Ford Explorer Sport vs. Ford Ranger
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer Sport and Ford Ranger contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Explorer Sport and the Ford Ranger.
When comparing the Ford Explorer Sport's and the Ford Ranger's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer Sport has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. The Ford Ranger has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer Sport's and the Ford Ranger's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer Sport is a better car than the Ford Ranger.
Pricing: A used 2003 Ford Explorer Sport ranges from $2,271 to $8,568 while a used 2003 Ford Ranger is priced between $4,500 to $11,992.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer Sport’s base engine makes 203 horsepower, and the Ford Ranger base engine makes 143 horsepower. The Explorer Sport is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 320 miles. The Ranger is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 416 miles. This gives the Ford Ranger the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Ford Explorer Sport. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Ford Explorer Sport and Ford Ranger are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Ford Ranger has an average safety rating of 4 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,515
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$14,265
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$14,532
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$12,710 - $17,465
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$5,526
Price Range:
$2,271 - $8,568
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
222,654
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$8,027
Price Range:
$4,500 - $11,992
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$8,686
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
$6,675 - $12,215
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
47
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
151,704
# Good or Great Deals:
12
Ford Explorer Sport Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Ford Ranger Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.8 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer Sport
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Ranger
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Pickup Trucks)
1.5 - 3.2
Ford Explorer Sport Rankings
Not yet available
Ford Ranger Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 6Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Not applicable
Available Cab Types
Extended Cab, Regular Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
Not applicable
Available Bed Length(s)
71.7 inches, 83.8 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Ford Explorer Sport Trim Levels
XLS, XLT
Ford Ranger Trim Levels
Edge, Edge Plus, Tremor, Tremor Plus, XL, XLT, XLT Appearance, XLT FX4 Level II, XLT FX4 Off-Road, XLT Value
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
203 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque:
237 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
5140 lbs
Max Payload:
600 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
143 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque:
154 foot-lbs @ 3750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
6070 lbs
Max Payload:
1260 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / 4WD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 20 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
240 / 320 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / 4WD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 26 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
336 / 416 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
Not yet available
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
Not yet available
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3769 lbs
Width:
70.2 inches
Height:
68.2 inches
Length:
180.4 inches
Wheelbase:
101.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3085 lbs
Width:
69.4 inches
Height:
64.9 inches
Length:
187.5 inches
Wheelbase:
111.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P235/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P225/70R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Clearcoat
Blue
True Blue Clearcoat Metallic
Gold
Harvest Gold Clearcoat Metallic
Green
Estate Green Clearcoat Metallic
White
Oxford White Clearcoat
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Not available
Gold
Not available
Green
Not available
White
Oxford White
Beige
Arizona Beige Metallic
Gray
Silver Frost Metallic
Red
Bright Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Medium Pebble
Gray
Medium Flint
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Gray
Dark Graphite / Medium Pebble
