The redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger arrives with a fresh look and enhanced engine options, including a robust 405-hp Raptor trim. While boasting impressive capability claims, the new Ranger is exclusively offered with a short cargo bed and four-door cab configuration. Stepping inside, the cabin presents a vast digital interface, yet the overall ambiance might remind you of a casual diner booth. Despite its on-paper potential, the 2024 Ford Ranger leaves a somewhat mixed impression.
Beneath the surface, the new Ranger packs considerable workhorse power for its class. Equipped with the towing package and hitch receiver, both the standard 2.3-liter turbo-four and the upcoming 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 are rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds. Even with a basic bumper-mounted hitch, it can handle 3,500 pounds. Opting for the larger engine provides noticeable improvements in passing power and hill-climbing ability, albeit with a slight dip in fuel economy. The 2.7-liter 4×4 achieves a combined 20 mpg, compared to the 2.3-liter 4×4’s 22 mpg combined rating.
Andrew P. Collins
Image alt text: The 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat model demonstrating its towing capabilities with an XTR off-road trailer during towing tests.
To put this in perspective, the previous generation 2019 Ford Ranger, launched at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, also featured a 7,500-pound towing capacity and a 270-hp 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine. Key updates for the 2024 model include its updated exterior styling, a prominent portrait-style infotainment screen, and the introduction of the more powerful V6 engine slated for release later in the year. However, this enhanced Ranger comes at a higher price point. A 2019 SuperCrew (four-door) short bed 4×4 Lariat had an original MSRP of $39,480, while a comparable 2024 model starts at $47,115.
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Image alt text: Heroic front angle view of the 2024 Ford Ranger showcasing its robust design and updated front grille.
Considering inflation, $39,480 in January 2018 equates to approximately $49,428 in today’s money, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator. Therefore, the 2024 Ford Ranger presents a potentially better value proposition compared to its predecessor when considering inflation-adjusted prices.
The 2024 Ranger being introduced to the US market has been available internationally for a few years. Its design and engineering are primarily rooted in Australia, a nation with a strong truck culture and demanding off-road terrains. While Ford emphasizes the “newness” of the 2024 Ranger, it still utilizes the T6 platform, which dates back to around 2010. Visually, the side profile closely resembles the global Rangers seen in Australia and South America for over a decade.
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Image alt text: Interior detail shot of the 2024 Ford Ranger highlighting the dashboard layout and steering wheel design.
However, for work trucks, outright “newness” might be less critical. The fundamental components – a sturdy frame, leaf spring suspension, and an engine driving either the rear or all four wheels – remain consistent. With advancements like independent front suspension in the 1980s and disc brakes, genuine game-changing innovations in pickups have become less frequent. High-performance variants like the Raptor represent a different performance tier, which warrants a separate evaluation.
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Image alt text: A series of detailed exterior shots of the 2024 Ford Ranger showcasing its front quarter panel, wheel design, tail light details, door handle with keypad, and side step.
The exterior of the Ranger does exhibit appealing design elements. Ford’s decision to retain the access keypad is a welcome touch. For the popular Lariat and XLT trims, the significant update is the availability of the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, previously featured in the Bronco and F-150. This engine delivers a substantial 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, maintaining performance even at higher altitudes thanks to its turbocharging. Expected to be available in the summer of 2024, the exact price premium for this upgrade remains to be seen. In the Bronco, the jump from the 2.3-liter to the 2.7-liter engine costs $1,895, suggesting a similar upcharge for the Ranger.
Currently, all non-Raptor Rangers are equipped with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. During test drives at over 4,000 feet above sea level, this engine, paired with four-wheel drive, performed adequately. Ford confirms it maintains the same 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque figures as in the 2019 model. Being turbocharged, it should retain much of its power at higher elevations. Importantly, neither EcoBoost engine requires premium gasoline.
Testing involved mountain roads and highways with both a well-equipped XLT 4×4 (approximately $45,000) and a Lariat 4×4 (around $50,000 with a light camper trailer). All 2024 Rangers utilize Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2.3-liter engine offered acceptable power for these conditions. The transmission impressed with its responsiveness, smoothly selecting the appropriate gear for acceleration and efficiently reducing revs when possible. Ascending and descending steep Utah passes without cargo, the engine provided sufficient power, but lacked significant reserve, highlighting the appeal of the optional larger engine.
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Image alt text: A series of images showcasing the 2024 Ford Ranger’s bed features including power outlets, well-placed tie-down points, integrated bed lighting, and the tailgate designed for use as a work surface.
While some skepticism remains regarding performance with a full passenger load and cargo bed, the engine handled a couple thousand pounds of trailer weight without apparent strain. Braking performance was commendable; the unladen XLT stopped quickly in panic situations, and trailer control felt assured. A notable positive aspect is the comfortable ride quality when the bed is empty. Pickups often exhibit a bouncy or unsettled ride when unladen, but this was minimal in the Ranger.
However, the steering feel was peculiar. Maneuvering the XLT in a dry parking lot felt resistant, akin to pushing a knife through coarse sand. While not unresponsive, it felt heavy and somewhat sticky, a sensation that lessened at higher speeds.
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Image alt text: A collection of interior detail photographs of the 2024 Ford Ranger, highlighting the blue and tan color combination, seat material texture, door panel controls, center console with gear shifter, dashboard texture, and steering wheel with mounted controls.
Interior concerns arise upon closer inspection of the cabin. The seats are adequate, but the XLT’s cloth upholstery feels reminiscent of budget aftermarket seat covers – thin material with minimal cushioning. While not uncomfortable, it reinforces the work truck nature of the vehicle. The Lariat’s leather seats are a significant improvement and almost justify the trim upgrade for buyers prioritizing interior comfort. Rear seats offer comparable comfort to the front, a plus for passenger-hauling. They also fold up and down, creating a nearly flat surface for interior cargo.
Both trims exhibited noticeable panel fitment issues. While some drivers might overlook this, the abundant evidence of cost-cutting in material quality is hard to ignore, even with the large infotainment screen.
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Image alt text: A series of images illustrating the interior quality concerns of the 2024 Ford Ranger, focusing on panel gaps, rough plastic edges, inconsistent trim alignment, uneven surface textures, visible fasteners, misaligned components and rough seam finishes.
While these test trucks were pre-production models, the observed interior quality is still relevant for evaluation. In both XLT and Lariat trims, the junctions of plastic panels were often rough. Buttons lacked the tactile feedback of higher-quality controls, and the “PRNDL” marking on the XLT’s center console appeared crudely applied.
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Image alt text: Interior views of the 2024 Ford Ranger showcasing the climate control buttons beneath the infotainment screen and the steering wheel toggle controls, as well as the overall screen and dashboard layout.
Ergonomics also presented some challenges. The steering wheel features two up/down toggle knobs. While pushing them upwards feels natural, downward presses require an awkward hand repositioning – a significant design flaw for frequently used steering wheel controls.
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Image alt text: Close-up of the 2024 Ford Ranger’s infotainment screen highlighting the doodle mode feature.
The infotainment screen is a central feature. XLT and lower trims get a less comprehensive digital gauge cluster, but both test vehicles featured large, portrait-oriented center displays. Animated gauge clusters often appear less refined than traditional analog needles. While digital displays can theoretically present more information, few automakers fully utilize this potential, resulting in pixelated displays with limited added value. The 2024 XLT Ranger retains a physical key, and maintaining the previous generation’s gauge cluster might have been preferable.
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Image alt text: A comparative view of the 2024 Ford Ranger’s Lariat and XLT gauge clusters, alongside a display showing the trailer light check function.
Regarding the center infotainment screen’s vertical orientation, while potentially beneficial for driver and passenger visibility, its positioning isn’t perfectly optimized for either. Glancing at the map or other information requires a noticeable diversion of attention from the road. Primary climate controls are thankfully physical buttons, but seat and steering wheel heating are relegated to a pull-up menu, less convenient to access while driving.
Audio performance, even with the upgraded B&O-branded Lariat system, was underwhelming. Even with a neutral equalizer setting, audio quality sounded muffled and lacked clarity. An optional power-opening rear glass window is a novelty, but a sunroof option is absent.
The Ranger’s most advanced technology lies in its camera system and trailer backup assist. While a front camera might not be essential for a vehicle of this size, it aids in tight maneuvers. The rear camera’s ability to monitor the trailer while driving is a valuable asset.
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Image alt text: Rear view of the 2024 Ford Ranger towing a trailer, highlighting the vehicle’s towing setup and capabilities.
Pro Trailer Backup Assist, previously seen on the F-150 and Super Duty, is newly available on the Ranger. This system utilizes the drive-mode wheel to control trailer steering in reverse at low speeds. Combined with camera views, it aims to simplify trailer backing, particularly for novice users. However, for experienced towers, there might be a learning curve. During testing, maneuvering a trailer with the traditional mirror and geometry method felt more efficient than using the Backup Assist system, especially on the relatively maneuverable Ranger. The system proved more beneficial with larger trucks like the F-150 and F-350.
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Image alt text: Images illustrating the 2024 Ford Ranger’s backup assist feature, showing the camera view and the control knob used to maneuver the trailer.
More practical innovations include an optional side step in the rear bumper for bed access and seamlessly integrated LED cargo bed lighting. After a brief test drive, the 2024 Ford Ranger presents a mixed bag. Its capability claims are segment-leading, but the necessity for a 7,000-pound towing capacity in this class is debatable. Most common towed items like wake boats and fishing boats weigh considerably less. The Ranger’s impressive payload capacity is less practical with its short bed configuration.
The sole availability of a short-bed, long-cab configuration suggests a target demographic of daily drivers with occasional work or off-road needs. For this user profile, a thorough assessment of actual vehicle usage is advisable before committing to a purchase. A $50,000 Ranger investment might be questionable when a moderately used F-150 offering greater capability and interior comfort can be found for a similar price. Alternatively, a similarly priced car could offer superior driving dynamics.
Andrew P. Collins
Image alt text: Heroic side profile view of the 2024 Ford Ranger, emphasizing its stance and overall design.
Another consideration is Ford’s recent recall history. Ford has issued more recalls than any other US automaker in the past three years. Ford’s communications representative provided a statement highlighting ongoing efforts to improve vehicle quality through increased testing, complexity reduction, and rigorous process discipline, aiming for improved reliability in future models.
Despite these efforts, and considering past Ranger experiences, a previous-generation Ranger might be preferable to this new model. Within the mid-size truck segment, the Nissan Frontier remains a compelling alternative. While naturally aspirated and potentially less powerful at altitude, the Frontier offers a more pleasant ergonomic and driving experience, and retains the option of a long bed for more demanding work applications.
Andrew P. Collins
Image alt text: Heroic rear angle view of the 2024 Ford Ranger, showcasing its tailgate and rear design elements.
While the 2024 Ford Ranger can serve as a dual-purpose family and utility vehicle, a more practical approach might be pairing a used work truck with a dedicated passenger car for the same overall investment. The new Ranger’s driving experience lacks refinement, diminishing its appeal as a family-friendly 4×4. It possesses the ruggedness of a Wrangler or 4Runner, but without their inherent charm, largely due to its less-refined interior. The Ranger Raptor, however, represents a significantly different proposition and will be evaluated separately.
| 2024 Ford Ranger XLT 4×4 Specs |
|---|
| Base Price (approx. as tested) |
| Powertrain |
| Horsepower |
| Torque |
| Max Payload |
| Max Towing |
| Off-Road Angles (4×4) |
| Ground Clearance (4×4) |
| Fuel Economy |
| Quick Take |
| Score |
