{"id":242704,"date":"2023-05-10T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=242704"},"modified":"2023-05-10T17:13:11","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T21:13:11","slug":"first-look-2024-ford-ranger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2023\/05\/first-look-2024-ford-ranger\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look: 2024 Ford Ranger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ford rolled out the 2024 iteration of its midsize Ranger, in the case above, the XLT trim.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with Raptor Ranger pricing.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ford Motor Co. fired its latest salvo in\u00a0the midsize pickup truck wars<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with the unveiling of the 2024 Ford Ranger Wednesday, seeking to unseat the segment\u2019s longtime leader, the\u00a0Toyota Tacoma<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do that, Ford is offering two versions, the Ranger and the off-road performance-oriented Ranger Raptor, which is different enough that it\u2019s the subject of a separate report. The rollout comes as General Motors initiates production of the completely redesigned Chevrolet Colorado<\/a><\/strong> and GMC Canyon<\/a><\/strong>, and Toyota is about to offer a remade Tacoma. Not to be left out, Nissan redid the Frontier for 2022<\/a><\/strong>. The Honda Ridgeline<\/a><\/strong> remains unchanged from its makeover from a few years back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As recently as 2016, U.S. buyers purchased just 448,398 midsize pickups. But that\u2019s grown to 622,941 last year and expected to reach 778,982 by 2025. But it\u2019s Toyota everyone is gunning for, as it holds a 34% share of the midsize pickup market through the first quarter of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fresh wardrobe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Ford Ranger started from a different place than the 2023 model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe current generation Ranger was designed primarily for the rest of the world and brought into the U.S.,\u201d said Nima Nourian, Ranger\u2019s Chief Exterior Design manager. \u201cThis one was designed with the North American customer in mind from the start, and you can you can immediately see its North American F-Series design influence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 2024 Ford Ranger was designed for North America from the start.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Offered solely as a Super Crew with four full-size doors. It\u2019s now 2 inches wider, to give it a more dominating front end along with a more muscular appearance and better stance. Its face is dominated by a strong horizontal bar that extends into the C-clamp-shaped headlamps, an F-Series design cue. LED lighting is standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front\u2019s interlocking design elements lend it a invigorating air, toughening its countenance, although the rest of the truck sports a calmer, classic design execution that\u2019s timelessly handsome, including slightly bulging fenders that accentuate the 17- or 18-inch wheels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there are thoughtful touches, such as a shorter front overhang to improve approach angles while off-roading. In the rear, side-mounted steps that help access the cargo bed are integrated into the body, not the bumper, so it can hold 300 pounds. The bed itself can hold a 4-foot wide sheet of plywood or drywall, although the bed\u2019s only 6 feet long. A spray-in bedliner is optional, as is a 400-watt power inverter with an outlet in the bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available in ascending XL, XLT and Lariat trim, the new Ranger uses an updated a boxed high-strength steel frame; at a touch over 210 inches long, it\u2019s about the same length as a decade-old F-150. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ranger with the optional 12-inch infotainment touchscreen.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The inside story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Climb inside and you\u2019re greeted by an interior that feels roomier than before, thanks to the truck\u2019s wider track and an instrument panel with a strong horizontal theme. The air registers have been moved to the outer edges of the IP and boast a grille texture that mimics that of the front grille. A secondary glovebox above the primary one is optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ford addressed consumers\u2019 need for secure storage by integrating out-of-sight cubbies beneath the rear seat bottom cushion, while the rear seatback folds flat for carrying cargo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking tech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The new Ranger’s cabin is filled with durable materials with interesting textures.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The center infotainment screen in now integrated into the IP and has a vertical orientation. A 10.1-inch screen is standard; a 12-inch screen is optional. Both incorporate entertainment functions, as well as climate controls. But the larger screen allows for larger buttons, something to keep in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An 8-inch digital instrument cluster is standard; a 12.4-inch cluster is optional. The Ranger also comes fitted with a standard embedded 4G LTE modem, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, two USB ports and an available wireless charging pad. A 360-degree camera is optional; a rear-view camera is standard. A Bang & Olufsen is optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ford CoPilot-360, the company’s suite of driver assistance systems, includes a Lane Centering System, Auto High Beams, Blind-Spot Information Detection with Cross-Traffic Alert and trailer coverage, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Intersection Assist, Active Park Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Speed Sign Recognition, Post Collision Braking, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Forward Collision Warning, and Reverse Brake Assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A variety of drivelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The 2024 Ford Ranger cuts a handsome profile.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For now, the Ranger comes solely with internal combustion engines. Last year\u2019s 2.3-liter EcoBoost continues as the standard engine, developing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. New this year is an optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 used in the F-150 and Bronco, but tuned for the Ranger. It’s rated at 315 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard, and an electronic shift-on-the-fly 4×4 system is available. Ford says the 2024 Ranger has a maximum available towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and maximum available payload capacity of 1,805 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving the Ranger’s off-road agility are a Terrain Management System for different types of trails; Trail Control, which basically cruise control for off-roading; drive modes for on-road control and an off-road screen with front camera view. It also comes with Pro Trailer Backup Assist with an integrated trailer brake controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What price newness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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For 2024, the Ford Ranger sports a significantly higher base price.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A new Ranger pickup truck may be welcome, but Ford has significantly hiked its starting price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It now starts at $34,160 for the XL, a nearly 20% price hike from the 2023 model\u2019s $27,400 tariff. And that\u2019s not including a pricey $1,595 destination charge or options. That\u2019s higher than the starting price of the Toyota Tacoma ($28,280), Nissan Frontier ($29,100), and the Chevrolet Colorado ($29,200), but lower than the GMC Canyon ($36,900), Honda Ridgeline ($38,800) and Jeep Gladiator ($38,775). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it\u2019s even pricier than a 2023 F-150 XL, which starts at $33,695, although the F-150 XL’s 4,100-4,400-pound towing capacity is noticeably lower.\u00a0If you want to move up another step to the Ranger Raptor be prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Ranger Raptor will start at $56,960, including $1,595 for destination fees. That\u2019s a $22,500 bump over the base Ranger XL, at $34,160. Few would be surprised to see at least some dealers mark up the Raptor, at least in early days when supplies will be short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the redesigned 2024 Ford Ranger is better than the model it replaces, with more power from its powertrain options, a fresh cabin and looks that should stand the test of time. And given its the size of a 25-year-old full-size pickup, this rig will suit a wide variety of truck enthusiasts. All versions of the pickup will be assembled\u00a0\u00a0at Ford\u2019s Wayne Assembly Plant near Detroit. The automaker plans to begin taking advance orders later this month, with first deliveries expected by sometime over the summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ford unleashes a redesigned 2024 Ranger. But its goodness comes at a price. TheDetroitBureau.com has more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13752,"featured_media":242688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8,5,1608,3185],"tags":[3684,10828,1444,10827,2592,10829],"make":[56],"post-state":[],"category_old":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242704"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13752"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242704"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242861,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242704\/revisions\/242861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/242688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242704"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=242704"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=242704"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=242704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}