The most impressive thing about the Ford Ranger is how well it measures up to its much newer competitors.  Even next to Chevrolet’s all-new Colorado, the Ranger (whose last significant redesign was over a decade ago) still feels current.  Its sixteen-year reign as best-selling compact pickup truck thus comes as no surprise.

In the face of new competitors, Ford is sticking to the formula that works.  For 2004 the Ranger gets a minor facelift and a new round of refinements to keep it in the game.  Upgrades to the Ranger’s interior and suspension revisions keep this little truck feeling like it first hit the streets last year, instead of last decade.

The Ranger’s new face carries a strong visual link to Ford’s Super Duty pickups, with a taller grille and distinctive “nostrils” on the sides.  The grille’s contours are carried into the hood and accent the muscular, domed front aspect.  The bumper is new too, and more smoothly integrated.  Other than that not much has changed.  Regular and extended cabs are available, and a choice of three wheelbases gives the Ranger almost as many iterations as some full-size truck lines.  There’s no crew cab model, but that hasn’t hurt the Ranger’s popularity.  Reverse-opening rear doors are included on the SuperCab.  FX4 models like our test vehicle hit the road with handsome Alcoa aluminum wheels, as well as boxy chrome bed rails which don’t do much for the looks and are thankfully optional.

Under the skin, the FX4 package adds a Torsen limited-slip differential, tow hooks and Bilstein shocks when you opt for the off-roading Level II package.  FX4-equipped Rangers have a firmer ride; it’s best described as “trucky,” which probably comes as no surprise.  That stiff-ish ride contributes to a feeling of confidence, however, especially off-road.  There’s a bit of a tendency for the solid-axled rear end to hop around when unloaded, but on the freeway the Ranger is noticeably quieter and more stable than Toyota’s Tacoma PreRunner and Nissan’s Frontier.  Like most pickup trucks, the Ranger has an independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung solid rear axle.  Our 4×4 test truck had a torsion-bar front setup; 2x4s get coil springs.  Front disc, rear drum brakes and ABS are standard.

The Ranger’s interior receives a freshening for ’04 as well.  New, taller seats are more comfortable.  The Ranger’s standard cloth feels tough without being cheap, and it’s nicer than the leather in some compact pickups.  The plastic dash is the same, but the instrument panel has been redesigned.  A large center console and front bucket seats should appeal to the active-lifestyle set.  The console folds up to provide a third seat, but we left it in console-mode.  Honestly, there never was room for three abreast in a Ranger anyhow.  We also liked the new, chunkier steering wheel.  A 290-watt Pioneer sound system is new this year, and it’s MP3 capable.  The “Tremor” option package, which crams a subwoofer and a 510-watt system, is available on all Rangers and is a noisy creature indeed.

Under the hood, there is a choice of three powerplants.  The economy leader (and surprisingly popular) is a 2.3 liter four-cylinder that’s been around even longer than the Ranger itself has.  With 143 horsepower, it’s grunty enough to move the Ranger around town without breaking anyone’s fuel budget.  The Ranger’s two V6 engines are a 3.0 liter and a 4.0 liter.  The more sophisticated SOHC 4.0 is the more powerful of the two, with 207 horses and seamless operation around town.  The smaller 3.0 V6 is designed as a flexible-fuel engine.  All three powertrains are available with five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.  We drove the 4.0 with an automatic, and it’s strong enough to break the rear tires loose if driven in anger.  Towing capability on a Ranger equipped to do so maxes out at just under 6000 pounds.

Sure, it’s been around a long time, but when it comes to trucks, that’s a good thing.  Compact pickups may be small, but they’re worked just as hard as full-size trucks, and those that can’t hack it don’t hang around.  Longevity also translates to appealing pricing.  Ranger pricing starts at $14,385 for a four-cylinder regular cab XL.  Add about two grand to get a SuperCab .  Our test truck was an extended-cab FX4 model, and with four-wheel drive and the Tremor package it hit the road at $27,840.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2004 Ford Ranger FX4, which we tested.
Length:         201.7 in.
Width:            70.4 in.
Height:            67.8 in.
Wheelbase:        125.9 in.
Curb weight:        3705 lb.
Towing capacity:    5120 lb.
Payload:        1260 lb.
Base price:        $24,350
Price as tested:        $27,840
Engine:         4.0 liter SOHC V6
Drivetrain:         five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower:         207 @ 5250
Torque:         238 @ 3000
Fuel capacity:        19.5 gal.
Est. mileage:        15/19