2025 Ranger getting the “New” 2.3L Ecoboost w/ direct port injection

[Rangerjimm]

I seriously doubt they detuned it strictly to avoid announcing it. I think it's much more likely that the intended use in a Ranger is rather different than the expected use in a mustang, so it's tuned for more torque in the Ranger at the expense of a bit less hp. And even if they put the mustang-tuned 2.3 in with only 15 hp less than the 2.7, it still falls about 90ft/lbs short on torque which is pretty darned far from nothing. I don't buy the conspiracy theory.

No conspiracy, just business.

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[superj]

I feel like its tuned for torque too, since its a truck

 

[Rangerjimm]

I feel like its tuned for torque too, since its a truck

But the Explorer with the same engine is 300 hp 310 ft lbs. So why would the Ranger be 270 hp with 310 ft. lbs? They are both trucks. It doesnt make sense. I wish someone would put one of these on a dyno. Im guessing its under rated at 270.

 

[superj]

The explorer is not a truck anymore. Its a large escape, and has been for a few years. It did used to be a ranger based vehicle but that changed a long time ago.


I wish we knew the torque numbers. That would explain alot if the new 2.3 had more torque. Then it truly would be a truck motor versus a car motor stuck in a truck body

 

[derecskey]

But the Explorer with the same engine is 300 hp 310 ft lbs. So why would the Ranger be 270 hp with 310 ft. lbs? They are both trucks. It doesnt make sense. I wish someone would put one of these on a dyno. Im guessing its under rated at 270.

I drove a 2024 2.7L and a 2025 2.3L minutes apart, knowing nothing about this engine-gate situation. I said out loud that I was surprised how little difference I noticed. The only appreciable thing I noticed was that the 2.3 had a moment of lag at the bottom of a steep hill that the 2.7 didn't even think about.

Should be taking delivery of my '25 XLT 2.3 Monday or Tuesday. Waiting on the sprayin bed liner.

 

[FreakRanger]

That’s weird
In GCC countries the 24 made 298hp

 

[Greatlakespilot]

I talked to someone I went to school with who is a design engineer at ford. He said off the record the specs will be the same for the new 2.3 as far as torque and horsepower. They don’t want to offer a base engine with similar numbers to the upgraded 2.7 as it will obviously hurt sales of the 2.7. It’s de-tuned. Now he also said just because the numbers are listed doesn’t mean it’s not actually producing a little higher than posted numbers. Guys, you’re spending 45-55 thousand on a truck. The upgrade engine is only 2195 and it’s been around for a long time. Just get the bigger engine. No one who has the bigger engine will ever say aw man wish I got the smaller engine so it can work harder and I save one mile per gallon

 

[Rangerjimm]

I talked to someone I went to school with who is a design engineer at ford. He said off the record the specs will be the same for the new 2.3 as far as torque and horsepower. They don’t want to offer a base engine with similar numbers to the upgraded 2.7 as it will obviously hurt sales of the 2.7. It’s de-tuned. Now he also said just because the numbers are listed doesn’t mean it’s not actually producing a little higher than posted numbers. Guys, you’re spending 45-55 thousand on a truck. The upgrade engine is only 2195 and it’s been around for a long time. Just get the bigger engine. No one who has the bigger engine will ever say aw man wish I got the smaller engine so it can work harder and I save one mile per gallon

Ive been getting 27-28 on the highway and its not broken in yet. and I got the 2.3 to avoid the cam Phaser issues which are still affecting the 2.7 and 3.0. The new motor is so much smoother and quieter than the old one I dont see any reason for the 2.7 unless you tow which I don't. BTW I grew up in Dearborn and know several folks at MAS also!

 

[HighDesertRanger]

So we had a 2024 STX and a 2025 STX sitting on the lot right next to each other. Basically identical except for color and year. Both 4x4. So of course I had to pop the hoods.

2024

2025

For whatever it’s worth at this point since the cat seems to be out of the bag. Clearly not the same engine though.

 

[Maybe]

Yea I’ve had the 2.7 in a 2 F150s and have it in my Bronco. I test drove a 24 2.3 FX4 Ranger and didn’t feel at all it needed a bigger engine. I knew I wanted the 25 though for the new engine. Not once have i said i need a 2.7. I think the 2.3 is a solid match for the Ranger. My Bronco needs the 2.7 though IMO. I’m loving my Ranger. I had a 24 Mustang GT but getting transferred to Rhode Island so figured it would be a better vehicle up there and having 3 vehicles right now isn’t something I need. I got like 180-200 miles a tank in my normal drives. The tank is 2 gal smaller than the Ranger. I’m getting 360-380 right now to E in the same driving Situation.

Ive been getting 27-28 on the highway and its not broken in yet. and I got the 2.3 to avoid the cam Phaser issues which are still affecting the 2.7 and 3.0. The new motor is so much smoother and quieter than the old one I dont see any reason for the 2.7 unless you tow which I don't. BTW I grew up in Dearborn and know several folks at MAS also!

I’m getting 19-20 in my daily drives which is all stop lights and stop signs. I was getting 12-13 in my Mustang GT. Haven’t really had much hwy except leaving the dealer and at 70 i was showing around 27+

 

[RichD]

I talked to someone I went to school with who is a design engineer at ford. He said off the record the specs will be the same for the new 2.3 as far as torque and horsepower. They don’t want to offer a base engine with similar numbers to the upgraded 2.7 as it will obviously hurt sales of the 2.7. It’s de-tuned. Now he also said just because the numbers are listed doesn’t mean it’s not actually producing a little higher than posted numbers. Guys, you’re spending 45-55 thousand on a truck. The upgrade engine is only 2195 and it’s been around for a long time. Just get the bigger engine. No one who has the bigger engine will ever say aw man wish I got the smaller engine so it can work harder and I save one mile per gallon

Cam Phaser issues and a wet belt driven oil pump...No thanks. And even if was "only" 1 mpg. It isn't.

 

[Davko]

So we had a 2024 STX and a 2025 STX sitting on the lot right next to each other. Basically identical except for color and year. Both 4x4. So of course I had to pop the hoods.

2024

2025

For whatever it’s worth at this point since the cat seems to be out of the bag. Clearly not the same engine though.

Not only are the engines different, but so are the brakes. I have a 2024 2.3L engine with the brakes shown in the above 2025 photo. How many different combinations did they make?

 

[MK8.5 Golf R]

Rear brake pads are slightly different, I believe the front are still the same unless choosing the heavy duty option. The engine oil pan on the 2.7 is plastic vs steel on the 2.3 though changing the oil filter on the 4 cyl is no as easy an on the 2.7. The 2.3 also is less cluttered, lots of room in the engine bay.

 

[Davko]

Rear brake pads are slightly different, I believe the front are still the same unless choosing the heavy duty option. The engine oil pan on the 2.7 is plastic vs steel on the 2.3 though changing the oil filter on the 4 cyl is no as easy an on the 2.7. The 2.3 also is less cluttered, lots of room in the engine bay.

if you look at the 2024 photo, there is a “round drum” behind the brake fluid reservoir. It is not there in the 2025 photo. My brakes are like the 2025 photo. Does anyone know; What are the differences?

 

[fordtrks4ever]

Electric brake booster no drum vs round drum vacuum brake booster

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