Ranger

Ford used the Ranger name earlier as a trim/package on F-Series trucks, but the nameplate became a standalone model with the compact pickup launched for the 1983 model year in North America. It quickly became Ford’s answer to the growing compact-truck market, and over time it developed a reputation for straightforward durability, useful size, and broad appeal among both work and recreational buyers. The original Ranger era ran through the early 2010s, spanning several generations and body styles, including regular cab, SuperCab, and later more family-friendly configurations. During that first run, the Ranger also served as the basis for related Ford trucks such as the Bronco II and helped define Ford’s small-truck identity for a generation of buyers. Ford later discontinued the North American Ranger after the 2011 model year, creating a long gap in U.S. showroom presence. The nameplate returned for 2019 as a revived midsize pickup, bringing the Ranger back to Ford’s North American truck lineup with a new focus on modern technology, stronger capability, and everyday versatility. Today, the Ranger continues as Ford’s midsize pickup, linking the original compact-truck legacy to the modern global truck era.