How is our 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor doing after one year? Let’s take a look at everything we have done with this off-road truck. These are the things I love and hate about it. Would we buy it again? Let’s dig in!
First up is the powertrain. It’s a great one. The 3.0L twin-turbo V6 is an impressive power plant for this high-performance off-road pickup truck. The original power rating was 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. We used a Ford Performance tune (designed and warrantied by Ford). This truck is now making 455 hp and 536 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and with authority. It’s a fun truck to drive, no matter where you are. However, you cannot expect this truck to win every traffic light acceleration because it has a high curb weight of around 5,400 lbs. At a mile above sea level, we saw 0-60 MPH accelerations in the mid 6-second range.
The lowish 5,510-pound maximum towing capacity is giving me second thoughts about buying it. This would be enough towing capacity for more midsize SUVs, but this is a pickup truck. I would like to see a tow rating that is over 6,000 lbs. On the flip side, this truck has a great payload capacity that is near 1,400 lbs. This is impressive for any midsize pickup truck, especially a focused off-roader.
This truck has a comfortable and usably interior, although I have a minor complaint about the transmission shifter. It’s a bit too easy to shift it into Park when you mean to shift it to Reverse from Drive (a quick parking lot maneuver).
The Ranger Raptor has a great range of off-road capability. It has the gear to crawl over rocks at a low speed. It has front and rear locking differentials. It can also go fast over difficult terrain without breaking much of a sweat. The FOX Live adjustable shocks do a great job to help absorb some large hits while off-road or driving on broken pavement.
We measured a relatively good 21 MPG after taking this Raptor on our Denver 100 MPG/Efficiency loop. The EPA government estimate says this truck should be capable of 18 MPG on the highway. Our Denver 100 highway loop returned 21 MPG.
There are not a lot of exterior color choices for a new Ford Ranger Raptor. They are still difficult to find on dealer lots. Some dealerships are still asking a mark-up for these.
The final price on our ranger Raptor is $57,560. This is a high price for a midsize pickup truck, but it packs a lot of value. It is a true member of the Ford Raptor family of vehicles. It has the hardware to back up its high performance off-road claims.
I would definitely purchase it again. It was a very big deal a year ago as the first Ranger Raptor on sale in the United States. It’s still a big deal now.
Please join Jen and I in the video below for all the details, including a look at this truck’s reliability and an engine oil analysis report.
