Ford has introduced an updated contender into the mid-size pickup truck arena. The new 2024 Ford Ranger offers a wide range of comfort and capabilities with a welcomed mixture of new technologies, reliability, and performance.
Last week, I spent the day driving the new 2024 Ford Ranger throughout the Wasatch Mountains just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. With a snowstorm in the area, I encountered slick, wet roads, high winds, rain, snow, and, at one point, about a foot of fresh powder on the ground. I tested the 4×4 Lariat model and the 4×4 XLT model with the FX4 offroad package. After seeing the Ranger lineup in static display last year in Detroit, I’d been awaiting this first drive opportunity.
An interesting side note to set the stage further: the Ford Ranger outsold the Toyota Hilux in Australia during 2023, up 33 percent from 2022, while the Hilux was down 5 percent. Perhaps it’s time for the US market to pay more attention to the Ranger. Let’s take a look at the spec sheets and dive into my drive experience with some ideas around ownership. The new Ford Ranger will be available in three base models, XL, XLT, and Lariat. Each is available as a 4×2, upgradable to 4×4, with an increase in features and functionality as options are added. Note that the 2024 Ford Ranger will also be available in a Raptor package, and we’ll dive into that later this week.
Pricing
The mid-size pickup truck category continues to be competitive, with options available for just about every use case and brand enthusiast. Ford’s pricing of the new 2024 Ranger product line is very much in line with other options in the space. Base prices for the new Ranger start around $36,000 for the 4×4 XL, $39,000 for the 4×4 XLT, and $47,000 for the 4×4 Lariat. Starting prices are less for the 4×2 versions of each. Fully outfitted, the pricing can climb up nearly to $40,000 for the XL and into the mid-fifties for the Lariat. The 4×4 XLT FX4 that I spent the most time in was fully outfitted with a window sticker price of $48,500. You can build yours here.
Engine, Transmission, Power, Torque
While driving the XLT FX4 I saw an average fuel economy of 19 mpg from a mix of highway and twisty mountain roads. 4WD high range was engaged for slippery roads and deep snow, but I did not spend significant time in 4WD low range. There was seamless shifting in fully automatic mode, and the manual shifting options allowed for good engine braking control during descents. The Ranger provided adequate power and acceleration with good pull on long accents and when passing in traffic. Each of the models (XL, XLT, Lariat) has a body-on-frame construction, a SuperCrew layout with four full passenger doors, and a front and rear seating area to accommodate five adults. Each model will initially be available with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder engine with auto start-stop, paired with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission for 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque. The fuel tank is 18.7 gallons and burns regular 87-octane gasoline. All models share the same 4×2 rear-wheel drive drivetrain with open differentials. Upgrade options include 4×4 with low range and 4×4 with an electronic locking rear differential.
Later in the year, each model will be available with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 315 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
Wheels
If you know that you’ll be spending time on dirt roads and regularly using the 4×4 drive modes, a smaller wheel size to allow for more tire sidewall is a welcome feature. It’s nice to see the Ford Ranger offering a 17” option. The XL is available with 17” wheels only, the XLT comes standard with 17” upgradable to 18”, and the Lariat comes with 18”. Different wheel style options are available for each model. Stock tires are 255/70R17 and 255/65R18 all terrains.
Dimensions and Weight
The Ranger has a 42.5-foot turning radius, a 128.7-inch wheelbase, and a 63.8-inch track width. The approach angle is 30.2 degrees, departure is 25.8 degrees, breakover is 23 degrees, and minimum ground clearance is 9.3 inches. The overall length is 210.6 inches, the width is 79 inches with the mirrors folded / 75.5 inches at the body, and the height is 74.4 inches. The base curb weight is 4,415 pounds with a GVWR of 6,170 pounds, a maximum payload weight of 1,711 pounds, and a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The pickup bed box is 5 feet long and has an optional integrated side step.
The FX4 Off-Road Package (4×4 Only)
When building out a Ranger XLT or Lariat, an optional $1,295 will be added to the FX4 package. This includes The FX4 Off-Road decal, off-road OWL tires, an electronic-locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned shocks. Added protection includes an exposed steel bash plate up front, an engine and transfer case shield, and a fuel tank guard. The user interface will include an off-road screen in the center stack, additional selectable drive modes for Mud/Ruts and Sand, as well as Ford’s Trail Control for managing slow speeds on steep descents or challenging terrain.
Accessories
Ford is offering most of the standard add-ons common to the market but with a few unexpected extras, like lockable storage safes for the center console and under the back seat. They also offer spray-on or drop-in bed liners, extra cargo rails, an engine block heater, and things like first aid kits. However, the Ranger will not have OEM solutions for accommodating a winch or snorkel, but a few aftermarket suppliers like ARB, who already offers 39 products for the 2023 Ranger, are prepared with bumper-to-bumper off-road and overlanding accessories to meet a variety of needs.
Technology
If you’ve been in the market for a new vehicle in the past five years some of these features will seem commonplace, while others are pushing into new frontiers. Either way, the new 2024 Ford Ranger is a balance between new tech and basic simplicity.
Ford’s CoPilot-360 package includes blind spot and cross-traffic warnings to help you manage traffic, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking as well as Forward Collision Warning to wake you up out of driving daydreams. Evasive Steering Assist helps with dynamic maneuvering and there is an Intelligent Speed Limiter to help keep you on the right side of the law. Lastly, the Ranger’s Adaptive Cruise Control will make commuting and long highway miles that much easier.
The Ranger offers the driver and passenger easy access to the most common controls. Mechanical buttons and dials control the basics of the HVAC system and radio, while the touch screen offers fine-tuning of temperature, air vents, and heated seats. Nothing seems to be buried too deeply into endless pages of options. A large 12.4-inch touchscreen display features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a turn-by-turn navigation system, and multiple camera views.
Power charging features include wireless phone charging, a 400W inverter, and USB A and C charging ports. A forward and reverse sensing system utilizes sensors in the bumpers while cameras on the front grill, side mirrors, and tailgate provide 360-degree viewing around the vehicle.
Drive Modes
The round toggle wheel on the center console provides access to seven different drive modes. Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. The last three are available in both 4WD High and 4WD Low range which is manually selectable. Each drive mode adjusts brake modulation, throttle mapping, traction control settings, and steering inputs to best accommodate the situation. The transmission can be controlled automatically with a push button gear selector while in Drive or a full manual mode, which also uses the push buttons on the side of the center console gear selector.
Towing
Perhaps the most advanced optional feature of the new 2024 Ford Ranger is the towing system. As mentioned, the Ranger XL, XLT, and Lariat 4×4 models are rated to tow 7,500 pounds. An integrated trailer brake controller, 2-inch receiver, trailer sway control, and 4-flat and 7-pin round connections allow for safe and standardized versatility. Most notable is Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which uses the camera in the tailgate to recognize a checkered decal affixed to the tongue of the trailer. After a quick calibration sequence, the driver can use the round toggle wheel on the center console to maneuver the trailer into tight spaces.
The idea is that the system makes reversing a trailer easier. To make the trailer go right you turn the toggle to the right, and vice versa to go left, it was impressively responsive and allowed for fine adjustments. For inexperienced trailer drivers, eliminating the confusing turn in the opposite direction to get a trailer to go where you want is easier and more forgiving, but I still think the traditional method should be learned by drivers in general. Up to ten trailers can be customized into the system so that owners can change between utility, boat, campers, and other types of trailers without having to recalibrate the system each time. It took some getting used to, but after my second try using the system, it became quite intuitive.
Who is the Ranger For?
The Ford Ranger XL, XLT, Lariat, and all of their multiple configurations offer a variety of sound options for a wide range of consumers. Not to state the obvious, but the Ranger does fill a size gap between the smaller Maverick and the larger F-150. At one end of the spectrum, an XL in 4×2 with little or no options would be a very economical choice for someone interested in having a pickup bed for household utility, not needing a four-wheel drive, but wanting more interior space than, say the Maverick. On the other end of the range, a fully loaded 4×4 Lariat would be a great option for someone wanting a more refined and luxurious fully-capable pickup truck without going into the larger size categories. For overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts, I think that the Ranger 4×4 XLT with the FX4 offroad package hits the sweet spot. That configuration provides all of the needed capabilities for exploring dirt roads and challenging terrain, carrying all your gear while offering just enough comfort to feel luxurious, but not so much as you won’t want to get it dirty.
Overall Driving Impressions
The new 2024 Ford Ranger offers a confident and stable platform with modern technical features and mechanical capabilities while retaining a charming simplicity compared to competitors. My test drive started in three inches of snow, covering twisty mountain roads with slush, followed by some time on a dry highway, maneuvering through traffic, and even getting “lost” in the narrow, icy, dead-end roads of a secluded mountain community. I even found a short trail with deep snow to test traction and flotation. During all those conditions, it remained sure-footed and responsive to everything I asked. The driver position is easily tunable for comfort with an adjustable steering wheel and 10-way adjustable seat. The side view mirrors are larger than expected, and the rear window is large enough for a full picture in the rearview mirror. Combined with the cameras on all four sides and the large tablet display, there were no issues with viewability or sight lines. The hood is relatively easy to see over, and awareness of the sides and corners of the Ranger was predictable.
The seven different drive modes were noticeable and effective, each having a slightly different response to driver inputs. The narrow width of the Ranger allows for good vehicle placement, and 9.3 inches of ground clearance feels adequate. I did not have the chance to load anything into the 5-foot bed, but I did note that it was well protected with a spay-in liner, had multiple bolt-on tie-down points, and the tailgate was surprisingly light thanks to struts taking the weight on the way down and a torsion bar helping to pick it up when closing. The interior of the Ranger is spacious and the light brown interior helped to brighten the space. The back seat is comfortable, with adequate legroom. I’m 6 feet tall, and there is plenty of interior height, so there is no feeling of being cramped. The integration of technology into the Ranger seems to be thoughtfully done to facilitate the user experience but not so much as to feel gimmicky or overwhelming.
The new 2024 Ranger is a solid mid-size truck offering from Ford. As a vehicle in this category, it does everything I would expect it to, plus a few bonus features like the Trailer Backup Assist and noticeably reactive drive modes. It blends a sense of technology with adventurous utility.
Images: Ford, Brian McVickers
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