2024 Ford Trucks, SUVs, and Mustangs Shine at LA Auto Show
The Blue Oval shows off the newest 2024 Ford models, including F-Series, Ranger, Maverick, Mustang, Raptor, Expedition, and more.
We’ve got about a month left in 2023, but over at the Blue Oval, they’re already onto the next model year. The 2024 Ford lineup is a mix of ongoing models with new color options and packages, as well as several new models that debut this year, including the all-new Ranger, the refreshed F-150, and the seventh-generation Mustang.
We got to check out the 2024 Ford models last week at the LA Auto Show and filmed several walk-around videos that are all embedded in this article. Here are the highlights from the show, including the chance to see all five truck models side by side (plus a few special editions who make cameos).
2024 Maverick
Not much new for the Ford Maverick in 2024. The one you can see in the video above is a higher-spec Lariat Tremor, which lifts the truck and gives it better tires and skid plates along with some unique visuals. The Lariat also features a better radio, more tech, and (mediocre) leather seating surfaces.
It’s a fun, mildly capable little truck. But for my money, the best Maverick bang for your buck is still the hybrid XL or XLT model. Mavericks are cheap inside and out regardless of whether or not you get a “Lariat” so I say embrace it and get the most affordable one possible with the best fuel economy. #UltimatePartsRunner
2024 Ranger
The Ranger is all-new for 2024 (coverage of the debut here), including the first-ever North American Ranger Raptor. It will be available in four trims (XL, XLT, Lariat, Raptor) with three engine options (2.3L, 2.7L, 3.0L) and lots of new technology. (Here’s a full pricing and features breakdown.) But alas the Regular or Extended Cab variants are dead. Ranger, at least here in the U.S., is now a four-door SuperCrew only, which also makes it the most expensive Ranger ever.
2024 F-150
Another new model for 2024, but this one’s more of a consolidation and a facelift. Here’s a LINK to our full 2024 F-150 Buyer’s Guide for a deep dive into the new truck, but Ford had three models for us to tour at the LA Auto Show. There’s a Rapid Red Lariat with the Black Appearance Package, the latest Tremor High Package with the new Pro Access Tailgate, and the mighty Raptor R. The Raptor R is the most expensive and powerful F-150 ever made, not to mention the craziest, and Ford has been hinting that it’s going to get a slight power bump this year to dethrone the TRX, which is now dead.
Lightning
The all-electric F-150 is unchanged for this model year, save for a special matte black Platinum Stealth model (which was not at the LA Auto Show). This is the truck everyone loves to hate for two reasons. First, electric vehicles are instantly controversial because it’s another place in American politics where the country is divided and highly polarized.
Second, large electric trucks suffer about 50% range loss when towing bulky loads at highway speeds. Efficiency loss happens with gas trucks too, but you can refill a gas truck in 10 minutes. EVs take 40 to 60 mins to get to an 80% charge (and longer if you charge the last 20%) assuming you can find a reliable charger. The headaches of range loss and a mediocre charging infrastructure make the Lightning a no-go for those who tow and/or road-trip frequently.
However, for those who don’t tow and have access to at-home charging Lightning is one of the quickest, most capable, and best-driving trucks we’ve ever tested. It’s really good, but only if it fits your lifestyle.
2024 Super Duty
The F-Series Super Duty lineup includes a mix of several consumer, commercial, and pro-grade trucks. It was updated last year with a new bed/box that includes integrated steps, a new front-end design, more technology, and a nicer, F-150-style interior. Ford engineers also hot-rodded the 6.7L PowerStroke motor with a new High Output variant that pumps out a class-leading 1,200 lb.-ft. of torque. Like every new Ford, the Super Duty is more expensive than ever and more capable.
2024 Ford Bronco Raptor
Not much has changed mechanically for the 2024 Bronco Raptor (aka B’Raptor). It’s still a widebody Bronco Sasquatch dialed up to 11 with a 418 horsepower variant of the 3.0L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 from the Explorer ST. Ford Performance then tosses on a bunch of goodies from the F-150 Raptor 37, including 37-inch B.F. Goodrich tires, Live Valve Fox Shocks, and an active valve exhaust system. With this much weight and rotating mass, it’s a little slow off the line. But it’s still a thrill and a joy to drive… If you can afford it.
For 2024, prices are up about $5 grand, pushing the one you see here to $94,000. Also new for this year is this metallic Shelter Green, which is also available on the Ranger Raptor and F-150 Raptor. This one also has the new $2,500 Raptor Code Orange Appearance Package, which includes the Code Orange tow hooks, beadlock beauty rings, graphics, and seatbelts.
I’m not huge on Shelter Green, but this package really pops.
Ford Expedition Timberline
Okay, so this one on display isn’t technically a 2024 model. But it will be largely unchanged for the 2024 model year and it was worth checking out how Ford has shifted its color options. The Expedition Timberline (reviewed HERE) is effectively an Expedition with the H.O. 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (440 horsepower, 510 lb.-ft. of torque) and a Tremor-style suspension. Looking at it from another angle, it’s also essentially the full-sized Bronco for all of the people who don’t like that the current Bronco is a mid-sized truck.
The Expedition Timberline you see here includes the High Package with a leather interior and the large screen from the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. We actually prefer the regular screen (from the gas-powered F-150s) more, but it’s a pretty nice package. We’re also glad to see that Ford is offering a black interior in place of the first model year’s Army-style or Eddie-Bauer-style green, which back in 2022, we didn’t think would age well.
2024 Ford Mustang GT/California Special & Mustang GTD
Sure, we love our Ford trucks. But we’re also Mustang fans here, which is why we’ve covered the seventh-generation 2024 Mustang extensively, including the first-ever Dark Horse. We also toured the first-ever Mustang Supercar, the GTD, at the Detroit Auto Show. Drove and reviewed a 2024 GT Premium. And then tested out several S650 generation Mustang GT exhausts with our friends over at Magnaflow.
But last week Ford unveiled its latest GT/CS model, aka the 2024 Mustang GT California Special. A $1,995 appearance package in 2024, the GT/CS first debuted during the first generation Mustang in 1968. After going dormant for a few decades, it returned during the S197 generation and has been relatively active and popular ever since. As with previous generations, the GT/CS appearance package includes a revised grille with horizontal lines, a few extra graphics, unique wheels, and a special interior color. The theme for this year is blue accents, which Ford places in the grille, wheels, badges, graphics, seat inserts and stitching, and even the floormats. There also appears to be a touch of faux carbon fiber trim on the interior. What do you think? Would you pay $2 grand for this package?
