This feels like an underdog moment for the Ford Ranger. While the Ranger is an excellent truck, it doesn’t get as much time in the spotlight as rivals like the Toyota Tacoma or Jeep Gladiator. However, now the 2022 Ford Ranger shuts the competition down as the best mid-size truck you can buy. 

The 2022 Ford Ranger has the best initial quality 

Congratulations to the 2022 Ford Ranger because it just upset the competition. According to J.D. Power, the Ranger has the best initial quality out of each mid-size truck. The initial quality study ranks the Jeep Gladiator in second place and the Chevy Colorado in third. 

The 2022 J.D. Power initial quality study is based on a survey with 223 questions to cover every single aspect of new vehicles. The survey was sent out to thousands of vehicle owners and lessees. This year about 84,165 people responded. 

Those who bought or leased a 2022 vehicle responded to questions about their vehicle’s exterior, interior, driving experience, tech, power, comfort, and safety features to assign a score between 0 to 100 to each model. 

The Ranger has the least amount of issues reported, but overall, vehicle problems increased by 11 percent. The addition of new technology and supply chain issues could be to blame. 

How reliable is the 2022 Ranger? 

According to Consumer Reports, the 2022 Ford Ranger has an above-average reliability ranking. That’s pretty impressive because it’s not the easiest score to earn. The reliability ranking is based on issues that owners report on previous model years. 

It looks like the significant Ranger issues are related to the suspension, brakes, and minor transmission problems for the 2019 model year. There are fewer reports of these issues for the 2020 and 2021 models, indicating that these problems may have been solved. 

The Ford Ranger can easily make it past 300,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. It should provide up to 20 years on the road if you drive about 13,500 miles annually. 

The Ford Ranger is starting to catch up with the Toyota Tacoma, which can make it past 300,000 miles, with reports of some models reaching over 400,000 miles. 

Also, the Ranger has an average annual maintenance cost of about $615, while the average yearly maintenance cost for mid-size trucks is about $548. 

What’s so great about the 2022 Ranger? 

The 2022 Ford Ranger stands out from the crowd with its attractive looks. Customers are pleased with the way it’s styled. However, this is subject to change because the 2023 model features a total redesign. 

Owners also like how powerful the Ranger is. It comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. 

The Ranger can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.8 seconds. When properly equipped, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,905 lbs.

Plus, the Ranger is comfortable. Owners are happy with the ride quality and interior noise. The seats are well-padded and supportive too. 

We can’t wait to see how the 2023 Ford Ranger compares once it finally arrives this fall. It could destroy what people love about the current model or make it even better.