The midsize pickup truck segment has never been more competitive than it is right now. With the 2025 Ford Ranger earning recognition as the North American Truck of the Year, this completely redesigned powerhouse has positioned itself as a serious contender against established rivals like the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado. After extensive testing and analysis, it’s clear that Ford has created something special with the latest Ranger – a truck that delivers authentic capability without the bulk and expense of full-size pickups.
The current generation Ranger represents Ford’s most ambitious effort in the midsize truck space, combining refined styling that closely mirrors the full-size F-150 with performance specifications that challenge segment leaders. Whether you’re hauling equipment to a job site, taking the family on weekend adventures, or simply need a versatile daily driver with serious capability, the 2025 Ranger deserves serious consideration.
What Makes the 2025 Ford Ranger Special
Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the Ford Ranger pickup rolls into 2025 with only minor changes, but those changes build upon an already impressive foundation. The truck maintains its singular focus on the crew cab configuration with a five-foot bed, a decision that prioritizes passenger comfort and everyday usability over maximum cargo space.
The most significant updates for 2025 include new paint colors including Ruby Red Metallic, Desert Sand, and Marsh Gray, replacing the outgoing Cactus Gray, Iconic Silver, and Hot Pepper Red options. Additionally, a new Black Appearance package becomes available, giving buyers another way to personalize their truck’s appearance.
What truly sets the Ranger apart isn’t just its fresh styling, but the comprehensive approach Ford has taken to engineering a truck that excels across multiple disciplines. The foundation rests on a Built Ford Tough chassis with outboard-mounted rear shocks that help promote comfort and control both off-road and on.
Engine Options That Deliver Real Performance
The 2025 Ford Ranger offers three distinct powertrains, each designed for different buyer priorities and use cases.
Standard 2.3L EcoBoost Engine
The standard engine packs an impressive 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, providing a good balance between performance and efficiency. This turbocharged four-cylinder serves as the foundation for the Ranger lineup, delivering adequate power for most truck duties while maintaining reasonable fuel economy expectations.
Available 2.7L EcoBoost V6
Generating 315 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, this engine is designed to help you accelerate your adventure. The larger displacement V6 represents the sweet spot for buyers who need additional capability without stepping up to the hardcore Raptor variant.
Raptor’s 3.0L EcoBoost V6
For a real kick in the tailgate, Ranger Raptor has a standard 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine generating 405 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. This powerplant transforms the Ranger into a legitimate high-speed off-road weapon, capable of tackling terrain that would challenge much more expensive vehicles.
All engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission with either rear- or four-wheel drive, ensuring smooth power delivery and optimal gear ratios for various driving conditions.
Trim Levels Breakdown: Finding Your Perfect Ranger
XL: The Value Foundation
The base XL trim offers excellent value with the 270-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety features include lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Despite being the entry-level option, the XL doesn’t feel stripped down. Starting at $32,980 for rear-wheel drive models, standard features include cloth upholstery, a 10-inch touch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
XLT: The Sweet Spot
The mid-range XLT offers a reasonable list of features for less, including desirable equipment such as LED exterior lighting, 17-inch aluminum wheels, power-folding side-view mirrors, in-dash navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a power outlet inside the truck bed.
Next up is the XLT, with a base price of $36,010 for rear-wheel drive and an assortment of extras that include navigation, wireless device charging and lane-keep assist. This represents the volume seller for good reason – it balances features with affordability.
Lariat: Premium Comfort
Lariat trims jump to $43,780 to start and get a variety of features like leather upholstery, a 12-inch touch screen, a heated steering wheel and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Although the Lariat is undeniably plush, particularly for a mid-size pickup, its price pushes it close to the full-size pickup truck class.
Raptor: Off-Road Supremacy
Topping the lineup is the off-road-focused Ranger Raptor, which starts at $55,720 and comes with all-wheel drive, a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and special equipment for venturing into the boonies. The 2025 Ranger Raptor is built to be taken off-road, equipped with a 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine to crush the dunes with all of the grin-inducing sounds that come with it.
Real-World Performance and Capability
Towing and Payload Specifications
Maximum towing capacity reaches 7,500 pounds, while maximum available payload hits 1,788 pounds. These figures place the Ranger competitively within the midsize truck segment, offering genuine utility for boat owners, RV enthusiasts, and those who regularly haul equipment.
The towing capacity varies slightly by configuration, with both two- and four-wheel-drive variants capable of towing 7500 pounds, with 4×2 models hauling 1805 pounds and 4×4 models just below that at 1711. The Raptor sacrifices some utility for its off-road prowess, managing a 1411-pound payload capacity and a max towing weight of 5510 pounds.
Fuel Economy Expectations
Models with the base engine and RWD are the most fuel-efficient, earning an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined city/highway. Rear-drive models with the 2.3-liter turbo-4 are the most efficient at 21 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined. Four-wheel drive dents those figures only slightly to 20/24/22 mpg.
The more powerful V6 options naturally consume more fuel, with the 2.7-liter turbo-4 achieving 19/23/20 mpg, while Raptors are guzzlers at just 16/18/17 mpg.
How the Ranger Stacks Up Against Competition
Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma
Recent comparison testing reveals interesting dynamics between these two trucks. The Toyota Tacoma has essentially dominated the midsize pickup class for the last decade and shows no signs of relinquishing its best-seller status. However, the redesigned Ranger has closed the gap significantly.
The Tacoma’s seats were hugely supportive while being supple and comfortable at the same time. The interior felt better built than the Chevy’s by a pretty significant margin, and though there was still plenty of hard plastic to be found, their truck held up better than the Colorado over time.
In off-road testing, the Tacoma went three-quarters of the way up the ziggurat, largely thanks to the extra flexibility afforded by its disconnecting sway bar, while the Ford Ranger did marginally worse than the Colorado, stopping just short of where the Chevy landed.
Ford Ranger vs Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet’s updated Colorado is an impressive truck—impressive enough to have won their coveted Truck of the Year award for 2024. However, long-term testing reveals some interesting insights.
Despite being the longest-tenured member of their trio and racking up the most miles along the way, the Colorado just couldn’t match the Ford or Toyota. In practical terms, living with the Colorado for a year cost $867 with the Ranger right behind it at $810.
Chevrolet’s Colorado can tow a bit more at up to 7700 pounds, although the base WT and LT trims require options to do so, compared to the Ranger’s standard 7,500-pound capacity across the lineup.
Interior Technology and Comfort
The 2025 Ranger’s cabin represents a significant step forward from previous generations. Entry-level Rangers have a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher-end trucks get a 12.0-inch unit. Either way, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included; new software can be added by over-the-air update.
In base Ranger models, there’s an 8.0-inch digital gauge display, and in upper trims a 12.4-inch all-digital cluster. Beyond standard USB charge ports, a wireless charging pad is available. Premium audio comes via a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and 360-degree camera.
The seating arrangements prioritize comfort and practicality. Every 2025 Ranger is built in a crew cab, 5-foot bed configuration that offers plenty of space for passengers, along with a bed that measures 59.6 inches long and 48.2 inches wide.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Standard driver assist and active safety features on the 2025 Ranger include front automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features includes blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2025 Ford Ranger an overall safety rating of four out of five stars. The Ranger received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and three stars in the rollover test.
Ownership Experience and Value
Warranty Coverage
Ford covers the 2025 Ranger with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ford provides competitive limited and powertrain warranties in this segment, though the Ranger Raptor doesn’t receive complimentary maintenance like rivals such as Chevy and Toyota.
Expert Ratings and Consumer Feedback
Professional reviewers have been generally positive about the Ranger’s transformation. The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Ranger both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 Ranger gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 based on 19 reviews.
Owners appreciate its smooth and fun ride, comfortable seats, and useful features like the touchscreen and wireless charging. They also love its power for a midsize truck and find it easy to drive in various settings. However, some owners mention less-than-great gas mileage and a design that some found less appealing than competitors.
Pricing Strategy and Market Position
The 2025 Ford Ranger lineup starts at a hefty $34,575, which buys a crew cab in XL trim with rear-wheel drive. This represents a significant price increase over previous generations, positioning the Ranger as a premium offering rather than a budget alternative.
Simply adding four-wheel drive ups the price of a base XL by a staggering $3,645, which can push even basic configurations into the $40,000 range quickly. A modestly equipped Ranger XLT for around $45,000 has just enough features to keep you comfortable without totally busting the budget.
Future Developments and Considerations
Ford is believed to have a Ranger Hybrid in the works, developed in parallel with the upcoming Bronco Hybrid. The powertrain will likely be centered around the 2.3-liter turbo-four engine but add an electric motor within the 10-speed automatic transmission.
What’s not yet clear is whether it’ll be a plug-in hybrid, equipped with a larger battery that would enable some EV-only driving range—a good opening act for the eventual all-electric Ranger Lightning due in a few years.
Should You Buy a 2025 Ford Ranger?
The 2025 Ford Ranger represents Ford’s most successful effort in the midsize truck segment in decades. While the current Ranger is arguably the best it’s ever been, its chief rivals—including the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma—have all seen similar updates recently.
The Ranger’s greatest strengths lie in its balanced approach to capability and refinement. It offers legitimate truck utility without the bulk of full-size models, genuine off-road capability across multiple trim levels, and a level of interior sophistication that makes daily driving pleasant rather than punishing.
However, potential buyers should carefully consider the pricing structure. The significant cost increases over previous generations mean the Ranger no longer competes on value alone – it must justify its premium through superior execution and features.
For buyers who prioritize a balanced combination of capability, comfort, and technology, the 2025 Ford Ranger deserves serious consideration. It may not lead every individual category, but it excels at being a well-rounded truck that handles diverse responsibilities with competence and style. The Truck of the Year award wasn’t given lightly – Ford has created a genuinely impressive midsize pickup that stands toe-to-toe with the segment’s best offerings.
Whether you choose the value-oriented XL, the well-equipped XLT, the luxurious Lariat, or the off-road-focused Raptor, you’re getting a truck that represents the current state of the art in midsize pickup design and engineering. In a segment defined by compromise, the 2025 Ford Ranger manages to minimize those compromises while maximizing capability and appeal.