2024 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 Forbes story: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kbrauer/...

The transformation of the Ford Ranger in just the past 12 months is pretty amazing. In 2019, when the Ranger returned to the U.S. market, it was essentially a hastilyreadied backfill model meant to latch on to whatever surging midsize truck sales it could. Brought in as a reworked global truck that clearly wasn’t up to U.S. market standards, the previousgeneration Ford Ranger boasted a potent powertrain wrapped in a paltry package.

Fast forward 5 years, and the 2024 Ranger receives a muchneeded redesign. The primary strength of the previous model — its capable drivetrain — now sits in an allnew frame and body, with an all new interior to complete the midsize truck’s transformation. And if the carryover 2.3liter turbo four engine, with 270 horsepower and 310 poundfeet of torque, isn’t enough, the 2024 Ranger offers a 2.7liter twinturbo V6 with 315 horsepower and 400 poundfeet of torque.

Still not enough power you say? Well how about this version? The Ford Ranger Raptor’s 3.0liter twinturbo V6, with 405horsepower, absolutely smothers the midsize truck segment. It's connected to Ford’s 10speed automatic, making it essentially the same drivetrain as the Bronco Raptor. Though with a $56,950 MSRP, and pretty much fully equipped at that price, it’s over $30,000 cheaper than the Bronco. It would appear Ford was done playing the alsoran role in this category.

It’s worth noting that the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon also offer a peak 430 poundfeet of torque. This translates to a 7,700pound towing capacity for the GM twins, while the Ranger Raptor’s capacity maxes out at 5,510 pounds. However, if towing is your priority and Ford is your preference, the standard Ranger with the 2.7liter V6 is rated to pull up to 7,500 pounds, nearly tying the Colorado and Canyon.

But why are we talking towing when the point of the Ranger Raptor is offroad partying, not onroad utility. Actually, it’s worth noting that every new Ranger has some great functionality features, regardless of drivetrain choice. We’re big fans of the new, optional 12.4inch instrument cluster and 12inch, verticallyoriented central touchscreen — both are standard on the Raptor model. And we appreciate the truck’s cool interior storage features, like the dual gloveboxes and flipup rear seat bottom.

But when it comes to the Ranger Raptor trim the really important features are all outside the cabin. These include a 3inch wider track and elevated ride height compared to a standard Ranger, along with electroniclocking front and rear differentials, Fox 2.5inch internal bypass shocks, an active exhaust system, and 33inch BFGoodrich allterrain tires on 17inch wheels.

There’s also protective underbody skid plates, fender flares, front and rear tow hooks, and additional offroad driving modes like Baja, which is meant to help rotate the truck and send up rooster tails of dust on your favorite offroad trail.

These are the features we focused on while climbing our local offroad mountain trail. Ford says it tuned the truck to be more fun on highspeed offroad runs versus offering the kind of crazy suspension articulation the Bronco Raptor delivers. The truck’s longer wheelbase, lower weight and lower ride height — compared to the Bronco — gives it a more stable, nimble feel than the Bronco Raptor, encouraging more sideways yaw action versus lowspeed rock crawling.

This design also gives the Ranger Raptor better onroad manners, with increased highway comfort and stability, and improved cornering confidence. But don’t get carried away. With those knobby, allterrain tires you’ll get plenty of rubber roar on twisty roads if you try to drive it like a sports car.

And with a zeroto60 time around 5.2 seconds, relatively precise steering — for a truck — and a Sport mode that increases throttle response and dampens body roll, you might be inspired to drive it more like a Mustang than an F150. Don’t say we didn’t warn you if you get too exuberant — it’s still a truck.

And for $60,000 the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor is not an inexpensive truck. However, it’s represents a completely unique, oneoff offering within its segment. Its combination of onroad comfort and utility, plus offroad capability and fun, makes it the only highperformance game in midsize truck town.