I finally had a week with the 2024 Ford Ranger, completing a circle of life. I loved my old beat-up 2004 Ranger. I’m thankful for getting the opportunity to sit behind the wheel and see how far the Ranger has come, but improvements could still be made. 

Is the 2024 Ford Ranger a good truck? 

Yes, the 2024 Ford Ranger is a great mid-size truck to consider. It’s agile, packs plenty of power, and has a stout towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs. I didn’t let my nostalgia for little Ford trucks cloud my judgment, but it’s tons of fun like the classic two-door models. 

But let’s start with a few potential drawbacks: 

• The 2024 Ranger has a lot of interior noise. It’s louder than the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Chevrolet Colorado. 
• The Ford Ranger has a bouncier ride quality than its rivals. 
• The infotainment system froze on the rearview camera screen until it was rebooted, but I may have had a pre-production model. 
• The front sensor failed and I lost modern safety features. But I was playing in mud at the time and may have blocked the sensor. 
• It’s only available with one cab and bed configuration, limiting versatility. 
• There is a little interior controversy as some critics call it cheap and others call it attractive. 

Now onto the good stuff, which includes the available 2.7-liter V6 engine with 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It provides an instant and smooth power delivery, which helps the Ranger accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. 

It provides plenty of power for merging into traffic, passing others, and for an engaging athletic performance. Its sportiness is enhanced by confident brakes with plenty of stopping power and a well-balanced setup that’s perfect for zooming around tight bends. 

Switching between driving modes such as Normal and sport provides a noticeable difference as response times adjust. Eco mode is more relaxed and there are off-roading modes for slippery conditions and mud. 

I appreciated the amount of visibility provided by the large windshield and rear window. Visibility in the Frontier is hampered by the building hood. 

Also, the 21.23 to 21.65-foot turning radius is excellent. This truck is easy to quickly maneuver around tight spaces. The 360-degree camera view that’s standard with the Lariat trim helps you navigate around tight obstacles and easily back into crowded spots. 

On gravel roads covered in mud, the ride was a bit jiggly and stiff. But I felt in total control and only slipped and slid when I wanted to on purpose to kick up the mudding fun. 

The tech in the 2025 Ford Ranger may rely on too many physical controls for some. But the touch screen and digital gauge cluster have advanced and attractive graphics. Plus, the 12.0-inch vertical touchscreen is easy to use. 

Ford tech could be my favorite because it’s so intuitive and straightforward. You don’t have any extra menus to click through and you can adjust your settings in a matter of seconds. 

My model came with a truck bed extender and had a corner step by each bumper for easy bed access. The extender can be quickly removed as needed without any special tools. 

Now to circle back to the interior, which has its ups and downs. The interior does use more plastics. I expected the Lariat trim to have more upscale and premium materials. 

However, the trim pieces are dressed up with glossy shines and textured patterns to make them more attractive. Also, there are plenty of storage trays and cubbies to take advantage of. 

The front seats are well-padded but a bit stiff. They’re comfortable enough for daily commuting but I got a little sore after a 2 ½ hour road trip. The rear seats are a little tight, but two adults can fit comfortably during shorter adventures. 

You can fold the back seats up but the floor has a bump in the middle and raised storage bins, so you don’t have a flat cargo surface in the rear. 

Overall, the 2024 Ford Ranger is an upgrade over the outgoing generation. It’s athletic, fun, and well-equipped as a work truck or off-roader. But it could be more refined and comfortable.