2024 Ford Ranger Raptor First Drive: Best Ranger Ever!
Our South African correspondent says the new Ranger Raptor is the best $57K you can spend on a midsize truck.
Editor’s Note: While we’re still waiting for a chance to drive the Ranger Raptor (and standard Ranger) in the U.S., Ford Truck Enthusiast’s South African correspondent, Michele Lupini, snagged some seat time in his home country where the Ranger Raptor is heading into its second generation. However, while Europe, Africa, Australia, and others have been enjoying Ranger Raptors for years, the 2024 model marks the first time the whole world is sharing an American spec Raptor.
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Ford suits tell us that this second-generation Raptor is built to dominate the desert, master the mountains, and rule the roost. It’s the ultimate performance Ranger. We’d go as far as to say that it’s the ultimate performance pickup money can buy for the money.
Ford also calls its 405 HP 430 lb.-ft 3.0L EcoBoost V6 new. Well, maybe in this installation. But it’s been around a while and you also find variants of this motor in the Bronco Raptor and Explorer ST. Among its other claims to fame is that last year, Ford ran this motor in the Ranger Raptor and survived the Baja 1000. So, this V6 is race-bred!
Among its other advantages, this twin-turbo lump has anti-lag in its Raptor get-up. Like rally cars use faux ignition to pop, bang, and spin the turbo up, Ford has introduced a subtly more reliable patented throttle bypass system to ensure boost on demand. This keeps the turbos spinning for three seconds after you lift off the throttle in anger, for instant response when you flatten it again.
Did New Ranger Raptor Engineers Have Enough Toys?
Talking about turbos and exhausts, Raptor has an active exhaust system to amplify engine noise in four stages. From the standard Quiet, to Normal, Sport, and Baja. The three steering wheel button-selectable modes are all noisy. Clearly, the Raptor’s development engineers never had enough toys when they were young. Surely just Normal and Baja would do the trick?
The V6 is mated to a 10-speed gearbox. A contentious choice, this Mustang-derived automatic may keep the chat forums fired up, but it really is a great box on, and off the road. Unless you’re really pushing it in the sportier modes, it’s invisible, when you need to keep an eye on the tachometer to understand that it’s eternally swapping cogs.
That drives the Raptor’s exclusive and advanced permanent four-wheel drive system. It has an electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case and front and rear locking differentials. Unlike regular Ranger 4x4s that default to rear drive, Raptor runs in constantly variable all-wheel drive 4A mode. Select 2H, 4H, and 4L via the bezel on the center console.
Impeccable Technical Pedigree
Raptor also has seven driving modes. Normal, Sport, and Slippery for road functions. And Sand through Mud and Ruts to Rock Crawl and the mad all-out extreme off-road racing Baja mode for the dirt. In short, Raptor accelerates effortlessly on gravel, dirt, mud, or sand thanks to an impeccable technical pedigree.
But that’s only half the story. We have not even started to consider its long travel front and rear suspension. Packing next-generation lightweight aluminum Fox 2.5-inch live valve dampers, forged front control arms, and a refined Watt’s link rear end, the Raptor’s core is quite simply next level.
Those Fox live dampers for instance pack optimized valve tuning, spring rates, and ride height settings. Being active means that you can set them via the touch of another steering wheel button. To deliver sublime street, capable off-road or extreme Baja modes. And perfectly balance between comfort, control, stability, and traction, both on, and off the road.
New Ranger Raptor Ready for Most Punishing Conditions
The shocks feature racy bottom-out control for maximum damping through the last quarter of shock travel. And 50% Teflon-infused friction-reducing oil for optimum performance. That’s aided and abetted by Raptor-specific chassis reinforcements to handle the most punishing off-road conditions.
Topping, or should that rather read bottoming all that off, Raptor’s extreme underbody protection starts with a double-size super-thick high-strength steel front bash plate. It has double recovery hooks front and rear, while guards extend along the belly to protect all those workings from even the most extreme of use.
All of that endows Raptor with both exceptional road ability and body control while also being able to deal with the most severe bumps, ruts, and corrugations, flat-out off-road. In other words, Raptor delivers maximum control and performance, no matter what your driving environment.
New Ranger Raptor Has the Show to Match the Go!
The Raptor blends raw power with high-tech class to deliver the most advanced Ranger yet. And it screams that from the moment you set eyes on it. This one’s Code Orange orange hue adds a lot more drama too, but we’d leave that cheap plastic restaurant tablecloth wallpaper graphics off (they are a $700 option). But for the rest, it’s pure sexy.
Raptor’s presence is unmistakable. Baja-like beadlock-capable 17-inch forged alloy wheels in BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires still have lots of space to maneuver under those flared arches. This one’s signature Ford truck C-clamp DRL Matrix LED headlights are as cool as they look. They get dynamic-bending, glare-free high beam, and dynamic-levelling too.
Bold Ford script spreads across the grille, above a separate bumper and down to significant underbody protection underneath. Raptor features functional vent aerodynamics. The tough cast aluminum side steps are far more than just embellishments on this truck. Move to the back to find LED taillights, a handy integrated step, and the towbar tucked up high for the best departure angle. The open load bay has tough black cladding.
Excellent Ford Performance Cabin
Swing the door open to reveal more comfortable and supportive orange accented sports seats front and rear. Built in Thailand (for a variety of international markets), this Raptor almost entirely lacked the quality issues that concerned us about on early build local models. Most of that has improved on more recent Silverton-built Rangers and Amaroks we had. And we look forward to seeing Raptor-level quality on all of them going forward.
Back to the point, this Raptor get-up further differentiates, and dare we say, improves Ranger’s fully digital cabin. Much of it is familiar. The high-resolution 12.4-inch digital gauges have their own special Raptor theme. As does the AV connective Carplay and Auto 12-inch Ford SYNC4 infotainment touchscreen. It brings wireless smartphone connectivity and a delightful Bang & Olufsen sound system too.
Ford Performance has done a very good job on the Raptor’s cabin. Not only does it look very much the part, but those seats are cool to sit in. Yes, we have our reservations on some of the infotainment control bits being too far removed from reality. And some say the portrait screen is not for them. But Raptor makes up for it with a comprehensive suite of controls on the multifunction steering wheel and elsewhere, to keep it all balanced.
A Gentle Giant on the Road
On the road, Raptor is a composed, gentle giant. Drive it nice and it even pretends to be economical. But push it and it becomes a glutton at an instant. But man, does it run! Not only does it deliver great road holding on the tar in the correct mode, ultimately governed by how much that cross-country rubber will muster, but, at 5.9 seconds to 60 mph, this is the quickest ladder chassis small truck we have ever tested and it will likely outrun most of the mid-size competition in the US market too.
The old Tacoma’s venerable Toyota Hilux 4-litre V6 stepsister delivered 60 mph in 8.3 seconds about ten years ago. The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon more recently matched that but both. Looking at the US market, the new Toyota Tacoma is expected to match the Chevrolet Colorado’s zero-to sixty of around seven seconds too. The Older V6 Colorado was close to six seconds to sixty, but the V6 Tacoma is likely to end up slower than the new truck
New Ranger Raptor: Final Thoughts
The difference between the Ranger Raptor and all its rivals, however, is how incredibly this pickup truck covers even the most extreme terrain at astounding ease. Much like the F-150 Raptor, Raptor R, and Bronco Raptor, it’s hard to find another OEM truck that does what the Ranger Raptor can do. Maybe a dirt bike or a Baja racing truck (which this kinda is)?
Drive onto the tarmac, rotate a bezel, finger button or two and it transforms into a sportscar to keep even the most spirited driver rapt across a paved mountain pass. Huge fun, all the way. Is there any real reason for such gargantuan ability in an everyday road car? Surely not! Never mind, Raptor is an absolute glutton on fuel, compromised load, and tow ability.
In a way, the Ford Ranger Raptor is an off-road supercar, which right now makes it pretty unique. Except, unlike a supercar, you can drive and enjoy the Ranger Raptor near the edges of its capabilities. Flat out, on road and off. So, believe us when we tell you that it’s the best $57 grand you can spend on any new truck right now and the best Ranger ever made.
Bravo, Ford!
ROAD TESTED: Ford Ranger Raptor Engine: 405 HP 430 lb.-ft 3.0L EcoBoost V6 Drive: 10-speed automatic 4x4 Load Capacity: 1,411 lbs. Max Braked Trailer: 5,300 lbs. TESTED: 0-60 mph: 2.89 sec 0-60 mph: 5.97 sec 0-75 mph: 8.01 sec 0-100 mph: 14.34 sec ¼-mile: 14.3 sec @ 100 mph 50-75 mph: 3.74 sec 75-100 mph: 6.21 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 115 mph Fuel: 19 mpg Range: 435 miles BASE PRICE: $55,365 + destination, delivery, and additional options RATED: 9
Images: Giordano Lupini
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