2025 Ford Ranger Review: Power, Capability, and the Wild Raptor!

Remember the Ford Ranger? It took a little vacation from 2012 to 2019, but now it's back and better than ever. Heck, it even snagged North American Truck of the Year recently. Not too shabby for a truck that started life as a compact pickup back in the '80s.

Power Talk

Let's talk engines. The 2025 Ranger keeps things simple with two solid choices. There's the standard 2.3-liter EcoBoost that kicks out 270 horses - plenty for most weekend warriors. But if you're the "more is more" type, you can grab the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 with a hefty 400 lb-ft of torque. That'll get your boat to the lake without breaking a sweat.

Hauling Stuff

Need to move things? This truck's got you covered. Hook up a trailer and you can tow about 7,500 pounds - think a decent-sized camper or a couple of jet skis. That beats Toyota's Tacoma but falls just shy of Chevy's Colorado. For stuff in the bed, you're looking at around 1,800 pounds of whatever you fancy hauling around.

The Wild Child: Ranger Raptor

Here's where things get fun. The Raptor isn't just a Ranger with fancy stickers - it's the wild child of the family. With 405 horsepower under the hood and Fox shocks underneath, this thing lives for desert runs and jumping over...well, pretty much anything you shouldn't jump over.

It hits 60 mph in under 6 seconds, which is ridiculously quick for something this size. Sure, it tows less than its siblings, but nobody buys a Raptor to pull a U-Haul.

How's It Measure Up?

Size-wise, the Ranger hits the sweet spot - bigger than Ford's tiny Maverick but not as "can't fit in my garage" massive as an F-150. It's got enough presence to look cool at the job site without making grocery store parking a nightmare.

Even the regular 4x4 Rangers can handle some decent off-road action with 9+ inches of ground clearance. But honestly, if you're serious about leaving the pavement behind, just spring for the Raptor. That's what it's built for, with its massive tires and fancy "Baja mode" that practically begs you to find the nearest sand dune.

Price Tags

What'll it cost ya? The basic XL starts around $33k, while a loaded-up Lariat with 4x4 pushes $47k. The Raptor? That'll set you back about $56k before you start adding goodies. Not exactly cheap, but actually a pretty good deal compared to Toyota's top-end Tacoma, which somehow costs nearly $8k more.

Bottom line? If you need a truck that won't hog your entire driveway but can still handle weekend adventures and home improvement runs, the new Ranger deserves a look. Just be careful with that Raptor test drive - you might not want to give it back.