I just drove a new Ford Ranger w/ 2.3L from Alabama to Pennsylvania

[Rubisquatch]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

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[aabsalon]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

I am on the same boat as well. The 2.3 Ecoboost is a good engine and when paired with the 10 speed auto, it makes a great combination.

 

[Dick_Castlesmurff]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

Define good gas mileage? If the 2.3 and 2.7 were within 1 MPG which would you choose?

 

[Nickp]

I’m pretty much going with the 2.7 to “future proof” myself. I think the 2.3 is adequate. But then again I have a 205 horsepower V6 in my Jeep that is perfectly adequate too.

I’d rather have something that is quick. And that I don’t ever have a regret of “wow why didn’t I spend that extra $2k”.

 

[aabsalon]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

What packages do you plan to get on your Badlands-Sasquatch Bronco?

 

[bbqbronco]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

Well the 2.7 will be even better. Both should be fine tuned. Can't really change your engine in the future so better to spend some dough on it.

 

[Mopar2Bronco2021]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

How did it do through the mountains in NC, WV, VA, etc.? Did it struggle at all on the steep ones? And by struggle I mean did the engine scream or did the transmission have trouble picking gears?

 

[PromoFLB]

Planning on getting the 2.7 as I don’t want to regret having more power and more tuning possibilities.

 

[JerseyRuss]

How's the 2.3 gonna be if your a 20K a yr driver.... after 100 K miles? will it hold up to highway miles over time? that's my biggest concern as I want the manual trans and have to stay w it

 

[indio22]

I had to drive back from Alabama to Pa and the rental car they gave me was a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT with FX4 package. I was so excited as I wanted to see how this thing handled and drove, having the 2.3L and I was actually pretty impressed. The 2.3L had good acceleration, seemed responsive and even was great going 80-90 most of the trip. Gas mileage was good too. I liked the seating and dash setup amd could see how it could be modified for the Bronco.

I was leaning to getting the 2.7L in my Bronco Badlands but driving this for 775 miles was very nice and now I think I could live with the 2.3. I am Sasquatching but I still felt like this would be fine with 35s, especially with the 4.7 gear ratio.

any reason I should stick with 2.7 when I order?

Thanks for the report and that's good to hear, because I'm likely going manual trans base model, which means 2.3L. My main concern is if down the road towing. Something not too heavy such as a trailer with 12' aluminum row boat and gear. Hopefully 2.3L would be up to the challenge. I used to flat tow vehicles with my 258ci inline 6cyl CJ7. Didn't break a sweat. Could 2.3L handle that?

 

[SpursFan]

The 2.3 will out run a ton of cars on the road and has plenty of power. The only concern I'd have is if you want 35s or greater and spend a lot of time at 70+ You would still have plenty of power but mileage will start to dip. Both engines are miles a ahead of current Jeep offerings.

 

[Bronc-O]

Is that with just a driver? Put 2-3 passengers and some gear, the 2.3 might not feel as strong.

 

[Rubisquatch]

Define good gas mileage? If the 2.3 and 2.7 were within 1 MPG which would you choose?

I got between 22-24mpg, I was going fast and this had the 265r17 AT tires so that was not that bad.

I’m not buying a Bronco with any care of MPGs so just want what is best, still debating 2.3 vs 2.7 but was pleasantly surprised.

 

[SpursFan]

Thanks for the report and that's good to hear, because I'm likely going manual trans base model, which means 2.3L. My main concern is if down the road towing. Something not too heavy such as a trailer with 12' aluminum row boat and gear. Hopefully 2.3L would be up to the challenge. I used to flat tow vehicles with my 258ci inline 6cyl CJ7. Didn't break a sweat. Could 2.3L handle that?

If the tow rating stays at 3500 you would barely know it's back there engine wise.

 

[SpursFan]

Is that with just a driver? Put 2-3 passengers and some gear, the 2.3 might not feel as strong.

This isn't a NA old school 4 cyl, 400-500lbs of passengers makes virtually no difference in a vehicle that tows 7,500.

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