2024 Ford Ranger

Competition among midsize pickups seems almost as intense as it is in the full-size truck arena. The winner, of course, is the buyer, who has the choice of several excellent contenders, each with its own strengths.

Ford has carved out a large slice of the market with its superb F-150 half-ton machine and would like to repeat that feat in the next class down. The 2024 Ranger represents a new generation with updated technology and a choice of variants, including a specialized Raptor desert racer.

It’s a time of general renewal in the midsize truck world, with Toyota also launching a new Tacoma for 2024, while the Chevy Colorado and its GMC Canyon counterpart were just redesigned for 2023. And the Nissan Frontier was new for 2022. So there are plenty of fresh choices. The new Ranger doesn’t beat its rivals in every respect, but it has gutsy engines, decent towing and payload abilities, and many great details.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this collection of midsize trucks, including the Ford Ranger.

This model year marks the debut of a new generation of Ford Ranger midsize pickup. Ford has made the new Ranger just a single crew cab/short bed model, but now brings a choice of engines, updated technology, and a Raptor off-roader made especially for desert racers.

For comparison, the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma begin in the high-20s/low-30s. The Jeep Gladiator, GMC Canyon, and Honda Ridgeline are all in the high 30s.

Looking elsewhere in the Ford lineup, the compact Ford Maverick truck begins in the low 20s, while the full-size F-150 starts in the mid-30s.

Before buying a new Ranger midsize truck, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Ranger resale values tend to be average for the class — usually better than the Colorado, but trailing the Tacoma.

The three main trims of the new 2024 Ranger employ a 270-horsepower engine. A new 315-horsepower turbo V6 is optional in the XLT and Lariat models. Both compare well with rival units from Toyota and Chevrolet, although the new Toyota Tacoma has the distinction of offering a more powerful hybrid drivetrain.

Following the traditional body-on-frame truck construction method, the new Ranger differs from its predecessor with a wider track, promoting stability, and a longer wheelbase to improve both ride comfort and bed capacity.

The Ranger Raptor competes with other off-road specialists like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and the Chevy Colorado ZR2. It beats them in the power stakes, thanks to a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 pushing out an impressive 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with specialist equipment sourced from third parties, like Fox shock absorbers.

Fuel Economy

With front-wheel drive, the Ranger delivers 22 mpg in mixed city-and-highway driving (21 city/25 highway). Opting for 4WD has no effect on the mixed driving number. The V6 turbo with 4WD gets 20 mpg and the Raptor 17 mpg. Learn more about the Ford Ranger’s fuel economy at the EPA website.

In terms of design, materials, and overall appeal, we found the new Ranger much improved but outshined by the new Colorado/Canyon and Tacoma, which just feel a bit richer. We like the vertically oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen included as standard, and the available 12-inch unit is even better. Below each screen is a row of physical buttons for climate control and audio system volume, for which we’re extremely grateful — no having to delve into system menus just to feel warmer. The driver’s instrument cluster is also digital. An 8.1-inch version is the standard item, with a 12.4-inch screen available further up the line.

Moving rearward, our six-foot four-inch reviewer was able to sit in back, if snugly. But no midsize truck can claim a particularly generous backseat, and we found the Ranger’s rear quarters about typical for the segment. There’s handy storage beneath the seat bottoms, and the seatbacks fold flat for cargo duty.

The only configuration of the new 2024 Ranger pickup is a crew cab with four full-size doors, accompanied by a 5-foot bed. This lack of permutations is something of a trend among midsize trucks, although one not followed by the new Toyota Tacoma.

The Ranger’s bed is sufficiently wide for a 4-foot drywall sheet to fit between the wheel wells. It has an overall capacity of 43.5 cubic feet (the Chevy Colorado has 41.3 cubes), plus a 12-volt outlet and a bottle opener. An integrated bed step, big enough for both feet, is also available.

The new Ranger’s C-shaped headlights are examples of a general design influence from Ford’s full-size F-150 truck. The Ranger Raptor gets a dedicated suspension system with a raised ride height, although Ford has improved ground clearance and approach/departure angles for all Ranger models.

Sync 4A
This latest iteration of Ford’s user-friendly infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, while offering features like Wi-Fi (standard), navigation, wireless charging, satellite radio, over-the-air updates, two USB ports, 360-degree camera system, and a B&O audio upgrade.

Tailgate
Sure, every pickup has a tailgate. But this one is damped, so it opens softly. It’s also been designed to act as a workbench, with built-in clamp pockets and an integrated ruler.

Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Reversing with a trailer is tricky, but this optional feature takes a lot of stress out of the whole exercise. Turn a rotary control to set the direction of the trailer, and the system takes care of the Ranger’s steering wheel automatically. There are also camera setups to check out the trailer’s surroundings.

Active Park Assist 2.0
A self-parking feature for parallel and perpendicular spaces used to be the kind of option reserved for luxury vehicles. Now it’s available with the new 2024 Ranger.

Zone Lighting
An optional feature, this could be especially useful for those middle-of-nowhere camping expeditions. It’s controlled through the infotainment touchscreen or the FordPass app.

The base engine for the 2024 Ranger is a turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder unit making 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is the same as the outgoing Ranger and comes as standard in all three regular trims.

For the new generation, Ford brings a more muscular option for the XLT and Lariat versions — a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 generating 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Both of these engines run on regular gas and exceed the respective outputs of the new Toyota Tacoma’s first two engines. They outdo the Chevy Colorado as well, although by a smaller margin.

The other exciting development this year is the addition of the 2024 Ranger Raptor, packing a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Output is 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, on a diet of premium gasoline.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard throughout. The XL, XLT, and Lariat models come with rear-wheel drive (RWD) while offering the option of a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system. The Raptor has 4WD as standard.

Towing and Payload Capacities

Equipped appropriately, the maximum towing figure for the 2024 Ranger is 7,500 pounds. Payload is 1,805 pounds with RWD, or 1,711 pounds when 4WD is in the mix. These capacities put the Ranger near the top of the midsize truck tables, although the Chevrolet Colorado can tow 7,700 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Ford has a new-vehicle warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. This includes 24/7 roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles.

Safety

No third-party agency has safety rated the 2024 Ranger, but it comes standard with pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist.