5G vs. 6G - what's gained/lost?

[CTYankee]

I'm thinking about replacing my 2020 Lariat SuperCab with a 6G, but it's hard to tell just by content descriptions exactly what I'd be gaining or giving up. I know I'd lose a foot of bed length to start, but it looks like that will be workable. There's the difference in transmissions, but mine has shown no problems in its 41K miles.

For those who've replaced (or added to) a 5G with a 6G, what did you gain, and what did you lose?

The options aren't always clear. I know I'd opt for the Lariat, so I'd gain things like:

Memory settings, which apparently only apply to the rearview mirrors (kind of limits the value for me)
Heated steering wheel (top of my list for wanting an upgrade)
Adaptive cruise and lane keeping assist (my highway time is much less than it used to be, but there will always be some)
Larger infotainment screen integrated with Sync (I have a Linkswell now but would prefer the OEM solution)
Integrated box step (also high on my list of wants)

What else is there?

On the losses side, there's the bed length, but what else?

- It sounds like the folding mirrors have gone away, at least on some trim levels.
- The leather seats aren't actually leather anymore

If I go for the 6G, is one model year better than another in terms of content? It looks like there are some low-mileage 2024-2025's out there that would save a good chunk of change versus new.

My 2020 is paid for, so I want to understand as much as possible, what value I'd get for taking on a new car payment.

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[Keith2025]

Have you driven a 6G Ranger? I used to sell Fords and I feel a big difference in the ride quality, handling and performance. The 6G interior is a significant upgrade over the 5G as well.

The 2025s have the updated 2.3L if you're going to go with another 4 cylinder:

 

[CTYankee]

Have you driven a 6G Ranger? I used to sell Fords and I feel a big difference in the ride quality, handling and performance. The 6G interior is a significant upgrade over the 5G as well.

The 2025s have the updated 2.3L if you're going to go with another 4 cylinder:

I haven't driven a 6G yet. I'll wait until I've done my homework and have a good idea what I want to do.

 

[NM Mike]

The 6G doesn’t have folding headrests on the back seat. IIRC the 5G rangers had them.

 

[chasc]

The options aren't always clear. I know I'd opt for the Lariat, so I'd gain things like:

Memory settings, which apparently only apply to the rearview mirrors (kind of limits the value for me)
Heated steering wheel (top of my list for wanting an upgrade)
Adaptive cruise and lane keeping assist (my highway time is much less than it used to be, but there will always be some)
Larger infotainment screen integrated with Sync (I have a Linkswell now but would prefer the OEM solution)
Integrated box step (also high on my list of wants)

What else is there?

On the losses side, there's the bed length, but what else?

- It sounds like the folding mirrors have gone away, at least on some trim levels.
- The leather seats aren't actually leather anymore

I could have given a much better answer a year ago when the differences were still fresh in my mind. I went from a 2021 Lariat to a 2024 Lariat with 2.7L engine (US spec). Here's a certainly incomplete list of things that I noticed:

• Memory settings – Button pad with 3 programmable memory settings. Only restores seat position, does NOT restore side-view mirrors.
• I think my 2021 had adaptive cruise control and (maybe?) lane-keeping assist but I can't comment on the lane-keeping part. One surprise was that it reads speed limit signs and displays the current speed limit in the dash display. Nice for when you're not doing turn-by-turn or the maps have the wrong speed limit.
• The larger screen is nice. Built-in wireless CarPlay/Android Auto is great to have for short trips where I can't be bothered to plug the phone in. Have received several over-the-air software updates, which as far as I know the 5G didn't support.
• Beware that the box step is an option and wasn't super common back when I was looking. It also seems to be a pain to retrofit.
• Tons of cameras and way higher image quality: Lariat has 1 up front, 1 rear, two in the mirrors for top-down view or easily navigating to special views like focussing just on the hitch ball or looking straight forward.
• My 2024 supposedly has the better/original "leather" option but I wouldn't describe it as feeling like real leather either so I'm not sure how much of a loss that is.
• I think folding mirrors (and, oddly, keyless start) were always Lariat-only in the 6G, although I don't know if they removed it in later years.
• LOTS of additional lighting: Interior lighting, special lights that turn on when you're making a low-speed turn, big flood lights from the side-view mirrors, flood light from the tailgate (with the towing tech option), LED matrix headlights (can be enabled with Forscan, later removed from Lariat?), excellent built-in LED bed lighting.
• Gauge cluster screen has lots of small features missing from my 5G like real-time gauges for oil, coolant, and transmission temperatures or turbo boost. Also shows upcoming turn information when using turn-by-turn directions (built-in or CarPlay).
• Tons of towing tech whether it be small stuff like keeping track of the milage and average MPG when towing different trailers to the pro backup assist or using the mobile app to start a trailer light check while you're out behind the trailer. Built-in brake controller with the standard squeeze type control (an option, sounds difficult/impossible to add later).
• Electric open/close for the rear window (maybe removed in later years?)
• Rear seat lays slightly flatter when folded down
• Several USB-C outlets in addition to USB-A
• One extra pair of tie-downs in the bed (vs my 2021). My 2024 still has both 12V and 120V outlets in the bed.
• Rear tail-lights downgraded back to incandescent bulb (was LED in my 2021). Front turn signals upgraded to LED (was incandescent in my 2021).
• Built-in helper spring and damper on tailgate (makes lifting it easer, stops it from banging on the way down)
• Spring-loaded pockets in the tailgate to use with clamps for holding things like lumber while sawing.
• Rear shocks moved outboard of leaf springs to improve ride quality. Overall it feels a bit more solid and less boat-like to drive around than the 5G.
• Second "glove box" on the passenger side up top (maybe removed in later years?)
• At some point in the 6G they changed the 2.3L engine to one that I believe doesn't require getting at the oil filter through the wheel well. The 2.7L has the oil filter accessible from the top.
• Bed has empty threaded holes that were used for the install of my 3rd party tonneau cover instead of the much-more-fidgety clamp style like my 5G required.
• [Edit: Added] Ultrasonic park sensors track distance to obstacles along entire side of the vehicle, not just around the front/rear bumpers.
• [Edit: Added] Park sensors less reliable than the 5G, especially in very tight spaces. I have a tiny garage where I have to get extremely close on two sides and at about the same point every time there is a ding and the park sensors and cameras shut off with an error about being "blocked". Thankfully I've never experienced it anywhere besides the garage.

 

[chasc]

Also, if you dig around with the search on the forum here you should be able to find a PDF, presumably distributed to dealers, that is the 2024 buying guide and it lists in great detail the additions and removals from the previous year. I found that very helpful. They also can be used to track changes in 2025 and 2026.

 

[WpgLariat]

Far more was gained from the 6G upgrades than lost.

The 6G offered improved an improved 2.3 engine and 2.7 option.
Longer and wider wheelbase. Smarter accessories and mounting points in the bed,.
Suspension, handling, power/torque, box width/size all got improvements. Better off road capability.
My 2020 Lariat couldn't fit a 4x8sheet of plywood between the wheel wheels, but my 2025 can!
The body design is more aggressive and flared on all trims, with a much better looking front end.
The cabin design is so much better and more comfortable.
The tailgate damper alone made me happy!

It's a pretty amazing pile of improvements!

 

[superj]

And you dont have to go through the wheel well to change oil on either 2.3. Both can done from above, wheel well, or below

 

[Jason B]

Folding mirrors, power rear sliding glass, heated seats, 10-way power seats (no memory) can all be had in an XLT-High (301A), not just Lariat.
The interior is quieter and the ride is improved over my '21.
An option for a 2.7 V6, but in 4x4 only.
Improved 2.3 with both port and direct injection.
Reflector LED lighting in all options. 24-25 Lariats had projector LED, but I think that's been dropped.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Just the refinement in ride quality would have been worth it to me! Test drove a 5G and thought nope! Didn't like the "boat like" ride, as chasc described it. Yeah, moving the shocks and a couple inches wider and longer footprint did wonders! Go test drive a 6G!

 

[CTYankee]

I could have given a much better answer a year ago when the differences were still fresh in my mind. I went from a 2021 Lariat to a 2024 Lariat with 2.7L engine (US spec). Here's a certainly incomplete list of things that I noticed:

Great list! Thanks for that.

 

[superj]

I drove a 5g and it felt ok to me but my wife hated that it was identical to her previous ford escapes from the front seats forward. Same dash, gauge cluster, pillars, hood and grill (it seemed).

The 6g is awesome. I still love mine, 27k miles and Christmas will be two years. It's comfy, gets good gas mileage, and the bed is wide enough to carry plywood and drywall

 

[stemplar]

A few notes about differences between model years; some are applicable to other trims:

2024 model year rangers are not flat-towable, so if you have or may someday have an RV, this matters.

2024 had both AC and DC sockets in the bed while the 2025 and 2026 have just AC. With at least the 2025 you can buy the panel for a 2024 for about $80 and simply swap it out; I'm not sure if the '26 is still prewired for the DC socket.

2024 and 2025 lariats have projector led headlights; the 2026's just have reflector leds.

The 2026 has a sunroof as an option.

As mentioned, 2024 was the last year for the old 2.3; 25's and newer have the new/current gen.

2024's produced up until september of that year needed "j-braces" added to the bed to carry any significant weight on the sides.

 

[Keith2025]

The 6G doesn’t have folding headrests on the back seat. IIRC the 5G rangers had them.

Folding factory headrests are easy enough to install. I added folding rear headrests on my 2025 XLT

 

[NM Mike]

Folding factory headrests are easy enough to install. I added folding rear headrests on my 2025 XLT

If the OP has them on his 20 Lariat, he could swap them out on his new ride. Myself, I don’t worry about the headrests on the back seat. I pulled them out and put them in the closet. I don’t like how the headrests restrict the view from the rear view mirror. And I seldom have passengers in the back seat.

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