Used 2011 Ford Ranger XL for sale 

The 2011 Ford Ranger in its Regular Cab configuration is available in two trim levels, namely XL and XLT. Both the models are powered by the same powertrain and drivetrain. Pricing for the XL starts at $18,160 and comes with few standard features on the list such as vinyl upholstery, 2-speaker setup, and manually-adjustable front seats. Upgrading to the XLT trim ($19,120) adds a lot of interesting features, including a leather steering wheel, power mirrors, fog lamps, a four-speaker setup, and many more.

Buying Advice

For a starting price of $19,120, the XLT trim makes good sense. It adds some extra features to the base XL trim such as cloth upholstery, power door, and window locks, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, passenger’s side vanity mirror, etc. For us, the top-end XLT trim brings the best value for money proposition in the lineup.

Powering the 2011 Ford Ranger Regular Cab is a sole powertrain that includes a 2.3-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that churns out 143 horses of power and 154 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission to power the rear wheels. For city speeds, this truck does just fine.

Acceleration is good but when the truck is fully loaded, good luck passing other vehicles on the highway. The steering feels connected to the road and doesn’t feel numb. The brakes, on the other hand, feel unreactive at times. It takes some time to get into effect. The handling characteristics of the Ranger are good. It follows good on-road manners.

When it comes to fuel economy, Ford’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is the most fuel-efficient engine in its segment. The EPA-estimated fuel numbers include 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. With a fuel capacity of 17 gallons, the Ranger can deliver a combined range of 416 miles. 

With such outstanding fuel figures, the Ranger stays at the top of the table. Just below it are the GM twins with a combined mileage of 21 mpg, while the Toyota Tacoma is pushed to the last position on the table. With 21.1 gallons of fuel tank capacity, Tacoma offers the best in class combined range of 485 miles.

The Regular Cab configuration seats up to three individuals only. The interior layout of the Ranger is pretty outdated. Hard plastics are found almost everywhere in the cabin, but don't be disappointed as these are high-quality plastics used to build the cabin. The front seats offer the utmost levels of comfort with good thigh support as well. The head and legroom offered is 39.2 and 42.4 inches, respectively, which is similar to other rivals. A cargo bed of 6.1-foot is standard on the Ranger that offers a cargo capacity of 37.4 cubic feet. 

While the Ranger offers a decent head and legroom, the GM twins excel with 44 inches of legroom. Taller occupants can easily find a suitable seating position during long-distance travel. Also, the standard bed offered on the GM twins provides 44 cubic feet of space while the Ranger offers a bit less compared to that. Some major interior features include:

• Manually-adjustable front seats
• Keyless entry
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• Front cup-holders
• 12V power outlet
• Vinyl and cloth upholstery

How intuitive is the 2011 Ford Ranger Regular Cab?

Don’t expect too much from the outdated pick-up truck. The base XL trim is like a zombie with just a two-speaker setup and AM/FM radio. The XLT trim adds some extra features to the list such as SiriusXM, a CD player with MP3 compatibility, and a four-speaker stereo system. Some other features include:

• Single-disc CD player
• SiriusXM
• AM/FM radio
• 2 & 4-speaker sound system
• Auxiliary audio input

Looking at the exterior design of the Ford Ranger, it is quite obvious that it needs an urgent refreshment to keep up with its rivals. Upfront, the bold grille keeps the truck alive. The XL trim is available with two cargo bed options- a six and seven-foot bed while the XLT trim comes with just a six-foot bed only. Depending on the bed selected, the length of the truck varies accordingly. The design of the headlights and taillights is pretty aged. 

The GM twins are the heaviest rides in this competition with a curb weight of 3,366 pounds. But, the Ranger’s high ground clearance of 8.9 inches proves to be a worthy off-roader. Also, it is the shortest pick-up truck in this segment. The 2011 Ford Ranger turns out to be the lightest pickup on the block. Some major exterior highlights of the truck include:

• Body-colored front & rear bumper
• Chrome grille
• Fog lamps
• Power mirrors
• Trailer hitch

The 2011 Ford Ranger didn’t get the same treatment as last year from NHTSA. This year, it scored just two stars for its crashworthiness. IIHS gave ‘Good’ ratings only on the side-impact crash test but the other crash sections received ‘Acceptable’ ratings. Nevertheless, the pick-up truck comes with safety features that are on par with its rivals. These safety features include:

• Stability & Traction Control
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Side-impact door beams
• Roll Stability Control
• Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
• Electronic brake-force distribution

Although the 2011 Ford Ranger is competitively priced with its rivals, it still lacks the basic ethics of a pick-up truck such as towing and payload capacities. On that front, the GM twins and the Toyota Tacoma offer good ratings. Also, the wide cargo bed of the GM twins also can carry large items with ease without altering the performance. In the end, there are better options from other American brands in the lineup which offer better value for money in the segment.