REVIEW AND TEST DRIVE
2024 Ford Ranger Reveal: What's New, Photos, Specs, and More
The redesigned 2024 Ranger is positioned for success in the competitive midsize truck segment.
Ford
Updated on September 19, 2023
QuickTakes:
The redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger is the company's competitor in the booming midsize truck segment. Buyers can choose from four trim levels, including the new performance-tuned 2024 Ranger Raptor, and select from three turbocharged engines matched with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).
It's available only in a five-passenger, crew cab, short-bed configuration. When properly equipped, the new 2024 Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds and carry as much as 1,805 pounds of payload. Adding 4WD drops cargo capacity to 1,711 pounds.
Ford
Styling of 2024 Ford Ranger Shows a Family Resemblance
As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In the new Ranger's case, that tree is the larger Ford F-150. The new midsize pickup adopts similarly angular lines, the design anchored at each corner by Ford's signature C-clamp headlight and taillight designs. The Lariat and Raptor trim levels include standard LED projector headlights for superior illumination.
With the XL trim, Ford includes a standard STX Appearance Package, which features halogen fog lamps, a dampened tailgate, and STX badging on the fender. The XLT and Lariat variants have a standard Sport Appearance Package, which adds a black-mesh grille, gray front and rear bumpers, and gray wheel molding. On those two trims, buyers can add a chrome-looking rear bumper, exhaust tip, mirror caps, and door handles via the Chrome Appearance Package.
Raptors come one way, with black accents all around, and also get a unique paint option called Shelter Green Metallic. Surprisingly, one thing not included in the Raptor package are the large Raptor decals that run along the side of the bed. They're a $750 option.
All Rangers roll on 17-inch alloy wheels except for the Lariat, which features an 18-inch design. Raptors have standard 33-inch all-terrain tires, and a beadlock-capable wheel is available as an option.
Thanks to a 2-inch increase in wheelbase and track width, the redesigned 2024 Ranger is larger and more accommodating than the truck it replaces. Owners may find the most significant benefit within the 5-foot cargo bed, where added space between the wheel wells allows you to flat-carry a 4-by-8-foot sheet of plywood or, as Ford claims, more easily load an all-terrain vehicle.
Cargo bed utility also improves with the Ranger's redesign. For example, all but the Ranger XL get LED cargo bed lighting and a 400-watt power outlet. To access items in the bed more easily, integrated cargo box side steps that accommodate both feet are available on the XLT and Lariat trims.
Ford
The Ranger's Interior Needed an Update, and It Got One
The previous-generation Ranger's cabin was widely regarded as uninspired. Ford says the 2024 Ranger's interior reflects higher-quality materials, a more sophisticated design, and additional storage space.
For example, the new Ranger has a larger center console storage bin, bigger door pockets, a second upper glove compartment, improved rear underseat storage, fold-flat rear seatbacks to handle larger items, and extra space behind the rear seat.
Upholstery choices include cloth (XL, XLT) and leather (Lariat, Raptor). In addition, the 2024 Ranger offers a 10-way power driver's seat, an eight-way power front passenger seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power sliding rear window (optional with XLT, standard with Lariat and Raptor).
Ford
New Digital Displays and Trailering Tech
Behind the new Ranger's steering wheel you'll find a standard 8.0-inch (XL, XLT) or available 12.0-inch digital instrumentation display (Lariat, Raptor). It pairs with a Sync 4A infotainment system with a 10.1-inch (XL, XLT) or 12.0-inch (Lariat, Raptor) touchscreen display mounted in the dashboard's center.
Sync 4A equips the 2024 Ranger with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect services, including access to a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Ford also offers a connected navigation system, and every Ranger comes with 911 Assist and Applink. A wireless charging pad is standard on XLT trims and above, and Lariat and Raptor versions include a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.
To better leverage the Ranger's towing capacity, Ford offers several trailer-towing technologies. In addition to a Trailer Brake Controller, every Ranger except the XL offers Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Trailer Reverse Guidance as standard or available equipment. These features employ semi-autonomous steering input to make reversing a trailer easier, and will be kept current via over-the-air updates.
Ford also offers its Active Park Assist 2.0 technology on the new Ranger. Use it to help park in parallel or perpendicular spots, and the truck will take control of the steering, brakes, and powertrain. Drivers, however, must remain in the cab and be ready to intervene.
Ford
The New Ranger Is Longer, Wider, and has More Powerful Engine Options
Ford builds the 2024 Ranger on a new platform with a fully boxed frame. To improve ride and handling, the rear shocks are mounted outside the frame rails, and it also features a longer wheelbase and wider track width than the outgoing model. The automaker also says the new Ranger offers more ground clearance, along with improved approach and departure angles to better tackle obstacles when driving off-road.
The Ranger XL, XLT, and Lariat have a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. If that sounds familiar, you're not mistaken, as the previous-generation Ranger used the same drivetrain.
For 2024, a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine is available with XLT and Lariat trim. Ford estimates it will provide 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Like the standard engine, it uses a 10-speed automatic transmission and pairs with RWD or 4WD.
A twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is exclusive to the Ranger Raptor and supplies an estimated 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Power flows to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic and a standard 4WD system with a new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case. The Ranger Raptor also includes standard locking front and rear differentials.
Ford offers an FX4 Off-Road Package with XLT and Lariat trim. It equips the 2024 Ranger with a Terrain Management System that allows drivers to choose from several drivetrain modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. This technology is standard on the Ranger Raptor, which also features an exclusive Baja mode.
In addition, the FX4 Off-Road Package adds an electronic locking rear differential, off-road suspension tuning, a front steel bash plate, underbody skid plates, and Trail Control. Trail Control is an off-road cruise-control system that can regulate single-digit travel speeds, allowing a driver to concentrate on finding the best path forward on challenging terrain.
Raptors include Trail Control as standard equipment. In addition, they have an exclusive Watt's linkage rear suspension and 2.5-inch Fox racing shocks with live-valve technology.
Ford
Long List of Standard and Optional Car Safety Features
The base Ranger XL comes with a basic collection of Ford Co-Pilot360 safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.
Upgrade to Ranger XLT trim, and that list expands to include blind-spot monitoring (with trailer coverage), rear-cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, rear automated braking, and driver monitoring.
On the Lariat and Raptor, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, speed sign recognition, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera are standard.
Ford
The Pricing Difference Between Ranger Trim Levels Is Huge
The redesigned 2024 Ranger will go on sale in summer 2023. Pricing will start at around $34,000 for the base XL trim and climb to around $57,000 for range-topping Raptor models.
The XLT and Lariat trims will start at around $38,000 and $45,000, respectively. While four-wheel drive comes standard on the off-road-focused Raptor, it will cost approximately $3,600 on the XL trim and about $3,500 on the XLT and Lariat trims.
Ford
Competition in the Midsize Pickup Market Is Fierce
When it arrives at dealers, the Ranger will enter the most competitive midsize-truck market in decades.
Two key rivals for the Ford include the Chevrolet Colorado, which was redesigned for the 2023 model year, and the Toyota Tacoma, which is all new for 2024. Notably, the Tacoma offers options for both a hybrid powertrain and a manual transmission — both of which are unavailable on the Ranger. The only other truck in the class that offers the choice of a manual transmission is the Jeep Gladiator.
The GMC Canyon (GMC's version of the Colorado), Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier round out the list of the Ford Ranger's competitors in the midsize segment.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Chris says his first word was "car." For as long as he can remember, he's been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but is most passionate about the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. He began his career as the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s, and for more than 30 years has created automotive content for CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, the New York Daily News, and others. Chris owns Speedy Daddy Media, has been contributing to Capital One Auto Navigator since 2019, and lives in California with his wife, kids, dog, and 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.