10mo/7500mile owner observations on my 2024 Ranger Raptor

[Ranger43931]

I'm 10 months and 7500 miles into owning a USspec '24 Ranger Raptor, thought i'd share simple recap of thoughts. When shopping for a truck, the two options I personally valued highly were 4A (full time 4wd) and a more car-like ride (aka shocks in the rear). I would have gotten a Lariat if it had these been offered with such (Tacoma Limited has both of these standard). I found and bought a Raptor unexpectadly at MSRP and immediately removed the full graphics pkg and looked around to replace FORD grill with a lariat one but they are too different, i prefer a more subtle looking truck.

Positives and Surprises:
-As expected, 4A is excellent for PNW with contant wet roads and steep grade roads, as well as mixed slushy driving on and through Cascades for skiing. Used it 100% of miles so far.
-Fit two kids and car seats easily, plenty of room.
-Cameras, 360 view. Never had this before so didn't put much stock in it. Amazing to park with, easier than parking my mustang GT. must have going forward for any car.
-Turn radius. Better than I expected given the width/size/wheel base and a non-issue in city.
-Lack of rear vents in center console is a non-issue. Compared to an SUV, it's small cab and air flows no problem to kids in back.
-This truck gives complete confidence over mountain passes, ski areas. Unreal capabilities and comfortable ride.

Not an "issue" but known obstacles:
-Averaging 15.2 mpg lifetime for 7500 miles, 90% downtown style of city driving. Driving very conservatively most of time. Could easily get in 14's through most city driving. I wonder about those of you talking about getting 18-20 consistently in city might have less "downtown" city and have longer stretches of 40s-50s with less stop lights.
-I installed the J-Braces myself. I understand the frustration but any issue that can be remedied by 150 bucks and 2 hours is minor in scale.
-Heated steering wheel works.... but it's extremely mild. I don't understand why Ford can't just let driver have a low/medium/high selection in same way heated seats work.
-After sept'24 Sync update, i've had zero trouble with wireless iphone connectivity for CarPlay. Works great now.
-Even with front and back mud flaps and full running boards from day 1, i am amazed by the sheer amount of dirt that gets kicked up on the side doors, rear fendors, and inside the door sills. Looking at ceramic coat options.

Overall, extremely happy with truck, in terms of capabilities, comfort, tech, and even price, while very spendy, is comparatively a great value to competition across 4runner and Tacoma where even middle trims with premium pkgs cost more than raptor. I'll eventually complement truck with cheap basic EV for commute, to get the best of all worlds.

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[Ranger43931]

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[superj]

I like to have a vehicle that doesn't attract attention also.

 

[Daweism]

I like to have a vehicle that doesn't attract attention also.

Inconspicuous is suspicuous

 

[macky]

Even with front and back mud flaps and full running boards from day 1, i am amazed by the sheer amount of dirt that gets kicked up on the side doors, rear fendors, and inside the door sills. Looking at ceramic coat options.

Yup. The slightest amount of water on the road and the sides are covered, to the point where it looks like I actually used the truck offroad, but really just navigated the Target parking lot

 

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks for posting!!!

 

[Lion77]

Your summary is spot on in terms of my own thoughts on the truck. The performance is awesome. Went on an out of state trip from Ohio to Tennessee and got caught in heavy downpours the entire way back. Coming down out of the mountains doing 77 in torrential rains the truck was stable and planted, which surprised me as neither of my Mazda's have the mass / 4A capability or tires do maintain those speeds safely and I don't' run cheap tires on either of those cars (I run continental Extreme Contact DWS on the 3 and Falken Wild Peak AT's on the CX-9).

I really love this truck and it's not so big that my wife had no issue switching between our CX-9 and the RR even though the RR is about 1,000 lbs heavier. It doesn't drive like it's a 1,000lbs heavier. Sure, you can't push high G's in corners like the Mazdas which come close to 0.9G, it is an off-road truck, but its predictable and precise, allowing you to use it well within it's on-road limits.

Off-road...it owns the terrain in ways even most "trail packaged" trucks can't.

 

[JimJa]

OP, your remarks are right on. After installing electric running boards (I'm older and don't like the step up) your comments about dirt along the truck's side is nothing compared to my own experience, understandably. Installed plastic film and ceramic coating which has helped a lot with dirt/chips.

Most of any concerns are with the large screen. Wish the "buttons" were larger on the screen. and there were more mechanical switches for things like, lockers, temperature, heated steering wheel, etc. It's distracting having to take your eyes off the road to "push" those small buttons and usually reqsuires more than one push. After the dealer reloaded the software and Ford's over-the-air update, previous concerns about blacked our screen, slow boot. up, etc. are gone. After 11 months and 11,500 miles the truck has mechanically been trouble free. I live 35 miles from a grocery store, including 6 miles of gravel. Takes a half a day regardless so the trip is not hurried - 65-68MPH. MPG is typically 19-20 with a high (and a 25MPH tail wind) of 25. Low was 16. It's a solid and comfortable ride.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

To the OP, unless the Raptor set up is different than my '24 Lariat, the heated steering wheel temp in sync'd with the heat level of the driver's seat. If you have the heated seat set at 3-bars so is the steering wheel? Have you been running the heated set at "1-bar"?

 

[Sea Lindsey]

I too agree with your assessment of the RR, based on 4K miles and 5 months of ownership. Three months ago I had the Ford Perfomance tune installed. Based on my driving style which does include rapid acceleration in town and conservative speeds on two lane highways (elk crossing highway). I am seeing a steady 19.6 mpg.

 

[Ranger43931]

I too agree with your assessment of the RR, based on 4K miles and 5 months of ownership. Three months ago I had the Ford Perfomance tune installed. Based on my driving style which does include rapid acceleration in town and conservative speeds on two lane highways (elk crossing highway). I am seeing a steady 19.6 mpg.

Yeah i just did a 500 mile road trip in RR, was averaging 19.7 mpg going about 67 (average speed of 45 on trip computer) so that aligns. In the city, with average speed of 24, it's 15.3.

 

[K_teven]

I'm 10 months and 7500 miles into owning a USspec '24 Ranger Raptor, thought i'd share simple recap of thoughts. When shopping for a truck, the two options I personally valued highly were 4A (full time 4wd) and a more car-like ride (aka shocks in the rear). I would have gotten a Lariat if it had these been offered with such (Tacoma Limited has both of these standard). I found and bought a Raptor unexpectadly at MSRP and immediately removed the full graphics pkg and looked around to replace FORD grill with a lariat one but they are too different, i prefer a more subtle looking truck.

Positives and Surprises:
-As expected, 4A is excellent for PNW with contant wet roads and steep grade roads, as well as mixed slushy driving on and through Cascades for skiing. Used it 100% of miles so far.
-Fit two kids and car seats easily, plenty of room.
-Cameras, 360 view. Never had this before so didn't put much stock in it. Amazing to park with, easier than parking my mustang GT. must have going forward for any car.
-Turn radius. Better than I expected given the width/size/wheel base and a non-issue in city.
-Lack of rear vents in center console is a non-issue. Compared to an SUV, it's small cab and air flows no problem to kids in back.
-This truck gives complete confidence over mountain passes, ski areas. Unreal capabilities and comfortable ride.

Not an "issue" but known obstacles:
-Averaging 15.2 mpg lifetime for 7500 miles, 90% downtown style of city driving. Driving very conservatively most of time. Could easily get in 14's through most city driving. I wonder about those of you talking about getting 18-20 consistently in city might have less "downtown" city and have longer stretches of 40s-50s with less stop lights.
-I installed the J-Braces myself. I understand the frustration but any issue that can be remedied by 150 bucks and 2 hours is minor in scale.
-Heated steering wheel works.... but it's extremely mild. I don't understand why Ford can't just let driver have a low/medium/high selection in same way heated seats work.
-After sept'24 Sync update, i've had zero trouble with wireless iphone connectivity for CarPlay. Works great now.
-Even with front and back mud flaps and full running boards from day 1, i am amazed by the sheer amount of dirt that gets kicked up on the side doors, rear fendors, and inside the door sills. Looking at ceramic coat options.

Overall, extremely happy with truck, in terms of capabilities, comfort, tech, and even price, while very spendy, is comparatively a great value to competition across 4runner and Tacoma where even middle trims with premium pkgs cost more than raptor. I'll eventually complement truck with cheap basic EV for commute, to get the best of all worlds.

Thanks for the review. I just picked up a 25 Raptor a couple weeks ago and am looking forward to log some time behind the wheel. I'm still trying to sell my 2022 Lariat (here and in the 5G forum) and am driving that one yet. I am retired so I probably don't drive as much as someone still commuting to a day job.

So far, I can say the seats in the Raptor are a HUGE improvement over those in the Lariat. It seems that Ford has really gotten stingy on anything but the Raptor editions. The Lariats used to be akin to a Platinum or Limited in the F-150s. Not anymore. Nothing more than an XLT with a little bit more chrome in the mix. Having the B&O Stereo is a nice plus also. My Lariat is a SCAB model and despite being charged the same for the option package that was supposed to include the B&O, you CANNOT have it on the SCAB truck. More knives in the back from Ford.

I also wanted the Tremor off-road suspension in my SCAB. Ford = NO CAN DO! Well, I purchased it after the fact and had it installed on the Lariat. Love the lift and stance, but, the Raptor far surpasses it. My Lariat has K02s where the Raptor has the K03s! You wouldn't think there'd be much difference, but, it is noticeable.

And, this 3.0L....this thing will eat the 2.3L for breakfast and still want waffles besides!! I love the 2.3L. Always have. Still, the lay you back in your seat acceleration of the 3.0L is sooo very refreshing in a Ranger!! Never understood why Ford could do a V8 Explorer but not in a Ranger...

I have a deep interest in how this EICCT is going to work on the Raptor. I am accustomed to ICCP from my working days but this Final Coat system intrigues me.

More as it develops...

 

[Daweism]

Thanks for the review. I just picked up a 25 Raptor a couple weeks ago and am looking forward to log some time behind the wheel. I'm still trying to sell my 2022 Lariat (here and in the 5G forum) and am driving that one yet. I am retired so I probably don't drive as much as someone still commuting to a day job.

So far, I can say the seats in the Raptor are a HUGE improvement over those in the Lariat. It seems that Ford has really gotten stingy on anything but the Raptor editions. The Lariats used to be akin to a Platinum or Limited in the F-150s. Not anymore. Nothing more than an XLT with a little bit more chrome in the mix. Having the B&O Stereo is a nice plus also. My Lariat is a SCAB model and despite being charged the same for the option package that was supposed to include the B&O, you CANNOT have it on the SCAB truck. More knives in the back from Ford.

I also wanted the Tremor off-road suspension in my SCAB. Ford = NO CAN DO! Well, I purchased it after the fact and had it installed on the Lariat. Love the lift and stance, but, the Raptor far surpasses it. My Lariat has K02s where the Raptor has the K03s! You wouldn't think there'd be much difference, but, it is noticeable.

And, this 3.0L....this thing will eat the 2.3L for breakfast and still want waffles besides!! I love the 2.3L. Always have. Still, the lay you back in your seat acceleration of the 3.0L is sooo very refreshing in a Ranger!! Never understood why Ford could do a V8 Explorer but not in a Ranger...

I have a deep interest in how this EICCT is going to work on the Raptor. I am accustomed to ICCP from my working days but this Final Coat system intrigues me.

More as it develops...

Get some offers from dealerships for your Lariat, used car prices are rocketing, might even go up more if you hold on to it for another month. Get an appraisal from Carmax as a baseline and call around to dealerships and sell how much they're willing to pay you. Why didn't you trade it in when you got your Raptor for the tax discount?

 

[K_teven]

Get some offers from dealerships for your Lariat, used car prices are rocketing, might even go up more if you hold on to it for another month. Get an appraisal from Carmax as a baseline and call around to dealerships and sell how much they're willing to pay you. Why didn't you trade it in when you got your Raptor for the tax discount?

I took it to the dealership where I ordered it in 2022. Their offer was ridiculous. Can find very similar trucks out there for sale with even more miles on them, less options, and still, their price is higher than what I am asking.

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