New 2009 Ford Ranger

For 25 years, car buyers have sought and found an off-road capable and tough compact pick-up to handle a large range of workloads. And the ever-popular 2009 Ford Ranger continues that tradition with the American automaker.

Available in four amenity-rich trim levels – XL, XLT, Sport and FX4, the Ranger offers two engine options. Starting with a 143-horsepower, 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine with aluminum block and cylinder head, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and 154 pound-feet of torque, this Ford mainstay also provides a 207-horsepower version, married to a 4.0-liter V-6 engine with similar iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder and a more powerful 238 pound-feet of torque. Drivers have the option of a five-speed manual or automatic transmission for easy shifting.

The interior of the Ranger presents a no-nonsense vehicle whose reputation isn’t built on flashy technology and plush luxury, but rather utility. It is on par in terms of performance and style with the competition in its segment, which features the Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado and Dodge Dakota. With a useful maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and good fuel economy showings at 14-21 MPG city and 18-26 MPG highway, the Ranger is a strong choice in its class.

Nimble both on- and off-road due to its smaller size, the Ranger offers spacious interiors in its regular cab and SuperCab versions. This is complemented by available and roomy 6-foot cargo beds on either cab, with a 7-foot option on the regular cab style.

The Ranger furthers Ford’s sterling safety record and reputation with several important security features, like four-wheel antilock brakes, driver and passenger airbags, seat belts with front pretensioners and an anti-theft engine immobilizer.

For the right buyer interested in a traditional compact size truck packaged with capable off-road maneuvering, the 2009 Ford Ranger showcases a superb record of reliability and lower pricing for maximum value in today’s new car market.