Moving up from Ranger 5G to 6G. Questions for member who have done so.

[ChiefQM]

Hello all, I have a 2019 Ranger XLT with just under 60K miles. I bought it as Certified Pre-Owned with 12, 443 miles in June 2020. Except for the bucking / shuddering issue at low speeds that the selling dealer took more interest in telling me it was in my head rather than solve it, I tripped across the fix for my particular problem (a bad EGR differential pressure sensor, part number KA1Z-5L200-A) on the 5G Forum, which I replaced out of my pocket for $19 plus new hose clamps. That solved my problem and while I had to replace it again a year later, I finally, after three years, had the truck I thought I was buying.

It is now time to think about replacing it. The Ford Premier Extended Warranty expires in November, so will be looking to replace it in October. I was interested in a F-150 but refuse to justify the price. As such, I am in the market for a 2025 Ranger Lariat. I will likely sell my 5G outright rather than trade it to a dealer.

So my questions for those of you who moved from 5G to 6G Rangers:

Is it worth getting the larger 2.7 V-6 engine, or stick with the 2.3 I-4? Is the gas mileage comparable? I am planning on towing an RV under the GVWR of the Ranger.

Has anybody bought the hybrid? Is it worth it in fuel savings?

Are the drivability issues in the early 5G Rangers (hesitation, bucking, shudder) gone?

Have the FX4 shocks and struts improved?

How much of a distraction is the larger display screen?

And lastly, what problems have been encountered?

Thanks for any feedback.

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[DutchRanger]

I'd say, test drive the 2.7, you'll be surprised at the power it gives you. Personally, I like the 10in screen and didn't like the lariat wheels, so I saved some money and got the xlt with some bells and whistles.

 

[purdyd]

I think if I were doing a lot of towing I’d strongly consider the 2.7l engine.

however, the 2.3l is very peppy with some good torque.

there is no hybrid version of the Ranger in the USA

the XLT is a better value but I don’t regret my lariat purchase. A lot of little things.

the large screen is not distracting. Its a good size and integrated well into the dash.

id think a test drive would answer your questions

 

[Novastar]

I have the 2.7 XLT. mine has all the packages and I would never go back to a non 360 camera vehicle lol. Just did a 5 hour road trip on some pretty windy roads. CA 1. There was one point that I was going down hill at a steep grade and it didn’t seem to like that. Stopped and restarted the vehicle and no more issues. I test drove the 2.3 and it just felt so sluggish in traffic and on the highway compared to the 2.7. Could be in my head but the 2.7 just felt better and had the pep to pass people

 

[superj]

just drove my 2.3 from the bottom of texas all the way to south dakota and back, last week. while i wonder about the 2.7, i have had zero issues hauling butt and passing or carrying a load in the bed and passing.. anywhere. the 2.3 is a great engine that gets really good mileage for us being in trucks. i have never towed an rv, nor do i plan on doing it though.

i don't feel it would have any more issues than the 2.7 does pulling a huge parachute down the road but, i have zero experience testing that out

 

[Jason B]

Is it worth getting the larger 2.7 V-6 engine, or stick with the 2.3 I-4? Is the gas mileage comparable? I am planning on towing an RV under the GVWR of the Ranger.

Gas milage in my '21 RWD 2.3L was 24MPG. My '24 FX4 2.7L is 23MPG.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

It's a matter of what you are using the truck for. I have a '24 Lariat with the 2.3L however I don't plan to ever tow with the truck, but I do haul in the bed. If towing or offroad is not your thing the 2.3 is more than enough engine and it returns much better gas mileage than does the 2.7. I have made several trips now from Central Florida to Maryland and get, at interstate highway running, 28 - 29.5 mph cruising 950 miles. You cannot beat that type of mpg.

 

[hand-filer]

Definitely give the 2.7 some consideration if you do occasional towing. It has more more HP, more torque, is smoother running and the difference in gas milage is negligible.
You won't regret choosing the 2.7 over the 2.3.

 

[JR RANGER]

Hello all, I have a 2019 Ranger XLT with just under 60K miles. I bought it as Certified Pre-Owned with 12, 443 miles in June 2020. Except for the bucking / shuddering issue at low speeds that the selling dealer took more interest in telling me it was in my head rather than solve it, I tripped across the fix for my particular problem (a bad EGR differential pressure sensor, part number KA1Z-5L200-A) on the 5G Forum, which I replaced out of my pocket for $19 plus new hose clamps. That solved my problem and while I had to replace it again a year later, I finally, after three years, had the truck I thought I was buying.

It is now time to think about replacing it. The Ford Premier Extended Warranty expires in November, so will be looking to replace it in October. I was interested in a F-150 but refuse to justify the price. As such, I am in the market for a 2025 Ranger Lariat. I will likely sell my 5G outright rather than trade it to a dealer.

So my questions for those of you who moved from 5G to 6G Rangers:

Is it worth getting the larger 2.7 V-6 engine, or stick with the 2.3 I-4? Is the gas mileage comparable? I am planning on towing an RV under the GVWR of the Ranger.

Has anybody bought the hybrid? Is it worth it in fuel savings?

Are the drivability issues in the early 5G Rangers (hesitation, bucking, shudder) gone?

Have the FX4 shocks and struts improved?

How much of a distraction is the larger display screen?

And lastly, what problems have been encountered?

Thanks for any feedback.

I've got a 2024 2.3 XLT FX4 4X4 with all the packages. If your not towing regularly I'd get the 2025 Ranger 2.3 with the revised turbos and direct injection .
I have the older 2.3 but my truck runs flawlessly. Best truck I've ever owned. Not 1 compliant.
JRRANGER

 

[vagabond102]

'21 Lariat Tremor -> '25 Lariat FX4 2.7

I would have regretted not going with the 2.7. It's not the HP or TQ numbers for me, but the delivery. The 2.7 is so smooth and moves the truck with such ease it's not even funny.

When the 2.3 was running properly, it was good and no complaints. If I'm being honest, the 2.3 felt peppier, but that's likely just due to the v6 being so smooth it SEEMS slower. I towed a number of times (~5500lbs) and the 2.3 didn't have a problem with it. The 2.7 has even less issue with it.

The transmission tuning on the 2.7 is much better than the 2.3.

Fuel mileage. Ehhh. I've been driving the 2.7 pretty light. Mostly in town driving and up until this tank, been keeping around 20mpg. I have seen 26 at a point or two, but that's an exception. This tank I'm sitting at 18 and I don't really understand why....I'm a creature of habit...same route and same driving every day. Basically, expect EPA rating IMO. If you have a heavier or heavy foot, it's going to drink the gas. %100 worth it for me.

Spending this much on a truck and quibbling over this little fuel seems...odd.

As for the screen....I don't find it distracting at all. I rather like it. I would like to see some Sync changes (ability to split screen displaying audio and android auto...if there is a way, I haven't found it).

Being I had a Tremor, I can't comment on suspension differences as I had the Fox shocks.

Problems encountered:

Occasionally the truck will not shut completely down after I exit and lock it. I've come back to it and noticed the dash display illuminated (screen on with no image glow) and PRNDM illuminated. Not often, but several times in the last 2 months.

Exiting the vehicle and touching the lock "button" gets an audible click like lock actuators trying to actuate, but the doors DO NOT LOCK. Hit it again and it locks.

Don't bother with Lane Centering. It's stupid and makes no sense. Centers the vehicle, but expects you to jerk the steering wheel every 20 seconds so it knows you are there. Infuriating.

Having both issues looked into, but neither is a huge thing to me.

Otherwise, the truck has been a pleasure to own and drive. It's familiar but different at the same time.

I don't know if it's just me, but I certainly notice the 2" wider stance.

 

[Tom W8JI]

So my questions for those of you who moved from 5G to 6G Rangers:

Is it worth getting the larger 2.7 V-6 engine, or stick with the 2.3 I-4? Is the gas mileage comparable? I am planning on towing an RV under the GVWR of the Ranger.

I almost always street drive for maximum efficiency.

I had a 2023 Ranger FX4 lariat. I now have a fully loaded 2025 with the 2.7.
The 55 MPH road into town is moderately hilly. The 2023 4-banger averaged 22 MPG on that road. The 2025 2.7 stays at 26 MPG or so. I believe this is mostly from not needing to downshift so much on hills. The 4-cylinder would downshift and go into a little boost on any hill. The V6 rarely has to downshift.

On flat ground the 2025 with 2.7 seems about the same as the 23 4 cylinder. It is hard to tell the difference on level ground. Maybe the 4-cylinder was a little better.

Pulling my small cargo trailer at 70-75 MPH on relatively flat terrain the '23 got 16 MPG. The '25 V6 on the same route gets about 18.

Are the drivability issues in the early 5G Rangers (hesitation, bucking, shudder) gone?

Never had that issue in my 2023.

Have the FX4 shocks and struts improved?

I don't know what improved means, but the '25 rides much better over bumps and railroads crossings. I noticed it and my lady friend noticed this.

Don't know if it is tires or suspension. It just takes bumps a lot nicer.

How much of a distraction is the larger display screen?

A larger screen is far less distracting to me. I hated the itty bitty little screen in my 2023. I have dogs, one is a little dog with small dog syndrome. I find the 360 view great because I can see which tire she is trying to bite.

And lastly, what problems have been encountered?

I dislike the lack of a radio tuning knob. That is dumb because touching the screen makes tuning the radio very distracting.

I also like an analog speedometer and tach.

Other than those two things I really like my new truck a whole lot more than the 23. I get much better fuel economy than I expected. I love the 360 cameras. It is a far better truck IMO.

 

[RonM_TX]

The large screen is not an issue. I put mine in dark mode so I didn't have the bright screen in my field of vision.
I test drove all 3 engines, the 2.7 was the smoothest with plenty of power. I would recommend it over the 4 cylinder.

 

[gtyates]

I moved from a '19 Lariat 4x4 to a '24 Lariat 4x4 with FX4. I have the 2.3 engine. I do not tow and could not justify the extra $2500 for the V6. Very pleased with the '24. Ride is very smooth, very quiet on the interstate during my commute. I have not traveled in mine yet, but my daily commute is seeing 22 mpg. I have no regrets with the truck or staying with the 2.3. Also, love the large screen. Also like that some of the gauges are optional, so I have the turbo boost as one of my options to view just for fun. The adaptive headlights are also interesting. I bought mine in April, so I only have around 3200 miles, but so far no problems.

 

[395N]

The 2.7 Ranger is wonderful.
Like others have said very smooth, and always has power on tap for passing, towing, hauling.
I test drove the 2.3 Ranger, as well as the Tacoma (non hybrid) and both were too ratty for my taste. The 2.7 in Ranger just feels at home, as do the FX4 shocks.

In other words test drive and find out for yourself.

 

[Jason B]

I dislike the lack of a radio tuning knob. That is dumb because touching the screen makes tuning the radio very distracting.

You can use the buttons on the right side of the steering wheel.


Using Seek

Press to seek the next station up the frequency band.
Press and hold to quickly seek up the frequency band.

Press to seek the next station down the frequency band.
Press and hold to quickly seek down the frequency band.

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