New member, new Ranger

[Gplassm]

Hello! I am new here and I have a deposit on a new 2025 Ford Ranger XLT with the tech pack. I will be taking delivery sometime next week 5/14/25-5/18/25). I couldn’t pass up the “Employee Discount for Everybody” deal.
I am trading in my 2013 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V-6 with 86,600 miles. The taco has been ok, but not great. Its AC compressor died at 50k, and the exhaust rusted off at 72k. Now, the truck still looks good, but it is thoroughly rusted underneath.
I am buying a new 2025 Ranger with the “new” 2.3. My research revealed that some folks did not find the 2.7 to be a much needed improvement and I am very leery of the “wet belt” driving the oil pump in the V-6.
I was hoping that folks here could give me some idea of what I can look forward to with a ‘25 Ranger… I was also wondering if anybody had any insight as to whether the “new” 2.3 is any better than the old one…
Thank you!
Greg

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[stemplar]

Congrats on your new purchase! Sounds pretty sweet.

fwiw I don’t think the wet belt is an issue at all; the 2.7 has been in the f150 and other models for quite a while and if they were an issue we’d hear a lot more about them aside from the forum- and social media-speculation.

I’m curious too where you heard or read that the 2.7 wasn’t a worthwhile upgrade? Again, I’m curious, nothing more. The negatives I’ve seen are I think all speculative (don’t like wet belt) and cam phaser (also a relative non-issue in the 2.7).

 

[Don Vandyke]

Enjoy your new Ranger

 

[Gplassm]

Congrats on your new purchase! Sounds pretty sweet.

fwiw I don’t think the wet belt is an issue at all; the 2.7 has been in the f150 and other models for quite a while and if they were an issue we’d hear a lot more about them aside from the forum- and social media-speculation.

I’m curious too where you heard or read that the 2.7 wasn’t a worthwhile upgrade? Again, I’m curious, nothing more. The negatives I’ve seen are I think all speculative (don’t like wet belt) and cam phaser (also a relative non-issue in the 2.7).

Thank you. In regards to the V-6, a review on Edmunds read:
“You can also stick with the Ranger's base four-cylinder engine. We tested the Ranger's available V6 and didn't find that it made any appreciable gains in performance.”
I am in my mid-60’s and, after test driving a 2.3, I just didn’t feel the need for more. I am hoping that I made the right decision! The 2.3 feels downright spunky compared to my Tacoma’s V-6!

 

[Arsenall11]

Anything seems spunky compared to the 3.5 in the Toyota!

 

[superj]

Welcome!! I bet you are very happy with your new truck.

I can't comment on the engine comparison though

 

[stemplar]

Thank you. In regards to the V-6, a review on Edmunds read:
“You can also stick with the Ranger's base four-cylinder engine. We tested the Ranger's available V6 and didn't find that it made any appreciable gains in performance.”
I am in my mid-60’s and, after test driving a 2.3, I just didn’t feel the need for more. I am hoping that I made the right decision! The 2.3 feels downright spunky compared to my Tacoma’s V-6!

The 2.3 is a great engine so I’m sure you made the right choice. Even when the contrast to your old Toyota wears off I think you’ll still be happy with it. Happy motoring!

 

[Gplassm]

That is great to hear that the 2.3 is a great engine! It felt peppy when I test drive it. I have been reading that it is important to change the oil at 5,000 mile intervals with Ford Ecoboost engines, so I intend to do that.

 

[superj]

We did that with my son's 2.0 ecoboost powered 2014 focus st and he just sold it a few weeks ago with 150k miles on it, still as impressive to drive as when we bought years ago.

3-5k oil changes are good, anything over 5k and i get anxious so 5 is the max for me

 

[RonM_TX]

Hello! I am new here and I have a deposit on a new 2025 Ford Ranger XLT with the tech pack. I will be taking delivery sometime next week 5/14/25-5/18/25). I couldn’t pass up the “Employee Discount for Everybody” deal.
I am trading in my 2013 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V-6 with 86,600 miles. The taco has been ok, but not great. Its AC compressor died at 50k, and the exhaust rusted off at 72k. Now, the truck still looks good, but it is thoroughly rusted underneath.
I am buying a new 2025 Ranger with the “new” 2.3. My research revealed that some folks did not find the 2.7 to be a much needed improvement and I am very leery of the “wet belt” driving the oil pump in the V-6.
I was hoping that folks here could give me some idea of what I can look forward to with a ‘25 Ranger… I was also wondering if anybody had any insight as to whether the “new” 2.3 is any better than the old one…
Thank you!
Greg

Welcome to the Ranger family. Congratulations on your purchase.

I test drove all the Ranger engines, the 2.7 was sweet, smooth running engine, the old 2.3 was lacking power would be great for a fleet vehicles, the 3.0 is crazy fast with effortless power available anytime you want it.
I heard to new 2.3 has more power and is very close to the 2.7 in driving impressions.
For me being an old retired guy I chose fun over practically and need, bought the 3.0.
In the end the 2K price difference between the Lariat 2.7 and the Raptor made it easy to go with fun
Enjoy your Ranger.

 

[Alaska Steve]

FWIW...
I'm also in my mid-60's, I had the old 2.3L in my 2021 Ranger Lariat 4x4 and moved up to the 2.7L 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4. My impressions:

2.3L pros:
Better gas mileage - 22mpg around town vs 18.4 under the same conditions in Alaska
Enough power for daily driving and light loads including towing up to 3500lbs (I never towed anything heavier and not on long steep grades)

2.3L cons:
I wouldn't want to test the truck under full load of 7,500lbs towing up a grade - I just don't think the torque is there for that type of work
If you change the oil yourself, you're going to hate gaining access to the filter

General on the 2021 truck I had:
The standard 4x4 suspension was too soft
The technology was ok, but definitely out of date

2.7L pros:
Much smoother engine
The power is definitely there, available earlier than 2.3L, and just makes you feel good. I would trust this engine to tow the full 7,500lbs rating up a grade
Easy access to the oil filter

2.7L cons:
Gas mileage is a little lower than I expected (mostly around town driving, not much highway)
The oil drain will create a mess because it sprays against a frame crossmember unless you shield it

General on the 2024 truck
The FX4 suspension is much more compliant and feels right; not as bouncy as the non-FX4 4x4 suspension, even on city streets
The tech is a whole lot better, but there are glitches with CarPlay and there are some annoying 'Nanny' safety features (probably a Euro-carryover) that you'll have to put up with Every Time you start driving or turn on cruise control (seatbelt warning, lane-keep assist [which I turn off each time], etc.)
Given the reduced gas mileage, the gas tank is a little small
I didn't like the AT tires that came on the 2021 truck or the reviews of the newer AT's on the 2024 truck; I changed the tires on the 2024 truck the morning after I bought it and I'm very happy with that decision.

Overall, I'll take the 2024 truck over my former 2021 and I like the 2.7L hands-down over the 2.3L. If you haven't driven the 2.7L, you don't know what you are missing and that may be ok for your needs. Either way, you'll be overall happy with the new truck; I had a 2005 Taco and any number of other vehicles in between (I typically buy a new vehicle every 3-4yrs, the last truck only had 21kmi).

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

Congrats on your new purchase! Sounds pretty sweet.

fwiw I don’t think the wet belt is an issue at all; the 2.7 has been in the f150 and other models for quite a while and if they were an issue we’d hear a lot more about them aside from the forum- and social media-speculation.

I’m curious too where you heard or read that the 2.7 wasn’t a worthwhile upgrade? Again, I’m curious, nothing more. The negatives I’ve seen are I think all speculative (don’t like wet belt) and cam phaser (also a relative non-issue in the 2.7).

Wet belts are, universally, a terrible idea. Replacing those belts is, at best, a hassle and significantly more expensive than it should be. Wet belts are also infamous for plugging the internal oil pan filter solid, this happens as the belt ages and pieces flake off. with any age on a wet belt you have excellent opportunities for engine oil starvation. Wet belt set ups, alone, are enough of a NO for me to never consider any vehicle with that engine design. Just my opinion, I would not willingly sign up for that grenade waiting to go off.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

Hello! I am new here and I have a deposit on a new 2025 Ford Ranger XLT with the tech pack. I will be taking delivery sometime next week 5/14/25-5/18/25). I couldn’t pass up the “Employee Discount for Everybody” deal.
I am trading in my 2013 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V-6 with 86,600 miles. The taco has been ok, but not great. Its AC compressor died at 50k, and the exhaust rusted off at 72k. Now, the truck still looks good, but it is thoroughly rusted underneath.
I am buying a new 2025 Ranger with the “new” 2.3. My research revealed that some folks did not find the 2.7 to be a much needed improvement and I am very leery of the “wet belt” driving the oil pump in the V-6.
I was hoping that folks here could give me some idea of what I can look forward to with a ‘25 Ranger… I was also wondering if anybody had any insight as to whether the “new” 2.3 is any better than the old one…
Thank you!
Greg

Congrats on your choice. I have a '24 Lariat (built 12/24 - back end of '24 model year) with the 2/3L. Mine is a 4x2 Sport without towing, do not plan to tow it. I find the 2.3L to have plenty of HP and torque. If I used the truck for towing I may say differently.

 

[ChronciallyChronic]

FWIW...
I'm also in my mid-60's, I had the old 2.3L in my 2021 Ranger Lariat 4x4 and moved up to the 2.7L 2024 Ranger Lariat FX4. My impressions:

2.3L pros:
Better gas mileage - 22mpg around town vs 18.4 under the same conditions in Alaska
Enough power for daily driving and light loads including towing up to 3500lbs (I never towed anything heavier and not on long steep grades)

2.3L cons:
I wouldn't want to test the truck under full load of 7,500lbs towing up a grade - I just don't think the torque is there for that type of work
If you change the oil yourself, you're going to hate gaining access to the filter

General on the 2021 truck I had:
The standard 4x4 suspension was too soft
The technology was ok, but definitely out of date

2.7L pros:
Much smoother engine
The power is definitely there, available earlier than 2.3L, and just makes you feel good. I would trust this engine to tow the full 7,500lbs rating up a grade
Easy access to the oil filter

2.7L cons:
Gas mileage is a little lower than I expected (mostly around town driving, not much highway)
The oil drain will create a mess because it sprays against a frame crossmember unless you shield it

General on the 2024 truck
The FX4 suspension is much more compliant and feels right; not as bouncy as the non-FX4 4x4 suspension, even on city streets
The tech is a whole lot better, but there are glitches with CarPlay and there are some annoying 'Nanny' safety features (probably a Euro-carryover) that you'll have to put with Every Time you start driving or turn on cruise control (seatbelt warning, lane-keep assist [which I turn off each time], etc.)
Given the reduced gas mileage, the gas tank is a little small
I didn't like the AT tires that came on the 2021 truck or the reviews of the newer AT's on the 2024 truck; I changed the tires on the 2024 truck the morning after I bought it and I'm very happy with that decision.

Overall, I'll take the 2024 truck over my former 2021 and I like the 2.7L hands-down over the 2.3L. If you haven't driven the 2.7L, you don't know what you are missing and that may be ok for your needs. Either way, you'll be overall happy with the new truck; I had a 2005 Taco and any number of other vehicles in between (I typically buy a new vehicle every 3-4yrs, the last truck only had 21kmi).

You can turn perma off just about all of the nanny features. The lane keep assist I knock back to warning only and low so all it gives me is a steering wheel vibration.

 

[Gplassm]

Wow! Lots of great input here! Thank you all! My 2025 Ranger XLT will be white and have the FX4 and the tech packages. I almost bought a black FX4 with the “black out” and advanced towing packages - but when I discovered that it did not have adaptive cruise control, I opted out of it. The cameras for the advanced towing package were nice, but I would not use that nearly as much as I would the ACC.
It is nice to hear that the FX4 package makes a positive difference for daily driving. I do not drive off-road much at all with my truck (but I still ride ATV’s and dirt bikes!).
It is also good to read engine comparisons. I am hoping that the newer 2025 2.3 is indeed better than the engine in the 2024, but there does not seem to be much on the web about the comparison.
Thank you, all!

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