Looking to purchase a Ranger

[TOPDOG]

Good morning. I am a 22 Maverick owner and am looking to purchase a Ford Ranger. I have had a 2.0 AWD XLT Maverick for 3 years and love it. It is a great daily driver. The only shortcoming I have seen is the lack of 4-wheel drive for winter driving in snow. Part of the issue of being a Midwest resident.
Planning on keeping the Maverick since it is paid off but would like to get a Ranger for the 4wd and have a more capable truck.
I am interested in an XLT Model. Leather seats are not for me. Wanted the forum to weigh in on the pros and cons of getting the 2.3 -4 versus the 2.7-6 engine and what the best configuration would be.? My initial thoughts are getting one with the 301a package for the powered driving and heated seats and dual climate controls and adding the FX4 package. Does the FX4 package make a difference or not in the Ranger? Appreciate any advice and thoughts on what everyone's opinion is about both the engine and build configuration.

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[superj]

my son lives in omaha and got an stx 4x4 2.3 powered ranger for the same reason you are talking about. he had a focus st and it was no good in the winter.

he said his base model truck with 4x4 worked so well that he never even used 4x4 through the whole winter.

my father in law has the exact truck you asked about, the xlt fx4. we don't get snow here in corpus christi texas though so it will never get put in 4x4 or any mode but normal so i am unable to answer questions about the differences other then the fx4 seems to ride smoother then the normal 4x4. maybe the shocks are better?

engine wise, its up to you. my son, my FIL, and i all have the 2.3 engines and none os us have a complaint about power or drivability. my FIL has a 25 and my son and i both 24 models so we have the two different 2.3 engines. that one in the 25 definitely feels more powerful than my 24, though.

but, the guys with the 2.7 really like them and say the gas mileage difference is almost nil between the engines so if you don;t mind the initial cost of adding the 2.7, and you have a use for the extra power, it may be worth getting. maybe head over and test drive a ranger with each engine so you can get a feel yourself?

either way, the ranger is a very nice truck

 

[TOPDOG]

Appreciate your input and advice. Thank you.

 

[skinnyjimmy]

I test drove both the 2.3L and 2.7L before making my decision. As soon as I drove the 2.7L I was like "Yep, this is the one." The 2.3L is totally serviceable and will do everything you'd probably want it to do, but the 2.7L has the extra power and feels soooooooo smooth. Yeah sure the fuel efficiency isn't as good, but I'm averaging 20 mpg combined and even more on the freeway. Honestly if you're never gonna go off-roading then the FX4 package isn't needed. I ended up with a Lariat because after spec'ing out a XLT to what I want it was close in price to a Lariat so I just got the Lariat.

 

[1996-to-2025]

If you ever plan on towing something substantial frequently consider the 2.7, otherwise the 2.3 should be more than satisfactory. Not gonna lie though, the 2.7 puts a big smile on your face. I'm also not a fan of leather seats, I think the XLT 301A is the sweetspot trim level. If you plan to go off-road consider the FX4 package, if not skip it. Regular 4x4 will do great with snow. My guess is the ride is probably softer without the FX4 package, test drive both to find out. I'd get the locking rear differential regardless. If you are not towing skip the advanced towing package. The only other big option to consider is the technology package. I was on the fence with this one probably could have lived without it, but I really like the adaptive cruise control and the 360 camera is nice. Might want to consider the basic towing package just to get it with the hitch and trailer wiring already installed.

 

[Aardvark]

Hi, I went through the same decision-making process and ended up with the 2.7 engine, the tech package and the FX4, all per Lariat. Couple of comments:

- as has been said, the 2.3 is probably just fine and by all accounts is a very good engine, but like skinnyjimmy above, once I drove a Ranger with the 2.7 back-to-back with the 2.3, my mind was immediately made up. Not that I "need" the extra power, but the smoothness was the selling feature for me

- someone up top thought the ride might be softer without the FX4 package. I've found the opposite to be true, the on-road ride is definitely softer WITH the FX4 package, and I can tell you that for sure based again on driving them with & without back-to-back. And it makes sense, since an off-road suspension should be softer to absorb bumps better & maintain better contact between the tires and the ground

Cheers

 

[davidham]

I have had a '19 XL (supercab), a '20 XLT and now have a '25 XLT FX4, all with 2.3L. I did not try the 2.7L, but I find the 2.3L to be peppy and perfectly adequate. I wanted an XLT 4x4 with towing and advanced electronics. The XLT's that had what I wanted also had the FX4 package so that's what I ended up with. So far, so good.

 

[AssolMarandy]

The 2.3 liter engine has less power. It can also have better gas mileage. The 2.7 liter engine has more power, but it will use more gas.
The FX4 package has good parts for off-road use. It gives you better shocks and has skid plates to protect the truck. It has a rear axle that locks that helps with traction.

The FX4 package is good if you plan to drive on trails. It is helpful for sand, mud, and snow.

When you look at trucks online, you should check for live video streaming. This can help you see the truck from far away. It is like being there in person. This feature lets you see the truck's condition, help you save time and can also give you a more honest view of the truck.

 

[superj]

just an addition to the comments made above.

you can get a locking rear axle on a 2wd and a regular 4x4. my 2wd stx truck has the locking rear axle and so does my son's 4x4 stx. just check the options on the sticker when you check out trucks.

 

[Ranger XLT Fan]

I test drove both the 2.3L and 2.7L before making my decision. As soon as I drove the 2.7L I was like "Yep, this is the one." The 2.3L is totally serviceable and will do everything you'd probably want it to do, but the 2.7L has the extra power and feels soooooooo smooth. Yeah sure the fuel efficiency isn't as good, but I'm averaging 20 mpg combined and even more on the freeway. Honestly if you're never gonna go off-roading then the FX4 package isn't needed. I ended up with a Lariat because after spec'ing out a XLT to what I want it was close in price to a Lariat so I just got the Lariat.

Agree with all of ^^^^. I test drove the 2.7L XLT, then bought it at the end of the test drive...salesman gave me some line about this '25 won't be here through the weekend, and I fell for it. But I love the truck. Regardless, the 2.3L would have been fine too...and saved me money at time of purchase and over the life of the truck. I have no buyer's remorse, but I didn't need the bigger engine or the FX4 package if I'm being honest. I also went with the XLT. But I do sorta wish I had leather seats in the Lariate. But like I said, I'm very happy with what I have. You will be too.

 

[pkvir]

Get the 2.7. You only live once.

 

[Scooter]

If you are going to tow close to the 7500lbs then go for the 2.7L and advanced tow package. I was going to get 301A package for the adjustable seats. Once i found out it had Lumbar adjustment I just did the 300A package. I thought the 10" screen is fine and smaller gauge cluster area. Less to go wrong without power seats. This is the way I think of the 2.3L MPC motor. I will be a longer term owner at least 10 years i hope. Less to go wrong with the 2.3L, Probably cheaper labor for maintenance over the 2.7L. Cheaper on gas over the long term.
The 2.3 L is easy to work on lot's of space around motor. Because of this space the engine has lot's of air movement around it. Some people ? the wet belt driving the oil pump on 2.7L over chain driven pump on 2.3L.

If you are going to go on dirt roads, drive in Winter up to the mountains get the 4X4.
I mainly wanted the protection underneath so I did the FX4. In Canada we can only get the 4x4.

You can save a lot of money getting the 2.3L over the 2.7L. Same with 300A package over 301A,
If you want to save more money get the 4X4 skip the FX4. Just order it with the rear locker. I am not a big fan of the Black Out package. i like the black wheel well trim. If you are taking the truck off road the 17" rims offer a taller side bead for this purpose.

The things that were important to me are. Under carriage protection FX4. Convenient Package.
I want the lights and socket in bed, I will not tow large trailers. Just order hitch and wiring, side step, I skipped the running boards, figured i could get more protection with rock sliders. I ordered the power sliding window. Thinking when i go camping and 4 people in the truck it would be good to open rear window. OWL tires slightly more off road directed.

If money is not an issue get the 2.7L kitted. If your financing your going to get the double hit. Depreciation and paying interest. These trucks aren't cheap. I have an old Ranger and wish to treat myself to a new vehicle. I ordered it. Still have heard nothing from Ford in 6 weeks. Waiting for VIN. I am in no rush still have to come up with 3K then i will have it fully paid off.

 

[cc1999]

I had a 2.7 in a 23 model Bronco, I liked it. I have 3.0 in both my Ranger Raptors.
My 2025 I just bought from Woodhouse up in the Omaha area. It was originally shipped into the Omaha store but the sales guy I was working with was out of the Blair location, so I picked it up in Blair NE last Friday. Good guys to work with.

I have to say I am was looking at purchasing some XLT for my sales guys in my business, I was a little surprised there is not anyway to option an XLT Ranger with push button start. After years with everything push button start that would likely drive me crazy having to dig keys out my pockets like it was the 1990s. LOL

Other than that, the XLT is a nice truck.

I was thinking the 2.7L V6 was the better of the 2 engines and by far the one I would choose.

I am in hopes Ford adds the push button start to the XLT for 2026. We should know very soon what is changing for 2026.

Right now for 2025 models the only way to get push button start is with the Lariat and Raptor trim levels.

 

[superj]

My 2025 I just bought from Woodhouse up in the Omaha area. It was originally shipped into the Omaha store

My son got his 2024 from woodhouse too.

 

[AssolMarandy]

The 2.3 liter engine has less power. It can also have better gas mileage. The 2.7 liter engine has more power, but it will use more gas.
The FX4 package has good parts for off-road use. It gives you better shocks and has skid plates to protect the truck. It has a rear axle that locks that helps with traction.

The FX4 package is good if you plan to drive on trails. It is helpful for sand, mud, and snow.

When you look at trucks online, you should check for live video streaming. This can help you see the truck from far away. It is like being there in person. This feature lets you see the truck's condition, help you save time and can also give you a more honest view of the truck.

Sponsored