GM's midsize contender pairs a punchy turbo four-cylinder with an 8-speed that can't decide what gear it wants and software that freezes mid-commute. The 2024 redesign earned a sales stop within months, infotainment screens go dark, remote start is a gamble, and one ZR2 owner burned through three torque converters before 15,000 miles. The previous generation splits owners into camps: some sailed past 180k with zero drama, others became dealer regulars. The ZR2 off-road package impresses when the truck cooperates, but you're betting GM patches the bugs before your warranty expires. If you need a midsize that starts reliably and doesn't strand you hunting for cell service on a trail, the Frontier costs less and the Tacoma holds value better. Buy this if you like the look enough to gamble on future software updates, and spring for the extended warranty.
You're shopping two completely different trucks under one badge. The old compact Rangers (1990s-2011) earned their reputation the hard way, owners routinely push them past 300k miles on original drivetrains, fix them with junkyard parts for pocket change, and replace them with another Ranger when rust finally wins. The current midsize version (2019+) tows 7,500 pounds, rides like a car, and packs a punchy turbo four, but it's grown to F-150 dimensions at near-F-150 money, and 2021-2023 models are showing up with oil leaks and transmission hiccups while still under warranty. Buy a clean old one if you want a proven workhorse that'll outlast your career. Skip the new one unless you need modern towing and safety, and even then, you're betting on Ford ironing out first-generation kinks.