2007 Ford Ranger SPORT

Despite a lot of new competition, Ford's Ranger has remained one of America's best-selling compact pickups. It has also been honored five times for the highest level of loyalty in that segment. Must be some good reasons.

It likely has much to do with the fact that, while others have grown larger, heavier and more expensive, Ranger has stayed truly compact and affordable. In fact, there are few true "compact" trucks in this market any more. Compared to the equivalent 6-cylinder 4WD crew cab Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma, Ranger is five to 16 inches shorter, 100-250 lbs. lighter—and also less expensive. Yet it has comparable front leg- and headroom and can tow up to 6,000 lbs. when properly equipped. EPA economy ranges from a best-in-class 24 city, 29 highway, 26 combined for the base 4-cylinder 4x2 to 16/19/17 for the 4.0-liter V-6 4x4.

New for '07
There are three bold new colors for 2007—Screaming Yellow Clearcoat, Vista Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Pueblo Gold Clearcoat—and two new wheel options are available on TREMOR, XLT 4x4, SPORT 4x2 and 4x4, and FX4 Off-Road. Ford's Personal Safety System, tire-pressure monitoring system and SecuriLock passive anti-theft system are standard features on all Ranger models for 2007.

Powertrains
Three engine choices are available. The 2.3-liter DOHC 16 valve I4 generates a respectable 143 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque; the mid-range 3.0-liter V-6 offers 148 hp and a much stronger 180 lb-ft, while the 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 cranks out 207 hp and 238 lb-ft of torque. All are coupled to either a standard 5-speed manual with overdrive or optional 5-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Our 3.0-liter SPORT test truck felt responsive and adequately powerful at any speed, while informal zero to 60 mph runs took just under nine seconds.

Trim Levels
The 2007 Ranger is available in a staggering variety of models and trims: Regular Cab and 2- and 4-door SuperCabs in XL, STX, XLT, SPORT, FX4 Off-Road and FX4 Level II variations. A comprehensive selection of options and packages allow buyers to outfit a Ranger to fit their individual needs. For example, there's an optional 7-foot box for XL and XLT Regular Cab Styleside models and optional rugged skid plates for the 4x4 XLT and SPORT.