Recently Ford has not been shying away from reviving old names. From the Ford Bronco to the 2022 Ford Maverick, the brand has been capitalizing on its past. And apparently, that is likely to continue with the resurgence of the Ford Ranchero truck. A once-popular compact pickup. 

What is the Ford Ranchero?

In the past, the Ranchero was a small truck that had car-like features. The new version of this truck is likely to be similar in the respect, built with unibody construction. Allegedly this new Ford truck will replace the Ford Courier truck, which has been a mainstay in markets outside of the U.S.

Much like the 2022 Maverick, the Ranchero is set to be a unibody vehicle, which should make it popular in a variety of environments. Vehicles with unibody construction are often times more comfortable than body-on-frame builds, which is traditionally what trucks utilize. 

As models like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick grow in popularity, it makes sense that Ford is interested in building another compact pickup. According to MotorTrend, the Ranchero was replaced by the Courier back in the late 1970s. But once again, the Ranchero might return to area roads. 

Will the new Ranchero be the same as the Ford Maverick?

While the Ford Ranchero will probably share some similarities with the Maverick, they will not be the same truck. If the Ranchero is primarily sold in South America, it will likely have some diesel engines that are not available in the United States. 

Currently, the 2022 Maverick has a 2.5-liter hybrid engine and a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged option. When properly equipped, the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds and handle a payload of over 1,500 lbs. It is likely that the Ranchero would have similar numbers offered to it. Ensuring folks get a compact truck that has legitimate capability. 

Will Ford sell the Ranchero in America?

It is unlikely that Ford would sell such a direct competitor to its small truck in the United States. That said, the Ranchero might be built on the Explorer platform. And that would make it larger than the 2022 Ford Maverick that shares its platform with the Escape. 

While the more small trucks the better, it is unclear what Ford’s exact plans are for the Ranchero. Rumors suggest that it could arrive at dealerships as soon as 2023, and that is when we will know if Ford wants to offer the Ranchero everywhere or limit it to certain markets. 

Some rumors point to the Ranchero truly following in the footsteps of the past by being a compact truck with just two doors. And that would certainly make this pickup an outlier in the United States. The new Bronco is available with two doors, but most modern vehicles offer four doors for more practicality. As we learn more about the Ford Ranchero, we will be sure to provide updates. Things in this industry change quickly, especially in the world of trucks.