I recently got to revisit an old friend in the 2026 Ford Ranger Raptor, a high-performance off-road variant of the Ranger that I first tested in 2024 and loved it so much, it made our TestDrivenTV “I’d Buy It” list.
With the redesign of the mid-size pickup for 2024, my second tester of the current generation Ford Ranger Raptor is virtually identical. In fact they sent me the exact same color of Shelter Green as before. And like our last review I spent an entire week remembering why I liked it so much the first time.
What was important to know about this generation Ford Ranger is that it got a substantial redesign in 2024 that gave it a completely new exterior skin, interior design and a substantially upgraded chassis. Wheelbase is slightly longer and track is wider.
Stepping up to the Raptor does make this the most expensive Ford Ranger you can get. As tested our 2026 Raptor with a few options cashed in at $62,430, just a few thousand more than our 2024 tester. Styling is identical to the 2024 Raptor we enjoyed except for a few small trim elements and the graphics package this one had.
Raptor is an extrovert with a signature Raptor F-O-R-D letter grille is book-ended by projector LED headlamps and C-Clamp daytime running lights. A unique steel bumper has robust tow hooks and below it is a rugged high-strength steel bash plate.
Additionally there are skid plates under most of the other powertrain components for protection. Extra wide fenders and rear flanks house larger 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain KO3 tires mounted to unique 17-inch wheels. Beadlock capable wheels were optioned on ours.
Track is some 3.5-inches wider and it sits 2-inches higher for a total ground clearance of 10.7-inches. Approach angle is 33 degrees, departure 26 and break-over angle is 24 degrees – all greatly improved of the base Rangers.
At the front are exotic looking forged aluminum upper and lower control arms. Coil springs are found at all four corners and as are adaptive FOX 2.5-inch “live valve” internal bypass shocks. It’s all bolted to a significantly upgraded frame with reinforced front frame rails, shock towers and brackets as well as the suspension mounting points.
Rear suspension ditches the leaf springs for long-travel trailing arms for the solid axle and a Watts linkage for ultimate location control.
I have come to appreciate over time how Ford tunes their Raptor models with the Fox shocks. They offer a deft and predictable handling characteristic on the road and highway that’s more of a street tune. When set to hit the trail they change the game to a more compliant and soft tenor that you need. It’s a great all-around solution I enjoyed.
Now the most powerful mid-size pickup truck in its class is the high output 3.0-liter twin turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. It’s 10-speed automatic transmission and electronically controlled four-wheel drive system send power through both front and rear locking differentials.
It puts power down quite nicely and the active valve exhaust system can be tuned up to mass chaos to wake up the neighbors. On the highway and around town the transmission works near perfectly. In 4WD Low the power curve is excellent for crawling around on the trail. Having the locking front and rear differentials is always a nice tool.
Much like it’s bigger F-150 Raptor brother, the Ranger Raptor gets a sport steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and the trademark centering stripe. Nicely leather trimmed Ford Performance sport seats with lots code orange accents were supremely comfortable. They were heated but not ventilated.
In the end continue to really like this truck. It’s well built and feels solid. It feels its price. Compared to the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Toyota TRD Pro it’s in the same ballpark when it comes to off-road capability but its more powerful V6 sets it apart for those who value performance.
The one downside if any is that its styling is much more understated than the Chevrolet and Toyota which flex their muscles in their curb appeal. To some however, the more understated look is preferable. In that way the current generation Ranger Raptor remains on my I’d Buy It list without question.
For a more detailed review, check out our original 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor test drive which is an identical truck, of which my assessments today are identical to then.
