First Look Review: Should the Ford Ranger Hybrid (PHEV) come to America?

The long-awaited Ford Ranger PHEV is finally out. The new plug-in hybrid pickup truck debuted at IAA Transportation 2024 in September and last week, I checked it out at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. Here’s what I think about it based on my first-hand experience:

Design

The Ford Ranger PHEV features the same design as the regular model, save for a PHEV badge on the front quarter panels and an additional flap behind the one for refueling on the rear left-side wheel arch. It secures the charging port for the traction battery pack. While the overall exterior is no different, the line-up includes a special, limited-run ‘Stormtrak’ trim with unique styling to celebrate the launch.

The Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV will be available in an exclusive Stormtrak Chill Grey paint and the regular Agate Black color. It features a distinctive honeycomb front grille, unique 18-inch alloy wheels finished in matt black, exclusive decals that start on the front doors and go up to the front part of the rear wheel arches, and Stormtrak lettering on the lower third of the front doors.

The Ranger PHEV features large matrix LED headlights with ‘C-clamp’ daytime running lights and a tall and broad radiator grille that emphasizes its width and adds aggression. Like the F-150, the radiator grille features a two-bar portion in the center, cutting into the headlights. However, the Australian-designed one-tonne ute doesn’t have active grille shutters like the all-American full-size pickup. The plug-in hybrid pickup truck features muscles on the hood for an imposing appearance.

On the sides, the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid has sophisticated, concave surfacing on the door panels and a subtle shoulder line down the sides. Moving to the rear, like the headlights, the taillights feature signature graphics.

Interior

Inside, too, the Ford Ranger PHEV doesn’t have anything strikingly different from the regular model we get here in the U.S. That said, the Ford Ranger Stormtrak PHEV does come with some special interior details. It features ‘Stormtrak’ inscription on the passenger-side dashboard and seat covers with white stripes that match the contrasting accents on the door panels, steering wheel, and center console.

The dashboard has a familiar truck-like appearance, but the AC vents, steering wheel, and center console have a slimmed-down look. Minimum switchgear and other physical controls, a 12-inch SYNC 4 portrait touchscreen infotainment, and a 12-inch fully digital instrument cluster give the interior a clean and more sophisticated styling.

Remote Start, Vehicle Status, and remote lock and unlock functions are available on a mobile app, and Ford Power-Up wireless software updates should allow expanding the list of connected vehicle features conveniently in the future. Tech highlights include a 360-degree camera and a Qi wireless phone charger.

My experience

Getting into the Ford Ranger PHEV was straightforward, thanks to the grab handle and side-step. Once inside, the truck’s spacious cabin offered plenty of room for my six-foot frame, with supportive, electrically adjustable seats and excellent headroom. The armrest is large and comfortable, ideal for long freeway drives.

I appreciated the physical dials for volume and air conditioning—practical for quick adjustments. The conventional shift knob and drive mode dial, including the EV mode, were easy to access, adding to the straightforward nature of the interior. Visibility was great, with large windows and a commanding view of the road.

In the rear, the legroom was a bit tight, even though the seat backs were carved out. The rear seat backrest isn’t adjustable, which could make long rides less comfortable. The headroom was fine, and there are thoughtful features like rear air conditioning vents, USB charging, and a 230V outlet.

Grab handles and the side step make ingress and egress easy, even for shorter passengers, but overall, the rear seat feels better suited for kids or shorter adults.

Specifications

The Ford Ranger PHEV clubs the familiar 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged gas engine and a 101-horsepower electric motor integrated into the bell housing of a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers 275 horsepower and 509 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford isn’t compromising on off-road capability, offering a full-time four-wheel drive system that features a two-speed transfer case, as well as a rear-locking differential. The maximum payload and towing capacities are 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs.) and 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs.), respectively.

An 11.8 kWh (net) battery pack installed between specially engineered frame rails supplies energy to the electric motor of the Ford Ranger PHEV. The driver can choose from four riding modes – Auto EV, EV Now, EV Later, and EV Charge. Auto EV gives them the best combination of performance and efficiency, while EV now shuts off the engine for the maximum possible electric-only range of up to 31 miles. EV Later preserves a minimum of electrical energy for later use, while EV Charge prioritizes charging the battery pack.

Wherever customers need to power electrical devices, be it for work on a construction site or for leisure at a holiday camp, they can fulfill that need through the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid’s 11.8 kWh battery pack. Thanks to the Pro Power onboard technology, they can offload power at up to 2.3 kW through a 10-ampere connection as standard. For heavy-duty use, such as grinding tools, air conditioners, camping stoves, and e-mountain bikes, Ford gives an upgrade option for 6.9 kW output and two additional, 16-ampere connections in the bed.

Release Date

Manufactured in Silverton, South Africa, the Ford Ranger PHEV will go on sale in Europe in spring 2025. We think it’d make a fantastic workhorse as well as a versatile lifestyle vehicle in the U.S. However, Ford has neither confirmed nor denied plans to launch the Ranger Hybrid in our market.