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We Took the Plunge: Meet the Long-Term Ford Ranger Raptor
In a move that redefined our expectations for adventure and performance, we recently welcomed the Ford Ranger Raptor to our long-term test fleet. This isn’t just another pickup truck; it’s a declaration of intent, a symbol of Ford’s unwavering commitment to engineering true off-road capability in a mid-size package. We are thrilled to embark on a 40,000-mile journey with this formidable machine, eager to push its limits and discover the true essence of the Raptor legacy.
Unveiling the Baby Raptor: From Fantasy to Reality
The story of the Ranger Raptor is one of vision and courage. When Ford first introduced the Raptor concept, it was a bold statement—a statement that proved to the world that consumers craved high-performance off-road vehicles with the practicality of a truck. That vision paid off, spawning the now-iconic F-150 Raptor and setting the stage for a new generation of enthusiasts. The Ranger Raptor carries the torch forward, bringing the same DNA—widened stance, long-travel suspension, and powerful twin-turbo V-6—to a more accessible market segment.
While the F-150 Raptor pioneered the blueprint for what a street-legal desert racer should be, the Ranger Raptor perfects it. Its impressive value among its peers helped it earn back-to-back 10Best awards, and our office is abuzz with excitement as we begin this epic journey with the mid-size pickup truck we affectionately call the Michigan Miata.
The First-Generation Ranger Raptor was initially reserved for international markets, but Ford’s decision to bring it to the United States for its second generation, which debuted in the 2024 model year, was a stroke of genius. This truck is essentially a Bronco Raptor without the 37-inch tires, convertible top, and easily removable doors. If you can forgo those highly desirable features, you’ll save approximately $23,000. The 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor’s starting price of $58,965 also undercuts its direct competitors like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which starts north of $66,000. While you can snag a new Chevy Colorado ZR2 for under $53K, you’re restricted to a 310-hp turbo four engine (even on the significantly more expensive ZR2 Bison). And we shouldn’t forget that the Ranger Raptor already bested both the TRD Pro and ZR2 Bison in our off-road comparison tests.
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We chose the most stunning color available for this model year: Shelter Green Metallic, a $395 option that manages to be both classy and striking. We decided to skip the racy rear-body decals ($750), as none of us here mainline Monster Energy drinks or have tribal tattoos. We also opted to keep the standard 17-inch wheels rather than the $1495 forged beadlock-capable wheels, as we plan to experiment with a set of aftermarket wheels during the truck’s long-term tenure. After adding the spray-in bed liner ($525), dealer-installed keyless entry pad ($230), and a three-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription ($300), our baby Raptor tallied up to $60,415. This is still a substantial saving of more than $20,000 compared to the F-150 Raptor’s admission price.
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Just as important as its affordability is the Ranger Raptor’s smaller footprint, which makes maneuvering in crowded parking lots and on tight trails significantly easier. Plus, it’s more likely to fit in garages designed for lower-profile vehicles. While the Raptor shares its 128.7-inch wheelbase and five-foot cargo bed with the standard Ford Ranger, its front and rear tracks are 3.5 inches wider to accommodate the factory 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires. However, since the Ranger’s bulging bodywork doesn’t exceed 80 inches in width, it is legally exempt from the three amber running lights required on its larger, more imposing siblings.
Do not mistake the Ranger for a lesser Raptor; it is not. Its steel bumpers are mounted to a fully boxed ladder frame, and extensive underbody armor protects crucial components such as the electronically locking front and rear differentials. Its heavily fortified suspension is also built to withstand abuse. The Ranger Raptor’s front wheels are supported by 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve adaptive dampers paired with longer forged aluminum control arms. The rear Fox shocks feature piggyback-style reservoirs that effectively dissipate heat when the solid rear axle begins to flex under load. Ford also upgraded the standard Ranger’s rear leaf springs and Panhard rod to coils and a more sophisticated Watt’s linkage with trailing arms, resulting in improved roll stiffness.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Our initial track testing indicates that the Ranger’s peak performance is undeniably off-road. The Ranger’s blocky BFG tires achieved a lateral grip of 0.68 g on our skidpad and recorded a stopping distance of 223 feet from 70 mph. However, these numbers do not reflect the truck’s excellent daily-driving behavior. Its impact-absorbing ride allows us to glide over Michigan’s myriad potholes without notice. Ford also gives you the power to personalize the Raptor’s character, permitting independent adjustments to damping force, steering effort, powertrain attitude, and exhaust volume via the controls on the contoured steering wheel. The “R” mode enables quick access to a saved profile, and the prominent paddle shifters allow for instant management of the 10-speed automatic transmission—a feature that the Raptor’s competitors astonishingly lack.
This mid-size Raptor doesn’t mess around. It matches the 450-hp F-150 Raptor in the 0–60 mph sprint. During our first test, the all-wheel-drive Ranger reached 60 mph in a swift 5.2 seconds, though its 405-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 felt less responsive on a 5–60 mph rolling start (5.8 seconds). The quarter-mile was completed in a respectable 13.9 seconds at 98 mph. Regardless of how light your touch may be, the baby Raptor is thirsty. The EPA estimates combined fuel economy at a meager 17 mpg, only one mpg better than the heavier V-6-powered F-150 Raptor. Fortunately, the Ranger Raptor met the government’s expectations on our 75-mph real-world fuel economy test, with a previously tested model achieving a slightly more encouraging 18 mpg highway.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Our long-term 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor arrived at Car and Driver Ann Arbor headquarters just before spring’s arrival. We’ve only been with the truck for two months, and it has already accumulated over 4,000 miles. Aside from some varied opinions on its gruff exhaust note, our staff appears smitten with Ford’s junior Raptor pickup. The Ranger’s ideal proportions make it more appealing for daily duties than our current long-term Ram 1500, and its cargo bed is incredibly useful for quick chores.
There is much more planned for our new Raptor than just sitting in school drop-off lines and transporting mulch. Ford’s “Assault School” is on our radar, and we intend to purchase the Ford Performance tuner that will bring the baby Raptor’s power output essentially on par with its larger sibling. Plus, with the Silver Lake Sand Dunes only a few hours away, we are eager to get this truck airborne.
Months in Fleet: 2 months Current Mileage: 4,398 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 14 mpg
Fuel-Tank Size: 20.3 gallons Observed Fuel Range: 280 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
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Specifications
2026 Ford Ranger Raptor
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $58,965/$60,415
Options: spray-in bed liner, $525; Shelter Green Metallic paint, $395; SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio 3-year plan, $300; keyless-entry keypad, $230
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, iron and aluminum block and aluminum heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 180 in3, 2956 cm3
Power: 405 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 430 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 12.2-in vented disc/12.1-in vented disc
Tires: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3
LT285