View 2019 Ford Ranger FX2 Photos

To that end, the Ranger FX2 has nearly everything that Ford includes on the FX4 model, right down to its terrain-management system, raised ride height, off-road suspension bits, 17- or 18-inch off-road tires, front skidplate, and pared-back front bumper.

There's even a widget in the driver information screen in the gauge cluster that displays the truck's pitch (fore-aft lean), roll (side-to-side lean), and yaw (angle of the car relative to its direction of travel).

Without four-wheel drive, the FX2 likely couldn't chase, say, a Jeep Wrangler up a steep, rocky trail—but it'd probably do just fine blasting around some dunes and beaches or partaking in some light off-roading.

With the Ranger FX2, Ford hopes to appeal to truck buyers who are looking for the FX4's style at a more affordable price point. At $595, the FX2 package is indeed far cheaper than the FX4 gear, which runs $1295.

(The FX4 stuff also requires four-wheel drive, which runs $4160 on the base Ranger XL and $4000 on every other trim.) In fact, the FX2's upcharge is worth it because it includes a Class IV trailer hitch and 4- and 7-pin wiring and an electronically locking rear differential—two items that together run $915 when ordered separately.

Add in the visual spice, and the FX2 is more than half an FX4 package at less than half the price.