If you are looking for a car with comfort and utility, the new Ford Ranger might be for you. The Ranger, a decent entrant in the midsize pickup segment, is available in multiple colors and trims. If you choose no upgrades, the car costs about $25,000. Add in the trims and fancies, and you could be shelling out up to $40,000. But is the new Ford Ranger the best this segment has to offer?

Interior
The new Ford Ranger offers a comfortable front seat with a roomy cabin; getting in and out of these seats wouldn’t be a hassle. The driver’s seat provides convenient access to the control panel. That said, the high bedside of the truck causes it to lose some points in case of rear visibility. Additionally, the styling is not new and the interior is filled with hard plastic, which does not earn the car any extra points.

Comfort
Shock or bounce absorption might not be one of Ford Ranger’s strong suites. Expect a bouncy ride to wherever you are headed. You can blame the underdamped and soft bed for the lack of shock absorption. Passing over bumps on the road might even make you queasy if you are a victim of motion sickness. The seats, on the other hand, are decent for all body types. The front seats come with a comfortable amount of padding. The climate system has multiple tiny buttons and can be difficult to use. Plus, you cannot turn off any of the four vents individually.

Technology
Ford Ranger’s infotainment center is an excellent fit and covers most basic requirements. If you buy XLT or higher models, your list of included features builds up. These include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible infotainment centers. The car is also equipped with the Sync 3 system and multiple USB ports. It works like a breeze with voice commands and can be of great assistance when driving. That said, people who do not have a smartphone will be required to purchase the Technology package deal to access built-in navigation. Some standard driving aids with this car include lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning.

Performance
The new Ford Ranger comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.3L engine. You can rely on this truck to take you places and to do so with gusto. The performance is better in Sports mode, though. However, avoid sudden braking as much as possible, as the truck loses some of its driving experience points. Another factor we did not like about the Ranger is its tight steering.

Storage
If you had high hopes for the new Ford Ranger’s storage or cabin capacity, we sadly inform you that you might be sorely disappointed. The bench seat could be uncomfortable for three passengers in it. Underseat storage isn’t great either for the rear seat. Small item storage space isn’t anything to boast about either. The small center console has some equally small door cubbies to complement.

Towing
The Ford Ranger has six tie-downs in its bed. However, the bedsides are a little tall and can pose a problem when loading the truck bed. That said, we are sure you will appreciate that the central locking system also includes the tailgate. This will ensure you aren’t running back now and then to cross-check whether or not you locked the tailgate.

Mileage
Based on what the EPA has to say, you can expect the new Ford Ranger to deliver a combined mileage of 22 mpg, with 20 mpg within the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The above values are applicable on 4-wheel-drive models. However, if you are a former Ford truck user, you might have little confidence in the number they claim to deliver. That said, it does perform better than other turbocharged engines and gasoline-fueled trucks in the segment.