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We Adopted a Baby Baja Truck! Meet Our Long-Term Ford Ranger Raptor
We expect to improve our frequent-flyer status over the next 40,000 miles with Ford’s junior Raptor pickup.
Published: Apr 7, 2026
VerifiedReviewed by
Eric Stafford
Managing Editor, News
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2026 ford ranger raptor supercab long termView exterior photos
Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Ford’s Raptor philosophy has been remarkably consistent since the original F-150 version debuted for 2010—initial press photos showed a real-life vehicle that appeared ready to star in the next episode of Dukes of Hazzard. This Baja-style pickup quickly became a massive success for the Blue Oval, spawning countless Raptor variants across F-150 generations and later versions of the Bronco and Ranger.
The F-150 Raptor and the Ranger Raptor share the same core philosophy—wider tracks, aggressive bodywork, long-travel suspensions, and high-horsepower twin-turbo V-6s. However, the Ranger Raptor has long been the more accessible option, earning back-to-back 10Best awards for its excellent value proposition. Our team is excited to spend 40,000 miles with this mid-size pickup, which we’ve affectionately nicknamed the Michigan Miata.
For comparison, the first-generation Ranger Raptor was a forbidden fruit, exclusive to overseas markets before Ford smartly introduced it to the U.S. for the 2024 model year. Consider it a Bronco Raptor without the 37-inch tires, removable roof, or easily detached doors. If those features are just nice-to-haves, you’ll save roughly $23,000. Furthermore, the 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor’s base price of $58,965 undercuts direct rivals like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which starts above $66,000. While you could secure a new Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 for under $53,000, you’d be stuck with a 310-hp turbo four (even on the significantly more expensive ZR2 Bison model). And let’s not forget that the Ranger Raptor has already bested both the TRD Pro and the ZR2 Bison in our off-road competition.
We ordered our long-term 2026 Ranger Raptor with the most appealing color available for this model year: Shelter Green Metallic, an optional upgrade at $395 that presents a classy appearance without being overly flashy. We passed on the aggressively styled rear body decals ($750), reasoning that very few people in the office consume Monster Energy drinks or sport tribal tattoos. We also chose the standard 17-inch wheels over the $1,495 forged beadlock-capable rollers, as we plan to test a set of aftermarket wheels during the truck’s tenure with us. After adding the spray-in bed liner ($525), the dealer-installed keyless entry pad ($230), and a three-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription ($300), our baby Raptor reached a total price of $60,415. At this price point, it’s still more than $20,000 less expensive than the entry price for the F-150 Raptor.
Beyond being significantly more affordable than its bigger brother, the Ranger Raptor’s smaller dimensions make it much easier to navigate crowded parking lots and tight off-road trails. It also fits more easily in garages designed for lower-profile sedans. While the Raptor shares the same 128.7-inch wheelbase and five-foot cargo bed with the standard Ford Ranger, its front and rear tracks are widened by 3.5 inches to accommodate the standard 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires. Crucially, since the Raptor’s bulging bodywork is not wider than 80 inches, it is not legally required to feature the three central amber running lights that adorn its larger, wider siblings.
Do not mistake the Ranger Raptor for a half-baked version of its larger brother; it is not. Its heavy-duty steel bumpers cap a fully boxed ladder frame, and extensive underbody armor protects vital components, including the electronically locking front and rear differentials. The suspension is equally fortified and built to withstand punishing terrain. The Ranger Raptor’s front wheels utilize 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve adaptive dampers and longer forged aluminum control arms. The rear Fox shocks feature piggyback-style reservoirs that significantly improve heat dissipation when the solid rear axle is subjected to heavy stress. Ford also replaced the regular Ranger’s rear leaf springs and Panhard rod with a coil-spring setup and a more sophisticated Watt’s linkage with trailing arms, which enhances the truck’s roll stiffness.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Despite this added structural stiffness, our initial track testing confirms that the Raptor’s peak performance shines off-road. The Raptor’s large BFG tires achieved 0.68 g of lateral grip on our skidpad and required a 223-foot stopping distance from 70 mph. However, these numbers do not reflect the truck’s excellent daily driving performance. Its impact-absorbing ride quality allows us to easily glide over Michigan’s many potholes. Ford also offers extensive personalization options for the Raptor’s driving personality, allowing users to independently adjust damping force, steering effort, powertrain attitude, and exhaust volume using the controls on the sporty steering wheel. The “R” mode provides quick access to a saved profile, and the prominent paddle shifters allow users to instantly manage the 10-speed automatic transmission—a feature that its competitors notably lack.
This mid-size Raptor is no slouch, matching the 450-hp F-150 Raptor in the 0-to-60 mph race. During our initial test, the all-wheel-drive Ranger hit the mile-per-minute mark in a swift 5.2 seconds. However, the 405-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 proved less responsive during a 5-to-60-mph rolling start (5.8 seconds). The quarter-mile was completed in a respectable 13.9 seconds at 98 mph. No matter how light your foot may be, this small Raptor is thirsty. The EPA rates combined fuel economy at a bleak 17 mpg, only one mile per gallon better than the heavier, V-6-powered F-150 Raptor. At least the Ranger Raptor met the government’s fuel economy expectations on our 75-mph highway test, where a previously tested model recorded a (slightly) less disappointing 18 mpg on the highway.
Our long-term 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor arrived at the Car and Driver Ann Arbor headquarters just before spring arrived. We are only two months into the test, and the truck has already accumulated over 4,000 miles. Despite some mixed opinions about its gruff exhaust note, our staff seems enthusiastic about Ford’s junior Raptor pickup. The Ranger’s balanced proportions make it more practical for daily driving duties than our current long-term Ram 1500, and its cargo bed proves useful for quick tasks and errands.
There is much more planned for our new Raptor than just sitting in school drop-off lines or transporting landscaping supplies. Ford’s “Assault School” is on our radar, and we plan to purchase the Ford Performance tuner that will boost the baby Raptor’s power output to levels virtually identical to its bigger brother. Additionally, with the Silver Lake Sand Dunes only a few hours away, we are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get this truck off the ground and test its off-road capabilities.
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
Specs panel icon
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
LT285/70R-17 116/113S M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 128.7 in
Length: 210.9 in
Width: 7