The Best Ford Trucks for the Money (Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty, & Raptor)
Ford trucks are expensive but there are some strong values out there. We pulled five of the best.
Intro
Ford is making a lot of great trucks right now. But like everything else they have gotten to be expensive. However, that doesn’t mean there are not some good values out there. And by value, we don’t mean just the cheapest model you can get. To repeat, this isn't a list of the most affordable Ford trucks. Instead, we're focusing on models that offer the most value and performance and features for the least amount of money.
We looked at the Ford truck lineup and picked the best value for each model - Maverick, Ranger, F-150, Super Duty, and Raptor. If you want the most bang for your buck, these are the trucks you want to buy.
Maverick: XLT 2.0L AWD
Every Maverick is a pretty darn good value. The new small Ford pickup is efficient and reasonably priced. And the sweet spot in the range is the XLT trim with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive. It is true that the Hybrid engine costs the same as the 2.0 and gets much better mileage. But the 2.0L offers 59 more horsepower and 122 more pound-feet of torque. And you are getting a brand new, well-equipped truck for less than $30,000 so you can spend a bit more on gas.
2024 Ranger: Lariat Super Crew 4x4
If you like your truck to be luxurious but don’t want to spend nearly six figures for a loaded F-150 or Super Duty, this is where you want to be. The new 2024 Ranger is the best Ranger yet. And if you go with the Lariat, you get the best of everything. A 12-inch center stack display, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, leather-trimmed seats, and dual-zone climate control. On the outside, the Sport Appearance Package comes standard. All of this and more can be yours for a little over $48K.
To be very clear. Yes, that's not cheap, especially for a Ranger, but Sub $50K for a LUXURY truck makes it a value proposition.
F-150: Tremor
There are a million ways to configure an F-150. And if you want to load it up with thousands of dollars in options, you can certainly do that. But we think the best value in the F-150 range is a no-option Tremor. You get the iconic 5.0L V8 engine to go with the Crew Cab configuration and a five-and-a-half-foot bed. There are 33-inch tires, mounted on special wheels. Tremor-specific monotube shocks are included as well. On the inside are leather seats which are heated up front. And that is all just scratching the surface. The Tremor is a ton of truck for just over $60K.
Super Duty: F-250 XLT Crew Cab
Not that long ago we said that the new F-250 Super Duty XLT Crew Cab with the 8-foot bed was the best buy in the entire Ford lineup. We stand by that assessment so naturally, we must include it on this list. For less than $60,000 you get a truck that can do it all. The Godzilla V8 engine can tow 17,000 pounds. It has a 5G wi-fi hotspot for up to 10 devices. And it holds its value better than any other Ford truck. Work or play this truck has you covered and while it is not inexpensive, it offers a ton of features and capability for the price.
Raptor: Ranger Raptor
Between three F-150 Raptors (35, 37, and R), the B'Raptor, and the newest Ranger Raptor, it's tough to pick the best value Raptor in the Ford lineup as each one offers so much.
But at $57 grand fully loaded, the Ranger Raptor really has our attention. You get a twin-turbo V6 making over 400 horsepower. (Power covered.) There is the long-travel suspension, 33-inch tires, locking front and rear diffs, and multiple off-road drive modes. (Capability covered.) 12-inch center touchscreen, Bang & Olufsen stereo, and leather seats are also part of the Raptor model. (Comfort covered.) We have wanted a Ranger Raptor for years and now we finally have it. And it is one of the best Ford truck values out there.