2019 was full of great experiences that I will never forget. One surprisingly amazing experience? Driving the new 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat around town and relishing in all the looks I got from my fellow pickup truck drivers.
In fact, one of the most memorable days of the year was this warm, sunny autumn day. I hauled little Reese and Ryan to the Experimental Farm in the Ranger Lariat and took in the gorgeous fall colours while watching Reese chase other doggos.
Back to those “looks’. Well, picture a fashion blogger jumping out of a bright, burnt orange-coloured truck, decked out in her cheetah print coat, heels and big black sunglasses in the parking lot of Home Depot.
“Heyyyyyy….nice truck! I wouldn’t expect you to hop out of that!!” Words uttered by a kind, baseball-cap wearing fellow throwing 2x4s into the back of his own Ford 150. I smiled my big smile and continued on my way with Reese in tow.
Never in my life did I consider purchasing a pick up truck until I got to drive this speedy orange head-turner. Never in a thousand years would I expect driving this mid-sized truck to be the most fun I’ve ever had motoring around town.
While I’m more of a luxe sedan sort of girl, pickup trucks now hold a special place in my heart. Nothing like feeling the power of its acceleration on the road, the ability to cart around pretty much anything, and the fact that it commands attention and respect left me feeling prettay, prettaaayyy good.
Qualities That Make The Ford Ranger Lariat A Boss
Starting at $41,119 CAD, this pickup truck is no longer the tiny little guy dwarfed by it’s Ford F150 big brother. It’s literally “built tough” with its exposed bash plate under the grill making it perfect for off-roading.
Heavy Duty
This truck features a fully boxed steel frame and some heavy duty gas/pressurized shock absorbers. These outboard mounted shocks provide a smooth and super shock-dampening consistency on both smooth roads and hilly, uneven terrain alike.
Power
This truck can tow to your heart’s content as it proudly displays some of the best towing ratings on the market. Got some fun goodies like boats, seadoos, campers, etc.? The Ranger can easily tow up to 7500 pounds with its optional tow package.
Fast, Yet Comfy
The Ranger Lariat is never sluggish either hanks to its powerful, turbocharged 2.3L Ecoboost engine which generates 270hp.
Personally, I found the interior of the Ranger Lariat quite comfortable with easy to use controls. The SuperCrew cabin is spacious and perfect for families as it seats five, and features four full-sized doors.
Entertainment Factor
Entertainment-lovers will make good use of the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto smartphone integration, SiriusXM satellite radio and large touchscreen. You may also upgrade to a great navigation system and a Bang & Olufson 10-speaker audio system.
The XLT and Lariat trims add features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The option list includes an integrated navigation system and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Safety Features
Let’s talk safety. The Ford Ranger Lariat offers:
- Standard forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-keeping assistance
Final Thoughts
Overall, (and keep in mind that I don’t much pickup truck experience), the Ford Ranger Lariat would be a great option for your entry level pickup buyers. The cabin is comfortable, and I had zero problems loading the cab with bags of soil and some end tables I purchased for our living room.
I also hauled 10 bags of clothing to Goodwill in the Ranger Lariat – no problem. It was perfect for moving anything from furniture to all of my gardening equipment, including plants by the boatload.
Entry-level or not, the truck made me feel great! I relished every moment of driving it. Being high up on the road, it offers great visibility in traffic and that awesome “King of the Road” feeling.
The awesome burnt orange Saber colour made me smile each time I walked up to the truck too (was gorgeous offset by the fall colours).
Best of all, it was so fun to drive! Everybody should have a chance to drive this great mid-sized truck. For more information, head on over to www.ford.ca and build your own custom Ranger.
*In collaboration with Ford Canada, but all opinions are my own.
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
😂😂😂 Never have I ever imagined you to be a truck owner! J’aime les voitures, mais un camion ???? I lova the color, and interior, and I wish you the very best of driving pleasure! A truck scares the wits out of me.
Anyways, more room for Reese, I guess. Félicitations
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Thanks, Dorcas! It was a thrill ride. Got really good at parking it. LOL!