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Ford just revealed the new generation of the small Ranger pickup, a full eleven years after the previous T6 generation went on sale. It's been designed with the global market in mind, as Ford plans to sell the truck in over 180 different countries. This isn't just a small refresh either, as nearly every aspect of the truck has been redesigned or updated in some way. The new Ranger is scheduled to go on sale in selected markets in 2022, although at present Ford hasn't confirmed when the truck will come to U.S. shores.
The Ranger was only re-introduced to the US market for the 2019 model year, so the current generation truck will likely continue to be sold for another year or so. That would put the release of the next-gen truck somewhere in Q4 of 2022 or early 2023. It'll hit Australia and select other markets early next year, although an exact date hasn't been given yet. So what exactly makes the new Ranger so much better than the already very capable outgoing model? Let's take a look at the eight biggest changes for 2022 and find out.
8 New 3.0-liter V6 Turbodiesel
The first thing to note about the new Ranger is its improved lineup of powertrains. The headline option is a new 3.0L V6 turbodiesel, which Ford's engineers had to widen the engine bay to accommodate. The exact power output hasn't been given yet, but reports have said it'll be significantly more powerful than the outgoing model.
There's also a version of Ford's 2.3L EcoBoost gasoline engine available, alongside a range of smaller diesel units. Not every engine option will be available in every market, and it's not yet clear which markets will be offered the most powerful options.
7 Revised Exterior Design
The T6 Ranger was by no means a dated truck, but its exterior was just about due for a refresh even when it debuted in the US in 2019. Thankfully, the 2022 model is completely overhauled in terms of its design, taking a lot of styling cues from other pickups in Ford's lineup.
There are definite hints of the F-150, and the similarities to the Maverick are also clear. But, the Ranger still manages to maintain a distinct look, with its C-shape matrix LED headlights providing the focal point for the front fascia.
6 Wheelbase Extended By 50 Millimeters
The new Ranger is larger than its predecessor in almost every dimension, but the truck's passengers will notice its extra length the most. That's because the extension of the wheelbase was primarily to give rear-seat passengers more legroom, 50 mm more to be exact.
The aim is to make the Ranger a more viable family-hauling truck and to increase the comfort for larger adult passengers in the back row. Smaller pickups tend to sacrifice rear passenger comfort in the name of maximum cargo space, so it's good to see Ford address the issue here.
5 More Spacious, Practical Bed
Ford's consideration for the Ranger's passengers doesn't mean that the truck's cargo carrying capacity is compromised, however. In fact, it's been improved, with a 50 mm wider track to accommodate larger loads.
Ford says the bed is now large enough to accommodate a sheet of building plywood or a full-sized pallet. There are also built-in sidesteps behind the truck's rear wheels to help improve access to the bed. To keep cargo firmly in position, there are also several extra cargo tie-down points compared to the outgoing model.
4 Smart Tailgate
For any vehicle to sell well in 2022, it needs to offer a good level of smart tech features. Ford has decided to give the new Ranger a smart tailgate, which can double as a mobile workbench and also features a built-in ruler.
There's also 360-degree lighting available, which can be controlled via an app on the driver's phone. Inside, there are even more tech upgrades, as the 2022 truck now comes with an all-digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen to control the Ranger's functions and features.
3 Revamped Interior
Talking of the interior, the new Ranger no longer looks like a work truck inside. It's been completely revamped, with a selection of leather and soft-touch materials available as standard. Ford's goal was reportedly to make driving the Ranger feel more like an SUV than a commercial vehicle, and by the looks of it, they've done an excellent job.
It's worth noting that the plushness of the furnishings available will likely vary a lot based on the trim. Although no official name has been given to it yet, Ford has released photos of a much more basic commercial Ranger which will likely feel a lot more similar to the outgoing truck in terms of its interior.
2 More Assistance Technology
The 2022 model year Ranger also aims to make life as easy as possible for anyone driving it, and it does that via a suite of assistance technology. All the usual Ford emergency braking and lane assist features are available, but there's also a 360-degree camera to help out when parking the truck in tight spaces.
This might matter less in the spacious parking lots in the US, but in places like Europe and the UK with tiny parking spaces, extra cameras will be a lifesaver. To keep the truck fully up to date, the Ranger will also support fully over-the-air software updates.
1 A Range Of Trims Available
Currently, Ford has released photos of three main trims for the 2022 Ranger, although more are likely to be on the way. There's the XLT, the Sport, and also the all-terrain Wildtrak trim. It's not currently known which trims will be available in which territory, although at present only the XLT is offered for the 2021 US-spec Ranger.
There's also likely to be a Raptor version of the Ranger on the way, as the outgoing T6 had a Raptor version that was sold in select markets until this year. It never reached the US, but with reports suggesting that Ford is planning to build an entire lineup of Raptor vehicles in the coming years, a new Ranger Raptor may be unveiled and sold in America for the first time.