As the maker of America's favorite truck, Ford works hard every year to make sure they have something for everyone. To that end, they offer an extensive lineup of trucks ranging from the compact Maverick to the full-size F-150 and heavy-duty Super Duty pickups. If you're looking for a happy medium that provides plenty of power but doesn't take up too much space, you'll want to check out the 2025 Ford Ranger. This midsize truck has all of the features you need to tackle tough projects, explore off-road, and get around town comfortably, thanks to a versatile design and a wide array of trim levels.
Unlike the unibody Maverick, the Ranger is a proper body-on-frame truck that can handle some serious towing jobs when properly equipped. While it can't tow as much weight as the full-size F-150, it doesn't cost as much either, giving you the opportunity to shop smart and not pay for more power than you're going to use. Whether you're exploring off-road trails with hairpin turns or braving a bustling grocery store parking lot, you'll appreciate how well this midsize model maneuvers in tight spaces.
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If you're exploring your options while shopping for a midsize truck, you might notice that many automakers don't give you multiple engine options to choose from. The Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, GMC Canyon, and Jeep Gladiator all offer the same choice when it comes to powertrain: take the sole offering or leave it. The Toyota Tacoma does offer a few different engines, but if you opt for the base I-4 that powers the SR trim, you'll see your towing capacity cut nearly in half, bringing it down to a mere 3,500 lbs.
With the Ford Ranger, you have two exceptional options to choose from (plus a third that's exclusive to the top-tier Raptor off-road trim), so you can pick the one that best fits your needs and your budget. The base engine is a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 that produces up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It's capable of delivering the truck's top towing capacity of 7,500 lbs, as well as its 1,805-lb payload capacity. It pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts for a comfortable ride no matter where you go or what you're bringing along for the ride.
Upgrading to the 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged V6, you won't get any additional towing or payload capacity; those numbers stay exactly the same. However, the 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque produced by the V6 do make a difference when it comes to performance. According to Car and Driver, a model with the I-4 engine can go from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, while a model with the V6 can do the same in 5.6 seconds. That extra oomph can make driving more fun and can particularly come in handy when getting up to highway speeds and passing slow vehicles on rural two-lane roads.
The final engine option is a 3.0L EcoBoost Turbocharged V6 that's available exclusively on the Raptor trim. Since this trim is focused on off-road performance, it provides the most power: up to 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to zoom from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. However, because the Raptor's design puts off-roading first and foremost, you do sacrifice some towing and hauling capability, so stick with another trim if you need to tow more than 5,510 lbs or haul more than 1,411 lbs of payload.
If you're looking to do some off-road driving behind the wheel of your Ranger, there are two options worth considering. The first is the FX4 Off-Road Package, which can be added to either the XLT or Lariat trims, as long as they're equipped with the available 4x4 drivetrain. Add this package to your Ranger, and you'll get off-road-tuned shocks, an electronic-locking rear differential, and extra underbody protection, allowing you to tackle uneven ground with ease.
In addition to these tried-and-true basics, you'll also get some more modern upgrades, like dedicated Mut/Ruts and Sand modes that optimize the truck's settings for the terrain at hand with the turn of a dial and a special off-road screen with data like pitch and roll angles that can help you stay in control when the going gets tough. On top of that, you'll also get Trail Control, Ford's off-road low-speed cruise control feature, which lets you focus all of your attention on steering when the situation calls for it.
Of course, if you're a serious off-road enthusiast, you can't go wrong with a Raptor. The Ranger Raptor has everything you need to handle the toughest of trails, like a Watts-Link rear suspension system designed to handle rough terrain, 2.5" Fox Racing shocks with live valve technology that quickly adapts to changing surfaces and locking front and rear axles for the traction you need in sticky situations. You'll also get all the power you need from the exclusive 3.0L EcoBoost V6 Performance Engine, which delivers 430 lb-ft of torque and 405 hp.
Standard features on the Ranger Raptor include the off-road screen, Trail Control, and extra modes you'll find on the FX4 package. In addition, there's also an extra selectable drive mode called My Mode, which can be customized to suit your needs. This trim also comes standard with a 360-degree camera view that lets you get a bird's-eye view of the area around your truck without getting out of the cabin. Speaking of the cabin, it comes decked out with plenty of creature comforts, like dual-zone automatic climate control and heated seats, so you won't have to "rough it" too much, even when you're out in the middle of nowhere.
The 2025 Ranger is a modern truck filled with useful tech features that can help you stay connected, entertained, and safe while you're out driving. In the center of the dashboard, you'll find a large touchscreen (a 10-inch display comes standard while a 12-inch version is an available upgrade) that makes it easy to control everything from the music and navigation to various vehicle settings. Behind the wheel, a digital gauge display (either 8 or 12.4 inches, depending on the model) puts vital information directly into your natural line of sight. This includes the basics, like your current speed, fuel level, and other diagnostics, but also alerts from the Ranger's various safety systems and driver assist features that can help you stay aware of your surroundings and avoid danger.
Several popular features come standard across all trim levels, right down to the base XL. For instance, all 2025 Rangers employ Ford's Synch 4A technology, which has cutting-edge voice recognition technology for hands-free commands. Between this software and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, it's easy to keep up with your phone calls and messages behind the wheel without taking your eyes off the road. Standard cruise control makes long-haul drives less taxing, while Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking can prevent frontal collisions before they happen. Automatic high beams make it easy to see where you're going on unlit roads at night without having to worry about dazing your fellow drivers.
Upgrade beyond the standard features on the XL, and you can get even more high-tech conveniences. Just one step up the trim ladder, the XLT comes standard with a wireless charging pad that lets you power your phone without any annoying cables, as well as additional safety and driver assist features, including a Blind Spot Information System and Cross-Traffic Alert with trailer coverage, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Lariat trim comes standard with the larger displays and adds front parking sensors, ambient lighting, Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a universal garage door opener to the lineup of standard fare.