2021 Ford Ranger — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2021 Ford Ranger is a pickup powered by a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 26–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Ford Ranger workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 Ford Ranger: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 25 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 21 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 240 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 3 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,900 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2021 Ford Ranger, all with the 2.3L 4-cyl turbo engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 22 to 23 mpg (US), or 26 to 28 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/24) | 251 | $3,050 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/26) | 240 | $2,900 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 Ford Ranger
Running Costs: 2021 Ford Ranger
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 Ford Ranger at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 Ford Ranger Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Ranger as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ranger. The most-reported areas are Power train (59), Service brakes (14), Engine (13). Complaints include 6 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 9 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 101 complaints across the 10 Ford Ranger model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 Ford Ranger
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (59 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Brakes (14 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Engine (13 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Ford Ranger compare to similar pickups? For context, pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 28 mpg figure is 3 mpg better than that average. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 43 g/km lower than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
At 28 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 28 mpg average for Ford models in our database. Its 240 g/km CO₂ figure is 15 g/km lower than the 255 g/km Ford average.
Of the 10 Ford Ranger model years we cover, the 2021 ranks 3rd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined, against a high of 29 mpg). See every Ford Ranger year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 Ford Ranger
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
It's fitted with a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s10) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Ranger?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 26 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2021 Ford Ranger cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Ranger as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Ford Ranger?
Among the 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (59 complaints), Service brakes (14 complaints), Engine (13 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Ford Ranger's fuel economy good for a pickup?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.