What changes are on the 2023 Ford Ranger?

Truck owners can be very decisive about what they want in their vehicle, and Ford decided to show the people they were listening when it came to designing the next-generation Ford Ranger. The automaker conducted over 5,000 interviews, collaborating alongside the owners of pick-ups to discuss how they used their vehicles, what they liked best, and what they thought could be improved or added. With all that information in hand, Ford claims that they have reengineered and redesigned this 2023 Ranger to be the smartest and most versatile yet.

Since the Ranger was built around customer recommendations, there have been many small and not-so-small updates to the truck. The wheelbase is 50mm longer and the track is 50mm wider than the previous model, which helps increase storage in the cargo box to fit more basic items that workers might use like sheets of plywood. The bed also has a new plastic-molded bedliner to help protect both the bed itself from scratches and the knees of the owner.

The bed also now features more tie-down points, flexible load box caps, a step behind the rear tire to climb into the bed with more ease, and a new cargo management system with dividers that allows owners to create small storage compartments. The tailgate now features the ability to double as a workspace with a ruler and clamp pockets built-in. Zone lighting and load box lighting were added around the whole truck and in the bed to give better visibility for low-light or nighttime working.

The overall look is meant to be rugged with bold confidence and still have a classic Ford pickup design. There is a new, more defined grille, C-shaped LED headlights, taillights designed specifically to go with the front graphics, and a line down the sides of the shoulder of the car to incorporate the bolder wheel-arches. The hydro-formed front bumper allows more space for the engine and keeps the Ranger “future-proof” for other propulsion tech that may come out. This extra space also opens up more airflow to the radiator and keeps temperatures low when towing or carrying.

On the inside, the cabin offsets the ruggedness of the exterior by using soft-touch materials and new technology. Central to the design is the short-throw e-shifter and the 10.1- or 12-inch portrait-style touchscreen on the center stack. Many traditional driving controls have been removed from the dashboard and now have a dedicated display on the touchscreen. From there, you can control the zone lighting feature and it comes equipped with Ford’s SYNC 4 connectivity and entertainment system, which has voice-activated communication and information. The screen is also linked to a 360-degree camera that allows for ease of parking and driving in difficult terrain.

Extra storage areas were also created for convenience, these include bins located under and behind the back seats, redesigned larger door pockets, and an upper glovebox. There is also an area for your phone, including wireless charging, and a center console bin to hold things.

To give customers the option for more power and torque for towing and off-roading, Ford added a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel engine to the Ranger. This addition makes up to three turbodiesel engine options available depending on the market. Also available is a V6 turbodiesel, a 2.3-L EcoBoost four-cylinder for petrol propulsion, and a choice of Single-Turbo and Bi-Turbo 2.0 inline four-cylinder diesel engines. The Single is offered in two performance levels and is aimed at small business owners and commercial fleets while the Bi has one performance level and is aimed at customers who want power and good fuel economy. The new transmission choices are either an updated 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual.

To continue giving customers the ability to customize their vehicle, there is the choice between the two four-wheel-drive systems. One is an electronic shift-on-the-fly and the other is an advanced full-time 4x4 system with set-and-forget mode.

Jim Farley, CEO, and president of Ford said that he saw this Ranger as their moment to deliver and so they wanted to give an “always-on” experience that customers could count on. This experience includes a laundry list of services meant to enhance customer conveniences such as pickup and delivery, online booking options, and a Ranger Concierge program. The concierge program will be available to answer questions and give assistance by walking customers through any issues they might have. Other services available include upcoming over-the-air updates, so customers won’t have to schedule an appointment for certain services.

In a very modern move, Ford also has hooked the Ranger up to an app called FordPass. This allows customers to stay connected to their vehicles in a variety of ways. You can control the zone lighting system from the app, auto-start your car, check the status of your Ranger, receive notifications if a service is required, and remotely lock and unlock your car. The FordPass app is set up to accept software updates automatically due to an embedded modem, so customers don’t have to worry about being behind.

The 2023 redesign also brings the next-generation Raptor variant, equipped with a brand-new, high-performance 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that makes 392 horsepower and an electronically-controlled exhaust system that allows for different engine sounds depending on the selected drive mode. The Ranger Raptor only comes in four-wheel drive.

On the inside, the Raptor sports jet fighter-inspired sport seats in the front and rear which boasts more comfort and support. The variant gets a fully digital cockpit with a 12.4-inch instrument cluster with Code Orange accents and amber ambient lighting. A 12-inch center touchscreen with Ford's new-generation SYNC 4A infotainment system and a Bang & Olufson audio system come standard.

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