2001FordRangerFord Ranger2001 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD Regular Cab Flareside SBCompact PickupRegular CabRWDEdison, NJ/Minneapolis, MNMost notable for the '01 Ranger is the availability of the Explorer's 207-horsepower, 4.0-liter SOHC V6. In other engine news, the flexible-fuel feature on the 3.0-liter V6 has been dropped and there will also be a new base 2.3-liter four-cylinder coming soon after the model-year introduction. ABS is now standard on all models. A new Edge trim level has a monochromatic appearance, which includes color-keyed bumpers and wheel lip moldings. Exterior changes are numerous. All models get a new grille, bumpers, and headlamps, while the XLT 4x4 and Edge get a new hood and wheel lip moldings. Four colors are new as well as an optional in-dash, six-disc CD changer.Four-door extended cab, besides Mazda B-Series twin it's the only compact pickup with five-speed automatic, functional interior, impressive towing capacity.Room in back of extended-cab area isn't enough for adults, lousy seat comfort, questionable reliability of five-speed automatic, still no V-8.Whether it's image or utility that attracts you to a compact truck, Ford stands ready to seduce you into its strong-selling Ranger. The standard engine on 2WD models a new 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. A 3.0-liter V6 (no longer flexible fuel) is standard on 4WD models, and the Explorer's SOHC 4.0-liter V6 is now available packing 207 hp at 5250 rpm and 238 lb-ft at 3000 rpm. That's a 47 hp jump over the previous pushrod 4.0-liter motor. With the larger V6, acceleration is now even more sprightly, especially from a standstill or when merging and passing. As before, the big engine comes only with the five-speed automatic transmission. Rotary-knob controlled four-wheel drive is a unique pulse-vacuum system. Well-controlled overall, with good steering feedback, Rangers handle easily, corner capably, maneuver neatly, and stay reasonably stable on curves. Occupants aren't likely to complain about the ride, either, though it can grow bouncy around town. Gas mileage isn't the greatest with the big engine and automatic. The four-door SuperCab--available in 2WD and 4WD--makes it easy to access the storage compartment from either side of the truck, a big assist when loading cargo and gear. The standard rear doors on SuperCab models hinge off the corner pillars of the cab and swing out 90 degrees from the doorsill. There are no B-pillars to obstruct loading. Completing the Ford Ranger pickup line are regular cab, short- and long-wheelbase 2WD and 4WD models. The Ranger is equipped with dual airbags and side-impact protection beams. The rear doors for 2WD and 4WD SuperCab models also have side-door intrusion beams for extra safety protection. ABS is standard on all models, and the passenger airbag can be shut off using a dash-mounted switch. Ford has had the best-selling small trucks in the country for years. Fun to drive, sharp looking and well built, the Ranger delivers a solid compact-pickup experience. Its most serious competition comes from the Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma models. The Dakota is slightly larger and offers V8 power, but we still recommend a look at the updated 2001 Ranger. Chevrolet S-10Dodge DakotaGMC SonomaNissan Frontier336,000336,000336,0005UnlimitedNANANA42.5 litersInline119 hp @ 5000 rpm146 ft-lbs. @ 3000 rpmNA1260 lbs.6060 lbs.187.5 in.69.4 in.64.9 in.3030 lbs.111.6 in.37.7 ft.6.7 in.39.2 in.NANANANANA42.4 in.NA3StandardStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedVery GoodNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested16.5 gal.22 mpg / 26 mpg20 mpg / 24 mpg363 mi. / 429 mi.330 mi. / 396 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$13,385$14,5457.35%$585N/AXL 2WD REGULAR CAB SB/LB (5M): 2.5L I4 SOHC SMPI 8-valve (3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve - LB) engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 540 amp battery with rundown protection; 95 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 3.73 axle ratio; partial stainless steel exhaust; front independent suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, gas-pressurized front shocks, rigid rear axle leaf spring suspension, gas-pressurized rear shocks; rack-and-pinion power steering; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; 16.5 gal. (20 gal. - LB) capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, side impact bars; trailer harness; front and rear black bumpers, rear step bumper; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen headlamps; driver's and passenger's manual black folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" silver styled steel wheels, P225/70SR15 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; AM/FM stereo w/clock, seek-scan feature, 2 speakers, fixed antenna; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighterelement, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include battery, lights on, key in ignition, door ajar; driver's front airbag, passenger's cancelable front airbag; tinted windows; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers; seating capacity of 3, 60/40 split-bench front seats with fixed headrests, driver's and front passenger's seats include 2-way adjustment; height-adjustable front seatbelts; vinyl seats, full cloth headliner, full vinyl floor covering, interior lights include dome light; day/night rearview mirror; partial floor console, glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin; body-colored grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
XLT 2WD REGULAR CAB SB/LB (5M) (in addition to or instead of XL 2WD REGULAR CAB SB/LB (5M) equipment): 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission (LB); front and rear chrome bumpers; additional exterior lights include pickup cargo box light; air conditioning; single-disc CD player, 4 speakers, center armrest with storage, driver's and front passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; cloth seats, vinyl door trim insert, full color-keyed carpet floor covering; interior lights include front reading lights; front passenger's vanity mirror; driver's and passenger's door bins; concealed cargo storage; chrome grille.
XLT 4DR 2WD (5A) (in addition to or instead of XLT 2DR (5M) equipment): 4L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine; 5-speed electronic OD automatic transmission; 3.55 axle ratio; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry; ignition disable, panic alarm; tinted windows with driver's 1-touch down function.
EDGE 2WD REGULAR CAB SB (5M) (in addition to or instead of XLT 2WD REGULAR CAB SB (5M) equipment): 3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; front and rear body-colored bumpers, front tow hooks; body-colored fender flares; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; 15" x 7" silver styled steel wheels, P235/75SR15 OWL AT tires; 6-disc CD changer, cruise control with steering wheel controls; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; black grille.
SUPERCAB SB (5M) (in addition to or instead of XLT REGULAR CAB SB (5M) equipment): 3L V6 OHV SMPI 12-valve engine; 19.5 gal. capacity fuel tank; sliding rear window; seating capacity of 5; rear seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment.
4WD REGULAR CAB STYLESIDE SB (5A) (in addition to or instead of 2WD REGULAR CAB STYLESIDE SB (5A) equipment): Part-time 4 wheel drive, auto-locking hub control and electronic shift, 4.10 axle ratio; front torsion springs, front torsion bar, HD front shocks, HD rear shocks; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels, P245/75SR16 OWL AT tires.
4DR 4WD SUPERCAB STYLESIDE SB (5M) (in addition to or instead of 2WD SUPERCAB STYLESIDE SB (5M) equipment): P245/75SR16 OWL AT tires.
4DR 4WD SUPERCAB FLARESIDE SB (5A) (in addition to or instead of 4WD REGULAR CAB STYLESIDE SB (5A) equipment): 4L V6 SOHC SMPI 12-valve engine.