How would you rate your Ranger at this point?

[markal49]

EDIT - I'm surprised and interested to see the overwhelming positive responses. Granted, this is a self-selected crowd of Ranger fans, but there have been a lot of posts here complaining about things. Maybe I'm being overly hard on the truck. Or maybe I should go test a Raptor and buy that. Hmmm.
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Original post:

I'm coming up on a year with my XLT FX4 (April 19 if I recall correctly) and 12,000 miles. For me, it's mediocre (I'd give it a 3 out of 5, maybe 3.5).

The good - decent ride for a truck, not bad mileage (I have the 2.3L), tows my little camp trailer great, I like the looks of it, so far pretty good off road (I don't do anything too aggressive)

The bad - the seat is bad for me (I"ve posted about this as have others). It's very uncomfortable on long drives. Currently using a towel to help fill the "hole" but I plan to try more formal solutions. The parking sensors go crazy sometimes (seemingly because of direct sunlight?!?). I find the brakes not quite powerful enough, or at least the power increases too nonlinearly compared to other vehicles I've had.

The (almost) ugly. The transmission is very bad - rough up- and down-shifts in the lowest gears. This does get much better after it warms up, but it's really bad in the first few minutes. I need to get the thing looked at.

I'm tempted to move on to another vehicle but nothing really attracts me - the Tacoma has its issues (and 4Runner may as well). The Land Cruiser is too expensive. The Frontier seems fine but isn't worth the cost to trade out. And I don't want a full size truck. So I'll probably keep going with my Ranger for another year at least.

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[superj]

I love my ranger. I give it 4.5 out of 5 because no driver grab handle and how it skips second gear when shifting because its programmed to do that junk. I hate that skip shifting because it feels so odd and does it more when the trans is cold. I always push the shift button so i can see the gears and watch it skip 2nd if i am light on the gas until it wamrs up.


Other then those two things, i love the truck. My wife loves it and we cannot wsit till july when we are going out of state to see our oldest son (army) and are taking the ranger. The ranger is more comfortable then the wife's 2019 wrsmgler 4 door and gets very similar gas mileage. Her jeep is quicker though because the wrangler has that turbo 2.0 liter alfa romeo engine in it.

I almost got a tacoma but they cost to much and i would have gotten a frontier but i just had a 2017 titan and know all to well the electronic issues on the forums for the new nissan trucks. The titan, frontier, and the armada/qx80 share the same transmission.


But the ranger i still love and have si ce my grandpa had a full size when i was a kid and my dad used them for our plumbing company trucks when i was in high scholl and first got out of the army. The small dependable solid mid 80s to 2011 rangers. I still have an 04 ranger stepside i use as a junkyard and hardware store truck.

EDIT: i have to add one other thing i hate! the non-adjustable head rest. you have to lay the seat so far back in order for the headrest to not push your head downwards or turn the headrest backwards. then its no good in an accident


SECOND EDIT: fixed the headrest in the way in the way someone else said they did. i took it out and put the two bars between the steel tube bumpers on our beach wrangler and put my knee on them a bit till they bent a bit and put the headrest back in the seat. now its just like the headrest in my 04 ranger, perfect. so i also did the headrest on my wife's seat. now all the is left is the skip shifting.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'm loving the Ranger. Coming from the 90s Explorers & 4runner, and full size Fords, the Ranger is super comfortable and easy to drive. Not sure I need the cameras and all the tech it has, but eh whatever. It's still a super comfy and quick ride either way!

 

[Freedom Beast]

Let me start off by saying that I come from several F-150s. So this is a big change for me.
My last F-150 was a 2014 FX4 with the 5.0 (V8 baby!). It was an awesome truck.....until the semi
crunched it. I couldn't afford what new F-150s are going for (stupid expensive), so I had to step
down. I'm sure there are some good and bads that I have left off and I will think of after this posting. Overall though, I am happy with it. Time will tell.

I rated it "mediocre" but it's really between mediocre and really good. Scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7 as of right now. As mentioned, time will tell.

One other thing, it seems I have more bads than goods. I think some of the bads are just pet peeves of mine really.

***Almost a year of ownership with a little over 15k miles***

On to the meat of the topic...

GOOD
Good MPG
Seats are comfortable (at least for me)
Seats have plenty of adjustability
I prefer cloth seats over leather and these are very nice
Absolutely love the seat warmers
Not too small in overall size
2.3 is peppy (wish it had more - remember, I come from V8s)
Love the looks
Still getting used to the infotainment system, but liking it thus far
Surprisingly, the sound system is pretty good - except lack of bass
I like the integrated box steps
I like the tailgate assist....smooooooth
Also like the fact that tailgate locks/unlocks with everything else
Love the auto start for those cold/hot days
120V/400W power in bed - haven't used it yet but it's there
Like the auto folding mirrors upon locking

BAD
No driver grab handle
Too small of cup holders
Poor under rear seat storage
Hard shifts (at times)
Lane assist is sensitive (never had it though so nothing to compare it too)
Rear view mirrors should have blinkers (I think this should be standard on all vehicles these days - safety)
No engine cover (really Ford?)
I hate unusable space - those 2 little dash pockets on either side of steering wheel
Parts / accessories availability
Wish the gear shifter choices were lit up (like my old F-150)
Don't care for the rear seat area floor hump
No rear passenger air vents
Wish it had driver memory for seat settings
Wish the driver's display was standard 12" like the Lariat
Don't care for the silver front bumper lower valance (2024)
Skid plates are just plastic - really? for an FX4 package?
Not crazy about antenna placement, but i get it. I have a kayak. Kinda mixed on this one
Wish the seat headrests tilted
Due to general lack of storage, the Lariat top glove box should be standard equipment on all
Picky - wish it came in Anti-matter Blue. probably would have snagged that one

 

[dmac72]

The 3 votes for moderate have to be non-Raptor models because this truck is so unbelievably stupid fun off-road that I’m surprised politicians haven’t outlawed it
🛻

 

[ADDGAMER]

I have a 24 RR. Took delivery towards the end of June in 2024. Currently sitting a tad over 15K miles on it. I did the Ford tune early on. Premium since day 1, I average ~16-17mpg highway, 80mils per day Boston traffic. My complaints are minimal as I knew what I was buying, especially with Gas. I have a 2019 GT350 and a 69 Chrysler Newport that both drink gas like maniacs.

Complaints are minimal:
Jerky shifts while in sport mode
Paint is fragile, scratches, chips easily
Pressure dent on hood by the vents
Ripples in the front seats
R button has gone out 2-3 times but always comes back.
Anything involving removal of bolts in the bed is a nightmare with the factory spray in liner. Heat the bolts, cut off the spray, then attempt to unscrew.
Not a lot of aftermarket support despite being a "Global" truck. Gotta pay to import everything.

Other than that, the truck is a riot, it's stupid silly, I laugh almost as much as when I drive the Shelby. This past weekend due to mileage and mpg, I retired the truck to be used for crappy weather and home depot runs as I want to keep the truck as long as possible, so I bought a 40mpg commuter car.

 

[Freedom Beast]

The 3 votes for moderate have to be non-Raptor model because this truck is so unbelievably stupid fun off-road that I’m surprised politicians haven’t outlawed it
🛻

Yes, I have an XLT FX4. At the time of my purchase, dealers were charging 70k for the Ranger Raptor. No thank you. Would love to have one though, but still too much IMO.

 

[Sam55]

I purchased my 24 Ranger in May of 24 and traded it in in November of 24. Too many issues I felt Ford did not address in quality. Problems with braking, A/C would not turn off and of course the Ford dealer either did not know how to fix it or maybe Ford didn't have a fix. It was annoying to say the least. Wasn't worth the hassle.

 

[rocsteady]

I've had my 2024 RR since the middle of December and I haven't found a road condition that I can't enjoy driving it in/on yet. From hooning it around on snow covered roads to zipping along any and all dirt roads I can find to playing road rally on dry or wet twisty back roads and even to the 70+ mile highway commute to work, it's a terrific "compromise" that allows for enjoyable antics on all of the above. Even been good when moving and having it packed to the gills with all my junk.
I really like the way it looks, rugged and sporty (for a pickup) at the same time, more than adequate giddyup even without the power upgrade, not a bad exhaust note (for a V6), a suspension that deals with almost anything I can find to ride over, ability to do some decent rock crawling and baja-wannabe blasting around, comfortable seats, good driving position, hugely helpful front/rear/side view cameras. I am really, really happy with it.
As I've said before, the only way I could like it any better is if it had a Coyote 5.0 - mostly for the V8 sound; ventilated seats for the summer - just hate sweating just to sweat in Jersey summers; and dual valve shocks - although this one is more for the idea as it's pretty darn good now with just control on the compression side.

 

[Sonny McGee]

I love mine! No complaints on anything.

 

[NASSTY]

I drove F150s for the last 30 years before downsizing to my 2024 Ranger Raptor. I have 13,000 miles on the RR and my only complaints are the compartment on the center console is too small and the fuel tank is too small. Otherwise it's been trouble free and I love this truck.

 

[Iowa Ranger FX$]

Love most things about the truck except the seat, which I find absolutely awful. I was asked to complete a survey recently and that was one of the questions. I would absolutely not purchase this truck again. I just don't get how anyone could possibly find it comfortable. I get that it is all individual but this thing is really bad. Put a new seat in it and I would never consider selling it.

 

[NASSTY]

Love most things about the truck except the seat, which I find absolutely awful. I was asked to complete a survey recently and that was one of the questions. I would absolutely not purchase this truck again. I just don't get how anyone could possibly find it comfortable. I get that it is all individual but this thing is really bad. Put a new seat in it and I would never consider selling it.

I ruptured a disk in my back in 2010 and as soon as I was able to drive again the non power seat in my F150 was killing me. If I took my wallet out of my back pocket I could drive for about a half hour then I'd have to get out and stretch my back. I traded that truck in for a 2011 F150 that had power seats and my back has been fine ever since. My 2014, 2017, 2020 F150s and my 2024 Ranger Raptor all had power seats as well. That little bit of extra adjustment you get from a power seat was all my back needed. I can leave my wallet in my pocket and drive all day and my back is fine. But I do own an old Buick that is hard on my back.

 

[Iowa Ranger FX$]

I ruptured a disk in my back in 2010 and as soon as I was able to drive again the non power seat in my F150 was killing me. If I took my wallet out of my back pocket I could drive for about a half hour then I'd have to get out and stretch my back. I traded that truck in for a 2011 F150 that had power seats and my back has been fine ever since. My 2014, 2017, 2020 F150s and my 2024 Ranger Raptor all had power seats as well. That little bit of extra adjustment you get from a power seat was all my back needed. I can leave my wallet in my pocket and drive all day and my back is fine. But I do own an old Buick that is hard on my back.

I think for me it's the bolsters on the seat. I am a pretty little dude so I sit down in between them almost like sitting in a hole and it puts me in a very weird seating position. I have the upgraded power seats and that does not seem to help much. I have a cushion I bought on Amazon that helps but who wants to sit on a butt pad all the time

 

[FreezingFlatlander]

At 24899 miles and almost a year of use I have no big complaints with the 2.3 Ranger Lariat. My only complaints would be the terrible oil filter location, no flow through vents for rear AC, and no drivers side grab handles. The dealer cautioned me not to expect great gas mileage so I cannot list the 20.4 mpg average showing on the drivers display as a complaint. As I drive on a lot of dirt roads I have to say the suspension on the Ranger is pretty darned good. At 5' 9" I have the seat travel all the way back so a taller person may find the seating position limited but for me the seat comfort is fine. I had previously owned several F150's and still own one so could offer a comparison between those and the Ranger but that would be unfair as the Ranger wasn't designed to be a F150.

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