As a driving enthusiast, it’s hard not to be excited about the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor. With its macho, run-over-everything styling, fight-jet interior, and cracking powertrain, the latest iteration delivers an exhilarating driving experience both on and off the beaten path.
In this review we’ll dive into the details of what makes the Raptor a compelling option for adventure seekers, while also highlighting areas where it might not fit in with the general buying public. For example, it is the least ‘ute’ variant in the Ranger lineup.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Specifications
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
Output: 292kW@5650rpm / 583Nm@3500rpm
Gearbox: 10-speed auto
Drive type: RWD/4WD
Wheels: F & R: 17×8.5, 285/70
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2419kg
Power-to-weight: 8.28:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 11.5L/100km
Our consumption: 12.8L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/95 RONPower efficiency: 25.39kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.00 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.09 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.10 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.41 seconds at 156.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.830g*
100-0km/h braking: 46.96m in 3.69 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.173g*
Decibel at idle (/Baja mode): 37/39*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 82/86*
Starting price: $89,190
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: How much does it cost?
The MY2024.5 Ford Ranger Raptor starts from $89,190. That’s a slight jump up from the original starting price of $85,490 when this latest generation first landed, back in 2022.
However, even at $90k, we think the price isn’t too bad considering the level of extra engineering and capability you’re getting compared with the regular Ranger models, which top out at around $80k anyway, such as the Ranger Platinum.
Taking a look at some of its nearest competitors, the Toyota HiLux GR Sport starts from $74,310, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior starts from $68,265, and the RAM 1500 TRX starts from $224,950. There is no direct rival, however, in terms of performance and size.
Ford provides a five-year warranty for its vehicles (unlimited distance), with five years anti-corrosion warranty for the Raptor. Servicing is scheduled for every 15,000km or 12 months.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Interior & packaging
The interior is both functional and very sporty. Huge bucket seats in the front, inspired by fighter jet seats, cradle front passengers with excellent comfort and stability, and the driving position is absolutely perfect – it’s not common that you’ll find a ute that offers a perfectly natural driving position.
The Ranger Raptor excels in terms of cabin space. You have ample room for four passengers, or five if you don’t mind rubbing shoulders in the back, with generous legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats. Storage solutions are abundant, with numerous compartments and cubbies to keep your belongings organised.
Looking forward, your view is dominated by a 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, which runs Ford’s latest SYNC 4 system. New for MY24, Ford has added a more convenient ‘home’ button so you can easily jump back if you’ve gone in too deep. There’s also an array of main apps spread across the middle to provide some centralisation.
Most of the functions involve either a swipe up or down, which can, at times, make it feel like you’ve got too many tabs open in your browser. Well, it does to me anyway. But overall graphics, loading times, and sheer capability from within the screen are all at the front of the class.
There’s even an off-road menu which offers front camera views, visuals aids for the drive system such as locking differentials and terrain modes, and of course the system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (both wireless).
The Raptor also comes with digital radio, a beefy 10-speaker B&O sound system, and a comprehensive live telemetry menu with live tyre pressures, boost pressure, and full systems status and check.
Speaking of ‘as standard’, the only options are some paint colours ($700 for the prestige range), and a power roller shutter for the tray bed, for $3800. Other than that, everything you see here comes as standard, including the big 285/70 all-terrain tyres, multi-mode exhaust system, and tub-liner in the back.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Powertrain & handling
This thing is crazy to drive. Seriously, what a laugh. The guys at Ford’s engineering departments must have had a ball coming up with this package, because it really is like a dream machine; ‘let’s make a Baja rally-ready ute, with unreal adaptive suspension that can literally handle big jumps, and let’s put a twin-turbo V6 engine up front with 400hp or so.’
Even just saying that out loud makes you think it’s just a joke or a concept. But yet here it is, from the factory, brand new and with warranty and enough seats for all the family. It’s nuts.
Power comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 petrol engine the barks out 292kW at 5650rpm, and 583Nm at 3500rpm. Needless to say, it is the most powerful ute in its class – that’s excluding the big American trucks like the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.
On a private road we ran some tests with the Vbox to see what’s what. It did 0-60km/h in 3.00 seconds, 0-100km/h in 6.09 seconds, and the quarter mile in 14.41 seconds at 156.9km/h. These are the kind of figures we usually see from proper super hatches and fairly serious sports cars.
Accelerating up the road, you’ll be heard before you’re seen. There are four different exhaust modes, including a quiet mode. However, they all sound pretty similar. Only the ‘Baja’ mode gives off a noticeably louder bark, higher in the rev range.
When it comes to handling, the Ranger Raptor shines with its advanced Fox Racing ‘live valve’ 2.5 shocks. These react more quickly than the previous Fox setup, leaving what is really one of the best rides in the ute segment. Actually, it is the most comfortable ride of all utes in this specific class in our opinion.
A big part of that is thanks to the coil springs at the back. You still get a live axle but it’s supported by proper coilovers and a Watt’s link for lateral rigidity. At the front is a similar package except independent with double wishbones.
In that sense, the Raptor is the best adventure lifestyle package as opposed to being a workhorse. As loud and as unapologetic it is about rallying and doing jumps, it cruises around with a surprisingly high level of refinement. It’s civilised. Well, maybe aside from the exhaust noise.
With that suspension setup it means the payload and towing capacity is reduced compared with the regular leaf-sprung Rangers. This offers only 657kg payload and a 2500kg braked towing rating. You can still, of course, carry lots of stuff but it’s not as heavy-duty as the others.
Off the road, it is an absolute beast. It’ll tackle sand dunes with no hesitation whatsoever, and power through mud bog holes like they weren’t even there. And it’s so much fun knowing you can do this with very little fear in things scrubbing out or getting stuck.
There are various driving models, including Eco and Sport, as well as off road preparations such as Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Baja. The latter of which locks the front and rear diff – yep, two locking diffs. And then you have 2H, 4H, and 4L. You can even lock the rear diff while still in 2H, which proves someone at Ford engineering has a good sense of humour.
Fuel economy isn’t that great, as you probably expect. The official average is 11.5L/100km but we struggled to see below 12s in the real world, averaging 12.8 over the week of testing in mixed conditions. Getting out into the mud or sand will cause a big spike as well. Interestingly, the Raptor can handle 91 RON fuel.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Engine: Twin-turbo V6 that delivers awesome performance, making the Ranger Raptor the most powerful ute in its class.
- Off-road performance: With advanced Fox suspension, multiple drive modes, locking front and rear differentials, the Raptor is the king of playing in the mud and sand.
- Modern tech: SYNC 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch vertical screen, with various driver-assistance features and a digital gauge cluster. It is one of the smartest utes on the market.
- Interior presentation and packaging: The latest Ranger provides ample space for passengers, and the sports seats and multi-tone upholstery in the Raptor certainly adds character.
- Tough design: It is unmistakably a Ranger Raptor, with bulging wheel arches, massive tyres, and muscular body. It looks as tough as ever.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Key considerations before you buy
- Pricey: For a typical ute. But if you factor in the extra gear, like the Fox suspension and diff locks, and even the B&O sound system, it’s not too bad for the current market standards.
- Fuel consumption: Yeah, it’s pretty thirsty. And it’s hard to drive it economically.
- Limited payload and towing: The payload is only 657kg and braked towing is down to 2500kg. There are better workhorses out there if that’s a priority.
2024 Ford Ranger Raptor: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
Final word
Ultimately, the Ranger Raptor is best suited for those who prioritise performance and off-road capability over utility and fuel efficiency. If you’re an adventure seeker looking for a ute that can take you off the beaten path with confidence and style, the 2024 Raptor is definitely worth considering. Just keep those pockets full and be prepared to become best friends with your local petrol station operator.