2024 Ford Ranger Test Drive Review: The ‘Just Right’ Pickup Truck

The Ford Ranger made its return within the US for the 2019 mannequin 12 months, making legions of midsize truck followers deliriously glad. The 2024 Ford Ranger marks its first full redesign since its return, and it’s a considerably improved truck. Whereas the SuperCab was discontinued, the massive information is what Ford added slightly than what it took away. There’s a brand new, extra highly effective engine choice together with a brand new Ranger Raptor trim for hardcore off-road fans.

There’s a styling replace, too, to carry the Ranger extra consistent with the look of the full-size F-150. Inside, there are new supplies, a brand new infotainment touchscreen, and an general extra eye-catching and premium look. Just a few intelligent storage tips are additionally part of the redesigned Ranger together with under-seat storage for the rear seats and fold-flat rear seatbacks. The 2024 Ford Ranger will get a number of issues proper making it even harder competitors for the likes of the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

This is what it was prefer to stay with for per week.

Exterior: Now Accessible In Solely A Single Physique Fashion

The earlier model of the Ranger was obtainable in two physique kinds. There was an prolonged cab (SuperCab) with seating for 4 and two smaller half-doors. As well as, there was a crew cab (SuperCrew) with seating for 5 and 4 full-sized doorways. This 12 months, solely the crew cab stays, which is simply fantastic with us. It’s far simpler to get into the rear seats with 4 full doorways making it a extra versatile choice. Dimensions look as follows:

• Wheelbase: 128.7 inches
• Size: 210.6 inches
• Width: 79 inches with mirrors
• Top: 74.4 inches

The design itself is new with distinctive grilles for every trim stage. There are extra aggressive wheel arches and C-clamp headlights and taillamps that resemble the F-150. It’s an interesting truck with a brand new bolder entrance finish making it look extra like a truck and fewer like a toy. It doesn’t stray too removed from the remainder of the Ford truck lineup and, the truth is, makes the lineup look extra cohesive general.

Inside: New Supplies And Upgraded Trims Elevate The Ranger

The Ranger is a properly appointed truck, however it by no means reaches the posh you’ll discover within the F-150. It doesn’t attain that worth level both, so it’s a good commerce. The Ranger sits slightly below the F-150 and above the Maverick, making it the glad medium. It’s one of the best of each worlds, which is what makes it such a well-liked truck. Now obtainable solely as a crew cab with seating for 5 and 4 full-size doorways, it’s simple for adults and youngsters to climb inside and get comfy.

There’s loads of room for even tall adults within the Ranger with ample headroom and legroom irrespective of the place you select to take a seat. Three will simply match within the again, although the bench seat isn’t going to be probably the most comfy choice for longer journeys. Leg room is tight, and it feels a little bit upright towards the again seat. Up entrance, nonetheless, even a protracted journey received’t put on on the driving force or passenger.

Base trims get fabric seats with an 8-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and 6-way passenger seat. We have been within the mid-range XLT, which was outfitted with the non-compulsory 10-way energy driver’s seat and an 8-way energy passenger seat. This made it simple to get the best driving place. The Lariat will get much more premium options with heated entrance seats for chilly winter days. The material seats are engaging with a textured sample and a sturdy feel and look, however fabric is at all times difficult. It doesn’t take a lot to stain fabric seats, so use warning in the event you are likely to eat greasy burgers if you’re driving.

Cargo: Intelligent Storage Choices Let You Carry Alongside Every part

Sure, a truck wants to have the ability to carry a payload and tow a trailer, however it additionally must have loads of room inside for carrying all of the little stuff. The Ranger does a improbable job of utilizing its inside house with hidden storage and even adjustable storage relying on whether or not you’ve a full crew of individuals or want extra room for cargo. This consists of new fold-flat rear seats. They simply fold down onto the seat cushions, making a uniform flat floor. No worries about issues being tipped at an angle on the seat cushions when they are often positioned on this flat floor as a substitute.

For smaller stuff you need tucked out of the best way, there’s additionally storage beneath the rear seats. Flip the seat backside cushion all the best way up and there are a number of small storage cubbies. This can be a great place for maintaining treasured objects out of sight or for the stuff you need readily available simply in case however won’t must entry on a regular basis. Even with the seat backside in place, there’s a little bit additional room behind the seat backs. Up entrance, there’s a big middle console and an obtainable second higher glovebox for holding much more of your stuff.

Towing/Payload: At The Head Of The Class

The Ranger isn’t a full-size truck, so it doesn’t have the large towing and payload rankings of full-size vans, however it’s no slouch both. The precise figures depend upon the way you configure your Ranger, however it maxes out at a payload of 1,805 kilos and a tow score of seven,500 kilos. That beats each the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier.

As well as, it’s loaded with options that make carrying cargo simpler. There’s an obtainable built-in step within the field behind the rear tires, and it suits each ft, not only one foot. That doesn’t sound like a giant deal till you’re balancing on one foot attempting to wrangle one thing on the mattress. Having a step large sufficient to firmly stand is improbable. The tailgate will get its personal nifty options, doubling as a workbench with an built-in ruler and clamp pockets.

Further obtainable options embrace a 400-watt energy inverter so you’ll be able to energy a grill on your subsequent get together or run instruments if you’re getting work finished on a job website. There’s additionally new zone lighting, which lights up the realm across the truck together with mattress lighting to gentle no matter is within the truck, making nighttime adventures simpler. On the tech entrance, there’s Professional Trailer Backup Help and Trailer Reverse Steerage, so even those that are new to trailering can get the job finished simply. Its mixture of options and functionality make managing cargo within the Ranger a breeze.

Infotainment: Bigger Screens With Extra Options

Ford upgraded the infotainment within the Ranger with bigger screens and extra options. Not solely does this make it simpler to make use of, particularly in the event you’re following a posh navigation route, however it makes the inside look extra premium. Small screens, although they work, simply really feel low-cost. Growing the display measurement makes the Ranger look extra trendy and extra upscale.

There’s now a regular 8-inch digital instrument cluster with a ten.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. These screens get even greater with an obtainable 12.4-inch cluster and 12-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The system controls the whole lot from drive modes to off-road info and the audio system, which is six audio system on base trims or a 10-speaker B&O sound system increased within the vary. There’s a pleasant mixture of touchscreen controls with bodily controls, so belongings you typically regulate, like local weather and quantity, don’t require popping open a touchscreen menu. Rounding out the infotainment options are two USB ports and an obtainable wi-fi charging pad. Over-the-air updates may also be obtainable, enhancing a system that’s already strong with new options over time.

Efficiency: A New Engine With Extra Energy

There are two engine choices this 12 months, beginning with the carryover 2.3-liter 4-cylinder. It delivers 270 horsepower with 310 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a 10-speed automated transmission. New this 12 months is a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque with the identical transmission.

We’ve pushed the Ranger with each engines, and it’s just about what you’d anticipate. The bottom engine is okay with loads of energy to get the Ranger transferring with out hesitation. The V6, nonetheless, makes the whole lot higher. It nonetheless accelerates easily, however it’s extra aggressive so merging into heavy freeway site visitors is much less hectic. If efficiency is your precedence, then that is the engine for you, however know there’s a sacrifice in gasoline economic system.

Geared up with rear-wheel drive, the 4-cylinder will get an EPA-estimated 21/25 MPG metropolis/freeway, which drops 1 MPG with four-wheel drive. The V6 is rated at 19/23 MPG metropolis/freeway, which might eat into your funds if gasoline costs rise. It’s a trade-off that we expect is price the additional gasoline prices.

There’s additionally the Ranger Raptor, which is all-new and sits on the prime of the Ranger lineup and deserves a separate assessment, however we are going to a minimum of point out it right here. This off-road targeted car is kind of totally different from the remainder of the lineup with the aptitude to handle rocks, dust, mud, and all types of difficult terrain. It’s additionally very a lot a efficiency truck with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 430 horsepower with 405 lb-ft of torque that can allow you to take a bounce and catch severe air. Unsurprisingly, it has the worst gasoline economic system of the lot with an EPA-estimated 16/18 MPG metropolis freeway, however it’s additionally ridiculous enjoyable.

Drive Impressions: A Nicely-Mannered Truck That Will get The Job Carried out

The Ford Ranger is a simple truck to drive. Its measurement makes navigating parking tons and slender metropolis streets much less of a problem, and it has the ability it’s good to make brief work of freeway merges. It’s not outright aggressive, however it’s not a slowpoke and is glad to ship the pace you want with out hesitation. The bottom engine is probably going fantastic for many, however the brand new V6 is the best way to go if you’d like a bit extra oomph and put a precedence on efficiency. Both means, there’s a minimal of engine noise until you actually mash the gasoline.

The trip is improved in comparison with the prior era of the Ranger. It handles bumps and dips with much less bounce and absorbs extra of the rattle on tough pavement. A drive into Boston on roads that have been in numerous levels of being repaved confirmed off simply how properly the Ranger handles. The endlessly altering street floor wasn’t a problem and tire noise wasn’t intrusive.

This can be a nice mid-size truck and does the job of being a pleasant truck to drive whereas additionally offering the power to tow a trailer and handle a payload. A wider observe width this 12 months helps you to stow bigger objects with greater than 4 ft between the wheel wells and the towing help options really make the job simpler, even for novices. We discovered the Ranger comfy, well-mannered, and straightforward to drive each on the freeway and winding again roads.

Pricing and Verdict: One thing For Everybody With Reasonably priced Pricing

Full-size vans get costly quick, whereas the mid-size section stays extra inexpensive. The 2024 Ford Ranger is available in 4 trims, beginning with the XL at $32,720, not together with the $1,595 vacation spot payment. The XLT is available in at $36,160 with the Lariat at $43,680. The highest Raptor is $55,620. That prime trim may trigger a little bit of sticker shock, however that’s a really specialised truck for a really particular buyer who places a precedence on off-road efficiency. The majority of the lineup, particularly the XL and XLT, are fairly inexpensive choices.

The 2024 Ford Ranger will get the updates it wanted to remain aggressive with automobiles just like the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier. Neither of these presents something in the identical league because the Raptor, however the Tacoma does provide a hybrid engine, which is one thing the Ranger lacks. General, nonetheless, the Ranger is well-priced with nice capabilities, a flexible inside for cargo or folks, and a beautiful, comfy inside.