In a surprising turn of events, the Honda Ridgeline has outsold the Ford Ranger in the mid-size pickup truck market. Despite being manufactured at the same plant as the Bronco, the 2024 Ranger has faced numerous challenges, including a cosmetic issue with the hood that required time-consuming process changes. Additionally, the introduction of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine has been delayed, further impacting sales. It is expected that production of the Job 2 Ranger will begin in early fall 2024.
The Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, sold 19,922 units, a decrease of 27.4% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger only managed to sell 15,175 units, a disappointing decrease of 37.1%. Customers interested in the Ranger with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine can choose between the XLT and Lariat models with 4WD.
Pricing for the revamped 2024 Ranger starts at $32,720 for the base XL model with rear-wheel drive and the 2.3-liter EcoBoost I4 engine. The range-topping Raptor model, priced at $55,620, features the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with slightly lower horsepower and torque compared to the Braptor.
The Honda Ridgeline, priced at $39,750 excluding destination charges, also comes with a standard V6 engine. However, its unibody construction limits its maximum payload and towing capacities. The Jeep Gladiator, which has received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024, starts at $37,895 before freight.
General Motors’ mid-size trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, are priced at $29,500 and $36,000 respectively. The Toyota Tacoma, a strong competitor in the market, starts at $31,500. Both the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma offer the option of a six-speed manual transmission. Additionally, only the Tacoma is available with hybrid assistance. The Gladiator is set to receive a plug-in hybrid option in the future, using the updated 4xe setup from the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
