Ford says that 75 percent of Ranger customers opt for an appearance package on their trucks, whether it be the Black, Chrome, Sport, or SXT packages. Now, the Blue Oval is giving buyers another option to change up the Ranger’s look. Building off the original STX appearance package, the STX Special Edition package is available on the base 2021 Ford Ranger and gets unique exterior and interior finishes. It also adds a healthy level of standard equipment.
The first thing you’ll likely notice is the unique 18-inch black wheels. Inside, the STX Special Edition gets silver accents on the dash and doors. It also adds some much-needed equipment to the XL model, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and privacy glass with rear defrost. If you recall, the regular STX appearance package doesn’t get any of the upgraded tech, instead featuring 17-inch silver wheels, fog lamps, tow hooks, and premium black cloth seats.
Priced at $995, the STX Special Edition is available in both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations and with either RWD or 4WD. It can be combined with the FX2 or FX4 Off-Road package if desired.
In other 2021 Ford Ranger news, the automaker is introducing a new Tremor package on the XLT and Lariat. Billed as the most off-road-ready factory-built Ranger the U.S. has ever seen, the Tremor gets a beefed-up suspension with Fox 2.0 monotube dampers, 32-inch tall Continental General Grabber all-terrain tires, and other upgrades.
The Ford Ranger is far from our top choice among midsize pickups, but there’s a lot to like about this truck. Most notably, we appreciate its strong turbocharged four-cylinder engine and quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s also quite fuel-efficient. However, we’re not big fans of the Ranger’s suspension tuning and so-so cabin.
