Ford’s two pickup trucks received top honors from influential Kelley Blue Book for having lowest projected cost to own. F-150 won its segment while Ranger won its segment.
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Kelley Blue Book (KBB) is considered one of the most influential websites for consumers when making purchasing decisions. KBB released their annual 5-Year Cost To Own Awards and it’s always something auto manufacturers covet.
Ford received great news when both of their pickup trucks received top honors, with the Ford F-150 winning the full-size truck segment and the Ford Ranger winning the midsize truck segment.
As such, Ford Ranger and F-150 have both been named the most affordable trucks in their respective classes over the course of a five-year ownership period by KBB.
Ford’s official statement showed just how important this was to the Blue Oval:
“This accolade recognizes vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs over the initial five-year ownership period and considers depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees. The Kelley Blue Book award, well-regarded among truck customers, highlights the longstanding Built Ford Tough tradition of exceptionally capable pickups that reliably serve the needs of their owners.”
According to the KBB website, the 5-Year Cost To Own Award has multiple levels and an in-depth process.
“ Our 5-Year Cost to Own projections comes from data developed by Kelley Blue Book analysts who calculate projected resale value while taking into consideration insurance costs and state fees, plus fuel, maintenance and repair outlays. Underlying these projections are the vehicle’s initial cost as calculated from KBB’s Fair Purchase Price. These data points are determined at the model level and are sales-weighted, with popular trims given greater influence so that average buyers have a better idea of what to expect from the ownership experience.
The data-generated 5-Year Cost to Own Awards is a powerful tool that shoppers can use in evaluating a new vehicle purchase. By making an informed decision, you’ll be spending your transportation dollars wisely with benefits that will accrue over the life of your ownership experience.”
In awarding the Ford F-150 with its top honor, KBB analyzed the F-150’s history and reputation. As the best-selling truck (and vehicle) in America, there was a lot of history to analyze. They predicted the 5-Year cost to own for the F-150 at $48,456 which was $4,274 better than the segment average.
KBB said of the 2021 F-150: “The full-size truck segment is highly competitive, but there are some key factors that buyers are looking for. At the top of the list is capability. Here, the 2021 Ford F-150 reigns. It has best-in-class towing capacity, the highest payload capacity, and the most powerful engine. It also offers a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, good for up to 26 mpg, a range of 650 miles, and a towing capacity of 12,000 pounds. And an electric F-150 is on the way.”
Related story: All-electric F-150 to be named Lightning.
KBB also recognized the F-150’s tech including the Pro Onboard Generator.
KBB said: “Other stand-out tech includes the blind-spot system that also accounts for your trailer. Then there’s the Pro Trailer Backup Assist that lets you back your trailer into a spot by turning a knob. And the new SYNC 4 system is the most intuitive and easiest system Ford has offered to date.
There’s plenty of safety tech, too. All F-150s come standard with elements of Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, including forward-collision warning, hill start assist, pre-collision assist with auto emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), and auto hold.”
In honoring the Ford Ranger as the best in the midsize pickup truck segment, KBB predicted the Ranger’s 5-Year Cost to Won at $40,532, which when compared to the segment average was $2,308 better.
The Ranger has stiff competition in the midsize pickup truck segment with the Toyota Tacoma being a stalwart of this segment.
Related story: Why the Ford Ranger is already better than the Toyota Tacoma.
KBB said of the 2021 Ford Ranger:
“When sizing up the Ranger against the rest of the midsize truck set, the Ford stands out with a 7,500-pound towing capacity. That’s the most you can tow in this class without a diesel engine. The 2021 Ford Ranger also offers the best payload capacity in its class. And, thanks to its robust 270-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, this Ford is quite fuel-efficient. If you want more off-road capability beyond what the proven 4-wheel-drive system offers, you can get the Tremor package. It adds Fox suspension, Continental General Grabber tires, and a 6-switch auxiliary power bank for accessory lights, a winch, or whatever else you want to connect.”
See the full list of cars, SUVs and trucks in this influential report from KBB here.
Do you give credibility to these type of reports when making a purchase? Leave me your comment below with your thoughts on this report.
Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.
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