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Caraganza Review 2024 Ford Ranger: A workhorse in a world of supercharged show ponies

2024 Ford Ranger

The last time I spent a week with a Ford Ranger was 2021. It wasn’t too awfully long after our modern version of the Dark Ages, or as I like to refer to them, the Before Times.  Some still wore masks, and most of us were getting used to our new normal.

The 2021 Ford Ranger that showed up in my driveway one Monday in July meant I would be doing whatever my wife had on her “you got a truck this week, so we need to…” list. This normally means trips to the home improvement store to get stuff we suddenly needed, this despite the fact we had been doing just fine until then, and yard sales, thrift stores, and wherever else we could buy junk we didn’t need but could now buy since I could actually haul it.

My week was spent with the top of the line (for that model year) Lariat with the off-road Tremor package. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to actually take it off-road because home improvement stores. However, I grew sort of fond of that Ranger, it was smaller than a full-size truck, more nimble, easier to park, and with the supercrew cab had enough room inside to be comfortable. It wasn’t flashy, nor pretentious, it just was.

Since my week with the Ranger, I had a week with a Raptor which is nothing like a Ranger. Not at all. So then when I got another week with a Ranger, this time a 2024, I came to a realization.

Imagine, if you will, showing up to a Hollywood red carpet event wearing a simple button-down shirt while everyone else is strutting in Gucci suits and designer gowns. That’s the 2024 Ford Ranger—perfectly respectable, practical even—but in a world where trucks are increasingly turning into roaring, fire-breathing monsters, it feels like the one that forgot to bring the party.

It’s a world where trucks come with more adrenaline than a Formula 1 grid—where you can buy monsters like the Raptor, Toyota’s TRD Pro, Chevy’s ZR2 Bison, or even the Hellcat-infused Ram TRX—this Ranger is like walking into a nightclub wearing khakis. It’s perfectly fine, just… not what the crowd’s here for.

For 2024 the Ranger has been redesigned debuting its fifth generation since making its U.S. comeback in 2019. It’s got a more muscular look, sharper angles, and a rugged fascia, as if it’s been hitting the gym between oil changes. But—and this is where it all falls apart—when you line it up next to the lunatics that dominate the modern truck world, it’s like parking a Labrador next to a pack of wolves.

Since 2021 the trims have been tweaked a bit. For 2024 there’s the base XL which is essentially Ford saying, “Here’s a truck. It’s got wheels, it moves, what more do you want?” Then, there’s the XLT (my tester for the week), where Ford tosses in some additional gadgets and creature comforts but still keeps things unremarkably functional. Finally, the Lariat gives you leather seats and a few bits of tech to make you think, “Well, I guess I deserve this.”

Under the hood there is the respectable 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with a 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission, and 2- or 4-wheel drive.  Is it adequate? Of course. But in this day and age, “adequate” feels like showing up to a drag race in your mom’s Camry. Yes, it’ll get you where you need to go, and yes, it’ll haul your trailer or whatever gear you need for that weekend DIY project.

2024 Ford Ranger

And yes for 2024 Ford is trying to keep up with the Joneses with a Raptor version of the Ranger. Now comparing the 2024 Ford Ranger to the 2024 Ranger Raptor is a bit like comparing a golden retriever to a wolf. Sure, they share the same DNA, but their purpose and demeanor couldn’t be more different.

Let’s start with the standard 2024 Ranger. As we discussed earlier, it’s perfectly fine. It’s got a modest 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds, which makes it great for weekend warriors hauling boats or campers or checking things off the wife’s list. It’s well-suited for daily duties like commuting, hauling, and the occasional off-road adventure—nothing too extreme. The ride is smooth enough, the interior is comfortable enough, and the tech—while not flashy—gets the job done.

In summation, the Ranger is practical. It’s the kind of truck you buy when you want a reliable workhorse that won’t break the bank, but it also won’t make heads turn at the stoplight. It’s the truck that shows up, does its job, and doesn’t need applause for it.

Now enter the Raptor, a whole different animal. It trades in the sensible four-cylinder for a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that cranks out 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. That’s a staggering jump in performance. While the regular Ranger says, “I’ll help you move,” the Raptor shouts, “Let’s race through the desert at 100 mph!”

The Raptor isn’t just about power though. It’s been engineered with a heavy focus on off-road dominance. You get a high-performance Fox Racing suspension system, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and massive skid plates. The suspension travel is designed for high-speed off-roading, meaning you can jump, crash, and climb with confidence. Meanwhile, the standard Ranger, with its more traditional suspension, would simply ask, “Are you sure about this?” before getting stuck.

And then there’s the look. The Ranger Raptor is far more aggressive with flared fenders, a bold grille, and plenty of rugged accents. It screams, “I’m not just a truck; I’m an off-road weapon.” It’s the truck you buy when you want to tear through mud, bash over rocks, and get a little airborne, all while looking like you’re ready for an apocalypse.

In terms of price, the Raptor is significantly more expensive, but you’re paying for that raw, unhinged capability. The regular Ranger is the budget-conscious option, making it ideal for people who need a truck but don’t need to conquer the Mojave Desert on the weekends.

In the end trying to compare the Ranger with its new Raptor cousin is like pitting your mild-mannered cousin against a professional MMA fighter—everyone’s going to be polite, but we all know who’d win.

In a world where the standard is off-road dominance and 700-horsepower insanity, it just feels like Ford’s offering you a sensible pair of shoes when everyone else is rocking jetpacks. Does this Ranger have a place in the market? Absolutely. But it’s the quiet kid in the back of the classroom while the Raptor, Bison, and TRX are busy setting off fireworks in the parking lot.

In my mind the 2024 Ford Ranger is America’s favorite “I’m just here to do my job” midsize truck in a world where the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

The 2024 Ford Ranger XLT
MSRP: $37,255
MSRP (as tested): $40,748
Engine: 2.3 liter 4-cylinder 270 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, 310 lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed shiftable automatic
Fuel Mileage (EPA): 20 city, 24 highway, 22 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested mixed conditions): 25 mpg.
Curb weight: 4,415 lbs.
Max Towing Capacity: 7,500 lbs.
Max Payload Capacity: 1,711 lbs.

Exterior Dimensions
Length: 210.6 in.
Overall width with mirrors: 86.7 in.
Height: 74.4 in.
Wheelbase: 128.7 in.
Bed length: 59.6 in.
Ground clearance: 9.3 in.

Interior Dimensions
Front head room: 41.0 in.
Front leg room: 43.7 in.
Front shoulder room: 57.1 in.
Front hip room: 55.9 in.
Rear head room: 39.8 in.
Rear leg room: 34.6 in.
Rear shoulder room: 56.7 in.
Rear hip room: 54.1 in.

Warranty
3 Basic Years / 36,000 Basic Miles
5 Drivetrain Years / 60,000 Drivetrain Miles
5 Corrosion Years / Unlimited Corrosion Miles
5 Roadside Assistance Years / 60,000 Roadside Assistance Miles

Greg Engle
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