The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor – Everything We Know
The highly-anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor, the smaller brother to the beloved F-150 Raptor, is finally set to hit the North American market for model year 2024. Recently, some spy shots of the Ranger on the assembly line hit the internet, providing a detailed and accurate look at what to expect from this mid-sized truck when it hits the dealer lots. Ford seems to have been hitting it out of the park lately with their new F-150 and Bronco editions, and this trim level offered for the Ranger looks to be no exception. Read on for a detailed recap of what we know currently about the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor so far. But first, a little backstory on the Ranger’s big brother.
The F-150 Raptor: The Original Baja Truck
The first entry in the Raptor lineup was introduced in 2010 as the pinnacle trim level of the F-150, and since then the vehicle has become one of the most popular off-road vehicles on the market. It took the already-capable full-size truck and added upgraded suspension, larger tires, and a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine. It was designed to be able to tackle the most challenging terrain with ease, and almost everyone who has gotten behind the wheel of one would agree that Ford met, and exceeded, their goals.
Since its introduction, the F-150 Raptor has become a popular vehicle for off-roading enthusiasts. The second generation of the Raptor was introduced in 2017, with an even more powerful (and race-tested) 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. The second generation also includes a host of other improvements, such as improved suspension, braking, and styling.
More recently, Ford has extended the Raptor lineup by adding a Bronco Raptor to the stable, and the upcoming Ranger Raptor will serve as a great choice for those who want the capabilities of the larger Raptor in a slightly smaller form factor.
Spied: The 2024 Ranger Raptor
Whenever a highly-anticipated vehicle is in the works, some employee on the assembly line inevitably leaks assembly photos ahead of real publicity from Detroit, and we are all grateful for those sneak previews. The 2024 Ranger Raptor is a handsome looking vehicle that features the updated, more aggressive bodywork that one would expect, as well as a front clip that is extremely reminiscent of it’s F-150 and Bronco stablemates
We can see that this particular Ranger sports a mild suspension lift and durable all-terrain tires (which appear to be BF Goodrich KO2 or KO3s), as well as some extra eye-candy in the form of a custom dual exhaust. That exhaust is likely to be ventilating some trim of Ford’s workhorse twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, which could boast almost 420 horsepower, if tuned similarly to the Bronco Raptor’s motor. As part of the suspension lift, the new Ranger Raptor will certainly feature upgraded, more durable shocks, and these will likely be sourced from FOX like those on the othe Raptor models. Additionally, the Ranger Raptor is almost certain to carry most of the other off-road goodies that the F-150 sports, including a 5-link rear suspension, electronic, locking rear differentials, and selectable drive modes for different types of terrain.
On the inside, we can see ample orange accents throughout the cabin, paired with modern dark gray leather. The result is a sporty interior that matches the off-road vibe of the Ranger, and we can also see numerous Raptor badges sprinkled around the cabin, such as font-and-center at the 6:00 position on the steering wheel, which is also adorned with a race-inspired cetnerline marker directly opposite at the 12:00 position. Other than that, the interior looks fairly typical Ford, which is a good thing these days.
One thing we don’t see yet? An electric variant, or even badging that would indicate this Ranger has a hybrid power plant. It seems likely that Ford will choose to keep their Raptors powered by exclusively internal-combustion engines for the foreseeable future. For the Ranger Raptor, the Eco Boost is where it’s at.
Coming Model Year 2024
The new Ranger Raptor is expected to hit the lots later in 2023 for the 2024 model year, and as of press time, order books for the new Raptor aren’t even open yet. When they do open, prices are likely to start around $45,000, which is a great value for the capability and upgraded parts, all wrapped up in a factory warranty.
What we do know from these spy shots is that the new Ranger will likely be another popular entry in the Raptor lineup, able to tackle the toughest terrain with ease. The smaller size will likely mean the Ranger will be the preference of drivers who plan to frequent tight, vegetation-encroached mountain roads, compared to the wide-open Baja terrain that the F-150 Raptor was built for. Whether you’re an off-roading enthusiast or just looking for a rugged and powerful vehicle, the Ford Raptor Ranger is sure to be a great choice when it finally hits the dealerships.
