The 2023 Ford Ranger is a mid-range pickup with outstanding towing and hauling capabilities, an energetic turbocharged engine and a roomy interior space. The Ford Ranger was so well-designed last year that Ford wisely refrained from making any major adjustments for 2023.
The Nissan Frontier is another viable mid-size pickup that might also be on your shopping list. Here's a comparison from us at Farmington Ford in Farmington ME so you can make a well-informed decision about which one to buy. We think you'll agree with us that the Ford Ranger is by far the better choice.
A comparison of price tags
In today's high-priced world, it helps when a major investment like a pickup truck comes in at the most reasonable price possible. The new 2023 Ford Ranger starts out a little above the $25K range while the Nissan Frontier costs several thousand dollars more. If the new Nissan Frontier can't justify its higher price tag, the 2023 Ford Ranger gets an automatic head start.
A comparison of engines
All 2023 Ford Ranger models are powered by an efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 270 horsepower. The Nissan Frontier for 2023 has only one engine, a V6 with 310 horsepower but the Ford Ranger gives you more than enough oomph for most mid-range pickup needs. What's more, that bigger Nissan engine is going to cost you when it comes to fuel economy.
A comparison of fuel efficiency
The last thing you want to do is overspend on a mid-range pickup, make higher car payments and insurance payments every month and then have to pay out even more on the price of gasoline. That's why the Ford Ranger is a better long-term value. With rear-wheel drive, the Ford Ranger gets an EPA-estimated 21 MPG in the city and as much as 26 MPG on the highway. With four-wheel drive, the Ford Ranger gets 20 mpg in the city and up to 24 MPG on the highway.
By contrast, the Nissan Frontier with rear-wheel drive gets an EPA estimated 18 MPG on city streets and only 24 MPG on the highway. If you go with the four-wheel drive model, your gas mileage will fall off even farther. Nissan will give you only 17 MPG in the city and a meager 22 MPG on the highway. Looking at it from a positive standpoint, it's rewarding when a Ford Ranger will help you save on everything including the cost of fuel.
A comparison of towing and payload capability
The Ford Ranger gives you more than your money’s worth and that’s especially true when it comes to towing capacity. When it's properly equipped, the Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds which is considered excellent for a small pickup truck. The Nissan Frontier can tow a maximum of only 6,720 pounds, which is a real disappointment after you paid so much more money for it.
The Ford Ranger demonstrates that it's by far the better value once again when it comes to payload. The Ford Ranger has a payload anywhere from 1,609 pounds to 1,905 pounds which is nothing short of phenomenal. Meanwhile, the Nissan Frontier can tow only 1,175 pounds at the low end and tops out at just 1,697 pounds. It's OK for Nissan to charge a lot more for the Frontier but it's not OK for them to give you a lot less when it comes to towing and payload.
Test drive the winner at Farmington Ford
If the new Ford Ranger looks good here, imagine how good it will feel in real life. Browse our collection of new Ford Ranger models and arrange a test drive soon at Farmington Ford in Farmington ME.