Have you ever been excited about a present only to find socks? While there’s nothing wrong with socks, they aren’t very exciting. That’s how it felt when the Ford Ranger returned to North America. We were excited for this midsize truck to retake its rightful place in the lineup, but it felt like we got a pair of socks instead of the cool present we were hoping for. Does any of that change with the 2023 Ford Ranger? Will this midsize truck continue to be the useful but bland pair of socks in its class?

It’s only been four years, but the 2023 Ford Ranger is due for upgrades

The 2023 model year only represents four years of the Ranger midsize truck in the market. This truck might be passed by if we don’t see any significant changes to this truck. Even though this Ford truck arrived with only one powertrain, it was extremely useful, kind of like your favorite pair of socks, and quickly became a popular choice once again.

In fact, the Ranger and what it brought to the market have now influenced the GM pair of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Far be it from GM to admit such a thing, but these two trucks have dropped the multiple powertrain and body configurations, similar to what we find in the Ranger.

Does the Ranger receive upgrades for 2023, or will it plod along with the same build as before?

We know of some changes to the latest model year for the Ford Ranger midsize truck. It rides on an updated version of its platform. MotorTrend tells us these changes, while not specified, should be enough to keep the Ranger in contention with the rest of the segment. If you notice, most midsize trucks now offer an off-road focus, leaving the compact class for the on-road necessities.

Will we see hybrid or EV versions of the Ford Ranger in 2023?

We will not likely have either hybrid or EV versions of the Ranger for the 2023 model year. These power options should arrive for future models. Considering Ford already has the electric F-150 Lightning, a hybrid F-150 PowerBoost, and a hybrid Maverick, the 2023 Ranger almost feels like it’s been left out of the conversation.

The current Ranger powertrain should carry over into 2023, but this midsize truck’s electrified and hybrid versions are on the way. For now, we’ll have to make do with the 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. One piece of good news, this powertrain could see an increase in output for 2023, but we won’t know that until it arrives.

 Can you purchase a more exciting Ford midsize truck?

Certainly, if you want a more exciting version of the 2023 Ford Ranger, look to the new high-output Ford Ranger Raptor. This truck is ideal for every off-road situation you’ll find, and it’s powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers 392 horsepower. This truck includes locking front and rear differentials, increased ground clearance, and 33-inch all-terrain tires.

Should you consider buying the 2023 Ford Ranger?

If you’re looking for a strong, dependable midsize truck with the Ford logo on the front, the Ranger is the truck for you. This midsize pickup can carry up to 1,905 pounds and tow as much as 7,500 pounds. If you’re expecting some exciting new developments in the Ranger lineup, well, you’ve just opened a present and found socks inside. Sorry.

Next, check out the differences between the F-150 Raptor and Tremor models, or watch the Ford Ranger video below: