The Ford F-150 Raptor has proved that there is a market for high-performance, ultra-capable off-road pickup trucks. But there's a drawback to the F-150 Raptor. It's big. Make that BIG. And for a lot of people, off-road means going places where a more maneuverable vehicle matters.
Ford factored that into its design for the all-new 2024 Ranger and included a Raptor variant from square one. The Ranger Raptor's arrival comes just in time to keep the Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss from grabbing too much market share, and also just in time to meet the all-new Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro head-to-head.
A point that has to be made: "Right-sized" is relative. The Ranger is the smallest Raptor you can get. But all of the current crop of mid-size trucks are essentially the same size as a full-size pickup truck from 2004. They are BIG. Just smaller than the biggest today.
Under the hood of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin turbocharged and intercooled V6 with 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 17 mpg combined city/highway.
There's a ten-speed SelectShift automatic transmission and a 4X4 electromechanical transfer case with electronic locking front and rear differentials.
Up front, a forged aluminum double A-arm suspension with 2.5 inch Fox live valve shock absorbers, and in the rear, a Watts-link suspension with trailing arms and another set of the 2.5-inch Fox shocks.
The Ranger Raptor rides on 17-inch wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires, which provide a remarkably good ride on pavement.
Minimum ground clearance is 10.7 inches and the Ranger Raptor has a 33 degree approach angle, a 26.4 degree departure angle and a 24.2 degree breakover angle.
Out back, it's a five-foot bed with 43.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and a maximum payload of 1,375 pounds. Max towing capability is 5,510 pounds.
As with the F-150 Raptor, the interior is well-appointed, bordering on plush. Rear seat legroom is 34.6 inches.
The base price of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is $57,215 including destination. Standard at that price are fog lamps, a full-size spare tire and wheel, automatic high beam headlights, power side mirrors, a power silding rear window, LED projector headlamps, LED taillamps, a remote tailgate lock, a 12-inch touchscreen, ambient lighting, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, heated front seats and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.
Our test vehicle had only two extra-cost options...17-inch gray beadlock-capable wheels ($1,495) and a ToughBed spray-in bedliner ($495), so the bottom line on the window sticker reads $59,205.
That is a chunk more---$18,150 more, to be exact---than the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss I reviewed last November, but the Chevy had a work-truck interior and a whopping 95 fewer horsepower. Meantime, Toyota's got a $65,395 (including destination) base price on the TRD Pro, which packs 79 fewer ponies.
That puts the Ranger solidly in the game and the real battle in sensibly-sized high-performance off-roaders may come down to Ford vs. Toyota.