Verdict
Let me begin by saying I used to be excited to drive the Roush-tuned Ford Ranger. The Blue Oval’s small pickup truck is a reliable factor, however with Ford ruling out a Ranger Raptor on our shores, it appeared destined to stay an odd man out relative to the higher-grade Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.
Then Roush got here together with the truck you see right here. Merely named the Roush Ranger, it addresses a few of the normal truck’s crucial points. However after a day behind the wheel, it looks like that is all of the aftermarket tuner actually did – Roush did not broaden or dramatically enhance the Ranger past its fundamental shortcomings. Mix that with a hefty worth and the upcoming Ranger Tremor, and it is robust to make a case for Roush’s small truck in the long term.
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Pricing Issues
The Roush Ranger package deal begins at $12,750 and, as with all Roush merchandise, requires a donor automobile, so potential prospects are on the hook for at least $37,160 (the package deal worth plus the bottom automobile worth of $24,410). A Roush Ranger primarily based on a four-wheel-drive Lariat SuperCrew ($38,675) and loaded with optionally available extras would price properly over $50,000. Living proof: my take a look at truck. The Lariat base carried a beginning sum of $42,290, then added the $12,750 package deal, together with $2,850 in Roush choices for an as-tested whole of $57,890. That is some huge cash for a bit of truck.
Essentially the most substantial modifications, fortunately, occur on the truck’s underside. A brand new Roush-tuned suspension with Fox shocks lifts the entrance of the truck as much as 2.0 inches, however leaves the rear journey peak alone. It’s extra a leveling equipment than a conventional raise, however the refined change leaves the Ranger with a extra engaging, sporting stance.
This Roush Ranger prices $12,000 greater than a Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional and $5,300 greater than a Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison.
Serving to with that mission are normal 32-inch Common Grabber ATX All-Terrain tires and flashy 18-inch wheels. The truck additionally sports activities a cat-back exhaust. And whereas this tester retains its inventory turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, an accessible Efficiency Pack from Roush provides 47 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque whereas elevating the worth by $935.
Had this truck carried that package deal, the as-tested worth could be simply shy of $59,000. That is $12,000 greater than a Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional, $5,300 greater than a Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, and $3,000 greater than the Ranger Lariat with Ford’s personal extra full, power-boosting Efficiency Pack Degree 3, which I examined a month after my stint within the Roush.
The Good And The Unhealthy
For higher or worse, the Roush Ranger feels extra like a small truck with some knobby tires than an actual rival to the off-road-focused manufacturing facility pickups talked about above. A ZR2 Bison or TRD Taco make compromises on the highway to enhance functionality within the grime, and that truth permeates the driving expertise of these vans. On the highway, although, the Roush barely modifies the usual Ranger’s character.
The journey is softer, owing to the Fox shocks, and the physique strikes a bit extra. Essentially the most dramatic change, although, comes from the Grabber ATX tires, which produce extra noise and result in a marginal discount in cornering capacity. The steering, notably, feels unchanged from the usual Ranger regardless of the meatier rubber. However for those who’re climbing into the modified Ford anticipating a Ranger Raptor different, suppose once more.
The Roush Ranger’s strongest argument, then, is an aesthetic one.
The addition of a cat-back exhaust permits the Ranger’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder to sing a bit of extra clearly – it offers the truck extra angle, with a bassier observe and extra quantity. It is a good change that I would suggest whole-heartedly. That the exhaust pack offers the Ranger a tasteful set of chromed twin pipes would not damage both. I am not going to harp on this truck’s broader lack of powertrain modifications, though it is a bit foolish Roush calls for such a hefty premium for the package deal after which asks extra for separate engine mods. Together with the Efficiency Pack would make the Roush Ranger’s package deal worth a lot simpler to swallow.
The Roush Ranger’s strongest argument, then, is an aesthetic one. Whereas I personally do not love the corporate’s therapy on the Mustang or F-150, the relatively dowdy Ranger seems great after a go to to Roush Efficiency. The extent journey peak, knobby tires, and upgraded wheels play properly with the flared Magnetic Grey fenders, crimson tow hooks, and Roush-spec grille (which hides neat operating lights). It is a much more purposeful-looking truck, even when it is not rather more succesful. Modifications to the cabin are much less profitable, although, with Roush’s leather-based therapy probably not feeling any extra premium than what comes on the Ranger Lariat.
That $12,000 Look
And that brings me again to the worth tag. If essentially the most a $12,000 package deal does for a $35,000 to $40,000 automobile is enhance its styling, there’s both an issue with the package deal or an issue with the worth. On this case, it feels just like the latter, as a result of the general Roush Ranger content material is worth it – that is inarguably a extra fashionable, engaging truck. However when the associated fee exceeds extra succesful competitors by many hundreds of {dollars}, folks will start asking what else they get for his or her hard-earned cash. And this Roush simply would not have a solution.
