2024 Ford Ranger vs 2023 RAM 1500

Do you remember when pickup trucks were used only by construction workers and gardeners? They were work machines, meant to have scratched beds, a cab full of McDonald’s wrappers, and a big dent on the tailgate from an unfortunate run-in with a telephone pole.

Not anymore. Today’s trucks give luxury vehicles a run for their money, with fancy features and ridiculous amounts of technology. Today we’re looking at the 2023 Ram 1500. This truck hasn’t gotten a major update since 2019, and while it still holds its own next to the offerings from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota, the others are catching up quickly.

While Ford outsells all other brands with its full-size pickup trucks, it lags behind in the midsize class. The Ranger, once the king of small trucks, hasn’t been a strong seller since Ford relaunched it for the 2019 model year. The smaller Maverick currently outsells the Ranger by nearly two to one. For 2024, the new Ranger brings more of everything: power, tech, refinement, space, and most importantly, choice. Is it too late for Ford to catch up? We tested a Ranger XLT to find out.

Verdict: With new V6 engines and a Raptor trim, the 2024 Ford Ranger offers greater choice and capability to finally match the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.