2024 Ford Ranger Review: Ranger Ready

Pickup trucks are beloved in the USA, with sales exceeding even practical urban cruisers like SUVs. However, not all are burly workhorses meant to pull inconceivable loads across the country. Some are better all-rounders that can fit in on the streets just as easily as they can tackle dirt trails and rocky slopes. The 2024 Ford Ranger is such a vehicle, boasting impressive capabilities no matter the task it is assigned. Confidence comes from a pair of EcoBoost engines (four-cylinder or V6), with the more potent of the two making 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, which enables a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs. This bump in outputs places the Ford in a strong position against the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, so there is a good chance that the Ranger will continue to be the country's top-selling mid-size pickup.

New for 2024

The new Ford Ranger pickup enters its sixth generation with more features than ever before. Many are specifically designed to improve trailering, though the max capacity remains unchanged. Storage is significantly enhanced with more clever solutions around the cabin and in the cargo bed, among other new features.

As an all-new model, the new Ford Ranger pickup truck rides on a longer wheelbase; it also looks much more rugged than the outgoing model. Some styling cues are taken from the smaller Maverick truck, which should appeal to a broader audience. The next-gen Ranger gets two engine options for the new model year and an upgraded interior with higher-quality materials and more tech.

2024 Ford Ranger Price: Which One to Buy

You get to choose from three trim levels, each with either a rear- or four-wheel drivetrain. The 2024 Ford Ranger XL starts things off with a price of $32,565, with 4WD upping that to $36,210. Next up is the XLT at $36,005 MSRP and 4WD increasing this to $39,490. The top-tier Lariat sells for between $43,525 and $47,010, depending on the drivetrain, though it is also the only trim that allows you to equip the more powerful V6 engine. Since this will be a late availability option, we don't currently know how much this will cost. Ford charges a $1,595 destination fee.

If we were buying, we might be tempted to wait for said 315-hp V6, but as things stand, we'd take the XLT. It adds some safety tech we feel is essential for a city family car, including blind-spot monitoring. It also allows you to add many features found on the Lariat at a lower price with packages like the XLT High Equipment Group, which gets you power front seats with heating, dual-zone climate control, and the larger infotainment screen.

Interior and Features

The updated interior of the 6th-gen Ranger has significantly improved the overall appeal of the pickup, with better materials and more standard tech being a big draw.

The makeover of the 2024 Ranger includes a much-improved interior that sports better materials and finish, along with additional standard tech. The available 12-inch vertical touchscreen is a nice addition, and there are physical buttons below for more mundane features like the air conditioning. These are placed within easy reach of the driver. The dashboard is otherwise very clean, with the air vents taking up very little space thanks to smart integration. The overall impression is one of refined ruggedness that we have come to expect from Ford's updated lineup. Upper trims even offer conveniences like a wireless charging pad, which are generally pricey options in pickups.

Space

You don't get to choose your preferred cab size as you do with most pickups, as every model comes outfitted with what is called the Super Cab. On the plus side, this means you get loads of interior space, with even the second row offering loads of space for taller passengers. Getting inside the truck is easy thanks to the tall roof and equally high step-in. You can option running boards in black or chrome to help smaller passengers like children climb into the cabin, too. The front seats are manually adjustable at first, which can complicate matters when looking for a comfortable position, but outward visibility is generally great, though the length of the vehicle can result in some tricky blind spots.

Cargo

While there is only a tiny amount of space behind the rear seats, every model comes equipped with a five-foot box that supplies 43.5 cubic feet of space. Payload capacity ranges from 1,711 pounds and 1,805 lbs depending on the drivetrain equipped.

However, this is just the beginning, as Ford has ensured that there are plenty of nooks and crannies around the cabin to store goodies. These include under-seat storage bins, while the rear seats can fold flat so that the second row can act as a pseudo-trunk. The center armrest cubby is particularly large and deep, and the glove compartment can also hold a few decent-sized items. Door pockets are generous, and you get cupholders in the front and in the rear fold-down armrest.

Materials and Colors

Trucks are not traditionally luxurious, so it comes as no surprise that the Ford Ranger makes use of cloth upholstery on its lower trim levels. While it is referred to as premium cloth, it is a hardy material that will stand the test of time and any shenanigans the kids may get up to on camping trips. The XL only offers this upholstery in Ebony, while the XLT adds Sandstone as an option. To get access to leather, you have to upgrade to the Lariat, though no additional interior colors are offered.

Features and Infotainment

Trucks are quite expensive, so automakers try to present affordable options by leaving off many features you would otherwise get standard on an entry-level car. Nevertheless, the base XL still covers all the essentials with remote keyless entry, cruise control, manual air conditioning, and an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment is run through a ten-inch touchscreen, which is quite large for a base system. It grants access to AM/FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while a six-speaker sound system handles the playback.

With a focus on safety, the XLT only adds a few quality-of-life features like a wireless charging pad, along with SiriusXM and navigation for the infotainment. The top-level Lariat is more generous, adding intelligent access with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and power-adjustable front seats (ten-way for the driver and eight-way for the passenger). A B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen is a significant upgrade, and it comes with ten speakers and HD radio. A larger 12-inch touchscreen interface is also available.

Performance

Traditionally, sporty performance doesn't matter all that much for a truck, but when built more for daily and recreational use, it can be a deciding factor. The standard engine in the Ford Ranger is a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a mid-size truck and allows it to hustle around town without much fuss, even will handling a heavy load. However, most buyers will be wondering how good the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 is, even though it is only being made available later in the year. This block develops 315 hp and 400 lb-ft, allowing the Ford Ranger to sprint from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and on to a top speed of between 115 and 120 mph. Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and allow buyers to choose between 2WD and 4x4. In its most capable configuration, the Ranger can tow loads of up to 7,500 lbs.

As stated, the Ranger is more of a driver's truck than a utilitarian pickup. Therefore, it exhibits much more engaging dynamics, such as agile steering though there isn't a whole lot of feedback. However, fun comes at the cost of comfort, and the suspension doesn't do as good of a job soaking up bumps as it could. Of course, loading up the cargo bed can help smooth out any rattles. The new V6 can be a lot of fun, with more torque on demand, though it relies on the same gearbox that can be a little slow to give you the downshift you want when accelerating. It's not available just yet. Off-road, it handles as well as you'd expect from a Ford, even if it isn't a Bronco. It has plenty of ground clearance and a competent 4x4 drivetrain that ensures you can go where others can't.

Fuel Efficiency

Trucks seldom boast exemplary gas mileage, but the EcoBoost engine in the Ranger is actually pretty frugal, all things considered. There is no official mpg rating for the 2024 Ford Ranger from the EPA as yet, but the 2.3-liter engine is a carryover from 2023, so looking at that year's figures, the 2WD version managed 21/26/23 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles and the 4WD variant achieved 19/24/21 mpg.

With a fuel capacity of 18.8 gallons, the current Ranger should be able to travel around 400 miles with the base engine.

Safety

The Ford Ranger adds some advanced systems like forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist as standard.

Yet again, being so new, there is no safety review of the 2024 Ford Ranger from the likes of the NHTSA or IIHS, at time of writing. Last year's model was awarded four out of five stars, which is not that great for a truck. Hopefully, Ford has taken the opportunity to make the new generation even sturdier, but it has at least added more standard and available safety features.

Each model is equipped with six airbags, along with ABS, and stability control, while more advanced systems comprise forward collision warning, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, dynamic brake support, and lane-keep assist with post-collision braking. The XLT adds even more driver-assistance tech in the form of lane-keep driver alert, reverse parking aid, reverse brake assist, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic assist and trailer coverage. It also upgrades the regular rearview camera to a digital version. At the top of the range, the Lariat upgrades the cruise control to adaptive cruise control with lane centering and adds a surround-view camera and enhanced active park assist.

Reliability

JD Power has yet to provide the new Ford Ranger with a reliability rating, but the outgoing generation was well-regarded at 83 out of 100. There have also been no recalls issued for the current model, but it is still very new and we'll have to wait and see if anything crops up - we hope the automaker has factored in the issues on the outgoing generation when designing the new one. Still, there were only two recalls for the 2023 model.

Every 2024 Ford Ranger gets a standard warranty for three years/36,000 miles, while the powertrain and roadside assistance warranty is covered for five years/60,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

The redesigned Ranger may use the same frame as the old one, albeit somewhat modified, but just about everything else is new. Ford's traditional C-clamp headlights are present and look sleek and modern on the truck, while the flat front fascia is dominated by a grille with honeycomb mesh and a dual horizontal bar that runs slightly more than the width of the grille. The blue oval logo is perfectly centered between the two bars. Daytime running lights are standard, as are 17-inch alloy wheels. The XLT adds halogen fog lights and upgrades the standard taillights to LED variants, while the Lariat gives you bigger 18-inch wheels. The only body options provided this year are the SuperCrew Cab and standard five-foot bed, but you get a remote-release tailgate as standard and can option running boards and a tonneau cover.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Ford Ranger A Good Truck?

The Ford Ranger has always been one of the brand's most popular models and for good reason. It boasts aggressive but stylish good looks, a spacious cabin, and a good helping of standard tech. The latest generation has not only improved upon these strengths but also shored up some of the weak points, like a somewhat unrefined ride and a slightly unsophisticated cabin. Updates to the interior include better materials, a more refined look to the dash, a large touchscreen and driver-information display, and more comforts as standard. The ride quality has improved a bit, but this is still a hardy truck that feels a little more at home off the road than on it. Trailering remains solid at 7,500 lbs. Overall, the next-gen Ranger is simply a better version of an already good truck and it is perfectly positioned to outpace and outshine its more modern rivals like the Chevy Colorado.