Each week when I get new vehicles to review for my TestDrivenTV YouTube channel, I drag them around in front of my circle of my gay friends to see which ones make make them pop with excitement. It’s fun to see which vehicles strike a chord with the gay crowd and which ones don’t.
The 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor not only struck a chord, it had them crawling all over it like a pack curious Meerkats. This mid-size off-road man-toy was called everything from butch to cute, with lots of interest and positive comments. It got the undivided attention of the Car Gays like few vehicles do.
The Raptor is the muscular and masculine high-performance off-road variation of the all-new 2024 Ford Ranger. At $59,045 it’s the most expensive Ranger on the showroom floor but significantly less than the larger F-150 Raptor which can tilt the scales at an average price of $80,000.
Its extroverted styling touches feature a chunky FORD letter grille and technical looking projector LED headlamps book-ended with C-shaped signature LED daytime running lights. A square jawed chin has a big steel bumper, robust tow hooks and a high-strength steel bash plate underneath.
At 3.5-inches wider than the normal Ranger it has the visceral bulging musculature of wider fenders and flares that frame out large 33-inch all-terrain tires and 17-inch wheels. It sits 2-inches higher for a total ground clearance of 10.7-inches.
Styling makes the butch promise and its upgraded chassis pays the check. At the front are exotic looking forged aluminum upper and lower control arms. At the rear is a best for off-roading long-travel trailing arm setup for the solid axle and a Watts linkage for ultimate location control. Bragging rights. Controlling everything are a set of computer controlled FOX 2.5-inch “live valve” internal bypass shocks.
Sliding in behind the wheel you will find a sport steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and a sexy red centering stripe. Heated leather trimmed Ford Performance sport seats with lots code orange accents not only look good but are exceptionally comfortable.
The interior is built out with reasonably good quality in the materials, fit and finish. A large 12.4” portrait style center screen houses a fully features UI with navigation, B&O audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities among other features. It works great, looks great. Loved it.
It’s got the power of a high output 3.0-liter twin turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 405 horsepower and a near perfect 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s a plethora of off-road hardware capabilities including a two-speed electronic transfer case as wells as front and rear locking differentials. There’s also lots of drive modes and software traction toys to dial it all in.
It’s got shit tons of power and can be quite throaty (we love that) with its active valve adjustable exhaust system. It can be a bit thirsty though as I got about 16 mpg in my week with it. In fairness it was well over 100 degrees the entire week I had it so the AC was on at all times.
In my week of testing I did the obligatory off-road trail testing most straight men watching my reviews expect to see. I have to say that it not only makes the grade but aces the class out there in the rough. While I tease about keeping the straight men happy, I absolutely love off-roading and this truck has the chops to do it well.
In the end it made the “Id Buy It” list at TestDrivenTV which is the highest praise I give a vehicle. It’s an off-road man toy that’s got the balance of being reasonably affordable, strong and capable without being an over the top, overpriced penis extension like some of the full-size options.
Smoker of fine tires, eater of natural foods, connoisseur of aromatic leathers, pusher of limits.