Redesigned Ford Ranger, with new Raptor variant, takes aim at Toyota's dominance

Ford Motor Co. is redesigning the Ranger and adding a Raptor performance variant to the midsize pickup for the first time in North America as it seeks to keep pace in an increasingly competitive segment with one of its most popular global nameplates.

The 2024 Ranger, scheduled to reach dealerships late this summer, gets an expanded engine lineup that includes an optional 2.7-litre EcoBoost V-6, larger interior touchscreens and more aggressive exterior styling that mirrors the design of Ford's larger F-Series trucks.

The Ranger Raptor, powered by the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V-6 from the Bronco Raptor that shares its platform, also will be available late this summer.

Ford resurrected the Ranger nameplate in North America in 2019 and is looking to snap a three-year sales slump in the United States, where the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma outsells it more than 4-to-1. That ratio is 3-to-1 in Canada. Toyota plans to unveil the next-generation Tacoma this month, and General Motors has redesigned its Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon for 2023.

Despite its challenges in the United States, the Ranger is a top seller in a number of global markets. Ford already has launched the redesigned model in most of those markets and hopes to replicate its overseas success stateside.

"The all-new Ranger has already proven itself on almost every continent with sales leadership in 18 countries and all of Europe," Kumar Galhotra, the president of Ford Blue, said in a statement. "Now it's ready for North America."

U.S. pricing for the 2024 model starts at $34,160 (all figures in USD), while the Ranger Raptor will start at $56,960. Both figures include a $1,595 shipping charge. Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2024 model is two inches (five centimetres) wider and two inches (5 cm) longer than the current generation. Engineers moved the rear shocks and shock mounts outside of the frame rails for better control and redesigned the cab for better sight lines.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost that powers the current model will continue as the standard engine on the 2024 Ranger. It will generate 270 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque.

For more power, customers can opt for the 2.7-litre V-6, which also powers the F-150 and Bronco. It gets 315 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque.

Ford says the Ranger will have a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds (3,400 kilograms) and a payload capacity of 1,805 pounds (181 kg).

The Raptor variant is billed as the most powerful Ranger and meant to give customers extreme off-road capability. The 3.0-litre V-6 is expected to generate 405 hp and 430 pound-feet of torque. The Raptor has a unique suspension and exterior design.

The exterior of the base Ranger also has been updated to be more sculpted and angular than the current model, incorporating the "c-clamp" headlight and grille designs found on larger F-Series products. Designers said customers, especially in global markets, asked for more evidence that the product was part of Ford's larger truck family.

"Ranger is the F-150 in the rest of the world," said Gretchen Sauer, Ranger's marketing manager.

The Ranger interior has been updated with larger screens. An eight-inch digital cluster is standard, although customers can opt for a 12.4-inch cluster, depending on trim. A 10.1-inch centre touchscreen is standard, and Ford says the optional 12-inch screen will be largest available on a midsize pickup.

The Ranger will be capable of over-the-air software updates and include a number of driver-assist technologies, although it will not offer Ford's BlueCruise hands-free system.

Since re-introducing the Ranger in North America, Ford has expanded its pickup portfolio with the compact Maverick and electric F-150 Lightning.

The Ranger will borrow a number of popular features from Ford's other trucks, as well as its Bronco SUV, including second-row underseat storage, fold-flat rear seatbacks, exterior zone lighting and a built-in ruler and bottle opener in the bed.

"There's some things we've brought from each one," Sauer said. "But we're focused on delivering for the global customer."

Sauer said Ford, which has struggled for years with quality issues, has made a number of changes to ensure a smooth launch.

For example, the company will start production with only certain cab and engine configurations. Other options, such as the 2.7-litre V-6 engine, won't be available before the fall.

"We're really focused on delivering a quality vehicle," Sauer said.