2020 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 Off Road

Taking the Ranger FX4 off-road is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. Turns out it is a capable mid-size truck with few off-road flaws.
Engine Adventures strives to explore and test the AWD and 4WD systems of all crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. To do this we test vehicles in real world environments in a way that allows viewers to cross shop and explore any vehicle they may be interested in learning about.
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[@off-roadingexplained8417]

I always love your content! It's so consistent and makes it very easy to compare vehicles!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for the support!

[@jarrodmcdaniel]

I think lockable diffs in all vehicles should be made a federal mandate just like backup cameras are. Emailing my congressman now...

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, I'm sure they could slip it into the next bill 💸

[@timothygonzalez6679]

Best video I've seen of the Ranger being put through its paces. Great video! Keep em' coming!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for the support!

[@hookstrpd]

Thank you for the comprehensive review!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@robh6854]

Very good. Very informative. Thanks!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@smittysmitty481]

This review is excellent!!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for the support!

[@prone_wolf8871]

Good vid! Love my 22 lariat

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching, it's a good little truck!

[@seahawk2158]

good review!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks again!

[@TheBeatenPaths]

These black wheels come with the Black Package the truck has also.

[@sking2173]

That’s impressive. Ford has done well with their 4WD systems.

[@EngineAdventures]

I would say that the Ranger is on par with the Tacoma TRD Off-Road, both very capable vehicles!

[@sking2173]

@@EngineAdventures - I’m actually in the market for a SMALL 4WD truck that looks and works like a truck. What I’ve seen of the Ford Maverick truck looks encouraging. I hope it will have a 4WD system as competent as this Ranger.

[@EngineAdventures]

@@sking2173 I don't know too much about the Maverick yet. We'll have to wait and see.

[@JonBecker81]

@@sking2173 it definitely won’t be as good as the ranger. It’s unibody, all independent suspension and front wheel drive based. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have a mechanical rear locker either. Just brake actuated limited slip type thing. They seem to be great little trucks if that’s what you want but it won’t compare to a Ranger off road or for towing. I got a ranger a month ago and absolutely love it. The passing and towing power are unreal for a midsize truck and there’s still a ton of room for tuning which I probably won’t do. I get 25 mpg on the interstate with 87 octane.

[@sking2173]

@@JonBecker81 - Yep, it doesn’t have the Baby Bronco Badlands system with that dual-clutch torque-vectoring rear diff. That’s unfortunate. I still like the truck, and the wife likes the idea of the hybrid. So I’ll probably end up with a 2wd hybrid that she drives as often as I do ...

[@evoemperor3776]

It's nice that you can lock the diff even on 2wd mode more drifting for me🤣

[@EngineAdventures]

Everyone with a rear locker should allow for that kind of fun!

[@Ishkatan]

Great job. A tiny bit of discussion of the different models would be useful for those of us shopping. I looked at the XLT and there was no power seat option for my finicky butt, but it exists in the Lariat... After this review I will be looking a the Lariat. The once a year 7500 lb towing capacity is important to me and I appreciate you mentioned it.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting, I'll consider that for future videos!

[@JonBecker81]

I bought a lariat Fx4 a month ago. I love it. Get one!

[@johnstrand2247]

Camera humor! That would happen to me too.

[@vishalganatra7719]

dont you think it has now got better , i mean the ford everest models till 2019 didnt have a good traction control system .

[@SuperLaw911]

Having tested both the fx4 and tremor what is your opinion on which is better for off road?? Are they both just as capable as each other or does the tremor have an edge??

[@EngineAdventures]

Great question. This is a similar comparison to the Tacoma TRD Off Road vs TRD Pro. The traction hardware is the same (rear locker, off road cruise control, etc.). If you're planning to keep the vehicle stock, the Tremor is the better option for offroading. It is a little smoother over rough stuff, has a small lift for better clearance, and better shocks. If you're planning to change tires and suspension, then just go with the Fx4 as most of the benefits of the Tremor will be getting changed at that time.

[@Boomerfootball1]

Which is better the ranger fx4 or 2020-2021 frontier pro 4x deciding between the two

[@EngineAdventures]

Very different trucks. I like the basic old school feel of the Frontier, but the Ranger has a higher towing capacity and better tech. Both are equally capable off-road.

[@vishalganatra7719]

where do you think this traction control systems stands when compared to toyotas A-trac

[@EngineAdventures]

A-Trac is more aggressive on the braking, which is better in rocks and such, but I don't know for Sand/Mud. I prefer Ford's Trail Control to Toyota's Crawl Control.

[@EngineAdventures]

Ford has the Terrain management that does the same thing, but lacks Rock mode.

[@sking2173]

@@nateallen2709 - None of those differential braking systems work as well as a locker in the rear, regardless of how many control modes the thing has. As can be seen when the locker is activated and the open diff in the front is being assisted by the differential braking, the rear silently and efficiently goes about its work and the front sounds like a dog scratching the ground burying a bone.

[@slaychild1]

Hold on!! I have a 2021 XLT FX4 and my dash cluster doesn't look like that!!!???

[@EngineAdventures]

Interesting, is the Lariat different than the XLT?

[@JonBecker81]

Lariat is different. It has the dual screens on each side.