger Have?
The 2021 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup truck known for its versatility, practicality, and overall performance. The Ranger is available with two bed sizes. The shorter SuperCab configuration comes with a 6-foot bed, providing ample space for cargo, while the larger SuperCrew configuration offers a slightly smaller 5-foot bed to accommodate additional passenger room in the cabin. In addition to the bed space, the 2021 Ford Ranger also features various in-cabin storage options, such as door pockets, glove compartments, and center console storage.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Ford Ranger was introduced for the 2019 model year after it had been out of production in the US since 2011.
2019: The fourth generation of the Ranger launched in the United States with new styling, engines, and technology.
2020: New FX2 off-road package offered, small exterior styling changes.
2021: Sync 3 infotainment system optional on XL models, Tremor off-road package added.
2022: New Splash exterior package added.
How Does the Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Ford Ranger is a great small truck offering a higher towing capacity than a lot of the competition, although it’s not as nice in the cabin as some other trucks on the market.
The Toyota Tacoma is another compact truck which costs around $3,000 more. Off-road performance is better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the Ford Ranger has a more spacious rear seat. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since it’s the longest lasting small truck on the market with lower ownership costs.
The Chevy Colorado is a popular competitor available in the same price range. The standard technology is more advanced in the Chevy Colorado, while the Ford Ranger can pull more weight. We recommend the Ford Ranger since it’s a little more affordable to own long-term, although both are very similar trucks worth testing out to see which you prefer.
