The Right Spec: 2024 Ford Ranger

The midsizer from Dearborn was overhauled for the 2024 model year, introducing sorely needed updates to its interior and new styling plus an improved choice of powertrains. This makes it a decent selection for our Right Spec series – at least until someone at Toyota deems us all worthy of a build-n-price tool for the Land Cruiser.

Given the opportunity and budget, most gearheads – including this author – would head straight for the Raptor: Do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars. With 405 horsepower from its EcoBoost V6 and even more torque, plus gonzo off-road chops, there are arguably worse ways to spend $55,000 plus tax.

Nevertheless, it’s a decent idea to inject a skiff of realism into these exercises. The midlevel XLT 4x4 has a sticker price right at $40 grand including destination, marking it as one of the few pickups not called Maverick to slot in south of this nation’s average transaction price of a new vehicle. With styling hauled in line with other Ford trucks, a crew cab with a 5-foot bed is the lone body style on offer, making that choice rather easy. A decent paint shade like Velocity Blue is gratis, which is good news.

The XLT is expected to be the least-expensive trim in which one can spec the new 315 horsepower, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, though pricing details aren’t yet available; so long as its cost is kept within sight of the upgrade charge for this engine in the Bronco, I’d select it simply for the extra torque. Four-wheel drive is a must for me, as is the selection of a $420 rear-locking diff.

In the now-competitive cabin, one could spend $945 upgrading the environs with a so-called XLT High group, bringing the likes of power seats and a 12-inch infotainment screen. The thing is, even the base truck comes with a portrait-style whopper which looks and operates just fine. There’s no stupid visual chicanery such as enormous bezels or blank block-off plates when selecting the smaller screen, items which used to plague decisions of this sort in past years since they branded the owner as an obvious cheapskate. 

For a pittance, Ford will slather chrome on the bumpers and other exterior surfaces, sating styling requirements of grandfathers across the nation. For the rest of us, dark grey accents are standard kit. At the risk of incurring the ire of the Blue Oval’s PR guy who may or may not be reading this post, I do feel the FX4 package has turned into something of a styling exercise, especially since a rear locker can be spec’d separately for less than one-third the price. True, FX4 does bring off-road tires, bash and skid plates, tuned shocks, and extra driving modes – but this writer will pocket the difference and buy his own set of preferred LT off-road tires after delivery. Either that or wait for the inevitable Tremor trim coming in the next year or two, a much more comprehensive off-road package.

Other than that, an $825 trailer tow package (chosen over the $495 towing option since it includes a brake controller) would be the final addition. All told with destination? $41,830.

[Images: Ford]

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