In a world where costs are rising, one area where you can still save is in choosing your next new car or truck. While the initial purchase price is important, the long-term cost of ownership can be significantly impacted by the fuel efficiency of the vehicle you choose. With the midsize pickup truck market gaining popularity, let’s take a closer look at the fuel economy of the 2024 Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor, and how they compare to the Bronco SUV and Bronco Raptor.
Despite being smaller in size, pickup trucks inherently face challenges when it comes to fuel efficiency due to their design, including a large grille and a truck bed that contribute to increased drag. However, the utility of a truck bed allows for greater cargo hauling capacity compared to sedans or similarly sized SUVs. The 2024 Ranger will no longer offer a manual transmission option, but advancements in transmission technology have made modern automatic systems more efficient.
With that said, the fuel economy of the 2024 Ford Ranger with its 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 and 10-speed automatic transmission is rated at 21 MPG city, 25 highway, and 22 combined for its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration. While these figures are below the average MPG for vehicles sold in 2024, it’s worth noting that most vehicles with truck beds tend to have lower fuel efficiency.
When you consider the option of all-wheel drive (4WD), the 4WD version of the Ranger only loses 1 MPG in both city and highway driving, maintaining a combined rating of 22 MPG. Both the 2WD and 4WD EcoBoost Rangers offer a total driving range of 414 miles on a full tank of 18.8 gallons of regular fuel, according to EPA estimates. Upgrading to the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 with standard 4WD results in a drop to 19/23/20 MPG, but also provides more power and torque.
For those seeking the ultimate off-road performance, the Ranger Raptor is equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 10-speed 4WD drivetrain, achieving 16 MPG city, 18 highway, and 17 combined. Despite its larger fuel tank, the Ranger Raptor offers a range of only 345 miles on a full tank of gas, requiring premium fuel.
Comparing the Ranger to other Ford models, the 2024 Maverick with its FWD 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 and eight-speed automatic achieves 23 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined MPG. However, switching to AWD results in lower efficiency, dropping to 22/29/25 MPG, with further reductions with the Tremor package at 22/24/21 MPG. The Maverick narrowly outperforms the Ranger in fuel efficiency, especially considering its smaller size and lower hauling capacity.
Moving up to the 2024 Ford Bronco, which shares similar engines with the Ranger, there is no improvement in fuel economy due to its design as a competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, sacrificing aerodynamics for off-road capability. The Bronco with the 2.3-liter turbocharged I-4 and 10-speed achieves 18 MPG in city, highway, and combined driving, while the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 drops to 17/19/18 MPG. The Bronco Raptor is the least efficient, with 15/16/15 MPG for its powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6.
In comparison to other brands, the Chevrolet Colorado, which won MotorTrend’s 2024 Truck of the Year, is only slightly less efficient than the Ranger, due to its larger displacement engine and fewer gears in its transmission. The Colorado’s 2.7-liter turbocharged I-4 and eight-speed automatic achieve 20 MPG city, 24 highway, and 22 combined. The Jeep Gladiator, on the other hand, offers the option of a 3.6-liter V-6 with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic, achieving 17 MPG city, 22 highway, and 19 combined.
When considering the fuel efficiency of the 2024 Ford Ranger against its competitors, both domestic and import, it generally outperforms them in the midsize pickup truck market. The Ranger also competes closely with the smaller 2024 Ford Maverick in non-hybrid form, highlighting the importance of carefully evaluating your needs when choosing between the two trucks.
Ultimately, the Ranger’s efficiency demonstrates that we may be reaching peak efficiency in pickup trucks, especially considering the close MPG ratings between the Ranger and Maverick. As a result, the upcoming Ranger hybrid may be the best option for those seeking even greater fuel efficiency.
