Ford Updates Ranger Pickup for 2024: Connected & Tough

To meet the evolving needs of North American customers, the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck offers more towing technology than ever in a Ranger, convenient storage features, and an available 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 for added power. 

Ford noted that it has engineered each aspect of the all-new Ranger to meet the demands of its adventure-craving customers and fleets, including its frame, suspension, powertrains, connectivity, and advanced driver assist software. The automaker teased the new Ranger in late January 2023. 

The Ford brand sold more than 1 million pickups worldwide in 2022, and part of that sales success comes from Ranger. Ranger sales have increased 112% globally in the past decade, with more than 86,000 units sold this year.

Kelley Blue Book recently recognized the previous generation 2023 Ranger for having the lowest five-year total cost of ownership in the midsize pickup truck segment when accounting for insurance, maintenance, fuel, and depreciation.

The 2024 Ford Ranger will be assembled at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with orders beginning later in May 2023. Availability begins late summer, with late fall availability for the 2.7L EcoBoost engine.

Making a Pickup ‘Ranger’ Ready

The all-new Ford Ranger was tested with the equivalent of more than 4.9 million customer miles before launch. This included:

• Broken road surfaces in Australia.
• Harsh hauling, brutal towing, and hot testing in America.
• Cold testing in New Zealand.  

In designing the backbone of Ranger, Ford engineers improved the truck’s fully boxed high-strength steel frame. The wheelbase and track stretched about two inches to provide more bed space and enhanced stability while remaining easy to navigate on trails.  

The rear shocks and shock mounts have also been moved outboard of the frame rails for improved ride and control. All versions of the Ranger also benefit off-road from improved ground clearance and better approach and departure angles.  

The all-new Ranger features a maximum available towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a maximum available payload capacity of 1,805 pounds. 

To power the pickup truck, the 2.3L EcoBoost continues as the standard engine, developing 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Ranger will offer the available 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 shared with F-150 and Bronco, which produces 315 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque to provide more power when towing, passing, and off-roading. 

All Rangers have a standard class-exclusive 10-speed automatic SelectShift transmission and an available electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4 system built for on-demand off-road and low traction capability.

Increasing Ranger Pickup Capabilities

The all-new Ranger also introduces more storage and added features. A few that commercial fleets will find helpful include: 

• An available wireless charger for mobile devices.
• A large center console storage bin. 
• Big door pockets are designed for quick access to frequently used tools and other items.
• An available second upper glovebox to store even more gear. 

Ranger also has improved second-row storage with under-seat rear cargo bins optimized to make it easy to stash stuff. New fold-flat rear seatbacks help load and move large objects, from coolers to large screen TVs, plus there’s room behind the seats to keep tools and other equipment.  

The new interior features upgraded materials and textures improved fit and finish, and more purposeful technology. The experience starts with a standard 8-inch digital instrument cluster or an available full-screen 12.4-inch cluster. It is complemented by a standard 10.1-inch or available 12-inch center touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC4A system, which puts smart and connected features at your fingertips. 

Ranger includes a standard embedded 4G LTE modem and the convenience of features built into FordPass Connect. 

Drivers can now access dedicated screens for drive modes, off-road data, navigation, music, and other vehicle controls. The center screen is also linked to the available 360-degree camera to help make parking a breeze or assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain. Physical buttons and knobs below the screen simplify controlling commonly accessed features like climate control and radio volume. 

Ranger also knows how to “get better over time” with over-the-air updates adding new features and capabilities to enhance the customer experience.  

An added helpful feature for fleet operators working in evening or lowlight conditions, Ranger now has available Zone Lighting that can be controlled through the in-vehicle touchscreen or FordPass App, plus available bed lighting helps owners find their gear in dark conditions.  

Ford also noted that there are 31 standard or available driver-assist features for Ranger, the most available driver-assist features in its class. These options include: 

• BLIS with Trailer Coverage to help alert drivers to vehicles in blind spots.
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go. 
• A new short-throw E-shifter is available on Lariat 4x4 and enables Ranger to offer driver-assist features such as:
• Available Active Park Assist 2.0, a fully-automated system to help customers parallel and perpendicular park in tight spots.
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance, which uses cameras to show angles and monitor conditions surrounding the truck and provides real-time coaching on how to maneuver the trailer. 

The bed gets an available Integrated Box Side Step behind the rear tires, big enough to fit both feet, creating a stable way to access everything in the cargo box. There’s also an available 400-Watt power inverter with an outlet in the bed to make running an air compressor for filling tires or other tools for the trail a snap. 

The redesigned tailgate also doubles as a workbench with an integrated ruler and clamp pockets. Two inches of added track width have benefits in the bed as well, with more than four feet of width between the wheel wells, which makes loading bulky cargo like an ATV a lot easier. 

Updated grilles and front-end appearances for XL, XLT, and Lariat models define the design of Ranger. A signature Ford C-clamp headlight treatment and strong shoulder lines down the sides incorporate bolder wheel arches, giving Ranger a sure-footed look. The rear end mirrors the front with C-clamp taillamps; everybody will know what you’re driving with “RANGER” stamped across the tailgate.  

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