Perhaps one of the most anticipated trucks by off-road enthusiasts, the first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor is finally here, boasting more than 400 horsepower, bold styling, and extreme off-road capability.
Photo: Perry Stern
The first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor in North America is exclusively available as a 4-door crew cab with standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). Perched atop the Ford Ranger lineup, the new Raptor joins the F-150 Raptor and Bronco Raptor as an extreme, off-road-ready machine that is versatile enough to be driven every day.
Photo: Perry Stern
Like the rest of the Ford Ranger lineup, the all-new Raptor gets a bold, new design with styling cues from both Maverick and F-150. But the Raptor stands out from the rest of the lineup with a wide grille with "FORD" spelled out, just like the grille on the other Raptor models. LED projector headlights with C-clamp signature running lights flank the prominent grille.
Many of the standout design elements not only add to the aggressive look of the Raptor, but they are functional. The flared fenders frame the big 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain KO3 tires fitted to stylish 17-inch wheels.
Up front is a strong skid plate made from high-strength steel, with additional shields protecting the engine, transfer case, and fuel tank. Tow hooks on the front and rear bumpers add to the truck's versatility. Cast aluminum running boards and custom Raptor graphics complete the package.
Photo: Perry Stern
The new Ranger Raptor's exterior design hints at the truck's extreme capability, and Ford designers gave it an interior to match. Sport seats from Ford Performance look good and provide extra bolstering at the back and thighs to keep the driver in place during enthusiastic adventures.
The extensive use of Code Orange accents on the seats, steering wheel, and vent surrounds adds considerable excitement to the interior design. The sport steering wheel gets Code Orange stitching and the Raptor logo in the same color. Complementing the truck's sporty nature are paddle shifters on the steering column made from cast magnesium alloy.
The new Raptor comes standard with a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 12-inch vertical center display. Overall, the interior has a clean design with few physical buttons and knobs.
There's plenty of storage in the Raptor's cabin with a large center console bin, big door pockets, as well as upper and lower glove boxes. Ford conveniently placed a wireless phone charger and additional storage space ahead of the gear selector.
The rear seats provide ample space for adults with good legroom and headroom. Rear seatbacks fold down to create a flat load surface to transport larger items in the cabin. Additionally, you'll find storage bins below the seats, providing a secure space to store valuables.
Powering the new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine, putting out 405 hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. The same engine used in the Bronco Raptor, Ford tuned this powerful V6 specifically for the Ranger and teams it with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford says the Raptor can tow up to 5,510 pounds or haul 1,411 pounds in the bed.
The Raptor comes standard with an advanced 4WD system, an electronically controlled 2-speed transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials. Surprisingly, the ground clearance of 10.7 inches is just slightly higher than the standard Ranger 4X4.
Underpinning this powerful truck is a purpose-built off-road suspension with 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve shocks, lightweight upper and lower control arms, and a long-travel rear suspension. Ford also beefed up the chassis with reinforced front frame rails and added strength in other key areas to handle extreme off-road conditions.
Completing the Raptor experience is the active exhaust that can operate in quiet mode or Baja mode, the latter of which is likely to wake the neighbors.
Like the rest of the 2024 Ford Ranger lineup, the new Ranger Raptor comes standard 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.
The Ranger Raptor also comes standard with a blind-spot warning system that includes trailer coverage that warns the driver if a vehicle is alongside a towed trailer. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality is also standard on the Raptor.
The Ranger Raptor gets the latest version of Ford's Sync infotainment system that works with a large touchscreen display as well as voice control. With an intuitive design and easy customization, Sync is one of my favorite infotainment systems on the market. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect wirelessly for seamless phone integration. The Ranger Raptor also features a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.
With plenty of power on tap, the Ranger Raptor can easily tow a trailer full of toys or a small travel trailer. There are some high-tech features to aid in this endeavor. Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance provide multiple camera views around the trailer and let the driver back up the trailer using a simple dial instead of the steering wheel. The Ranger Raptor has an integrated brake controller, providing better control of heavier trailers while preserving the truck's brakes.
The new Ranger Raptor can even park itself with Active Park Assist 2.0. This fully automated system can put the Ranger in a parallel or perpendicular spot with the push of a button.
With plenty of power and extreme off-road capabilities, the new 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor properly takes its place with the rest of the Ford models wearing the Raptor name. While other midsize trucks can offer off-road adventures, like the Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Nissan Frontier Pro 4X, and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the Ranger Raptor's high-output EcoBoost engine puts it a step above the competition.
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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