When the 2019 Ford Ranger goes on sale early next year, the Blue Oval will one-up with Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon with an advanced blind spot monitoring system (BLIS).
BLIS is fairly common on many new vehicles, but Ford’s latest system will monitor blind spots for a trailer’s specified length. It’s the first time a mid-size pickup will offer the technology.
Ford embedded radar in the pickup’s taillights to monitor the situations behind the tailgate and to the end of a hooked-up trailer. Drivers can also select the size of the trailer from the vehicle-information system to let the radar know how far back it should monitor. In the video above, the system monitors up to a 21-foot-long trailer. The system will also store up to three trailer profiles for ease of use.
When a trailer isn’t present, the BLIS will still keep a lookout for drivers just as traditional systems do. The radar-infused taillights, however, will also warn drivers of approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space to provide cross-traffic alerts. The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado does offer cross-traffic alert as part of a suite of active safety features.
We likely won’t see any major changes to the Ranger’s direct rival, the Colorado, for a few years. Chevy’s mid-size pickup is reportedly due for a redesign early next decade. In the meantime, a refresh is certainly possible to keep things updated as Ford returns to the mid-size pickup segment in the United States.
Comment
Not an issue as the refresh will get the 360 vision and I expect some trailer options like on the Sierra.
We got the rear sensors this year in the rear but they need a new front bumper to complete the system,.
The Ranger and GM trucks will one up each and move The whole segment forward from the stagnant Taco levels.
The tail light idea is cool till you break one. $$$.