Ford's mid-size Ranger pickup truck will receive a makeover for the 2023 model year. It takes on a more daring front-end look inspired by the company's larger F-150 pick up. Although Ford has announced that the new Ranger will come equipped with a turbodiesel V6 in some markets, we anticipate that the American version will have the same turbocharged 2.3 liter four cylinder engine as present models do and rear wheel drive functionality will remain standard.
We're most excited about the prospect of a high-performance Raptor variant, but we could also see a hybrid powertrain option join the lineup. There will be two distinct body styles: a four-door crew cab and an extended cab model with two rear half-doors. The cabin will feature a large, vertically-oriented infotainment system similar to what's found in the Edge SUV.
Although Ford could make some changes, we believe that the new Ranger will come with the same turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine as the outgoing model. From our experience, this engine provides plenty of power to move the mid-size truck around quickly, and we don't expect that to change with the new model.Ford says that it will offer a turbodiesel V-6 in other markets but we don't think it will be available in North America. There is a variety of transmissions including a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic, but based on what we know so far, we think Ford will stick with making the 10 - speed automatic transmission standard equipment on Rangers inNorth American regions."
The current model can tow 7500 pounds, which is near the top for mid-size pickups. We expect the new model to offer similar capability.
The Ranger's cabin has received a modern makeover, with an available digital gauge display, textured dashboard trim, and honeycomb-patterned air vents. Most of the truck's various controls and buttons have been digitized and are now part of the infotainment system. Ford has incorporated several interior storage solutions into the new Ranger's design, including a hidden upper glovebox in the dashboard, larger door pocket cubbies, and under-seat storage located in the rear of the truck.
Across the Ranger lineup for 2023, a standard 10.1-inch infotainment display is included. For those focused on tech, an upgrade to a 12.1-inch vertical screen is available. Ford's latest Sync 4 interface runs both displays and provides access to various controls in the Ranger, like activating zone lighting which turns on lights outside the truck for better visibility at night.
While the 2022 Ford F-150 has its fair share of Raptor models, from the 450-horsepower 'regular' to the 5.2L Supercharged Raptor R, it's the smaller 2023 Ranger Raptor that piques our interest. In fact, we reckon this off-road-ready Ranger has so much potential that it's worth waiting for its arrival here.
What Engine Will the 2023 Ranger Have? We expect the Ranger's 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 and 10-speed automatic transmission to carry over. The powertrain may get slight increases in output over its current 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and shift performance or ratios in the 10-speed auto could be updated.
Size: The 2023 Ford Ranger is two inches wider and two inches longer than its predecessor. Infotainment: Unlike the 2022 Ranger, which reserved its 8.0-inch touchscreen for higher trims, the '23's standard touchscreen is 10.1 inches.