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2026 Ford Ranger Raptor Long-Term Test: The Mid-Size King Arrives
When the Ford Ranger Raptor was first launched for the overseas market, it seemed like a tantalizing tease to American truck enthusiasts. Ford had mastered the formula for high-speed desert running with the legendary F-150 Raptor, creating an off-road icon that redefined the capabilities of a street-legal truck. This original Raptor, introduced for the 2010 model year, took the concept of a Baja-inspired racer and made it accessible, spawning subsequent generations and inspiring rivals like the Bronco Raptor.
The Raptor DNA is clear in both the F-150 and Ranger models: widened stances, long-travel suspension systems, and powerful twin-turbo V6 engines that deliver aggressive performance. But the Ranger Raptor differentiates itself by offering a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing the core Raptor experience. Its inherent value among its peers earned it back-to-back 10Best awards, and we decided it was time to add Ford’s “baby Raptor” to our long-term fleet, affectionately nicknamed the “Michigan Miata” due to its sport-tuned driving dynamics.
The initial Ranger Raptor was an exclusive offering for markets outside the U.S., but Ford finally answered American demand with the second generation, which debuted for the 2024 model year. Think of the Ranger Raptor as a Bronco Raptor without the 37-inch tires, the convertible top, or the easily removable doors. For shoppers who can forgo these features, the savings are significant, potentially amounting to around $23,000 less than a Bronco Raptor. The 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor starts at $58,965, significantly undercutting direct competitors like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which starts well over the $66,000 mark. While a new Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 can be found for under $53,000, it lacks the same level of performance and off-road capability, even in its higher-tier Bison trim.
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We decided to order our long-term Ranger Raptor in Shelter Green Metallic, which we consider the best color option for the 2026 model year. This $395 premium paint offers a refined appearance without being overly ostentatious. We deliberately skipped the $750 racy rear-body decals, as the staff isn’t typically in the habit of mainlining energy drinks or getting tribal tattoos. We also opted against the $1,495 forged beadlock-capable wheels, planning to use aftermarket wheels during the truck’s tenure. Our final configuration included a spray-in bedliner ($525), a dealer-installed keyless-entry keypad ($230), and a three-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription ($300), bringing the total to $60,415. This remains substantially less than the admission price for the larger F-150 Raptor.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Beyond its affordability compared to its larger sibling, the Ranger Raptor’s smaller footprint makes it significantly easier to navigate in crowded parking lots and navigate tight trails. Furthermore, it has a higher likelihood of fitting into garages designed for smaller sedans. While the Ranger 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 standard 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires. However, because the Ranger’s bodywork is not excessively wide (under 80 inches), it does not require the three central amber running lights found on its larger counterparts.
It’s a mistake to think of the Ranger Raptor as a diluted version of the F-150 Raptor; it is its own distinct identity. It features reinforced steel bumpers that protect a fully boxed ladder frame, and generous underbody armor safeguarding critical components such as the electronically locking front and rear differentials. Its suspension system is also heavily fortified to withstand demanding conditions. The front suspension utilizes 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve adaptive dampers paired with longer forged aluminum control arms. The rear Fox shocks feature piggyback-style reservoirs that are better at dissipating heat when the solid rear axle undergoes heavy use. Ford also upgraded the rear suspension from the standard Ranger’s leaf springs and Panhard rod to a coil-spring setup and a more sophisticated Watt’s linkage with trailing arms, which enhances the truck’s body roll resistance.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Despite the added stiffness, our initial track testing confirmed that the Ranger Raptor truly shines in off-road environments. The blocky BFG tires achieved a lateral grip of 0.68 g on our skidpad and resulted in a braking distance of 223 feet from 70 mph. These figures, however, do not fully reflect the truck’s enjoyable daily driving characteristics. The ride is highly compliant, allowing us to glide over Michigan’s numerous potholes. Ford also offers extensive customization options for the Raptor’s personality, allowing independent adjustments to damping force, steering effort, powertrain response, and exhaust volume via buttons on the contoured steering wheel. The “R” mode provides quick access to saved profiles, and the prominent paddle shifters allow for instant management of the 10-speed automatic transmission—a feature that, surprisingly, many of the Raptor’s competitors still lack.
This mid-size Raptor is certainly no slouch. It matches the 450-hp F-150 Raptor in the 0-to-60 mph sprint. In our initial test, the all-wheel-drive Ranger reached 60 mph in a brisk 5.2 seconds, though the 405-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 felt less responsive with a 5-to-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 driving style is, the “baby Raptor” is thirsty. The EPA estimates a combined fuel economy of a disappointing 17 mpg, only one mpg better than the heavier V-6-powered F-150 Raptor. At least the Ranger Raptor met the government’s expectations during our 75-mph real-world fuel-economy test, with a previously tested model achieving a (slightly) more encouraging 18 mpg on the highway.
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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver
Our long-term 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor arrived at Car and Driver’s Ann Arbor headquarters right before spring truly took hold. We’ve only been driving it for about two months, and already it has accumulated over 4,000 miles. Apart from some mixed opinions regarding its aggressive exhaust note, our staff seems quite pleased with Ford’s junior Raptor pickup. The Ranger’s perfectly balanced proportions make it more practical for daily use than our current long-term Ram 1500, and its cargo bed proves incredibly useful for quick chores.
We have many plans for our new Raptor beyond navigating school drop-off lines and transporting mulch. We’re looking into taking the “Assault School” course offered by Ford, and we also want to purchase the Ford Performance tuner to boost the baby Raptor’s power output to essentially match its big brother. Additionally, with the Silver Lake Sand Dunes just a few hours away, we are eager to put this truck through its paces in a real off-road setting.
Months in Fleet: 2 months Current Mileage: 4398 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: 79.8 in
Height: 7