Chauffeur Life: The Back-Seat Features Young Passengers Notice

What Ranger Passengers Liked

The young passengers in Elana Scherr’s circle often bring water bottles or sweet tea on car trips. During a weekend with a Ford Ranger, they praised its rear cupholders and fold-down console, which had a padded armrest.

One 16-year-old said there was nowhere to lean in some vehicles. The Ranger’s rear seat offered a place to rest an arm, a feature that earned it praise from the passenger.

The passengers had complaints, too. There were no dedicated climate vents in back, leaving them warm while the adults up front were cold.

Getting In And Out

The Ranger’s high step into the cabin made entry and exit difficult, especially when carrying a large milk tea with mango jelly. The younger passenger worried about managing both the door and the jump down.

Comfort For Larger Families

Scherr points to third-row USB ports as a useful feature for families. Second-row charging points are common, but in larger families, child safety seats often occupy the middle row, leaving older passengers farther back needing a place to recharge devices.

She advises shoppers to check USB-port placement on base models, which are more likely to omit third-row ports. The article also cautions that older trucks may not offer the safety features families expect from a modern vehicle.

A Little More Sparkle

Asked what she thought of the Ranger, an 11-year-old called it okay. She said she preferred cars with tables that fold out of the seats and a ceiling that looked like a star-filled cave.

Scherr recognized the description as a reference to Rolls-Royces and said she respected the child’s outlook. She also suggested designers consider glowworms.