Like the Ford F-150, the Ranger is popular in its class. But would skipping the 2024 Ranger for a new 2023 F-150 be the better move? After all, Ford’s best-selling full-size truck starts at only $1,300 more than the latest Ranger. Let’s compare the two. 

How do the 2024 Ford Ranger and 2023 F-150 compare?

Although the 2024 F-150 is available for purchase, Ford still sells new 2023 models starting at only $33,835. Meanwhile, the 2024 Ford Ranger has a base MSRP of $32,565. That’s only $1,270 less than the 2023 F-150. 

Sure, we’re not comparing apples to apples because we’re talking about the 2024 Ranger midsize pickup and the outgoing 2023 F-150 full-size truck. But look at what you get with the F-150. For example, let’s compare their towing capacities. The Ranger can pull up to 7,500 pounds, whereas the F-150 can trailer 5,100 to 8,200 pounds with the base engine. Its max towing capacity is 14,000 pounds with a more potent available engine, but that would cost more.  

So, when you think about it, why would you buy a new Ranger when you could get more towing and horsepower from a new F-150 for only about $1,300 more? Seems like a no-brainer. By the way, the 2024 F-150 costs $36,570, about $4,000 more than the 2024 Ranger.

Let’s dig into more details about the 2024 Ranger and 2023 F-150.

2024 Ford Ranger vs. 2023 Ford F-150: Pros and cons

The 2024 Ford Ranger has a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. That pairs with an electronic 10-speed automatic transmission. The base model gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. 

Compare that to the base 2023 Ford F-150, which packs a 3.3-liter V6 harnessing 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to the same 10-speed automatic. That combination gets about 19 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway, which isn’t as fuel-efficient as the smaller Ranger. 

Both trucks offer a SuperCrew cab and 4×2 rear-wheel drive. The 2024 Ranger has a wheelbase of 128.7 inches, a cab height of 73.9 inches, and a ground clearance of 8.8 inches. Meanwhile, the 2023 F-150 has a wheelbase of 145.4 inches, a cab height of 75.6 inches, and a ground clearance of 8.5 inches, according to Ford. 

Also, the 2024 Ranger has a standard five-foot bed offering 43.5 cubic feet of cargo storage. The standard 2023 F-150 has a 5.5-foot box and 52.8 cubic feet of storage, so it can hold more than the smaller truck.

In addition, the Ranger has a payload capacity of 1,805 pounds and seats five, whereas the F-150 can haul 1,700 pounds and seat six. That’s slightly less payload for the standard F-150, but it can carry more people.

Which Ford truck is the right fit for you?

Choosing the right truck for your needs depends on what you want in a vehicle. For example, if maximum towing is high on your wishlist, the F-150 would be the better fit because you can upgrade the engine to provide more towing power. However, you’d have to pay more to upgrade, which would blow the $1,300 difference. The F-150 also has more cargo space for hauling materials. 

However, the Ranger is no slouch. If you’re more interested in fuel economy, this pickup provides the more attractive numbers than the F-150. It’s only 2 mpg more than the full-size pickup’s ratings, but every drop counts when gas prices are high. 

Which truck is better is a difficult question to answer because both offer excellent qualities, so if you’re looking to buy one or the other, determine which factors are more important to you. However, the 2023 Ford F-150 costs only about $1,270 more than the 2024 Ranger, and you’d get a full-size pickup versus the midsize Ranger.