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My love for the Ford Ranger goes way back. It's always been so cool to me. My father-in-law owned one, as did a few of my buddies. Its utility and charm were second to none — especially with its mile-long manual transmission and rear jump seats. For 29 years, the Ranger was one of the best-selling trucks in the compact segment until Ford ended its production in 2011.
Well, in case you missed it, the Ranger's 5th generation model has arrived for 2024 — and it's a knockout.
Ford significantly overhauled the Ranger for its new generation and it totally won me over. This is a great truck. It has sprinkles of its micro-sized little brother, the Maverick, but it's especially successful in carrying over many of the more usable and spacious elements from the legendary F-150, as well as its brawny styling cues.
It's larger than the outgoing model but is still very maneuverable and drives smaller than what it is. As Dan Edmunds of Car and Driver wrote about its improved ride, "All are good changes, and they pair nicely with reformulated spring and damper tuning that exorcizes the old truck's pronounced float and wallow. Add the taller tires' extra sidewall and you end up with a smooth-riding Ranger that also feels infinitely more stable and buttoned down."
The Ranger deserves a serious look if you've been on the fence about which mid-size truck to get. Here are six reasons you should check it out.
The exterior styling is excellent
When the new Ranger came out in 2019, some were disappointed by its exterior styling. It looked soft, and even a bit frumpy. Now for 2024 the Ranger has gone to the gym, borrowed some of its cool older brother's clothes, and found its own identity. The result? It's a brawny, burley, awesome-looking truck. It gives off a tough, fit and capable vibe but isn't as in your face as some of its rivals. It's an exterior that will stay fresh for years to come.
Dan Edmunds of Car and Driver said it well when he wrote, "The end result is a Ranger that looks burlier and beefier but still maintains the tidy dimensions necessary to negotiate tight parking lots and ease into a garage as a mid-size should."
The interior is comfortable and usable
I love driving trucks, and honestly, I've wanted a mid-size truck for years. But I've held off for mainly one reason: interior space and comfort — especially in the rear seat. I've driven every single one of the Ranger's competitors and while they're great to drive, I can confidently say that none of them feel as spacious as the Ranger.
The rear seat is actually usable — and comfortable — even for adults. We put our two kids back there and were genuinely pleased at how much room they had. If you've been on the fence for the same reasons and don't want something full-size, you need to check out this truck.
The rest of the interior is excellent, too. The materials, design, dash — everything has been retooled and updated and it looks incredibly sharp. It feels good, too. While some Rangers in the past have felt cheap, my XLT model, even with its cloth seats, didn't feel skimped on in the slightest. And speaking of seats, they're very comfortable. I had plenty of seat time in the Ranger and would gladly spend every day in it, even on longer commutes.
Car and Driver writer Edmunds summed up the interior well when he wrote, "The cabin is clearly the most improved player on the Ranger bench … this is a worst-to-first moment in terms of mid-size-truck interior design, materials, and execution."
The turbocharged four-cylinder engine is surprisingly punchy
I'm always a fan of power, including Ford's 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6, but alas, my tester was only fitted with the Ranger's standard engine: a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. But that wasn't a bad thing! In fact, during the first day of testing, I wasn't aware it was a four-cylinder and was convinced it made more power than what the spec sheet reported.
The base engine produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque — not bad at all for scooting around town. It's punchy, torquey and decently efficient. During my few days of testing, I averaged 22.8 mpg, which is right in line with the combined driving estimation of 22 mpg.
It's good at doing truck stuff
Another concern people like me have had with mid-size trucks is their ability to do truck stuff. Well, Ford has amped that up, too. The 2024 Ranger's towing capacity, when equipped with four-wheel drive and the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, is 7,500 pounds. Maximum payload is rated at 1,711 pounds. What's even more impressive is the Ranger's ability to carry a full-size sheet of plywood or drywall in its five-foot bed — an impossible task in all but one of the Ranger's competitors.
As long as you're not regularly towing a significant amount of weight, the Ranger is capable of confidently tackling whatever chores you can throw at it throughout the week.
It's great to drive
Perhaps my favorite thing about the 2024 Ranger is just how good it is to drive. I admit, full-size trucks have their appeal. They're more powerful, larger and arguably more useful. But the truth is, they can be cumbersome to drive daily, especially in tight parking situations.
The Ranger remedies all of that. It's just the right size and is perfect for daily driving.
The Ranger is comfortable, full of great tech and the ride quality is vastly improved over the previous generation. While my father-in-law's old Ranger required a somewhat steep learning curve to drive it smoothly, this new Ranger couldn't have felt more natural.
It's a bargain
As good as the new Ranger is, its price tag is the cherry on top. My XLT tester was decently optioned and still stickered for under $45,000. If you buy one with the upgraded 310 horsepower, 400 pound-feet of torque 2.7-liter V6 engine, and tack on other tempting options like the FX4, advanced technology and towing packages, the price would just barely crest over $50,000 — several thousand dollars less than its closest competitors.
Want an even more tantalizing option? The Ranger Raptor, which touts 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque and other goodies like custom-tuned Fox shocks, can be had for just over $55,000.
Final thoughts
Few vehicle segments are as hotly contested as the mid-size pickup truck market. Everywhere you turn there's something great offered. Well, after a few years of playing second fiddle to some of the competitors, Ford's overhauled 2024 Ranger is decidedly top-tier. It looks great, is legitimately capable and has more comfort, space and features than many buyers will ever need. Even with its base four-cylinder engine, this Ranger is the real deal — although I certainly wouldn't mind the bump that comes from its optional, larger engines or the spicy, baja-blasting Ranger Raptor.
