Allison BarfieldThe 2026 Ford Ranger doesn't abandon its small truck roots as improvements for comfort, space, and performance build upon its rugged heritage.Twice a week for about four years I had to ask my cousin: When your father-in-law is ready to part with his truck, will you let me know? I'd love to buy it. His 1991 Ford Ranger was the ultimate unicorn: in mint condition with only 38,000 miles on the odometer, its red paint patinaed from the rain and sun. He loved his truck and when he passed away, he noted in his will that it should go to someone who would appreciate it and care for it like he did. It should go to "that little truck girl," he said. I named the Ranger Truckie and have been in love with him since.Recently, I spent a week in the 2026 Ford Ranger painted a similar shade of red. So, I drove it over to my cousin's house to show her what changed over the past 35 years. When her husband pulled up and saw the 2026 Ranger, he teared up; it made him think of his father's truck from decades ago, when the red paint was still vibrant with a glistening shine.But the nostalgia goes even deeper; the new model pays homage to its small-truck heritage. It has exterior and interior features that are similar to the original model, with modern upgrades for space, comfort, and safety. After driving the Ranger's competitors, the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Chevy Colorado, I can confirm: the Ford Ranger keeps the spirit of small trucks alive against its rivals.Of course, I had to name the 2026 Ranger, calling it 'Mega Truckie.' It felt incredibly similar to my little Truckie, just larger.First, What's New For The 2026 Ford Ranger?The 2026 Ford Ranger compared to the 1991 Ford Ranger for a 35 year difference. Credit: Allison BarfieldThere are some 2026 Ranger upgrades to get excited about. For example, the power moonroof and power sliding rear window are now available on the XLT trim. Plus, the FX4 Off-Road package can be paired with the entry-level XL trim. Next, the upscale Lariat trim ditched its leather upholstery in favor of more durable Active X material.The model I reviewed as I drove around the mountains of Asheville, NC, and the back county roads of Rock Hill, SC was a Lariat with the FX4 Off-Road package.With the Lariat, you get:18-inch wheels with all-terrain tiresA 12-inch vertically oriented touchscreenA 360-degree camera systemFront parking sensorsAdaptive cruise controlA heated steering wheel/front seatsDual-zone automatic climate controlA 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound systemThen the FX4 Off-Road package adds:An electronic-locking rear differentialProtective underbody skid platesOff-road tuned suspensionTerrain-based off-roading modesThe suggested MSRP for my tester starts at $47,255. Meanwhile, I got my 1991 Ranger XLT model for a steal at $2,200. It originally had an MSRP of $12,493 for the standard cab, short bed, with a 4WD configuration. Plus, it's cool that the XLT is still an available trim level today. Back in 1991, the XLT featured power-assisted brakes, air conditioning, a cloth bench seat, power steering, and a full gauge cluster.Are you subscribed? Get our weekly newsletter here for news, perks and more!Driving The 2026 Ford Ranger Is Fun And EasyThe 2026 Ford Ranger is fun on the pavement and in the dirt Credit: Allison BarfieldI can't hold this in any longer. Compared to the current Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier models, which have grown in size compared to the previous generations, the 2026 Ranger is my favorite truck to drive. It has the smoothest ride quality and it's the easiest to park. This mid-size truck is agile with an excellent turning radius.Like my 1991 Ranger, it's incredibly easy to whip in and out of tight parking spaces and maneuver around obstacles or crowded parking lots. Because the 1991 model is a bit small with large windows, you get excellent visibility. The 2026 maintains this feature with excellent 360-degree camera views to help you confidently navigate your surroundings.My 2026 Ranger test model came with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It surprised me and my passengers by being faster than expected. You might be cruising along smoothly and quietly while accidentally going over the speed limit, so keep an eye on that. However, it's also great to have extra power on tap for passing others and merging into traffic.This truck maintains composure around tight curves without that lurching sensation you can get in your stomach in other trucks as the body leans. Also, the brakes have more than enough confident stopping power without being too grabby. Meanwhile, in the woods with my 1991 truck, the brakes make me nervous on gravel and in dirt.Get our weekly podcast here—or wherever you get your podcastsComfort Is A Top Priority For The 2026 RangerBruce loving the space in the back seat of the 20026 Ford Ranger Credit: Allison BarfieldThe front seats of the Ford Ranger are massive and well-padded for hours of support and comfort. They have plenty of adjustment controls for people of all shapes and sizes to find the perfect driving or riding position. Plus, the driver's seat has three profiles to save different driver preferences.In the 1991 Ranger, the seat slides forward and back, and there are only two seatbelts. But the current Ranger with the Crew Cab has a pretty large rear seat. Two adults can fit comfortably and remain happy with rear air vents, plenty of cup holders, and USB-C ports to keep everything charged.Also, the 2026 Ranger has a serene cabin at highway speeds. Wind and road noise are kept at bay, allowing you to easily carry a conversation without raising your voice. It also has a smooth ride as it glides over cracked pavement and potholes like they aren't even there. Even in the woods, the cabin remained rattle-free. But in my 1991 model, a bump can make the entire truck bounce.I didn't test the heated seats or heated steering wheel as the September weather in the Carolinas is still very hot and humid. But the dual-zone climate control is fast and effective on sweltering afternoons. You rarely have to adjust the controls, and your passenger can enjoy their own temperature settings.The 2026 Ford Ranger Is Pretty SpaciousThe bumper steps in the 2026 Ford Ranger make a difference! Credit: Allison BarfieldThere is an abundance of storage space in the 2026 Ranger. In front of the cup holders, you'll find a wireless phone charging pad and storage stay to take advantage of. Then the center console is pretty large, along with the spacious glove box. There's a storage shelf above the glove box, which is found in the 1991 Ford Ranger too.The door and seat pockets can hold plenty of tools and other gear. Plus, you can flip the rear seat up to access storage bins or fold the backseat down to create a level cargo floor. In the 1991 Ranger, there is a center armrest that folds down, but it doesn't even have cup holders, and the door pockets are tight.If you need extra space, the 2026 Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs. While the bed sits at a higher height than the 1991 Ranger, it still remains accessible. At 5'1", even I can reach into the bed of the 1991 Ford Ranger. But with the 2026 model, the built-in steps on the sides of the bumper help a ton!Tech In The Ranger Truck Isn't Complicated Or DistractingThe 2026 Ford Ranger and 1991 Ford ranger interiors Credit: Allison BarfieldOne of my favorite things about the 1991 Ford Ranger is how it has analog gauges and a small screen for the clock. The simplicity lets me easily focus on the road without confusing settings to figure out or an unresponsive touchscreen to deal with. But connecting my phone to the tape deck probably requires an adaptor.Anyways, the 2026 Ford Ranger has modern tech updates that retain that simple, relaxed feeling. The touchscreen responds quickly, and the menus are straightforward. There's a nice blend of physical buttons and touch-sensitive controls so you aren't totally reliant on screens. Adjusting your settings and connecting to Wireless Apple CarPlay can be done in seconds.The digital gauge cluster is also vibrant, and the built-in Wi-fi hotspot is handy in areas without phone reception. Best of all, the modern Ranger feels a lot safer. My 1991 Ranger has airbags and prayers. But the 2026 model has blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The systems work with gentle alerts to remind you that the truck has your back instead of screaming at you with shrill alerts, so you can maintain peace of mind.Overall, the 2026 Ford Ranger is a true contender that deserves to be considered. Sure, the Toyota Tacoma went hybrid, and the Nissan Frontier has a standard V6 engine. But over the years, these trucks have grown larger, with complicated tech as they significantly depart from older generations. But the Ranger has made significant improvements while building upon its small-truck heritage.