Ranger is 2nd most reliable midsize truck in Consumer Reports latest reliability report

[james1108]

I own the 1st and 2nd gen taco, just this year I switch to a 2025-26 Ranger and I could not believe the insults and mockery I got concerning Fords. I have no buyers remorse nor could care less, I’m lovin the Ranger

What Ranger did you get? I bought a Ranger Raptor and I haven’t heard a single insult though the random people that come look at my truck when I park somewhere or get gas can be annoying.

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[yerkool]

What Ranger did you get? I bought a Ranger Raptor and I haven’t heard a single insult though the random people that come look at my truck when I park somewhere or get gas can be annoying.

Bought the 4x4 XLT sport 2.3 ltr Oxford white

 

[james1108]

Bought the 4x4 XLT sport 2.3 ltr Oxford white

I really like the Oxford white but out here in the sticks it would always look dirty

 

[stemplar]

Unless its been changed recently, if you ever get a flat with a Ridgeline with a load of manure or any full load, dumping it on the side of the road to get to the spare is really going to suck.

Good point, but I’ll add ease of changing a tire to the list of criteria I don’t consider when thinking about “what makes a truck a truck”, especially since a lot of trucks with oversized tires have spares mounted in the bed. Did they shed their truck label?

 

[LarryM]

Didn't say a Ridgeline shouldn't be considered a truck. I am saying that since I've had flats with a loaded truck, I will never consider a Ridgeline for purchase - or any truck that accesses the spare through the bed.

 

[Jason B]

I personally find it laughable that folks hate on the ridgeline just because it’s not body-on-frame. I mean, I do appreciate the BOF over unibody for towing, but if we’re actually objective for a moment, or form-follows-function, the ridgeline has better payload than most of our rangers, and tows as well as the raptors. So for folks who want great payload, occasional towing of utility trailers and such, and prioritize daily driving over Baja-style off-roading, the ridgeline is a very competitive vehicle.

I’ve said before, if I can dump a load of mulch or manure in the back of my vehicle without the wife disowning me, it must be a truck. I really don’t see room for pedantry in this classification because when I press the starter button (or turn the key for the xl’s and xlt’s) I care about doing what I need to do and little more.

Where are you getting that data?
Quick search shows Ridgeline at 1544 Max payload and 5000 tow.
5G and 6G Ranger is 1711 (4x4) or 1805 (RWD) max payload and 7500 tow.

 

[james1108]

Didn't say a Ridgeline shouldn't be considered a truck. I am saying that since I've had flats with a loaded truck, I will never consider a Ridgeline for purchase - or any truck that accesses the spare through the bed.

You might as well say it because the ridgeline is not a truck. Neither is a maverick. If they made them with a frame I’d consider it.

 

[OxygenMask]

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[OxygenMask]

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[hand-filer]

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I'm going to retire my current winter beater soon. This is on my list of potential replacements.
I've had a few KIA/Hyundai vehicles in the past. None of them gave me grief and none of them had 4 recalls within a year either.

 

[mrmike7189]

I'm sure it's just me, however when it comes to automobile shopping time Consumer Reports IS NOT something I use as research material, I'll use Edmunds well before checking out CS. I don't know what criteria they use for auto rankings they rarely seems to align with actually using the auto.

The Ranger was the 2025 Edmunds north american "Truck of the year"

 

[Jason B]

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There's a reason that it was only available for '61- '63.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

The Ranger was the 2025 Edmunds north american "Truck of the year"

Yup, I remember that. Edmunds placed Ranger at the top of the heap for the mid-sized truck category.

 

[Gplassm]

The Ranger was the 2025 Edmunds north american "Truck of the year"

The Edmunds Ranger review was exactly what tipped the scales in favor of the Ranger for me. I was considering a Honda Ridgeline as well, but I also used Edmunds to tell me if I was getting a good deal or not. I simply could not get even a “fair” deal on a Ridgeline, and Ford offered their “Employee pricing” which gave me a “good” deal on a Ranger.
There is a lot of shade thrown on the Ridgeline, but I rarely tow and I only haul my dirtbikes around once in a while. My truck is mostly used as a daily driver/commuter. Overall, I am very happy with my ‘25 Ranger XLT 2.3 - despite the numerous recalls.
I have owned 2 Tacoma’s (both new). The 2000 folded up like aluminum foil with a minor head on collision (totaled at 3k miles), and my 2013 rusted out at 84k and only got 17 mpg (V6). Between those 2, I owned a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The tailgate fell off due to rust at 80k, and it had constant CEL’s - but it was comfortable and powerful.

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