It all started with some water bottles.
In the 2026 Ford Ranger XLT, I was able to stash two different water bottles, the Owala FreeSip and the Yeti Tumbler, in the front cup holders. I didn’t have to cram them into place; they fit snugly but securely. That was my first sign that, if I ever do buy a pickup truck instead of just test them and review them, I would likely choose the Ranger.
One reason is the price. At $33,550, the Ranger is an affordable but capable truck. I dream of being able to load the bed with cross-country skis, electric bikes, and maybe a kayak or two. I’m partly joking about the water bottles, but not really. I am constantly reviewing gear that comes in all shapes and sizes, and the fact that Ford was smart enough to accommodate those bigger water bottles for my tests that week means they know trends and they know what people want. I see the XLT as a good match for me because of this simple fact: it is not just a people hauler but is designed to haul the stuff that people actually use and tend to transport.
Another good test of this concept had to do with a massive two-person kayak I was testing. It’s an inflatable, but it’s still quite heavy and fits into a carrying case that is about the size of a garbage can (or maybe even a bit bigger and heavier). Try fitting one into a Corolla — I tried, and it did not work. In the bed, I hoisted the bag up and forgot all about it.
Another fun feature on the XLT is that there are rear side steps. In a few cases, I didn’t bother opening the rear tailgate and instead just stepped up to access the truck bed and drop in some paddles and life jackets. No problems at all. Another surprise I had is that the cab itself is roomy and has extra storage compartments under the seats for even more of my gear.
The bed is about five feet wide, so that also helped with my gear testing. I also had to clear some brush near my house (once again, it was for an article on outdoor tools), so once the job was complete, I loaded the limbs in the back and never felt like I was tight on space. The truth is, midsize trucks often compromise on truck bed width (if not length), but I felt the XLT was more like a normal-sized truck or even the F-150, at least in terms of what I was able to load back there. I also stashed two electric bikes easily in the bed without wondering if they’d fit.
I didn’t have time to test this, but I also liked the zone lighting. Basically, it means you can use the app to set lighting zones around the truck. I could see myself going hunting or camping and having gear scattered everywhere, then turning on that exterior lighting to find all of my stuff. It would also be helpful while camping to have that extra lighting in a dark parking spot.
The XLT even has an optional accessory available — a 400-watt in-bed power outlet. That would help with more than just gear testing, especially if I wanted to connect a fan for my tent on a hot summer night or charge up an electric generator, fill a mattress, or just provide extra lights.
All told, the XLT was a perfect fit for me. I loved the price and all of the extras that a gear tester like myself would like. Honestly, it’s a fit for anyone who even has gear.