Are Ford Rangers big?
The Ranger is a midsize pickup, not a full-size truck like the F-150. In most markets it sits between compact pickups and full-size models in terms of overall footprint and capability.
How big the Ranger feels depends on where you drive it and which configuration you choose. In the United States, it’s the smaller end of the pickup lineup, while in places such as Australia and parts of Europe, it’s regarded as a practical, roomy midsize workhorse with substantial load and towing ability. The guide below breaks down dimensions, capabilities, and regional nuances to answer what “big” means in practice for this model.
Where a Ranger fits in the pickup ladder
The Ranger occupies the midsize segment, sitting between compact pickups and full-size trucks. It’s designed to offer a balance of maneuverability, efficiency and payload without the bulk of a full-size pickup.
- Class: midsize pickup (smaller than Ford’s F-150 and other full-size rivals, but larger than compact alternatives).
- Common rivals by market: Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier/Navara, Chevrolet Colorado (and in some markets, Mazda BT-50 and Isuzu D-Max).
- Typical footprint: roughly 210 inches in length, about 75 inches in width, and a height around 70 inches, with a bed commonly around 5 feet in the U.S. Crew Cab configurations.
In short, the Ranger is big enough to handle meaningful work and weekend adventures, but it remains distinctly smaller than Ford’s full-size F-150 lineup.
Global dimensions and configurations
Dimensionally, the Ranger’s size can vary by generation and market. The numbers below reflect current-generation models in several regions and typical configurations you’ll encounter on showroom floors.
- Length: about 209–212 inches (roughly 5.3–5.4 meters).
- Width: around 74–76 inches (excluding mirrors).
- Height: roughly 69–72 inches, depending on trim and suspension.
- Wheelbase: about 126 inches.
- Bed options: commonly a 5-foot bed on several U.S. Crew configurations; some markets offer longer bed variants with different cab choices.
Dimensions are approximate and subject to year-to-year changes, trim packages, and regional spec sheets. Always confirm the exact figures for the model year and market you’re considering.
What size means for everyday use
Size matters for payload, towing and everyday maneuverability. The Ranger’s footprint translates into practical numbers that matter for work, family trips, and urban driving.
- Payload capacity: typically in the range of 1,500–1,800 pounds, depending on trim and drivetrain.
- Towing capacity: commonly around 7,000–7,500 pounds with appropriate equipment and options; some trims may edge higher with specific packages.
- Off-road and capability variants: models like the Tremor or other off-road packages increase approach/departure angles, suspension travel and ground clearance to broaden capability without changing the core size.
Put simply: the Ranger provides substantial utility within its class, but it does not offer the heft of a full-size pickup. Its size strikes a balance between urban practicality and open-road capability.
Market-specific notes
Regional differences shape how “big” the Ranger feels in daily life. Two broad perspectives are common in the current lineup.
United States
In the U.S., the Ranger is positioned as a compact-to-midsize alternative with a 5-foot bed on Crew Cab variants. It’s designed for urban-to-suburban drivers who want truck capability without the bulk of the F-150, offering strong payload and towing within its class and a sedan-like handling feel for daily driving.
Australia and other markets
In Australia and several other markets, the Ranger is a staple workhorse and family vehicle in a midsize class that competes with similarly sized pickups. It often arrives in multiple cab/bed configurations and trims that emphasize rugged capability, longer overhangs or higher ride height for off-road use. While still a midsize truck, regional buyers may perceive it as “larger” due to capabilities and use cases that demand more robust towing, payload and off-road performance.
Summary
In short, Ford Rangers are best described as midsize pickups: compact and maneuverable enough for city driving, but capable enough to handle meaningful payload and towing. They are not as large as full-size pickups, yet in many markets they punch above their weight in capability relative to their class. If size and ease of daily use are priorities, the Ranger is a strong, well-rounded option within the midsize segment. For buyers seeking true full-size scale, a larger model like the F-150 remains the benchmark.
Is the Ford Ranger a big truck?
The Ford Ranger is a midsize truck, while the Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup. Because it is larger, the Ford F-150 has the higher towing capacity, at 13,500 pounds when properly equipped. The Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds.
Is a Ford Ranger bigger than a Tacoma?
No, a Ford Ranger is not bigger than a Tacoma; the Tacoma is slightly larger in length, though the Ranger is wider and has more interior space like front headroom and rear legroom. The Tacoma also generally offers longer bed options and slightly greater bed length than the Ranger's standard bed.
| Toyota Tacoma | Ford Ranger | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 213 inches | 210.6 inches |
| Width | 76.9 inches | 75.5 inches |
| Bed Length | Up to 73.5 inches | 59.6 inches (standard) |
| Front Headroom | 39.7 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Rear Legroom | 32.6 inches | 34.6 inches |
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_q90labaqNLSB9u8PtZqV0QU_189';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();
Key differences in size
- Length: The Tacoma is slightly longer than the Ranger, with models measuring around 213 inches compared to the Ranger's 210.6 inches.
- Width: The Ranger is wider than the Tacoma, with a width of 79.0 inches compared to the Tacoma's 75.2 inches.
- Bed length: The Tacoma offers longer bed options, with the longest being 73.5 inches, while the Ranger's standard bed is shorter at 59.6 inches.
- Interior space: The Ranger has more interior space, with greater front headroom (41.0 inches vs. 39.7 inches) and rear legroom (34.6 inches vs. 32.6 inches) than the Tacoma.
Summary
- The Toyota Tacoma is slightly longer than the Ford Ranger.
- The Ford Ranger is wider and has more interior space, including front headroom and rear legroom.
- The Tacoma offers a longer bed option than the Ranger.
Can a big guy fit in a Ford Ranger?
The Gladiator has 42.8 inches of headroom and 41.2 inches of legroom. After the Gladiator is the Ford Ranger, comfortable for a person up to 7 ft. tall, with its 41 inches of headroom and 43.2 inches of legroom.
Are Ford Rangers bigger now?
New for 2024
The 2024 Ranger pickup's wheelbase grows by 1.9 inches, and its front and rear tracks are widened by 2.4 inches. That said, the new truck keeps the traditional front coil spring and rear leaf-spring suspensions but moves the rear shocks and their mounts outside the frame rails.
