Big, bold and an all-American favorite. The versatile pickup truck remains one of the most popular vehicle segments across the U.S. of A. No other market worldwide sells as many of these versatile haulers and Ford Motor Company continues dominating the segment. For the past 42 years, the full-size F-Series held the best-selling vehicle title of any size in America and the best-selling pickup truck for 47 straight years.
Ford's mid-size, two-row Ranger pickup enters the 2024 model year with a welcome next-generation redesign featuring new body panels teamed with a host of assist technologies making driving easier both on and off road. Ranger now reaches more than 180 markets around the world sporting the global T6 platform.
This fifth-generation 2024 effort grows its wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axle) by almost two inches resulting in additional second-row leg room. An inch better height increases head room throughout. It's a comfortable five-seater with two buckets standard in row one (no bench available). Ford debuted Ranger in the 1983 model year as a smaller compact-sized offering and has grown in size and status throughout the decades to our present reality. Back in the Mid 20th Century, the Ranger name appeared within the F-150 family as a trim level option. Ranger took an unprecedented eight-year hiatus from the early teens until its triumphant return in the 2020 model year.
Built into the lower frame behind the rear tires: an available and recommended (for a mere $215) sturdy side steps with room enough for both feet to align comfortably allowing quick trips the cargo bed without hassling the tailgate. Ford also reworked the wheel wells and cargo bed width to allow a four-foot piece of plywood to fold flat along the bottom. Ranger's increased wheelbase helps maximize bed space. Round-shaped wheel wells provide extra airy space between tires and upper body common within a truck-inspired body-on-frame structure.
Not all pickups follow this truck-popular recipe as Ford's compact Maverick opts for car-like uni-body underpinnings. Ranger's body-on-frame high-strength steel backbone along with steel front and rear bumpers with steel also adorning the roof, doors, bedsides and bed. The hood and tailgate utilize lighter-weight aluminum.
Better approach (30.2 degrees) and departure angles (25.8 degrees) aid during off-road adventures of which its more capable of than ever. Three high-volume trims return from 2023 now with next-generation builds: XL, XLT and Lariat.
Two engine choices power this mid-size workhorse; a standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost four cylinder delivering 270 horsepower (virtually unchanged from 2023) or for an additional $2,195, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 promising 315 horses. EcoBoost is the Blue Oval's mantra for a multitude of family engines combining direct fuel injection (Eco) with tweaked up turbo charging (Boost). Both engines recommend regular, 87-octane fuel and mate to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder turbo arrives standard within all trims while the new V-6 is optional in XLT and Lariat.
In addition, Ranger now offers a new-for-2024 lower volume, higher-performance 'Raptor' version/designate. This specialty beast includes a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 welcoming 405 horsepower and a gaggle of upgrades. Other Ford products boosting the Raptor suffix include the full-size F-150 pickup and five-door Bronco SUV (of which Ranger shares many underpinnings). This review focuses on the non-Raptor variant.
Ranger now shares a closer family resemblance with Ford's full-sized F-150 pickup including C-clamp style daytime running lights (with amber turn signal indicators built in) framing a pair of vertical, inline standard bulbs and center rectangular grille. The grille splits into two as a double bar runs east and west with the Blue Oval logo front and center. Last year, two side-by-side dual bulbs flanked a smaller grille. The tailgate includes RANGER in all caps spelled along the bottom with an identical Blue Oval logo centered above. Vertical red taillight housing surrounds the tailgate also boasting C-Clamp style nuances inside. Strap-like door handles employ body color with Lariat trims and black hues in XL and XLT.
Expect competitive, not necessarily spectacular fuel readouts in a work segment not known for stealer fuel economy. A rear-drive, four cylinder delivers 21 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway according to Ford (add one mile less in each segment with 4 x 4). Our Lariat V-6 4 x 4 tester checked in at 19 mpg city and 23 highway. These numbers reflect closely what some (not all) full-size pickup trucks generate.
When the sizeable 18.7-gallon gas tank's ready for refueling, Ford's Easy Fuel capless filler system bypasses a plastic, twine-tethered twist cap. Simply insert the gas nozzle through a thin, circular retracting metal plate and with the fueling finished, retract out the nozzle and the thin plate self-seals.
Both engines build in start/stop technology, quieting and temporarily shutting down the powertrain at prolonged stops such as a corner traffic light. Lifting the foot off the brake pedal summons Ranger out of its slumber and into action. Our V-6 tester included a very seamless experience with this technology. A decade earlier often times a noxious rumble was often heard and felt. Ford found a sweet spot with the V-6. Since its inception, start/stop technology disconnects (if desired) by a push of a button which Ranger locates near the transmission shifter.
While the mid-size Ranger offers three distinct internal combustion engine choices, an 'electrified' opportunity is not in the cards (yet). Ford's full-size F-150 offers an all-electric, F-150 Lightning pure electric vehicle while the compact Maverick provides shoppers with a gas-electric hybrid platform (the self-charging design never in need of a wall-socket plug).
Body-on-frame trucks naturally add weight apparent during braking maneuvers and don't necessarily stop on a dime. More length and time is needed to bring Ranger to a halt than a typical unibody-built vehicle. The brake pedal includes a long throw and more play than expected. Rear leaf-style springs add to a bounce factor felt inside the cabin notable during stop-and-go city traffic.
The tailgate boasts a dampening design allowing a measured, calm downward trajectory rather than a thud-like free fall if opening. Closing requires good old fashioned human strength. With the tailgate down, take note and use of the 50-inch plus ruler guides sketched into the end/top of the gate. Ground clearance of 4 x 4 models measures 9.3 inches (almost an inch higher than the 2024 Ford Bronco crossover) making a case for optional side running boards found within the FX4 off-road package.
All 2025 Rangers offer one body style: a sizeable SuperCrew design with four full-sized side doors hinged at the front swinging out in conventional fashion with two rows standard; a notable difference from 2023 when two body styles awaited buyers. Ranger says good-by to SuperCab versions (sometimes called Club Cabs) with a diminutive second row and clam-shell designed doors hinged at the rear. Shoppers have the choice of rear-wheel 4 x 2 or robust part-time 4 x 4 four-wheel drive with both engine selections. Ranger circa 2024 includes one five-foot bed length traditionally falling into the 'short' rather than 'long' category.
The redesigned stubby transmission shifter located between the front buckets with a finger-operated push release button on the front of the rectangular-like shifter rather than the more traditional side local.
Our Lariat's part-time, electronic-shifting four-wheel drive transfer case included a dial between the bucket seats and behind the stubby transmission shifter to switch between two-wheel high, four-wheel high and off-road intended, lower-speed four-wheel low. An instrument panel icon lights up when engaged.
Rear drive models comes standard with an open differential and an optional ($420) electric locking rear differential. Four by four models arrive with a front open differential standard and rear wheels available with eighter an open or electric locking differential.
Our four-door SuperCrew 4x4 Lariat Ranger included a $47,165 starting price. Minimal a-la-carte options included the stronger V-6 engine ($2,195), spray-in bedliner ($495), recommended built-in rear side step ($215), advanced towing package ($825), floor mats ($160) and locking differential ($420). With a $1,595 destination charge, the bottom line reached $53,070. An XL trim with two-wheel rear drive starts at $32,670
The all-digital instrument panel arrives in two sizes: eight or 12 inches. Our top-trim Lariat included the larger-size standard with two large, multi-functional digital orbs surrounding an animated center rectangular screen. Four smaller orbs frame the top end (fuel gauge, temperature gauge, etc.). Larger orbs and the central window may be customized via right-side steering wheel commands. It's a familiar layout borrowed from other Ford products, most notably the larger F-150 pickup. Lariat's the only high-volume variant with a power sliding rear window and LED projector headlights.
The sizable portrait, vertical, touch-sensitive screen tops out at the dashboard's top end, continuing down within the center dash resting upon a rectangle region combining HVAC controls and a center push/twist dial monitoring system on/off and volume. Below, an open storage region housing a flat, new-for-2024 wireless single Smartphone charge pad. Two vertical air vents flank the screen's upper portion with two additional similar-shaped vents at each end of the dashboard.
In 2023, Sync version 3 powered in-dash technology. In 2024 the latest Sync 4 cloud-based connectivity with enhanced voice activation details, in screen navigation, streaming music, satellite radio, hands-free phone calls and managing vehicle settings through the 12-inch portrait style screen. Updates arrive over air assuring Sync 4 remains constantly up to date. The flat wireless charging pad comes standard in XLT and Lariat while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility remains standard throughout. Both USB Type C and A plug ports are available.
The circular, electronic, push-button start builds into the steering column along the lower right end and moves in step with the steering wheel when manually adjusting for proper comfort. At the other end of the dash, a useful shelf residing above the glove box awaits small items.
Improved row two legroom still falls far short of what's promoted within full-size pickups but still a welcome sight compared with the previous generation. Back row seating includes storage underneath as the long bench cushion lifts up from the front when gaining access. When prone, three riders commute in general harmony together.
Mid-sized competitors include the popular Toyota Tacoma pickup (also redesigned in 2024 and segment sales leader) and corporate General Motors twins: The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. All enjoy passionate brand loyalty. Ford truck shoppers (found in formable numbers) should find this new Ranger greatly to their liking
2024 Ford Ranger Lariat
Price as tested: $53,070
Engine: 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6
Horsepower: 315
Torque: 400 lb.-ft.
Wheelbase: 128.7 inches
Length: 210.6 inches
Height: 74.4 inches
Width: 86.7 inches
Curb weight: 4,415 pounds
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city/ 23 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: Five years/ 50,000 miles
Assembly: Wayne, Michigan
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