I know it’s actually Autumn, but it snowed so much I’m just calling it Winter.

As part of the 5 Dads Go Wild camping trip in Manning Provincial Park, BC, I borrowed a 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat to get me there with all my stuff.

I’ll start with the truck’s great points:

• It’s really light to drive
• Doesn’t feel huge on the road like an F150
• Light on gas (EcoBoost)
• Plenty of storage room in the flatbed
• Comfortable driving position with plenty of visibility over the hood and all around the windows
• 4×4 with different terrain modes kept me safe on and off-road

There’s only one thing I didn’t love about the Ranger, and that was the lack of step up to get into the flatbed. It’s just above hip height on my so had to climb up a little. The F-150s all have a pole to grab on to and a step that folds out. I wish this would have had one too.

Since it was snowing so much, I was a little jealous of the other Dad’s Expedition, which had about the same total space but it’s covered and can be used as seating. Since everything I put into the flatbed got covered in snow, or at least the tarp cover did, my fingers almost froze while I tried to undo the fastenings to get everything unloaded.

The inside of the Ranger had two comfy, heated seats in the front (lovely when it’s thick snow outside) and space for three in the back. The legroom is ok, but that’s not really what this truck is for. It’s a smaller-haul truck. Great for city contractors, people who need to move lots of cargo but don’t want anything too huge to drive around, or for anyone who just wants a practical and reliable get-around that will cope with anything.

It looks great and is a taller and more substantial refresh on the older models. It’s nice to have a high position so I could see the road more clearly than down in my 2015 Focus.

The stats:

• MSRP: From CAN$32,159
• Towing capacity: 3,401 kg
• Fuel economy: 11 L/100 km combined (12 city, 9.8 highway)
• Fuel tank capacity: 68 L / 18 Gallon
• Engine size: 2.3 L EcoBoost
• Auto start/stop
• Dimensions: 5,354 mm L x 2,179 mm W x 1,806-1,816 mm H

As Standard

• 4×2
• Electronic-Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) with Neutral Towing Capability (4×4 only) 
• Axle, Front – Independent Front Suspension
• Brakes – 4-Wheel Disc with ABS
• Electronic Power-Assist Steering (EPAS) 
• Fully boxed frame
• Suspension – Front – Independent short long arm and tubular stabilizer bar
• Suspension – Rear – Hotchkiss-type non-independent live, leaf springs
• Shock Absorbers, Front – Gas
• Shock Absorbers, Rear – Gas
• Springs, Front – Coil
• Springs, Rear – Leaf, two-stage linear rate
• Trailer Sway Control 
• Trailer Towing – 4-pin wiring, ball mounting provisions in rear bumper
  

Optional

• 4×4
• Engine Block Heater
• Electronic-Locking Rear Differential
• Terrain Management System^™ with four selectable drive modes
• Trail Control^™ (Contains Hill Descent Control^™ )

To be honest, I think this is a great value truck, if that’s what you’re looking for. At times, the practicalities outweigh the comforts, but unless I’m going for a deluxe model of anything, I’d rather know it has my back than get hung up on the little luxuries.

It isn’t a family SUV so I can’t really compare it to one. It’s for carrying things, being tough as nails, and keeping the driver and companion safe, dry, and looking good.