Ranger Raptor Test Drive

[crreyes18]

Hello,

I am in the process of shopping for a Ranger Raptor but live pretty much in the middle of nowhere so a test drive is kind of out of the question for me. We do have a Ford dealer but no allocations for Ranger Raptors but they do have Rangers how comparable would a test drive between the two be? I'm sure a base ranger and a raptor are completely different trucks just trying to weigh my options as far as test drive. I have my mind pretty much made up and don't think the test drive would change it to much but def want to make sure looking for options or thoughts on I should do. I am not in a rush to pick one up so I can take my time if needed to go somewhere and test drive.

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[Dingus83]

Can you find a used one to test drive locally? I see one in Loveland and one in Denver, probably a long drive if you're rural CO (I lived in Denver 35 years so remember all the remote areas of the state.

I believe the Raptor will drive drastically different, but would recommend 10/10 to go with it.

 

[crreyes18]

yeah I'm in Rural Co so its a long ass drive, I'm also looking to get one around MSRP and everything I see in CO has a markup lol. We had one used at dealership a while back but it was clearly bought just to flip they had it at like 65k so I didn't even bother asking for a test drive ?

 

[Falconer]

I drove a 2019 ranger for 95K miles and now have a 2024 ranger raptor with 10K miles. The power on the 2019 was adequate with the 2.3L ecoboost but the power on the RR is very noticeable with a 3.0L v6; it's a rocket. Both have the turbo lag which I don't think I'll ever get used to. The bigger tires on the RR is a big improvement but I put larger tires (31.6" KO2's) on the 2019 and I thought that was a good move. The interior of the 2019 (sorry, I haven't seen the new regular ranger interior) was very good; nothing fancy but certainly better than anything else on the market at the time. Everything was in the right place and worked great. I had the Lariat model. But the interior on the raptor is a whole new level. Its beautiful. All very functional, just more of everything, e.g. off-roading features/selections are far superior on the RR. I won't be using a fraction of them around town. For gas mileage, the 2019 usually got 22 to 23 mpg on almost all freeway going at 80 mph ... pretty good. On the 2024 I'm getting 17 to 18 mpg but driving almost exclusively around town ... totally acceptable for a truck with this power. Before I was driving 22k per year, now about 12k per year. Hope this helps ... formerly from Denver, now loving Utah! Cheers!!

 

[Falconer]

I drove a 2019 ranger for 95K miles and now have a 2024 ranger raptor with 10K miles. The power on the 2019 was adequate with the 2.3L ecoboost but the power on the RR is very noticeable with a 3.0L v6; it's a rocket. Both have the turbo lag which I don't think I'll ever get used to. The bigger tires on the RR is a big improvement but I put larger tires (31.6" KO2's) on the 2019 and I thought that was a good move. The interior of the 2019 (sorry, I haven't seen the new regular ranger interior) was very good; nothing fancy but certainly better than anything else on the market at the time. Everything was in the right place and worked great. I had the Lariat model. But the interior on the raptor is a whole new level. Its beautiful. All very functional, just more of everything, e.g. off-roading features/selections are far superior on the RR. I won't be using a fraction of them around town. For gas mileage, the 2019 usually got 22 to 23 mpg on almost all freeway going at 80 mph ... pretty good. On the 2024 I'm getting 17 to 18 mpg but driving almost exclusively around town ... totally acceptable for a truck with this power. Before I was driving 22k per year, now about 12k per year. Hope this helps ... formerly from Denver, now loving Utah! Cheers!!

I bought the truck from the LH Miller dealership in Sandy, Utah in May 2024. They gave me a fair trade-in with NO ADM. Talk to Bill (sales rep) and Andre (mgr).

 

[Dingus83]

yeah I'm in Rural Co so its a long ass drive, I'm also looking to get one around MSRP and everything I see in CO has a markup lol. We had one used at dealership a while back but it was clearly bought just to flip they had it at like 65k so I didn't even bother asking for a test drive ?

If you're open to a 2024 find one out of state under MSRP and fly there and drive it back. That will be a nice long test drive for you!

 

[Tylander]

I live in Colorado and bought mine from a dealer in Minnesota for $2k under MSRP.

 

[Ranger Glen]

I own a Ranger Raptor and I can tell you guys, there's a big difference between the two. Everything from handling to performance is night and day.

 

[maus92]

Hello,

I am in the process of shopping for a Ranger Raptor but live pretty much in the middle of nowhere so a test drive is kind of out of the question for me. We do have a Ford dealer but no allocations for Ranger Raptors but they do have Rangers how comparable would a test drive between the two be? I'm sure a base ranger and a raptor are completely different trucks just trying to weigh my options as far as test drive. I have my mind pretty much made up and don't think the test drive would change it to much but def want to make sure looking for options or thoughts on I should do. I am not in a rush to pick one up so I can take my time if needed to go somewhere and test drive.

I teat drove both a 2024 Ranger Raptor and a 2024 Lariat 2.7 V6. I mainly drive on the road, tow a jetski, and drive on the beach. Although the Raptor is a great truck, I went with the Lariat because its on-road performance was essentially equal to the Raptor in everyday driving, and I don't need the extreme off-road performance. The interior quality is about the same between the two, and option wise, they were essentially equivalent (I think my dealer optioned the Lariat to match the Raptor as best as they could.) The plus of the 2.7 vs the 3.0 is its efficiency, and quietness - I'd don't want a load exhaust note to interfere with my music. I do miss the taller tires for aesthetic reasons, and I will address that issue when lift kits are developed. One thing I would recommend against is the 2.3 four-banger. Go with a V6 - you will not regret it.

 

[MidnightSpecial]

I was in a similar situation. Wanted to test drive one before I commited to ordering one. I had Carmax ship a Ranger Raptor from Colorado Springs to Loveland. Carmax also allows for a 24hr test drive. Best option for test driving a car IMO

 

[Kevindust]

I would say that it is worth your time to test drive a Lariat 2.7 as it will give you a general idea of how the Ranger Raptor will feel, keeping in mind that the Raptor has even better seats, better exhaust note and better suspension. I would recommend that you avoid test driving an XLT or below because the interior might turn you off.

 

[T-Rev]

Lariat optioned like a Raptor

Base Raptor

 

[Oval6G]

Hello,

I am in the process of shopping for a Ranger Raptor but live pretty much in the middle of nowhere so a test drive is kind of out of the question for me. We do have a Ford dealer but no allocations for Ranger Raptors but they do have Rangers how comparable would a test drive between the two be? I'm sure a base ranger and a raptor are completely different trucks just trying to weigh my options as far as test drive. I have my mind pretty much made up and don't think the test drive would change it to much but def want to make sure looking for options or thoughts on I should do. I am not in a rush to pick one up so I can take my time if needed to go somewhere and test drive.

I own a RR and test drove both. If you're going to do any significant off roading and don't care too much about MPG just get the RR. If it's mostly an everyday/commuter car get the Lariat.

 

[maus92]

Lariat optioned like a Raptor

Base Raptor

This is similar to my 24 Lariat. However, many dealers will sell the above Lariat a few thousand below MSRP, whereas the Raptors are sold at MSRP or at a premium (except in my case, they were willing to sell the Raptor at $500 below MSRP as it was a cancelled order).

 

[Ranger Glen]

I get it guys, I really do. But I also drove both vehicles before I bought the Raptor. For 3 to 4 grand more the Raptor is the way to go. I can put the suspension, steering in comfort mode with quiet exhaust and it rides better. You're looking at the watts link compared the leaf springs. Adaptive fox adjustable shocks on the fly compared to regular shocks. And the retail value is much better down the road.

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