Vroom with a View: 2024 Ford Ranger XLT Flexes Its Twin-Turbo Muscle

Thanksgiving dinner might steal the show, but is there a sweet truck sneaking by unnoticed during the holiday buzz? Ford’s V-6-powered Ranger is the diehard truck-lovers extreme treat this season. With an optional engine that unleashes 315 horsepower, this mid-size pickup packs a serious punch. The best part? It’s nearly as quick as the powerful Ranger Raptor, all while keeping a low-key vibe. The 2024 Ford Ranger XLT Flexes Its Twin-Turbo Muscle as a sweet surprise worth unwrapping!

2024 Ford Ranger XLT Flexes Its Twin-Turbo Muscle

Ford’s twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 has been a staple for years—practically a classic in the truck world. Debuting in the F-150 back in 2014, it stood out as the only engine in the lineup that didn’t feature a fully aluminum block. The Car and Driver team recently tested the Raptor’s chops and capabilities, with positive news to report back with! 

From Standard to Stunning: The Ranger’s V-6 Powers Ahead of Its Rivals

Today, you’ll find it available as an option in the Bronco and Ranger, offering an exciting step up from the standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The twin-turbo V-6 stands out in the mid-size truck market. Most models, like the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma, stick with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. 

Meanwhile, trucks like the Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline go for larger V-6s. They do it without turbocharging—and they can’t quite match the Ranger’s impressive horsepower or torque. The numbers from testing make that crystal clear! Offered exclusively in the four-wheel-drive Ranger XLT and Lariat models, the V-6 delivers some head-turning acceleration. 

Passing Power Like No Other: The V-6 That Beats the Clock Every Time 

It rockets to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, shaving 0.6 seconds off the time of the four-cylinder Lariat that was tested. Even better, it comes surprisingly close to the 405-horsepower Raptor, trailing by only 0.3 seconds despite the Raptor’s bigger and mightier twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6. Starting from a 5-mph roll, the V-6’s extra 90 pound-feet of torque over the base 2.3-liter translates into a solid 1.4-second edge to 60 mph. Now that’s some serious get-up-and-go!

The V-6 truly shines when it comes to passing power, which most Ranger drivers will use far more often than flooring it off the line. Accelerating from 30 to 50 mph takes a swift 3.1 seconds. This is just a hair slower than the Raptor by 0.1 seconds and noticeably quicker than the base engine by 0.6 seconds. 

Raptor Who? The Ranger V-6 Dominates the Mid-Range and Quarter-Mile 

But the real showstopper? From 50 to 70 mph, the V-6 Ranger clocks in at 3.8 seconds, edging out the Raptor by 0.1 seconds. This also left the 326-horsepower Tacoma Hybrid trailing behind by a full 1.8 seconds. That’s some serious mid-range muscle!

By the time the Ranger hits the end of the quarter-mile, it’s just about reaching its speed limit, with the acceleration slowing down a bit. The V-6 version does it in 14.5 seconds at 94 mph, while the four-cylinder takes 14.8 seconds at 93 mph. Meanwhile, the Raptor finishes a bit quicker, clocking in at 14.1 seconds and hitting 97 mph. This is pretty impressive for a mid-size truck! 

V-6 Power, Without the Fuel Penalty: The Ranger Surprises on the Highway 

You might think that the high-powered V-6 would come with a hefty fuel penalty, but surprisingly, the Ranger V-6 doesn’t fall too far behind the four-cylinder regarding fuel economy. Now, it’s not exactly setting any records. During the 200-mile highway test, the V-6 managed to pull off 20 mpg, just 3 mpg shy of its EPA estimate. 

While the Car and Driver team hasn’t tested the four-cylinder on the highway yet, the difference in their EPA estimates is just 1 mpg. If you’re looking for a real fuel saver in the mid-size truck world, though, the all-wheel-drive Honda Ridgeline dominated with 28 mpg on the highway test!

Smooth, Refined, and Ready: The Ranger’s New Suspension Steals the Show 

The V-6 is the cherry on top for the revamped Ranger, which has really stepped up from its predecessor. The ride is incredibly smooth, with none of the typical jostling or bouncing you’d expect from most pickups. The steering might feel a bit loose, but it has a solid return to center. 

What stands out are the updates to the suspension—aluminum front control arms and rear dampers now mounted outboard of the leaf springs. These changes make a noticeable difference the moment the truck hits the road, improving both comfort and handling.

The Ranger’s Subtle Changes: From Box Size to Tech, Here’s What’s New 

All Rangers come with the same four-door crew cab and five-foot box, though the box is a touch shorter now, measuring 59.6 inches instead of the previous 61.0. Now, if you’re comparing the V-6 version to the four-cylinder Lariat, you’ll find the V-6 model with the FX4 Off-Road package (for a little extra off-road protection) weighs in about 164 pounds more—tipping the scales at 4745 pounds.

The XLT this crew drove had a price tag of $47,655, but it kept things simple with a keyed ignition, cloth seats in a color that could only be described as “used coffee filter,” and manual climate control. They did get a little chuckle out of the temperature display—no numbers, just a gradient of colors that was like trying to read an electoral map. 

From Guessing to Gripping: The V-6 Ranger Adds Power Without Raptor Price 

The team then tried to guess the temperature based on how red or blue it looked! Now, for just a bit more, you can add Ford’s V-6 to the Ranger, giving the truck a little extra zip—kind of like the performance you’d expect from a bigger player like the Raptor. Of course, it doesn’t have all the Raptor’s fancy off-road gadgets, Fox dampers, or those big 33-inch tires. 

Still, it does give the Ranger a boost without getting too close to the Raptor’s price tag.  With the V-6 under the hood, the Ranger isn’t just cruising—it’s conquering. Whether you’re hauling up to 7,500 pounds or packing in 1,711 pounds of gear, this engine gives you the muscle to handle it all. 

“The Burly Holiday Host With the Most”

And let’s not forget that sweet boost you get when you need to pass someone on the highway—talk about smooth sailing! What do you think of this midsized and quite capable truck? There are some instances where it would be absolutely perfect, and others that a model like the Ram 1500 crew cab would be ideal for. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or check out another article about last year’s Ranger Raptor.