Completely redesigned with fresh styling, upgraded interior, and new technology, the 2024 Ford Ranger brings impressive performance and capability to the midsize pickup truck market.
Photo: Perry Stern
Ford will offer the new Ranger exclusively as a 4-door crew cab with a 5-foot bed and seating for five. With proper body-on-frame construction, the 2024 Ranger will come with rear-wheel drive (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Three standard trim levels will be available: XL, XLT, and Lariat. For those looking for the ultimate in off-road truck performance, there is also the first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Ranger gets a bolder look for the 2024 model year with front-end styling that blends elements from the smaller Maverick and the best-selling, full-size F-150 pickup. Each trim level gets a slightly different treatment, but all feature a bar across the grille, intersected by a large "Ford" logo and flanked by the automaker's signature C-clamp-style headlights.
While the length of the truck remains almost identical to the outgoing model, the new Ranger is wider and has a wheelbase that has grown by about 2 inches, putting the front wheel closer to the corners. This size increase gives the truck a bolder stance and improves the approach angle for better capability off-road.
A unique functional design feature of the new Ranger is the integrated steps on each side of the bed. The steps are large enough to put both feet on and can handle up to 300 pounds. At the rear, "RANGER" is on the tailgate in large letters, so there's no questioning which truck this is.
The wider track of the new Ranger also translates to a wider truck bed, which now boasts 4 feet of space between the wheel wells, allowing it to haul a standard sheet of plywood flat on the floor. There's also a 400-watt inverter with an outlet in the bed to power accessories when out on the job or at the campsite.
Photo: Perry Stern
For 2024, the Ford Ranger gets a new, clean interior design centered around a nicely integrated vertical display, available as a 10.1-inch or 12-inch screen, depending on the trim level. The all-new instrument cluster adds to the high-tech look, available in an 8-inch or 12.4-inch display. Soft-touch materials on the upper door panels and dashboard give the truck a high-quality feel.
With the all-new design, the front seats are more supportive and comfortable, and there's plenty of space around the front for small item storage. The new Ranger gets a large center console bin, big door pockets, as well as an upper and lower glovebox. A wireless phone charger and additional storage space are conveniently placed ahead of the gear selector.
Rear seats give good support and get almost four more inches of legroom vs. the outgoing model, providing plenty of room for full-size adults. USB ports and a power outlet provide additional convenience to rear-seat passengers.
New for 2024 is the secure under-seat storage in the back. Two good-sized bins are accessible by raising the seat bottom. With smooth surfaces, they are easy to clean, making an ideal place for transporting muddy shoes or tools. Another new feature is the folding seat back, which provides a flat surface in the rear-seat area, perfect for storing larger items that need to stay in the cab.
All 2024 Ford Ranger trucks (except Raptor) will come standard with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that carries over from the previous generation, delivering 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Ford will also offer the Ranger with a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that puts out 315 hp and a plentiful 400 pound-feet of torque. According to Ford, the larger engine will be available in the fall. A 10-speed automatic transmission is the only option with either engine.
Towing capacity remains the same as the outgoing Ranger at 7,500 pounds—the maximum tow rating for either engine option. The maximum payload for the 2WD truck is 1,805 pounds; it's 1,711 pounds for the 4WD versions.
The new Ranger is available with a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system to handle slick conditions or off-road adventures, aided by the 10.4 inches of ground clearance. The longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs improves the approach and departure angles versus the previous version.
The new 2024 Ford Ranger comes with the brand's Co-Pilot 360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This extensive safety feature list includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic emergency steering, reverse automatic braking, and post-collision braking. Also available is blind-spot warning with trailer coverage that warns the driver if a vehicle is alongside a towed trailer.
The Ranger features adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. However, Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system will not be available on the new truck.
All 2024 Ford Ranger pickups feature the latest version of the brand's Sync infotainment system. With an intuitive design and easy customization, Sync is one of the best systems on the market. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect wirelessly for seamless phone integration. The Ranger also includes a 4G LTE embedded modem allowing for over-the-air system updates.
Ford has set the Ranger up for towing with an array of high-tech features. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance provide multiple camera views around the trailer and let the driver steer the trailer using a simple dial instead of the steering wheel.
The Ranger is available with an integrated brake controller for the first time, providing better control of heavier trailers and preserving the truck's brakes. With the handy trailer light checker, it's possible to confirm lights are all working without having to yell to your significant other behind the trailer (speaking from experience).
The new Ranger can even park itself with Active Park Assist 2.0. This fully automated system can park the Ranger in a parallel or perpendicular spot with the driver just along for the ride. I've used the system on other Ford products, and it is impressive how perfectly it parks every time.
The midsize truck market is evolving quickly, with updated versions of the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and the top-selling Toyota Tacoma coming this calendar year. But with fresh styling, a long list of new features, and improved capabilities, the 2024 Ford Ranger should hold its own in this very competitive segment.
Ford is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of May 10, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Living in the Pacific Northwest, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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