2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to Ford’s North American lineup after an eight-year hiatus, having been sold internationally in a different form. This iteration was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor, drawing from its international design. While it shared some grille styling with the F-Series, the Ranger avoided the trend of larger, blockier American trucks, opting instead for a clean and somewhat aggressive appearance that highlighted its sporty and capable nature. Inside, the Ranger featured a function-first cabin with hard plastics, which, while durable, felt less upscale compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat, each offering progressively more features and upscale touches.

In contrast, the 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, offering a more upscale appearance compared to its chunkier competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. The RAM 2500's grille was uniquely designed for each of its six trim levels, and the truck featured sleek LED headlights and a choice of chrome or painted body-colour bumpers. The RAM 2500 shared a family resemblance with the smaller RAM 1500, but with a wider and stretched appearance to accommodate its larger size. The interior of the RAM 2500, especially in upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited, was crafted with high-quality materials, including soft-grained leather and light wood trim, offering a luxurious experience akin to a Mercedes. The truck also featured a 12-inch vertical touchscreen, providing a user-friendly and advanced infotainment experience.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was equipped with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing power to the four-wheel drive system, which was standard in Canada. The Ranger's turbo engine offered impressive power at low speeds and for highway passing, with a towing capacity of up to 3,401 kilograms (7,500 pounds) and a payload capacity of 748 kilograms (1,649 pounds) in the SuperCab configuration. However, the Ranger's ride was somewhat stiff, with noticeable chatter and vibration over bumps, and body roll around corners. The FX4 Off-Road package added features like off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and Trail Control, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The V8 engine was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing a towing capacity of up to 7,869 kilograms (17,350 pounds) and a payload capacity of 1,986 kilograms (4,380 pounds) in RWD Regular cab models. The diesel engine, tested in the RAM 2500, offered a towing capacity of up to 8,972 kilograms (19,780 pounds) and a payload capacity of 1,388 kilograms (3,060 pounds). The RAM 2500's diesel engine provided strong performance, with an effective exhaust brake system for safe towing. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 offered a decent ride, though it was less agile than the RAM 1500.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab, with a 2+2 seating layout, was less accommodating for adults in the rear seats, which were accessed via rear-opening clamshell half-doors. The SuperCrew offered a full four-door crew cab with seating for five, providing more comfortable and spacious seating for adults. Both configurations featured practical storage solutions, including deep in-door pockets, a centre console bin, and a coin/key tray atop the dash. The Ranger paired a 1,848 mm (six-foot) bed with the SuperCab and a 1,550 mm (five-foot) bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options: Single Cab, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab, with two bed lengths. The Single Cab provided the highest payload capacity and seating for three, while the Crew Cab offered more space and was available with either bed length. The Mega Cab, available on higher trims, provided ultimate luxury with reclining rear seats and ample space. The RAM 2500 featured power running boards and a retractable tailgate step for easier access, and the option for a RamBox for additional storage. The truck also offered a spray-in bed liner, LED lighting, and a rear air suspension system for easier trailer hitching.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port, along with FordPass Connect for remote access and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Lariat trim offered an optional B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, providing a premium audio experience.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth, with an available 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade offering a high-resolution and user-friendly infotainment experience. The standout feature was the 12-inch display, providing a large and intuitive interface for navigation, trailer settings, and camera views. The RAM 2500's infotainment system was praised for its ease of use and functionality, with features like a 360-degree camera system and customizable shortcuts.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Ford’s CoPilot360 suite, standard on higher trims, included features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring. The Ranger received top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with one recall related to the ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the RAM 1500, which shares some safety features, received a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The RAM 2500 offered optional driver assists like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, with forward emergency braking that functioned with a trailer attached.