2000 Ford Ranger Review
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By Dean Stevens

Overview

Ford's Ranger offers excellent handling, a smooth ride and a comfortable cab. Regardless of trim level, power plant, or drive train, the Ranger offers good value. It's well built and dependable. Interior spaces are consistently ergo friendly. Four-wheel-drive models feature a slick hub-locking system that permits shifting out of four-wheel drive at any speed. It's not hard to figure out why the Ford Ranger is such an evergreen best seller.

For 2000, a new pre-runner package has been added.

Model Lineup

Ford offers two trim levels for the Ranger: XL and the XLT. Prices range from $11,485 for a 2.5-liter 4x2 XL to $19,690 for a 3.0-liter 4x4 XLT. A 4.0-liter engine adds $695 to the price of 3.0-liter models.

Ranger XL models are light on amenities, but long on value; they come with the basics: black vinyl floor covering, AM/FM radio, vinyl seats. XLT Rangers get more chrome, handholds, an AM/FM/CD sound system, cloth seats and upgraded door panels. XL models have rear antilock brakes, while XLTs get four-wheel antilock braking systems.

Both XL and XLT Rangers are available in Regular Cab and SuperCab configurations; SuperCabs are available with either two or four doors. SuperCabs are based on a long 126-inch wheelbase, while Regular Cabs are available in short-wheelbase (112 inches) and long-wheelbase (118 inches) versions. On SWB models you cab opt for the stylish Flareside.

This year Ford added a Trailhead group to its menu of options. This off-road package includes a torsion bar suspension, extra ground clearance, and 16-inch tires, along with tow hooks and other features that transform a 2WD truck into a 4WD look-alike.

If you want a truck that gets 0 miles to the gallon, you might consider an electric Ranger. Based on a Regular Cab, SWB, 4X2 configuration, the battery-powered Ranger is a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV). Prices start at $35,100 for the DC Ranger, but there are some sizable incentives for buying one that reduce prices: $30,000 in California, $28,505 in New York, and $25,000 in the other 48 states.