 If this is a "tired design" I'll take more.  In fact I did, this is my second new Ranger, the first one gave me 18 years of good service.  The 2006 XLT is solid and powerful, fun to drive.  The Ford OHC 4.0 has plenty of punch and the 5 speed shifts well.  The Tacoma and Dakota are too large to be considered a compact truck.  I drove a GMC Canyon, it's OK but it didn't impress me.