If you’re looking for a rugged truck ready to kick the pavement to the curb, there’s never been a better time to shop. While getting trucks ready for treacherous off-road trails used to require costly custom jobs, you can now find a variety of options at your local Ford dealer that are ready to conquer the wilderness right out of the box. In fact, Ford is the automaker that kickstarted this trend back in 2010 when it released the first F-150 Raptor.
Since then, the Raptor name has become well-known among enthusiasts. When you get a Raptor trim on a Ford vehicle, you can expect a truly exhaustive list of included equipment, with everything from beefy shocks to high-tech features designed to help you out on the trails. And it’s not just for the F-150 anymore: Ford introduced us to the Bronco Raptor for the 2022 model year, giving the off-road crowd an option without a cargo bed taking up precious space in the back. And for the 2024 model year, we got the midsize Ranger Raptor. But is the Ranger Raptor worth the premium over the other off-road options for this pickup?
Price Difference
If we’re trying to determine whether the Raptor trim is worth paying extra for, it’s probably a good idea to start out by establishing exactly how expensive it is and how it compares to the Ranger FX4. One thing that makes this tricky is the fact that the Raptor is its own trim, while the FX4 is a package that has to be added to a variety of trims. It’s not available on the entry-level XL trim but can be had on either the XLT or the Lariat, so it has two different starting prices rather than just one.
The Ranger Raptor has a starting MSRP of $55,720, which is quite a jump up from the starting price of the next trim level down, the Lariat, which starts at $43,780. However, the FX4 Off-Road Package brings the price tags of the two trims significantly closer together. The package itself technically only costs an additional $1,095, but that’s a bit misleading because it can only be added to a truck that has a 4×4 drivetrain, and the Lariat comes standard with 4×2. Upgrading to 4×4 costs an additional $3,485, bringing the starting price of a Lariat FX4 up to $48,360. If you don’t care about features like Bang & Olufsen speakers, 12-inch displays, and heated seats, you can save even some money by adding the package to the XLT trim, which will bring its price to $40,590.
With all that math out of the way, we can now see the price difference at the heart of this question. If you want the comfort and convenience features of the Lariat, is it worth it to pay an extra $7,360 to upgrade to the Raptor instead of getting the FX4 package? And if you only care about off-road equipment and don’t care about other features at all, are you better off sticking with the XLT or paying an extra $15,130 to switch to the Raptor?
Off-Road Features & Equipment
As you might expect, the Raptor and FX4 share some common ground, but the Raptor takes everything a little bit further. Both feature an electronic locking rear differential, but the Raptor has a locking front axle as well. Both feature an independent front suspension, but the Raptor has a Watts-Link rear suspension that can handle even more rough-and-tumble driving. Both have off-road-tuned shocks, but only the Raptor has 2.5-inch FOX Racing Shocks with Live Valve technology. Both have two tow hooks in the front, but the Raptor has an extra pair of hooks in the back as well. Both have steel bash plates, but the Raptor gets a heavy-duty version that provides more coverage. You get the idea. On top of that, the Raptor also has a wider stance for extra stability.
On the software front, the differences are a bit less stark. Both trucks feature an off-road screen that puts vital stats at your fingertips, including pitch and roll angles, so you can stay on top of things. Both also feature Ford’s Trail Control feature, which is basically a low-speed cruise control designed for off-roading—it keeps the truck moving forward at a consistent speed so you can focus on steering when the trail gets tricky. But there is one difference to be found on the tech side: while both trucks have selectable drive modes, only the Raptor has MyMode, a customizable setting that lets you choose the steering, exhaust, and suspension settings you personally prefer.
Powertrain Options
Since having power is so important to both off-road safety and off-road thrills, the difference in engines warrants its own section. Both the XLT and the Lariat trims come standard with the Ranger’s base engine, a 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine is the most affordable and efficient option in the lineup, but definitely not the most fun to take on the trails. However, for an extra $2,195, you can upgrade to a 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that produces 315 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, which frankly is going to be plenty for most off-road drivers.
But if even those figures don’t get you excited, you’ll have to turn to the Ranger Raptor. As the top dog, the Raptor trim comes standard with its own exclusive engine: a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that cranks out 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. That difference may not matter to some, but if you care about your 0-60 mph stats, then there’s no substitute for the Raptor.
Miscellaneous Considerations
Obviously, off-road capability is the main factor to consider when choosing between the FX4 and Raptor. But we would be remiss not to take a look at a few other factors that might make a big difference in your calculations. For instance, take a look at towing. The Raptor’s engine may be more powerful, but it’s designed to speed over dunes and crawl over rocks, so towing power isn’t the top priority. So while a Ranger with the 2.3L or 2.7L engine can tow up to 7,500 lbs and carry up to 1,805 lbs of payload, the Ranger Raptor can only handle 5,510 lbs of towing and 1,411 lbs of payload. If you bring a camping trailer along for your outdoor adventures, that might be a dealbreaker.
So…Is it Worth It?
Clearly, someone choosing between the FX4 Off-Road Package and the Raptor trim has a lot to consider, and, of course, every person brings their own unique set of needs and preferences to the table. But now that we have all the nitty gritty facts laid out let’s try to simplify things a bit. If you just want a truck that can handle some light off-roading and don’t care about comfort and convenience features, we’d stick with a Ranger XLT with the FX4 Off-Road package. It’s a full $15,130 cheaper, and even if you upgrade to the 2.7L V6, you’ll keep a cool $13k in your pocket.
If you want the features on the Lariat, though, it’s a different story. After you add on the FX4 Off-Road Package and the 2.7L V6 engine, your starting price is $50,555—just 10% lower than the Raptor. With that difference, if you can afford it, you’ll probably have more fun with the extra capability of the Raptor, especially if you’re actually planning on hitting some serious trails. The exclusive features on the Ranger Raptor really are impressive and can help keep you comfortable and safe when the going gets tough.
