What Made You Choose Your Ranger?

[galexie64]

The 2026 RR is my first new vehicle ever. I went with the Ranger Raptor because I liked the power and tunability plus I didn't want something as large as the F150 Raptor nor did I want to send the extra on it.

The Ranger Raptor fills the rolls of multiple of my past vehicles. 1998 Volvo V70 T5 with built motor (power and mods), 1970 F250 (pickup), and my old 1957 Willys Wagon 4x4 (off-roading). Plus on top of that the family can fit in it with a similar amount of space to my wife's 2020 Edge.

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[DEADDACK_33]

I was looking to get into something more practical than my 2021 Mustang, and I've always been interested in the Ranger ever since it returned to North America in 2019 (before the Mustang, I had owned two F-150s but never a midsize). My interest grew even more in 2024 when the "next gen" Rangers started showing up on the roads.

So, when one popped up at a nearby dealership, I went in to check it out and take it for a test drive. I really liked it, and it felt more in line with my needs than an F-150. So, I decided to pull the trigger and seven months later, I'm quite pleased.

 

[OxygenMask]

.... Wanted a Ranger Raptor. Called my dealer. Not available in Ruby Red. Really? So how about a Lariat FX4 with BAP? ....

What is BAP?

 

[HGHVLTS]

Because everything else sucked IMHO. And I didn’t want a 4 cylinder!

 

[fordtrks4ever]

What is BAP?

Black Appearance Package

 

[Onceaneagle]

What is BAP?

Black Appearance Package.

 

[Ranger XLT Fan]

Did not consider the Nissan or Honda...but I have a very high opinion of both of those companies, just not their trucks.

Owned 3 Tacomas before. Would have probably bought a 4th except I didn't like its engine or the way it drove. Didn't consider Chevy/GMC, but I like the way they look.

Test drove a '25 Ranger XL with the 2.3L and loved it. Ordered a '25 XLT 2.7L FX4. Would have ordered a Ranger Raptor but the price seemed high for a bunch of features I'll never use. Didn't drive the Raptor b/c I couldn't find one to test drive. But for my purposes, the XLT with 2.7 was all I mainly wanted.

 

[Cowboy Bill]

After owning 5 Explorers going back to 1992 it was time for a change. The '26 Explorer dropped the 3.0 V6, bad move, the also stripped down a lot of standard stuff I had on my 2020 Explorer, i.e. rear window shades, telescoping steering wheel, paddle shifters, etc. So I began researching the Ranger and the 2.7 V6. I didn't need a full size pickup or the expense of one, did want the V6 and some luxury items, heated seats for the wife, sun roof, chrome accent package. Settled on the Lariat, so far very pleased with its ride and performance.

 

[ThircChildhoodToy]

We had full-sized Ford Pickups as second vehicles from '98 to '18 when my wife talked me into switching to an Expedition Max to haul around grandchildren, and for some planned road trips--then Covid hit, the road trips never happened, and wife got a three-row SUV of her own, so the Ex ended up as an oversized grocery getter. Any time we bought things at the nursery, I had to borrow a trailer from my son. I missed the versatility of a truck and didn't want or need a full-sized one, so I narrowed my pick down to a Ranger. Building out a loaded Lariat 4X4 wasn't quite the cost of the RR, but I felt the RR would hold its value better. I needed a lighter color and went with Avalanche, but would have picked Star White or Wimbledon White in a heartbeat if either were offered. It is very fun to drive and fairly inconspicuous to most drivers, especially with the Raptor decals removed. Definitely more of a want than a need, but it works for me.

 

[OxygenMask]

For me it was a perfect storm of circumstances - it was an impulse buy!
It wasn't something I need, it serves no real purpose other than being a fun vehicle to play with.

In 2022 my wife's VA disability (Army veteran) went way up. So she went and bought herself a new SUV. I commented that she could afford me a new truck payment too! Yah no. Anyway, late 2025 it went to 100%! We kept joking about buying a new truck. Would have upgraded my 2012 F350 Lariat to a new one but Ford no longer offers exactly what I want. (Supercab short bed Lariat.) Looked for used 23-24s, nope. Then one day she says what about that Raptor you're always talking about? Started looking and was kind of on the fence with the idea, but when we saw the Azure Gray we were hooked. Sold my Challenger, Drove 100 miles to get it.

 

[yelnoc2]

So I saw this at the Auto Show in Chicago in 2018 before the Gen 5 was actually available. Had a great Lexus GS 430, older but perfect condition. Got a wild hair, sold it and got a '19 Laiat then traded for a '24 Ranger Raptor.

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