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Ford invited media to Utah recently to get behind the wheel of the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger. The drive experience included on- and off-roading, fresh snowfall, high altitude passes and towing including using the newly available Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Here’s a little taste of what they had to say:
Verdict: Take my money. In short, the Ranger Raptor is the most trail-worthy member of the Raptor family because of its rightsized dimensions. It's much more likely to be bought by off-road types who never gave the big Raptor a serious look. It's also the most affordable by a wide margin, so there's strong appeal on the budget front. And it's as quick as any other Raptor, except for the F-150's V-8-powered R model. Anyone want to buy a slightly used 4Runner?
…Car & Driver
The smallest Ford Raptor might suddenly be the best. This truck is loaded with impressive engineering and usable capability...While I was disappointed with a few aspects of the 2024 Ranger XLT and Lariat, this new Raptor variant more than makes up for some slightly skewed interior plastic pieces with immensely impressive technology under its skin. It's a bonafide road-legal desert rally rig. Most impressively, it does not feel like a pickup truck with a lift kit and a few extra horsepower slapped on ... It's truly a cohesively engineered performance vehicle and I'm confident it will be a future classic.
…The Drive
The 2024 Ranger Raptor proves to be worth the wait, with its powerful V6 engine and nimble handling. Just like its larger siblings, the Ranger Raptor is a laugh factory and is perfectly adept to both low- and high-speed off-road shenanigans.
…Edmunds
The 2024 Ranger Raptor might not have the same character as its larger sibling, but in the process of differentiating itself, it has created a new space for the sub-brand. Yes, this Raptor will still jump without batting an eye (or breaking your back), but it does so in a more approachable manner. The truck isn't nearly as difficult to navigate around the street or a trail, nor does it overwhelm you with the performance on offer. It's a well-rounded machine, and one that will certainly prove more fun on a back road than more trail-oriented offerings. That's not exactly why people have bought trucks like this in the past, but the off-roading community is growing. This is a Raptor that is a bit more palatable for the uninitiated, and for one's wallet.
…Road & Track
Starting in June, owners of the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor midsize sport pickup will begin attending a driving school to learn how to get the most out of their 400-horsepower desert-racers, as off-road pros teach the finer points of rock climbing, high-speed Baja-style driving, hill-climbing and more. Called the Ranger Raptor Assault School, the course comes free with the purchase of a Ranger Raptor. It's at Ford's Performance Racing School in Tooele Valley, Utah, in the high desert about 30 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.
…Detroit Free Press
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