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.
Hyundai's compact unibody pickup splits the difference between crossover and truck, car-like to drive, lifestyle-focused in execution. The four-foot bed is the defining tradeoff: enough for bikes, kayaks, and weekend gear, genuinely limiting for traditional truck work. It rides comfortably, offers SUV amenities, and works for buyers who want occasional hauling without full-size truck compromises. Anyone needing serious bed capacity should look elsewhere. Hyundai discontinued it after 2026, which may complicate long-term parts availability and resale value.