The official reveal of the next-generation 2023 Ford Ranger pickup truck is just around the corner. Before we get all the juicy details, we’ve gotten some hints, and of course, some speculation about what’s to come. Big things are on the horizon, like the Ford Ranger Raptor variant. Though most of the details aren’t concrete just yet, here’s what we know ahead of November 24th.

The 2023 Ford Ranger is in it for the long haul

The current generation Ford Ranger has been available since 2019 after making its comeback. It hasn’t changed in any significant ways since then. The 2023 model year will be when the new generation enters the fray, and the Ranger will flip upside down. Once another generation starts, when will it end?

According to Ford Authority, the next-gen Ranger will run from 2023 to 2031. The big production window still isn’t as large as the 2011-present current-gen Ranger. However, that means whatever Ford announces on November 24th with the big reveal will be around for a long time.

The pickup truck’s design is entirely new

Thanks to spy photos, we can see the general shape and design of the 2023 Ford Ranger. It features softer lines than the current-gen model and a much different front-end. The new Ranger’s front-end styling resembles a mixture of the 2022 Ford Maverick and 2021 Ford F-150. The pickup truck gains reverse C-shape headlights and intersecting horizontal bars in the center of the grille.

On the backend, it’s hard to tell if much is different from the current-gen Ranger. The taillights are much thicker, but other changes remain hidden. The Rangers photographed by spies have only appeared covered in camouflage, QR codes, and black tape to hide the secrets.

A 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor is expected to join the lineup

We expect the 2023 Ford Ranger to be joined by an all-new Ranger Raptor for the next generation. It’s a scaled-down version of the massive F-150 Raptor beast we all know and love. The Ranger Raptor will be off-road ready with the equipment to prove it. Extra ground clearance, off-road tires, flared fenders, and a unique grille will set it apart from other Ranger models and make it stand out on the road.

The Ranger Raptor will ride on the same fully boxed ladder frame as a standard Ranger; the Raptor will get a long-travel suspension. That makes it perfect for hitting jumps and driving through the desert. The exterior and interior will likely have unique Raptor designs just, as the F-150 variant does. The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor will be the most giant, extraordinary version yet.

A hybrid and or plug-in hybrid could be coming soon

The plug-in hybrid variant may not come with the 2023 model year, but it is coming at some point. We expect a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid to be announced during the 2023 Ford Ranger reveal. Considering the Ranger is the last Ford truck without a hybrid powertrain option, it would only make sense.

With a pickup truck like the Ford Maverick available with an insane 42 city mpg, the Ranger doesn’t have a choice but to become more fuel-efficient. The current-gen Ford Ranger leaves a lot to be desired, partially because of the poor fuel economy. A 2023 Ford Ranger hybrid model would fix that issue and utilize a system as efficient as the Mavericks.

When is the next-gen 2023 Ford Ranger debut?

The next-gen 2023 Ford Ranger will officially debut on November 24th, 2021. The Ford Australia YouTube channel will live stream the reveal and give us a taste of what’s to come. The pressure is on, as the next-gen Ford Ranger needs to be appealing enough to sell until 2031. The reveal should give us enough information to know whether or not the Ranger is in for a sales revival.

The 2023 Ford Ranger is still shrouded in mystery and will be until its debut. We’re expecting a lot from the next generation of this model, enough to compete with the likes of the Toyota Tacoma. As we close in on the end of the year, interest around the Ranger will spike along with its Ford sibling, the Maverick. That’ll be perfect for when it becomes available, though we don’t know when that is just yet.