Since the T6 Ford Ranger made its international debut back in 2011 the model has gone from strength to strength, eventually culminating in its much publicized return to the North American market.
After its arrival, the model started showing its age and sales have been middling since then. But for the 2023 model year, everyone will be getting the all new international version. At the heart of the issue was the powertrain options and the lack of an international Raptor model, with Ford unwilling to develop a high performance gas variant for the T6/T7 platform.
Updated November 2022: Over the years the Ford Ranger has become a global icon, it is currently the most modified vehicle in the world and the fan base is only growing. Its landmark move back to the North American market has been met with some resistance and several capable mid-size pickups competing for the same slice of pie. It is still, in our opinion, one of the best pickups money can buy and this year it gets a radical redesign and a host of new features too.
The outgoing Ranger was already very good, if a little underpowered, but the latest Ranger promises to be a huge leap forward for the brand.
11 Infotainment
Information and entertainment screens (otherwise known as infotainment) in vehicles have been getting bigger and bigger, and the Ranger is no exception.
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Aside a huge centrally mounted screen, it gets a fully digital instrument cluster. All very modern but where we think they get a little carried away is going with an e-shifter and electronic parking brake, neither of which are ideal on a vehicle that's supposed to be more “rugged.”
10 Terrain Modes
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The 2023 Ford Ranger seem to have too many terrain modes - three for on road and four for off-road. It just all seems a little superfluous, and we doubt most users will truly feel the difference between each one. Three modes usually cover all bases, both on and off-road.
The flip side of that is that you will almost certainly be able to find the mode you personally like and will likely default to that, depending on the weather or road surface, making it easier to tailor the vehicle to your specific needs. For those of us that like to fiddle, beware.
9 New Interior
If you get in one of the new Rangers, the first thing you will notice is just how much more refined it is on the inside.
As a pickup, the outgoing Ranger was not terrible. However, the new base model Ranger now comes equipped with a host of features as standard fitment and the redesign also allows for an infinitely better field of vision.
8 All-New Design
The styling of the Ranger has now more or less aligned itself with all the other Ford pickups made in the U.S. with trademark C-clamp LED headlights and more squared-off body.
The new design philosophy makes a lot more sense now that the Ranger lineup is being sold in North America, and it is no longer just a tentative sort of step, but a full on commitment to making the latest Ranger a truly global platform.
7 Improved Utility
The updated bed gets more configuration, has a flexible cargo dividing system, and a convenient side step integrated into the bed/rear bumper to help you access the load bed more easily (something that got left to the aftermarket before).
Even though this is more of a leisure vehicle, people will want to get the most out of the extra space at the back, and it is good to see that Ford has put more effort into this often overlooked area.
6 Applying Customer Feedback
It is clear that Ford has taken its customer feedback on board while developing the new Ranger. They have effectively delivered a product that people want as a result.
Midsize pickups have become ever more popular as families seek to explore the outdoors more and the dynamic of a family vehicle has changed. SUVs remain popular but the flexibility of having a bed to load up with all sorts of gear is appealing.
5 Exceptional Versatility
Most modern pickups offer great versatility, but the fact that Ford has really listened to its customer base in so many respects proves that they are one step ahead of the competition at the moment.
Little things like adding power outlets in the bed makes a huge difference to buyers in this market, especially for those that use it as a leisure vehicle
4 More Efficient
Quite frankly nothing is as practical as a midsize pickup, although it is inherently compromised in some areas, all vehicles are. At its core this is still primarily a workhorse, but added refinement means it can offer so much more to those willing to deal with those inevitable compromises.
It just does everything very, very well and still offers exceptional fuel efficiency no matter if you are doing a commute through the urban jungle or doing some adventuring through a literal one.
3 New Engines
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One of the headline features for the latest Ranger is the inclusion of a turbo gas V6 and a V6 diesel powertrain.
It is therefore highly likely that the North American market will get a diesel option for the first time, the same Power Stroke you will find in the F-150 that delivers 440 pound feet of torque is already finding a home inside the engine bay of the international release.
2 New Raptor
One variant that will certainly make it to North America is the much publicized all new Ranger Raptor that will make use of the same gas V6 as what you will find in the new Bronco. It will produce around 400 horsepower and tuners will easily unlock a lot more power if that is what they want.
Not only will this blow direct competitors out of the water, but it'll probably also take the fight to all the other full sized performance pickups.
1 The Practical Choice
A full-size pickup with a big V8 can be fun, but there is no denying the fact that for most of us, it is both overkill and unnecessary.
It is little wonder that the midsize pickup market is growing, it just makes more sense, especially as fuel prices soar and emissions restrictions take aim at less efficient vehicles like the F-150 Raptor (pictured).