My Thoughts Exactly: 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

Remember years ago when Ford introduced the current generation Ranger? It brought the Blue Oval a mid-sized pickup truck that competed well with its rivals. It also changed the game by focusing on turbocharged power compared to plunking a V6 underneath the hood. 

We were fine with the North American Truck of The Year winning Ranger. Except it was missing something. 

Fifteen years ago, Ford introduced the Raptor name to the mix through their Ford Performance unit. It brought high performance and unapologetic off-road performance to their pickup truck and SUV lineup. For North America, the F-150 got the Raptor treatment, followed by the Bronco. Several years ago, the rest of the world received the current Ranger with the Raptor treatment. We, in the USA and Canada, were not happy. Just plain jealous, if you ask us. 

We wanted a Ranger Raptor. Why can’t we get what we want? Why can’t we have nice things?

Keep in mind, Ford developed the Bronco on the Ranger’s platform. They’re also assembled at the same Wayne, Michigan plant for American and Canadian customers. With the Bronco Raptor being let loose in our trails and desert floors, you would think that they would simply give us a Ranger Raptor for our market…

To make matters more interesting, Ford revised the Ranger with an F-150 inspired look and upgraded interior. The revision arrived for the rest of the world first – including a revised Ranger Raptor. Our jealousy did not quell one bit.

For 2024, Ford introduced our version of the revised global Ranger. Along with the updated mid-size pickup truck, they finally introduced a Ranger Raptor to our market. We all rejoiced! We finally got what we wanted!

It took a while, but a 2024 Ranger Raptor arrived for duty a few months after we received the Lariat model. My curiosity was piqued and my love for Raptors was stoked. How could I say “no?”

Before I go off the deep end, we should explain what’s different about the Ranger Raptor from the rest of the mid-size pickup truck lineup. 

First off, the Raptor treatment was applied to the Ranger with a bolder grille and the Ford name spelled out in bold letters. Ground clearance was raised to 10.7 inches thanks to a suspension lift and the all-terrain tires shod on – in the case of our tester – the optional 17-inch beadlock alloy wheels. There is the requisite Raptor decal on the side of the bed, as well as a badge on the tailgate. Strong metal side steps and bash plates in the front and back round out the Ranger Raptor’s exterior design. 

Inside, orange highlights and trim contrast the black upholstery. The Raptor name appears on the steering wheel and the seatbacks, along with Ford Performance’s name on the sill plates. However, you do get sporty seats with solid bolstering. Everything else is right out of almost every Ranger you can find. 

The big differences are underneath the hood and along the frame. First, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 puts down 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Before you think that it’s the same engine as in the Bronco Raptor, this is a different tune that is down 13 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of torque compared to the SUV. 

It does ride on a set of 2.5-inch FOX Racing Shocks with a Watts-Link rear suspension, both offering an off-road ride. 

As I mentioned before, there’s plenty of equipment that is shared with the regular Ranger. However, we often separate the Raptors from the rest of its lineup. Not because it’s a Ford Performance vehicle, but due to its being “special” in its own way.

That is the best way to describe the Ranger Raptor. It is not as special as climbing into a Navigator Black Label. Rather, it stands out because it is a Raptor to its core.

That’s an audacious statement, isn’t it? It is not without some back up. Its presence may not stand out as a Bronco or F-150 Raptor, but you know immediately that it is. The overall design has a scaled down F-150 vibe, which is a good thing. Brand design continuity works in its favor in this case. 

The seats are supportive, but they do tend to be a bit firm. Yet, there was no fatigue experienced behind the wheel. Rear seat room is fine for average-size humans. I like the overall set-up and appreciate the new shifter design for the Ranger. The controls work well, including the ones associated with the 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen driven by Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment system. Drivers are informed through a customizable 12-inch instrument cluster screen. 

We should add that the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is quite good. They'll make a great soundtrack for adventures ahead – including freeway backups.

For capability, Ranger Raptors have a maximum payload of 1,375 pounds and a tow rating of 5,510 pounds. The five-and-a-half-foot bed has a sprayed-on liner for protection against loads. Once you open the liftgate, you simply let it down. Simple. 

The Ranger Raptor channels its EcoBoosted power through a 10-speed automatic transmission with a standard four-wheel drive system and a two-speed transfer case. To get into the both four-wheel drive ratios, just press one of the buttons on the center console-mounted wheel-like controller. You can also twist the outer knob to select your drive mode. 

In all, the performance is there. It does act, sound, and roll out like a Raptor. Not exactly “perfect,” but then again what is perfection? Cruising was fine, especially when traversing the Twin Cities’ freeways. If you really have to ask, I observed a fuel consumption average of 17.2 MPG.

The upshot of any off-road ready pickup truck and SUV is its suspension and the resulting ride quality. The FOX shocks create an absorbent ride, yet it feels more controlled – not too hard nor soft. As a result, you will find that taking on a curve or getting around obstacles were as controlled.

The steering system is quite good. While it yields a greater turning radius, there was plenty of control at the steering wheel. On-center feel was a bit on the soft side. Brake pedal feel was also fine, as was the entire system. Stopping power was there, as it also yielded decent stops in normal and panic scenarios. 

Since we already covered the 2024 Ranger, you will find a huge surprise when it comes to the Raptor’s pricing. The base price of this off-road ready performance pickup truck was $55,720. It only comes in a SuperCrew cab, a Styleside five-and-a-half-foot bed, and four-wheel drive. This tester came with a sticker price of $59,045. The 2025 Ranger Raptor seen a base price increase of just $100. If you equip one with the same specification, that sticker price will rise to just $59,405. 

Compared to the Bronco and F-150 Raptor models, the Ranger version is a great value. You get a performance pickup truck with the Ford Performance upgrades for tens of thousands of dollars less. It is also in line with the pricing with its rivals in the same size, performance, and capability class. 

Which brings us this question: What took Ford so long to add a Raptor variant to the North American Ranger lineup? That, considering how desirable the F-150 Raptor became over the past 15 years. I, for one, am glad they righted this omission.

The Ranger Raptor is the gift we always wanted. The extension of a legacy that gave Ford a sense of superiority on the desert floor sparked the rise of the off-road pickup truck. The Ranger version is one that is more attainable and down to Earth. Good reasons to take a deeper look at one.

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company

All photos by Randy Stern