2024 Ford Ranger Lariat

Ford’s venerable midsize Ranger pickup was completely redesigned for 2024. Now in its fifth generation, the new Ranger is much improved compared with its predecessor. It’s available only as a crew cab with a 5-foot bed. A handsome truck, the Ranger takes its styling cues from its full-size F-150 sibling. Its standard 2.3-liter turbocharged engine (270 hp) delivers peppy acceleration, and it boasts a spacious cabin, with increased headroom and legroom for all occupants. The heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration, large side mirrors, and dual-zone climate control in our test vehicle added to its convenience and comfort levels. The Ranger is a genuine work truck, with towing and payload capacities of 1,805 pounds and 7,500 pounds, respectively. The optional advanced towing package, complete with backup assistance, further increases its utility. However, the Ranger also has a few downsides. The transmission can hesitate when upshifting, and the vertical touch screen feels cluttered and less intuitive to use than a horizontal layout. A complete set of advanced safety features is standard only on the Lariat trim level. Also, the Ranger lacks running boards and does not have a grab handle for the driver, which makes getting in and out of the vehicle a bit difficult. Rear visibility is also compromised by a high rear end and intrusive back-seat headrests.