The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Strong turbocharged engine lineup
- Looks like baby F-150
- Raptor joins U.S. lineup
- Retains (some) key buttons and knobs
- All the truck you probably need
Dislikes
- Middling standard safety tech
- Expect middling fuel econom
- Some cheap plastics
- Stubby electronic gear selector on Lariat and Raptor
- Rear step blackout panel looks cheap
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Ford Ranger finally feels modern, fresh, and like it was built for consumers in America.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Ford Ranger? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Ford Ranger is a mid-size pickup truck that competes with the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier.
Is the 2024 Ford Ranger a good truck?
The Ranger is redesigned for 2024 with three turbocharged engine options, large touchscreens, and a feeling that Ford shrunk its best-selling F-150 pickup for those looking for something more manageable. The upgrades should improve its predecessor’s TCC Rating of 5.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Ford Ranger?
Nearly everything down to the frame. The frame itself is a modified version of the outgoing truck, but everything you can see, touch, and experience is new.
The Ranger now comes in a single crew-cab short-bed configuration. That bed is five feet long, and the redesigned bed sides can accommodate sheets of plywood up to 4-feet wide between the wheel wells. Regular and extended cab models are gone as is the long-bed configuration.
With a blunt front end, chiseled sheet metal, and vertical headlights with upper trims featuring C-clamp LED daytime running lights, the latest Ranger fits right in between the larger F-150 and smaller Maverick pickup trucks. Upper trim models net new built-in bed steps that can fit a pair of boots behind the rear tires.
Buyers will have three turbocharged engines to choose from, with the base 2.3-liter turbo-3 carrying over with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco and F-150’s 2.7-liter turbo-6 with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft joins the lineup. Ranger Raptors grab the 3.0-liter turbo-6 with 405 hp and 430 lb-ft from the Bronco Raptor’s parts bin. Every Ranger has a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings haven’t been released yet. Two-wheel drive is standard while four-wheel drive is an option except on Raptor models, which come standard with four-wheel drive and front and rear locking differentials.
The basic trailer package with a bumper-mounted ball is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, but the Max Trailer package with extra cooling and a Class IV receiver ups the Ranger’s tow rating to 7,500 pounds. Raptors are only rated to tow 5,510 pounds. The Ranger’s max payload rating is 1,805 pounds.
With a wheelbase that’s grown about two inches due to the front wheels being pushed forward, the Ranger should ride better than before. It’s also about two inches wider and the rear shocks have been moved outboard of the frame rails for better stability. Raptor models swap out the rear leaf springs for a Watts link rear suspension with rear coilovers as well as remote reservoir Fox Live Valve dampers at all four corners. It should take a beating as the 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires pound the earth.
The Ranger’s newfound width should make seating three across the rear bench more comfortable with more shoulder room, but the cab itself hasn’t grown longer, according to Ford. Rear seat legroom checks in at 38.3 inches, which is on the right side of acceptable and up 3.8 inches more than last year’s truck. The rear seat back can fold to create a flat cargo space, or the rear seat bottom can flip up to reveal hidden storage. Up front, a low dashboard provides good forward visibility and Raptor models feature thick bolsters to keep everyone in place during high-speed off-road maneuvers.
Inside the Ranger goes big with screens and a few buttons, thankfully including basic climate controls and a volume knob. All Rangers are going digital with an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster in XL and XLT models and a 12.4-inch unit in Lariat and Raptor models. A portrait-style 10.1-inch touchscreen is integrated into the XL and XLT’s dashboard, but a 12.0-inch touchscreen available on XLT comes standard on Lariat and Raptor. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a 4G LTE connection enabling over-the-air software updates come standard. Buyers looking to get work done (or go tailgating) will take note that XLT and higher trucks feature 400 watts of power in the bed accessed through a 120-volt outlet.
Automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and automatic high beams are standard. Adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and blind-spot monitors that can tie into the trailering system are widely available and standard on upper trims. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assist system isn’t an option.
How much does the 2024 Ford Ranger cost?
The 2024 Ford Ranger with rear-wheel drive will cost $34,160 including a $1,595 destination charge. Four-wheel drive adds $3,645 on the base XL model. It's about $3,500 on XLT and Lariat grades, and standard on the $56,960 Raptor.
The $37,100 XLT upgrades to a wireless smartphone charger, remote start, fog lamps, and LED bed lighting. The $45,120 Lariat adds a heated steering wheel, power front seats, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and 18-inch wheels.
While an FX4 off-road package returns, the FX2 and Tremor models disappear. The Raptor comes to the U.S. for the first time. In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the Ranger range-topper also has a power rear window, leather front seats with orange accents, and the dual 12.0-inch digital displays.
Where is the 2024 Ford Ranger made?
In the U.S., the 2024 Ranger is produced in Wayne, Michigan, but Ford builds its global vehicle at two plants in Thailand, as well as in South Africa and Argentina.