Last week, we saw the 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 undergoing testing with a production body. Now, we have the 2019 Ranger in XLT trim – which is expected to be the mid-range model one step above the base XL trim level.
Production Front Fascia
Caught frolicking in the snow undergoing cold weather testing, the tester is wearing the production-intent front face, which is noteworthy given that we have only seen the Ranger XLT wear its mule front end until this point. Meanwhile, the Ranger FX4 will have its own unique front fascia, just like it does for the F-150 family.
Powertrains
The 2019 Ranger will likely be offered with a range of turbo-charged EcoBoost four- and six-cylinder engines. Models sold in international markets can be configured with a 3.2L turbo-diesel motor – the same as in the Ford Transit, but it is currently unclear whether a Ranger diesel will be offered to fight the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Diesel.
In addition, spy photographers say that Ford could offer its the direct injected, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 as the top engine choice in the new Ranger coupled the new ten-speed automatic transmission co-developed with GM. If it comes to fruition, that combination would be the most potent in the segment by a long shot.
Late To The Party
Ford is notoriously late to America’s midsize pickup truck renaissance, with Toyota, GM and Nissan having had the segment all to themselves in the last few years. Even so, the midsize pickup truck space has contracted 2 percent to 379,908 in the first 11 months of 2017, with the Toyota Tacoma leading the segment with 179,419 sales, following by the Chevy Colorado with 103,370, Nissan Frontier with 68,480, and the GMC Canyon with 28,639.
Sales Numbers - Mid-Size Mainstream Pickup Trucks - November 2017 - USA
| MODEL | NOV 17 / NOV 16 | NOVEMBER 17 | NOVEMBER 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TACOMA | +4.28% | 16,195 | 15,531 | +3.05% | 179,419 | 174,117 |
| COLORADO | +19.34% | 10,346 | 8,669 | +4.10% | 103,370 | 99,294 |
| FRONTIER | +38.16% | 7,053 | 5,105 | -15.31% | 68,480 | 80,857 |
| CANYON | -26.39% | 2,510 | 3,410 | -14.26% | 28,639 | 33,401 |
| TOTAL | +10.36% | 36,104 | 32,715 | -2.00% | 379,908 | 387,669 |
Reveal
Ford could reveal the 2019 Ranger in January 2018, most likely at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and sales will likely begin in the second or third quarters of calendar year 2018. The complete lineup will likely include the Ranger XL, XLT, Lariat, Raptor, King Ranch, Platinum and/or Limited, as well as the FX4 off-road package on some models. All other segment contenders should take note.
See the full gallery of spy shots at this link: 2019 Ford Ranger XLT spy shots.
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