Test-Driving The 2024 Ford Ranger

The long-anticipated, redesigned 2024 Ranger is a rugged, throw-it-around hunk of truck that’s not only great-looking but can also be pushed into mud or light water situations and out again, no problem. Yet it’s also small enough to fit into most parking spaces. It also starts in the low 30s, another plus. Let’s take a look.

The Redesign

If it looks ever-so-F-150, it’s with good reason – it takes some styling cues from that iconic, best-selling truck. It’s also wider, with a two-inch longer wheelbase with a total of four feet between wheelwells. I liked the side step integrated into one side of the bed, allowing easier climbing up and in. Mighty-looking 33-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain KO3 tires are coupled with smart-looking 17-inch wheels. Remember how the old Rangers used to bounce all over the road? None of that now.

It’s offered exclusively as a four-door crew cab, with a five-foot bed. Rails to assist driver and passenger exit/entry do not retract, but they give the truck an even more masculine, no-nonsense flavor.

Inside, Tech and Storage

There’s more storage than in years past and higher-class details everywhere you look and touch. My XLT had basic cloth seats which I found nice-looking and comfortable, and I never wished they were leather. Go for the higher trims, naturally, and you’ll get better stuff. For instance, the Raptor trim features sportier seats, accented colors and their logo all over the place. Check out available trims and what they come with here.

Standard features on a base Ranger deliver a vinyl floor, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster as well as a Sync 4A infotainment with a 10-inch touchscreen. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB-A and USB-C ports are all on deck.

The infotainment system is one of the best-looking on the market - not too large, and not too tiny. Go for the 12-inch display with the Sync 4A system and you’ll get navigation, off-road data, entertainment and an available 360-degree camera. You can also update the system via the airwaves. Ford put physical buttons around the center console for climate and volume and for that, I was grateful.

You’ll find much storage in the center console, your door pockets, the second glove compartment, and in rear underseat bins. The back seat folds flat, too, assisting in hauling large items.

Engine

My XLT had a 270-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but you can get a 315-hp, 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine or a 405-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 which comes in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Mileage for my XLT was somewhere between 20-24 MPG, city and highway combined.

The Drive

The Ranger took all that was thrown at it all week, through rain, snow and bright sunshine, curves or straightaways. Though my speed wasn’t phenomenal – you’ll have to go for the more expensive trims with their bigger engines - braking and steering were suitably solid and sure. There was minimal body roll even when pushed hard and I pushed it hard most of the time where safely possible, including climbing over stuff here and there. Visibility is above average and shifting gears is a prompt, painless endeavor via a great big shift stalk as opposed to wheels or pushbuttons.

I also fit two adults in the rear, one of whom was quite a large gent, and both reported a smooth ride and room for the knees.

My main driving impression was that this was a capable, comfortable machine, vastly improved over the Rangers of old. It’ll do anything a bigger truck will do, only on a smaller scale. A truck is like your bro in ways an SUV or sedan can never hope to be and the Ranger delivered that delicious truck-euphoria many, many times. I did not take the Ranger off-road as there was no place to do it near my test – but it may happen later this year, I’m told. Hopefully with one of the bigger engines.

Beefs

The sound system in my tester was below-average, muffled at normal volume and distorted at higher volumes. The nav sys worked great, but like so many in automobiles, it frequently informed me about a turn as I was passing it. It also could not understand a thing I said verbally – not even close. Eventually I gave up and just used my Droid.

Those complaints are minor, however, in the face of all else the Ranger can accomplish.

Towing

When equipped with the available Trailer Tow Package, the Ranger produces 7,500 lbs. of max towing ability. If you’ve got a boat, trailer or otherwise, check out all the goodies here.

Safety

The 360-Degree Camera is a blessing, but it’s an option on the XLT while coming standard on the LARIAT and Raptor. The front, rear and mirror-mounted side view cameras provide a bird’s-eye view around your pickup. All the other standard safety features are here for you - blind spot monitoring, emergency braking at low speeds, lane-wandering assistance, and more.

Conclusion: It’s a tight race among smaller pickups, with the Tacoma and Frontier, for example, offering worthy competitors for the new Ranger. But for basic truck duty and relatively low starting price, the XLT’s a winner.