Ford brings out an all-new Ranger for 2024

Back in 2019, we saw the reintroduction of the Ford Ranger, after an eight-year absence in the midsize pickup truck market. Now, five years later, the Ranger is all-new with changes and updates that significantly improve it. This week let’s look at the 2024 Ford Ranger.

Unlike last year’s Ranger, which was offered in two distinct body styles, the new one is only available as a crew cab with four full-size doors. The exterior of the new Ranger follows a design inspired by the F-150, with a similar grille, a twin-dome hood, bigger shoulder lines, and distinct “C-clamp” headlights for a modern look. Moving to the bed, the Ranger gets a step on each side between the bed corner and the wheel well, each step able to fit two work boots and let you reach most of the bed without climbing in it.

The 2024 Ranger benefits from a nicer-looking cabin that’s fitted with a lot of Ford’s latest technology and driver assistance features. In the front, there’s plenty of room and is very comfortable. The steering wheel offers plenty of adjustment range, as does the driver’s seat, so it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. In back, the Ranger has given up some legroom but it’s good enough for kids or occasionally taking along adults. All the commonly used controls are placed within easy reach of the driver, as is the center touchscreen.

Under the hood of the Ranger is the same 270 horsepower, 310 lb-ft 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four that we’ve seen in the old Ranger since 2019. It’s mated to the same 10-speed automatic transmission and is offered in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. A more powerful turbocharged 2.7L V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft of torque) will soon be offered.

Ford offers the Ranger in four trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat and Raptor. The base XL is basic, but still gets a digital instrument display and 10-inch infotainment touchscreen. The XLT is how the tester arrived and is what is expected to be the most popular trim. It gets convenient and technology features such as a manual sliding rear window, wireless phone charging pad, remote start, blind-spot warning, lane keeping assist and rear parking sensors. If you want leather, a power sliding rear window, heated steering wheel and upgraded digital instrument cluster, the Lariat is the way to go. The Raptor really transforms the Ranger into a different beast. It gets the more powerful V6 engine and a host of off-road goodies like a Fox suspension and all-terrain tires.

Pricing for the new Ranger starts at $34,265 for the base XL, with the tester, an XLT with a few options, came with an MSRP of $43,339.

Take the Ranger for a spin and you’ll see why Ford kept the same powertrain. The Ranger’s boosted four-cylinder feels plenty powerful, with the 10-speed swapping through ratios quickly and smoothly. Ford states the Ranger can hit 60 mph in under 7 seconds – and that feels about right. Although with the base engine it is plenty powerful, I’ll be very curious to see how the Ranger drives with the extra 45 hp from the optional engine.

The steering has just the right amount of heft and assist to it, making it easy to keep straight on the highway as well as maneuver in parking lots. The new Ranger benefits from a number of suspension improvements including rear control arms now made of aluminum rather than steel and rear shocks have been moved outboard of the leaf springs. This along with taller tires equate to better overall braking, handling and ride comfort from the previous Ranger. I’ll be very curious to see how the Ranger drives with the extra 45 hp from the optional engine.

I was surprised to see an all-new Ranger after just a few years, especially given that the current Ranger was pretty good truck. But with competition in the form of the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Toyota Tacoma, all of which are coming off recent redesigns, Ford knew they had to step things up. And with the new Ranger, they did just that.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:

2024 Ford Ranger XLT 4×2

Base Price: $36,210.00
Price as Tested: $43,339.00
Layout: front-engine / rear-wheel drive
Engine: 2.3 liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost
Transmission: 10 – speed automatic
Horsepower: 270 hp
Torque: 310 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 19 city / 19 highway mpg

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