2019 Ford Ranger 2WD Is More Economical Than All Gas-Powered Rivals

Ford and the EPA are yet to announce fuel economy ratings for its 2019 Ranger. However, the midsize pickup truck’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission should be good omens.

And indeed it is because a forum member at Ranger5G found an online listing for a 2WD 2019 Ranger that includes the official window sticker with fuel economy ratings and VIN number.

The 4×2 Ranger in four-door Supercrew configuration with a short bed returns 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those are best-in-class ratings for two-wheel-drive midsize pickup trucks with gasoline engines. The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes closest to the Ranger with 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.

The other competitors don’t offer four-cylinder gasoline engines and their mileage is not as good — especially in the city. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline 2WD powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine returns 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined while the 2019 Toyota Tacoma 2WD 3.5L V6 gets 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

There’s only one midsize truck that beats the Ranger, and that’s the diesel-powered 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax that returns 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

As for the 4×4 Ranger, it should return similar fuel economy ratings to the 4×2 model given that the 4WD system has a front differential that spins free unless 4×4 is engaged and the transfer case sends power to it. The minor extra weight of the 4×4 system and the small loss from friction from the front diff spinning free in 2WD mode are the only things that will impact on mileage during regular driving.

The 2019 Ford Ranger will offer only one engine in the United States, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit rated at 270 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. The only transmission available is a 10-speed automatic.