The Chevrolet Colorado is a good working man’s truck. Want a step up? Get the GMC Canyon. Toyota’s aging Tacoma is built for reliably tooling around. The Nissan Frontier is anxiously awaiting an upgrade while the Honda Ridgeline is busy being the best-kept secret of the segment. The Jeep Gladiator is the Wrangler of trucks.

What is the Ford Ranger besides just a slot-filler for the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker? A week behind the wheel would surely sort that out. Surely.

Not much changed on the Ranger between the 2019 and 2020 model years.

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

As tested, the 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat is a top-tier option that starts at $38,675 but had a number of add-ons driving the price up to just under $46,000 all-in. While the exterior isn’t particularly striking sans lift or beefy tires, the Ranger is, by most accounts, a reasonable looking truck. It’s certainly not nearly as polarizing as the Ridgeline.

In the Lariat trim level, the Ranger comes with a long list of desirable features including LED headlamps and fog lamps, front tow hooks, cargo box tie-downs, power-folding side mirrors, and approach lights. The interior features list includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a 110-volt power outlet, cruise control, Ford MyKey, push-button start, eight-way power-adjustable driver and passenger heated seats, and flip-up rear bench storage.

In its cabin, the Ranger begins to show more of its true colors. The truck’s dashboard and center console design earn Ford a solid “alright” in terms of design and appointments. It’s all functional though not particularly modern and without any revolutionary components. The 8.0-inch touch screen infotainment system, 4.2-inch driver’s information display, and steering wheel date the model more than anything else – and that’s saying a lot in a segment where the Tacoma and Frontier live.

The wheel of the Ranger is a bit dated in its appearance, but completely funtional.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

That’s not to say that the Ranger’s interior doesn’t have a lot to like. The Medium Stone leather-trimmed seats were comfortable and the front row’s seat design allow the driver and passenger great visibility.

Ford also gets points for its strong 270-horsepower, 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. That’s the same engine that will power the new Bronco – the two are manufactured at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. The engine is paired with the same 10-speed automatic transmission that’s is in the F-150 and proves to be just as smooth in the Ranger as in its big brother.

Operation of the switchgear inside the cabin is just as smooth. There’s not particularly special about the buttons, knobs, and dials, but they do the job without much hassle.

In their most off-road proficient variety, the Colorado and Tacoma are forces to be reckoned with. The Ranger, though capable off-road, doesn’t come in the ultra-proficient Ranger Raptor variant in the U.S. that is sold globally, and that’s a shame. So, we’re left with the more pedestrian variety and some available add-on packages. Still, it’s a good daily driver leaving the average customer little to complain about.

The interior of the Ranger is not as outdated as the Frontier’s, but it’s not the most modern either.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

None of this moves one any closer to deciphering what the 2020 Ranger is. But, what if that’s the magic of it? The Ranger doesn’t have a defining characteristic or package or specialty. This U.S. model is a well-rounded machine that quickly leaves the impression that maybe what this Ranger is, is really good.