We find the door handles a bit hard to hang onto; they snapped away from our fingers when we were in a hurry. An optional bed extender ($195) flips out and rests on the tailgate, a U-shaped cage of tubular stainless steel. It won't keep dirt in, but it will sure stop your kayak from sliding out.

Full-width Styleside beds sweep a continuous line from tip to tail, while sporty Flaresides carve a recessed step into each side panel immediately behind the cab. The notch accentuates a rounded rear fender. Indentations in the bed support partitions to segment cargo.

The Edge models feature a monochromatic treatment. Edge also features protective bed rails and four tie-down hooks. The running boards/stump guards look tacked on.

©2008 NewCarTestDrive.com

The exterior of 2005 Ford Ranger.