2028 Ford RancheroAndrei Avarvarii - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Andrei Avarvarii - MotorTrendPhoto credit: Andrei Avarvarii - MotorTrendA new small EV truckFord's most affordable pickupDesigned with passenger space in mindThe right shape for truck people?Balancing utility, pricing, and rangeSlate likely first to marketIn a market challenged by inflation and high gas prices, there's room for automakers to capitalize on demand for small all-electric pickup trucks. Startups like Slate Auto and Telo Trucks have had a head start, introducing fresh ideas with the Slate Truck and Telo MT1, but now it's time for Ford to have a say using its century-long automaking know-how.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat's where the Ford Ranchero comes in, a compact EV pickup with a $30,000 starting price. Here's everything we know so far.What's NewBasicsUses Ford's universal electric vehicle (UEV) platform chassis "skateboard"In-house electric motorsA lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packUnicasting construction48-volt electrical system and zonal architectureExteriorExterior design maximizing aerodynamic efficiency with steeply raked A-pillarsA four-door crew cab body styleInteriorClaimed passenger space surpassing the Toyota RAV4This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.What We ThinkAdvertisementAdvertisementThough the Ford F-150 Lightning represented a great first attempt at building an all-electric pickup from the Blue Oval, the project was ultimately a failure and our 2023 Truck of the Year has already been discontinued.However, Ford has shown that it's also very good and designing and developing small pickups. The successful Ford Maverick, a compact that won our 2026 Truck of the Year award, offers the right blend of utility and value.Now, the automaker attempts to combine renewed electric vehicle development with its small truck competency in the form of the 2028 Ford Ranchero.That's we're expecting Ford to call the new model, based on a patent it filed on August 5, 2025. Whether or not the Ranchero name has enough cachet to make the new EV a success remains unknown, but we see the logic in calling back to a prior-generation car with a pickup bed.AdvertisementAdvertisementThough the Ranchero has a pickup bed, it should have car-like handling due to its "skateboard" chassis, with LFP batteries slung below the floor. Ford is expected to aim for as much range as possible, so even though there are likely to be single- and dual-motor variants of the Ranchero, we suspect the motors will be tuned for a balance of hauling capability and frugality, rather than acceleration.Beyond aerodynamic packaging, the Ranchero is also designed to comfortably carry passengers in both rows. Ford says the electric truck will have more space for people inside the cabin than the RAV4, which bodes well for the miniaturized pickup.As far as tech and safety equipment, we suspect Ford will look to match the Maverick's value by going slightly beyond the basics. That should give it a leg up over the Slate Truck, which is as stripped down as a modern vehicle comes.Until the 2028 Ford Ranchero is revealed, we can only speculate, but Ford has the opportunity to pull off a big win if it nails the execution on this small pickup.Top-Ranked Competitors:AdvertisementAdvertisementSlate TruckTelo MT1Ford MaverickWhat Motors Will the 2028 Ford Ranchero Use?Ford has confirmed that the 2028 Ranchero will accommodate single-and dual-motor powertrain layouts, with space for the battery pack under the passenger compartment's floor.Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options are going to be available. To keep pricing down, Ford is developing the Ranchero's motors in-house.What Batteries Will be Available for the 2028 Ford Ranchero?Multiple battery pack sizes will be available for the 2028 Ford Ranchero, according to the automaker. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries don't have the same energy density as nickel manganese cobalt batteries, but they are not as expensive.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat should help keep the Ranchero's price down. Ford says these LFP batteries are well-suited to the Ranchero's purpose, however, as the small truck's duty cycle emphasizes efficiency above all else.Safety and Driver-Assist FeaturesFord hasn't spoken to the active safety technology that will be offered on the 2028 Ranchero, but we can surmise what kind of equipment it will have based on the similarly priced Maverick. That will probably include the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which bundles emergency braking, automatic high-beams, and lane-departure warning.Other equipment could include lane centering and adaptive cruise control. Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology is another possible feature that could make its way to the 2028 Ranchero.Cab and Box ConfigurationsAdvertisementAdvertisementAt debut, it appears the 2028 Ford Ranchero will arrive with just one body style configuration. A crew cab with four doors will be paired with a short bed, likely measuring around four feet.Every Maverick has a 54.4-inch-long bed with 53.3-inch width, plus a multi-position tailgate and at least six tie-down points for versatile cargo management. We would bet on Ford using these figures as the benchmark for the 2028 Ranchero's box.Towing and PayloadFord has yet to detail the Ranchero's towing and payload specifications, but we can look to the Maverick yet again to set our expectations. The compact Maverick can tow up to 2,000 pounds with either its gas-only or hybrid powertrains. It can double that figure with the 4K Tow package and AWD.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs for payload, most Maverick models can haul 1,500 pounds, though that number falls to 1,140 for Tremor variants.How Much Will the 2028 Ford Ranchero Cost?We expect that pricing for the 2028 Ford Ranchero will begin at $30,000, in keeping with the automaker's target. However, with higher-capacity batteries and dual-motor all-wheel drive, expect that sum to rise to around $45,000 when fully equipped.That's a similar pricing model as the Ford Maverick, which begins just under $30,000 and caps out at a starting price under $44,000 for the off-road Tremor variant.ArrivalThere isn't an official timeline available just yet for the 2028 Ford Ranchero, but we expect that production at the automaker's Kentucky plant will begin sometime in 2027 with an on-sale date in the second half of the year.