Midsize Pickup Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Ford Ranger
The 2005 Ford Ranger displaced the Toyota Tacoma by a notable margin in this year’s vehicle dependability study. Though continually updated since its last major redesign for the 1993 model year, the Ford Ranger was, and still is, the oldest midsize pickup on the market (along with its Mazda B-Series twin). For 2005, Ford added regular cab models with XLT trim and a longer 7-foot cargo bed, a Tremor audio package compatible with MP3 players, and new alloy wheel designs for selected trim levels. Powertrains ranged from a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine to a 4.0-liter V-6 engine with power outputs spanning 148 to 207 hp. Maximum payload capacity was 1260 pounds and a properly equipped Ranger could tow as much as 5980 pounds. It might not be the most modern of midsize pickups, but the 2005 Ford Ranger certainly ranks as the most dependable model according to the people that own one.
The 2005 Ford Ranger ranks highest among the eight models in the Midsize Pickup segment of the 2008 VDS. The Ranger achieves an index score of 149 PP100, compared to the segment average of 205 PP100—a difference of 56 PP100, and an improvement of 12 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Ford Ranger performs at or above the segment average in eight of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Ford Ranger, the top three problem areas are:
- Wind noise
- Noisy brakes
- Uneven tire wear
2005 Ford Ranger NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 4 Stars (Regular and Extended Cab)
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 4 Stars (Regular and Extended Cab)
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars (Regular Cab)/4 Stars (Extended Cab)
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Rollover Rating (2WD): 3 Stars (Regular and Extended Cab)
- Rollover Rating (4WD): 2 Stars (Regular and Extended Cab)
2005 Ford Ranger EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- Ranger 2WD with 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission: 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined
- Ranger 2WD with 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
- Ranger 2WD with 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine (manual or automatic transmission): 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
- Ranger 2WD with 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission: 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
- Ranger 2WD with 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway/17 mpg combined
- Ranger 4WD with 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway/17 mpg combined
- Ranger 4WD with 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined
- Ranger 4WD with 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission: 14 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined
- Ranger 4WD with 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway/16 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Toyota Tacoma
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Dodge Dakota
Large Pickup Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Toyota Tundra
Though it was nearing the end of its lifespan by 2005, the original Toyota Tundra was significantly upgraded with more powerful engines, new transmissions, added safety features, and in-cabin comfort items. The base Tundra gained 55 hp (to 245) with the addition of a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine while the available 4.7-liter V-8 engine went from 240 to 282 hp. Manual and automatic transmissions were swapped out for new ones with added gears, while side curtain air bags and stability control were newly available. Inside, a navigation system was optional on up-level trucks, while other models could be equipped with a 3-passenger front bench seat for the first time. Also, a new Work trim designation was created to appeal to commercial buyers. Though the 2005 Toyota Tundra was a little smaller than traditional full-size pickups from the Detroit 3 and the new Nissan Titan, it was big on dependability according to our latest vehicle dependability study.
The 2005 Toyota Tundra ranks highest among the 11 models in the Large Pickup segment of the 2008 VDS. The Tundra achieves an index score of 159 PP100, compared to the segment average of 216 PP100—a difference of 57 PP100, though the Tundra declines 8 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Toyota Tundra performs at or above the segment average in eight of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Toyota Tundra, the top three problem areas are:
- Wind noise
- Uneven tire wear
- Seat belts that don’t retract
2005 Toyota Tundra NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 4 Stars (Regular, Extended and Crew Cab)
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 5 Stars (Regular, Extended and Crew Cab)
- Side Driver Rating: Regular Cab Not Tested; 5 Stars (Extended and Crew Cab)
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Rollover Rating: Not Tested
2005 Toyota Tundra EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- Tundra 2WD with 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission: 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined
- Tundra 2WD with 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
- Tundra 2WD with 8-cylinder engine: 14 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined
- Tundra 4WD: 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Ford F-150
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Dodge Ram 1500
Van Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Mercury Monterey
Though it made nary a dent on the minivan sales chart, Mercury’s upscale version of the Ford Freestar was the most dependable van on the market in 2005, according to the people that own one. Offered with appealing satin-nickel Mercury styling cues, the 2005 Monterey was sold in Convenience, Luxury and Premier trim levels and equipped with a 4.2-liter V-6 engine making 201 hp. All Montereys had a third-row seat that could be folded into the floor or flipped to provide tailgate seating. Side curtain air bags, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitor were offered on the Monterey, and the Premier model could even be equipped with niceties like heated and cooled front seats, a DVD entertainment system, and a power liftgate. Though it contained many of the features minivan buyers wanted and many of the safety features minivan buyers demanded—and, based on our most recent vehicle dependability study, the reliability minivan buyers expected—the Monterey had trouble catching on with consumers.
The 2005 Mercury Monterey ranks highest among the 19 models in the Van segment of the 2008 VDS. The Monterey achieves an index score of 143 PP100, compared to the segment average of 257 PP100—a difference of 114 PP100, and an improvement of 55 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Mercury Monterey performs at or above the segment average in all nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Mercury Monterey, the top three problem areas are:
- Noisy brakes
- Wind noise
- Sliding doors not working properly
2005 Mercury Monterey NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: 5 Stars
- Frontal Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Side Driver Rating: 4 Stars
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 5 Stars
- Rollover Rating: 4 Stars
2005 Mercury Monterey EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- 16 mpg city
- 21 mpg highway
- 18 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Ford E-Series
Ranked No. 3: 2005 GMC Savana
More Research
View Vehicle Dependability Ratings
Read the Press Release
2008 Vehicle Dependability Study
Subcompact and Compact Cars
Midsize and Large Cars
Premium Cars
Sporty Cars
Multi-activity Vehicles (MAVs)
Premium MAVs
