Why a Used 2019 Ford Ranger Outshines Today's Cheapest New Trucks

If you're shopping for a pickup that can actually haul heavy loads without draining your wallet, the math gets interesting. A brand-new 2026 Ford Maverick XL starts at $28,145 but only tows 2,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the country's cheapest EV pickup, the Blank Slate, costs $24,950 before options.

But a five-year-old Ford Ranger, the 2019 model, can be found for $18,000 to $27,000, depending on trim and miles, and it tows a full 7,500 pounds. That's real work truck capability at a price that undercuts both the Maverick and a bare-bones EV.

S. (89,571 units) and earned praise for its refined ride that felt more like a family SUV than a work truck. 3-liter EcoBoost turbo-four and comes with Ford's Co-Pilot360 safety suite even on base trims. The catch? Reliability varies by model year. JD Power gives the 2019-2024 Ranger an 85/100 quality rating, and annual maintenance averages only $615.

But CarComplaints data shows the 2019 model had a handful of transmission issues (five reports of slipping or failure) and paint chipping complaints. The 2020 Ranger, by contrast, is far cleaner, so if you can spend a bit more for a newer used example, it's the smarter buy.

Fuel costs are manageable too: a 2020 Ranger with rear-wheel drive gets 21/26 mpg (city/highway) and costs about $2,050 a year in gas, while the four-wheel-drive version returns 20/24 mpg and runs $2,150 annually. Depreciation has already done its worst, the Ranger loses about 33% of its value over five years, but as a second owner you ride out the slower decline.

After seven years it holds 41% of its original price. The bottom line: if you need a tough, affordable truck and don't mind a few miles on the clock, a used Ranger is the no-nonsense choice. Drive it until the wheels fall off.