10 Best Features of the 2024 Ford Ranger

2024 Ford Ranger XLT Sport ・ Photo by Ford

The Ford Ranger is all-new for 2024 with changes throughout that make it more competitive with other midsize trucks. It gets a style update, too, so that it looks more like it’s larger sibling, the F-150. There are now two engines from which to choose, both of which are available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The new Ranger is available only as a crew cab with four doors and features a new interior. Changes here include a new infotainment touchscreen, new materials, and an overall more modern look and feel. Here are the 10 best features of the all-new Ford Ranger.

The new V6 engine.

The Ford Ranger now offers two engine options. The first is a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder, which was the same engine found in this truck last year. It has 270 horsepower with 310 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

New this year is a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine for better performance. It offers 315 horsepower with 400 lb-ft of torque paired to the same transmission. It’s much more responsive than the V6 making the Ranger more engaging and more fun to drive.

2024 Ford Ranger Lariat Sport ・ Photo by Ford

Available four-wheel drive.

Rear-wheel drive is standard across the three-trim lineup, but all three of those trims are available with four-wheel drive for those who prefer a more capable vehicle. This makes it easy to take your Ranger from the pavement to the dirt.

In addition, this year there’s a larger wheelbase. This improves the approach angle by nearly two inches, so the Ranger can tackle more rugged terrain. Those who want even more off-road capability have the option for the FX4 package. This increases the track width along with adding off-road shocks, a steel bash plate, electronic locking rear differential, additional drive modes, Ford Trail Control, and an off-road information screen.

2024 Ford Ranger Lariat Sport ・ Photo by Ford

Towing and hauling capability.

The Ford Ranger isn’t a large truck, so it doesn’t boast the huge towing and hauling numbers found in the full-size F-150, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get some work done. It has a maximum tow rating of 7,500 pounds making it a great choice for those who only need to manage smaller items and don’t need a full-size truck.

Payload varies depending on the configuration of the Ranger you choose. Equipped with rear-wheel drive, it can handle 1,805 pounds. Models equipped with four-wheel drive see that figure drop to 1,711 pounds.

2024 Ford Ranger XLT ・ Photo by Ford

New infotainment system.

Infotainment in the Ranger gets a big upgrade with larger screens and more features. Standard on the base trim is a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, 6-speaker audio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The mid-range XLT adds the option for a new 12-inch touchscreen mounted vertically on the dashboard. It also adds a standard wireless charging pad.

At the top of the lineup is the Lariat. This trim makes the 12-inch touchscreen a standard feature and adds a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster. It also gets a 10-speaker B&O sound system and navigation. The larger screens not only make the system easier to use, but also make it feel more premium.

2024 Ford Ranger Lariat Sport ・ Photo by Ford

Affordable pricing.

The Ford Ranger is available in just three trims, all of which are affordably priced. Pricing isn’t as low as what you’ll find on the Maverick, but it’s also far less than what you’ll spend on the full-size F-150. The base Ranger XL is priced from $32,670 with cloth seat that are manually adjustable and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The XLT adds dual-zone climate control, Ford Co-Pilot 360 safety technologies, the option for a 12-inch infotainment screen, and available power front seats for $35,610. At the top of the lineup is the Lariat at $43,630. It makes the 12-inch infotainment touchscreen standard and adds leather-trimmed power front seats, power sliding rear window, and rain-sensing wipers.

2024 Ford Ranger Lariat ・ Photo by Ford

Ford Co-Pilot 360

All but the base trim of the Ford Ranger comes with Ford Co-Pilot 360 as a standard feature. This suite of safety features includes blind-spot information with cross traffic alert, lane-keeping system, and a reverse sensing system. On the XLT, there’s also the option for front parking sensors, enhanced active park assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.

The Lariat makes those three optional systems standard features along with active park assist 2.0. The full lineup also has automatic high beams and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. It’s a strong safety offering with a good assortment of features to keep you and your loved ones safe.

2024 Ford Ranger Lariat ・ Photo by Ford

Comfortable and roomy interior.

Despite being a small truck, there’s still plenty of room for adults to get comfortable in the Ford Ranger. Base trims get cloth or premium cloth seats with 8-way manual adjustability for the driver and 6-way adjustability for the passengers. Optional on the XLT is a 10-way power driver and 8-way power passenger seat.

The Lariat gets the best seats of the lot with standard power adjustability for both driver and passengers. Seats are also heated for improved comfort on cold days. In back, there’s room for three with plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller adults.

2024 Ford Ranger XLT Sport ・ Photo by Ford

Zone lighting.

Sometimes you end up having to load or unload your truck in the dark. If there’s not lighting at your location, which is especially common if you’re heading off-road and camping, then seeing well enough to do the job properly and safely can be a challenge.

Available zone lighting makes the job easier. Standard is an LED bed light mounted high on the back of the cab to illuminate the bed. The optional zone lights illuminate the ground on the sides of the truck and directly behind it to help reduce the chances of tripping in the dark.

2024 Ford Ranger XL STX ・ Photo by Ford

Fold-flat second row.

There’s extra versatility for cargo in the Ford Ranger thanks to its new fold-flat second row. This makes it easy to load larger gear. Just slide it all the way across the seats without any worries about things being tipped at an awkward angle.

Ford also hid a little storage beneath the seats. The seat bottoms lift to reveal small cubbies. These are great for tucking items out of sight or for things you want to have on hand for every trip, just in case. There’s even storage behind those rear seats. Ranger makes good use of its interior space for accommodating cargo.

2024 Ford Ranger XLT Sport ・ Photo by Ford

Multiple appearance packages.

The Ford Ranger looks good without any special modifications, but if you want to make yours stand out from the rest, then there are multiple appearance packages from which to choose. The STX, which is now standard on the XL, includes 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels, 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and premium cloth seats.

The Chrome appearance package adds chrome wheels, a chrome grille, and other chrome accents to brighten up the Ranger. This is an option only on XLT and Lariat trims. The Sport appearance package is standard on the XLT and Lariat. It adds 17-inch gray wheels (XLT) or 18-inch wheels (Lariat), gray grille accents, gray front and rear bumpers, and a Sport box decal on four-wheel drive trims.

2024 Ford Ranger XLT Sport ・ Photo by Ford