2024 Ford Ranger Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Pricing

$32720 to $55620

ORIGINAL MSRP

$32720 to $55620

PRICE RANGE

$46792 to $55722

AVERAGE PRICE

$62133 to $46854

YOY PRICE CHANGE

Pros

Powerful Engine Options: The Ranger offers robust engine choices, including a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and an available 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 315 horsepower. These engines provide strong performance for various driving needs.
Off-Road Capability: The introduction of the Ranger Raptor model enhances off-road performance with features like a specialized suspension system, increased ground clearance, and advanced terrain management systems, making it adept at handling challenging terrains.
Improved Interior and Technology: The redesigned interior boasts higher-quality materials and updated technology, including a user-friendly infotainment system with a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and advanced driver-assistance features.
Towing and Payload Capacity: The Ranger offers competitive towing and payload capacities, with the standard model capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds and handling a payload of approximately 1,800 pounds, suitable for various hauling tasks

Cons

Limited Configurations: The 2024 Ranger is available only in a single cab and bed configuration—a four-door SuperCrew with a 5-foot bed—which may not meet the preferences of all buyers seeking different setups.
Fuel Economy: While offering strong performance, the Ranger's fuel efficiency is average for its class. The standard four-cylinder engine achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined, which is comparable to competitors but not exceptional.
Price Point: The Ranger, particularly in higher trims like the Raptor, comes at a premium price. The Raptor model starts at around $57,215, which is higher than some competitors in the midsize truck segment.

2024 Ford Ranger: Can Ford Dominate the Midsize Truck Market Again?

An Upgraded Comeback: Ford Ranger Enters a Crowded Segment

The midsize truck segment has grown increasingly competitive, with numerous options that cater to a diverse audience. In this crowded space, the 2024 Ford Ranger makes its grand return, featuring enhanced powertrains, advanced technology, and a variety of trims aimed at capturing different needs. While Ford's full-size F-Series trucks have been market leaders, their midsize truck contender has struggled to regain footing after its 2019 relaunch. However, the new Ranger aims to prove that Ford still has the magic formula for small trucks.

Revamped Power and Performance: V6 Engine and Raptor Trim

The 2024 Ranger now offers a range of powertrains, including the introduction of a V6 engine option. This new lineup aims to provide more power and capability for drivers seeking robust performance in a midsize truck. With the addition of the Ranger Raptor trim, Ford has set its sights on the adventurous audience, directly challenging competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. The Raptor trim features improved suspension, off-road prowess, and aggressive styling, giving it an edge in off-road utility.

Technology and Interior Refinement

Ford has also upped the ante in the tech department. The 2024 Ranger comes equipped with an advanced infotainment system, featuring a larger touchscreen, seamless smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. Enhanced safety features, including lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system, make it a versatile choice for both urban commuters and those who want to hit the trails.

Expanding Space and Utility

Not only has the 2024 Ranger improved in terms of power, but it also brings more interior space, addressing one of the key criticisms of the outgoing model. The cabin is designed with more rear passenger legroom, added storage compartments, and a modernized dashboard, which enhances comfort for long drives. The truck bed also sees updates that make loading and unloading easier, appealing to those who use their trucks for both work and recreational activities.

Targeting Versatility with Multiple Trims

One of the main selling points of the 2024 Ranger is the introduction of multiple trims that cater to different driver needs. The XLT trim we tested offered a balance of comfort and performance that makes it a great daily driver. Meanwhile, the Lariat trim delivers a more premium feel, with leather upholstery and additional tech options. The diversity in trims allows Ford to compete against midsize truck heavyweights like the GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier by offering a configuration for every kind of buyer.

Is It Too Late for Ford to Catch Up?

The midsize truck market is already dominated by several well-established contenders, including the Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado. The Ranger's 2019 relaunch struggled due to its limited features and an outdated design, which left it trailing behind its competition. Fast forward to 2024, Ford has revamped the Ranger with a more modern look, better tech, and more potent power options—but is that enough to win back customers?

Where Does MotorVero Fit In?

MotorVero has been at the forefront of automotive content, offering insightful perspectives for both dealerships and consumers. As the 2024 Ford Ranger hits the market, MotorVero is poised to help dealerships understand how to set competitive rental rates, market effectively, and handle inquiries about this highly anticipated truck. Through detailed analysis and best practices, MotorVero ensures that dealerships maximize their potential with the all-new Ranger, whether through sales or rentals.

The Verdict: Ford Ranger's Return to Relevance

With more power, better technology, and a variety of trims, the 2024 Ford Ranger finally brings the fight to competitors. The addition of the Raptor trim adds a significant boost to its appeal for off-road enthusiasts, while tech upgrades cater to a more connected driving experience. Ford appears committed to making the Ranger a true contender, but only time will tell if this new effort can make up for lost ground in the midsize market.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for Dealerships

For dealerships, the refreshed Ranger presents an excellent opportunity to attract both new buyers and those considering upgrades from older models. Whether through rentals or direct sales, Ford's enhanced midsize truck offers versatility and performance that could easily appeal to a broad spectrum of drivers. MotorVero can help dealerships strategically market the new Ranger by providing insights on customer preferences, rental pricing, and promotional opportunities that highlight its capabilities.

3.5

out of 5

EXPERT REVIEW

Look & feel

Performance

Form & function

Technology

Safety

Cost-effectiveness

The new Ranger looks like a baby F-150, adopting C-shaped daytime running lights and double chrome bars intersecting the headlights and the grille. On our XLT with the Chrome Appearance Package, even the fog lights get C surrounds to match the headlight shapes. It's a handsome truck—basic without venturing into mediocrity—though it's not as burly as the Colorado or Canyon. Even the Ranger Raptor—with 33-inch all-terrain tires poking out of the fender flares—doesn't look menacing, at least not in the extreme wide-body stance of the Bronco Raptor and F-150 Raptor. If you want your midsize truck to be subtle, then the Ranger is a sure bet.

Every 2024 Ford Ranger comes as a crew cab (SuperCrew in Ford speak) with a five-foot bed. The extended cab (SuperCab) with the six-foot bed is gone. Whatever happened to long-bed single cabs? More truck buyers use their pickups like cars, so Ford has obliged them (and cut its production costs) with only the big four-door cab. But it is bothersome that the only way to get a long bed Ford is to buy a base F-150 (even the compact Maverick comes exclusively as a SuperCrew). Two small details are also missing from the Ranger but found on the F-150: An aerial antenna for the radio (which may be a plus for many shoppers), and Ford's new darkened Blue Oval logo.

Our XLT wore Azure Gray Metallic paint that looked like a sky blue, which was extra pretty with all the chrome decoration on the door handles, 18-inch wheels, and the silver skid plate under the lower front bumper. What's odd is that the FX4 Off-Road Package adds fixed side steps that can easily become damaged by off-road obstacles. It's also a few tenths of an inch closer to the ground than a regular 4x4 Ranger. Ford should raise the ride height and allow customers a factory option to remove the side steps for a true off-road package.

The cab is a nicer place than it was on earlier Rangers, but that's not exactly praise. Brittle plastic dominates the space, and the lower dash assembly is very poor; the sides of the console curve upward into the center stack and show wide and uneven gaps. The drive-mode selector on the console is flimsy when twisting the dial. Sealing a jar of tomato sauce feels a lot better. The dash is a strange confluence of painted silver and a textured gray plastic, as if it's meant to evoke metal or carbon fiber. It's telling that the most satisfying part is a metal ignition key. Much of these issues can be forgiven in the Maverick, which costs around 25 grand. But our Ranger test truck cost nearly double that. When even General Motors makes a quality truck interior, why can't Ford?

The redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger is built with American drivers in mind, shedding the limitations of its predecessor. The new lineup introduces a trio of powerful engines, starting with the reliable 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four and 10-speed automatic transmission. This standard engine packs 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, delivering strong acceleration across various speeds on regular-grade fuel.

For those seeking extra muscle, Ford offers a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 as an upgrade for $2,195. With 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, this option is ideal for towing heavy loads, maxing out at 7,500 pounds with the right setup. When pushing these limits, a robust engine is essential, and Ford delivers. The Ranger also boasts an impressive payload capacity, reaching 1,711 pounds with four-wheel drive (4WD) and 1,805 pounds with rear-wheel drive (RWD).

For ultimate off-road enthusiasts, the Ranger Raptor is an exciting addition, designed with a racing-inspired suspension and a potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine. This powerhouse generates 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, with an optional Ford Performance software upgrade ($825 pre-installation) boosting it to 455 hp and 536 lb-ft. This model is equipped for rugged adventures, featuring 2.5-inch Fox shocks, 10.7 inches of ground clearance, and front and rear locking differentials, all perfect for serious off-road fun.

On XLT and Lariat trims, the FX4 package introduces a locking rear differential and all-terrain tires, though without major suspension enhancements. On regular roads, the Ranger feels stable and nimble, with weighted steering that provides a smooth, secure driving experience. Though it may not match the car-like handling of the Ford Maverick, it holds its own for a vehicle with this level of capability.

Fuel efficiency is respectable for a truck of its class. With 4WD, the base four-cylinder engine achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, while the V6 comes in at 19/23/20 mpg. The Raptor, while powerful, consumes more fuel, likely falling short of its 16/18/17 mpg rating when driven with enthusiasm—arguably the best way to experience its full potential

The 2024 Ford Ranger brings notable upgrades, featuring a longer wheelbase and a body that's 2.2 inches wider. Ground clearance is now 9.3 inches—up by 0.4 inches from the previous model—while the approach angle has improved by two degrees, boosting off-road capabilities.

With its extended wheelbase, the Ranger's rear seating area gains more room, and the seatbacks can fold flat, providing a versatile loading surface. Among midsize trucks, the Ranger's rear seat feels especially spacious, offering more comfort for passengers.

In the front, drivers enjoy clear visibility and practical physical controls for climate adjustments, though some functions, like air direction and rear defroster, are only accessible through the touchscreen. Despite this setup, the traditional PRNDL gear selector is a welcome change from the Maverick's rotary dial. Additionally, storage options are generous, with spacious door pockets, a center compartment, and a large wireless charging pad.

The Ranger’s exterior features are just as functional. Two side bumper cutouts allow for easy access to the bed, which includes a damped tailgate to prevent sudden drops when opened. Available with a spray-in or drop-in liner, the bed can hold up to 43.5 cubic feet and includes an optional 400-watt AC outlet for added convenience. Ford’s Zone Lighting system, which can illuminate specific areas around the truck with the engine off, adds further practicality, especially for nighttime activities.

The Ranger combines improved space, functionality, and thoughtful touches to enhance both off-road capability and everyday utility.

The Ranger's premium Lariat trim stands out with features like a compact, widened gear selector and push-button start, adding a touch of refinement. These controls pair seamlessly with advanced tech, such as Ford’s automated parking for both parallel and perpendicular spaces, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist for effortless trailer maneuvering. The Lariat also sports a 12.4-inch digital instrument panel—similar to the F-150’s—that displays crisp animations when changing drive modes, along with specialized gauges to monitor critical metrics like body angles and transmission temperature. Meanwhile, the XLT trim’s 8-inch display offers intuitive functionality and is user-friendly.

Infotainment options include a 10-inch portrait touchscreen standard on the XL trim, while all other trims receive a 12-inch screen. Borrowed from the Mustang Mach-E's layout, the tall screen provides enhanced visibility of navigation routes, showing more of the road ahead. The display also optimizes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, resizing them to fill the screen rather than a confined square, which boosts usability. However, some menus may load slowly, and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving assist is absent. Audiophiles can enjoy the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and the Lariat and Raptor trims come equipped with 360-degree cameras for added convenience.

The 2024 Ford Ranger has yet to undergo crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and results from previous Ranger models don’t apply to this newly redesigned version.

In terms of safety features, the base XL trim lacks driver assistance technologies, but the XLT trim and above come equipped with an array of standard assists. These include forward and reverse emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, front cross-traffic braking, and evasive steering assist to help manage potential obstacles. While adaptive cruise control is available as an option on the XLT, it becomes a standard feature on the higher-end Lariat and Raptor trims, adding an extra layer of convenience and safety on longer drives.

The 2024 Ford Ranger starts at an affordable $32,720 for the base XL model with rear-wheel drive (RWD), giving buyers several trim options to consider. With four trim levels available, the Ranger offers flexibility for different needs. Our test model—a four-wheel drive (4WD) XLT equipped with the XLT High Equipment Group, Chrome Appearance, and FX4 Off-Road packages—totaled $47,835, including the destination fee, showing the cost range for added features.

While the Ranger impresses with its competitive towing capacity, payload, robust power, and modern tech, the interior quality falls a bit short of expectations. However, the Ranger’s capability still outshines many rivals: it outperforms the Honda Ridgeline in strength, and its four-cylinder engine power easily surpasses the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Overall, the 2024 Ranger is a significant improvement over previous models, making it a strong contender in the midsize truck segment.

MotorVero

Last Updated On Nov, 03-2024

For years, Ford has led the full-size pickup segment, yet lagged behind in midsize trucks. After its 2019 relaunch, the Ford Ranger struggled, with sales falling short even against the newer, smaller Ford Maverick, which outsold the Ranger by a striking three-to-one in 2023. The 2024 Ranger aims to change this trajectory by delivering more—more power, advanced tech, refined interiors, increased space, and a variety of options, including a powerful V6 and the rugged Raptor trim. Competing with heavyweights like the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma, the Ranger XLT test drive revealed that Ford may finally have the mix to close the gap in the midsize category.