10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Ford Ranger Picks Up Pace, Chrysler Pacifica Jumps the Line
The Ford Ranger mid-size pickup truck’s redesign for the 2024 model year brings a number of updates and upgrades that our reviewers appreciated. Though our compliments outnumbered our complaints, if what matters most is what’s on the inside, then our cabin criticisms hold some weight. In Cars.com’s most popular news story of the past month — a rapid-fire roundup of the all-new Ranger’s pros and cons — we take the good with the bad.
Related: Is the 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor a Good Pickup Truck? 4 Pros, 3 Cons
To the truck’s credit are the 2 inches added to both its wheelbase length and track width, improving ride, stability and usability without compromising maneuverability; a comfortable ride on the highway with responsive steering to boot; an adequately powered turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder as its base engine, channeling 270 horsepower smoothly through a 10-speed automatic transmission; the pressure relief of Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which takes control of steering as you watch the truck’s rear end glide confidently into position; a multitude of thoughtful storage spaces and cargo-securing connection points; and even a built-in bottle opener and ruler. To its detriment, meanwhile, were some interior finishes that don’t hold up to meticulous inspection even in the fanciest trim level; and infotainment annoyances with the vertically oriented display that eschews physical knobs and buttons while favoring distractingly small touchscreen controls.
For a full accounting of our gratitude and gripes toward the 2024 Ford Ranger, follow the link below to the No. 1 news story on this month’s countdown of most read articles.
If your new-car needs center on hauling people over payloads, the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica may be worth considering — and with a freshly streamlined trim-level lineup for the minivan’s new model year, you’ll be less likely to suffer from decision paralysis. The Pacifica now comes in just three flavors: the Select, Limited and Pinnacle (the Touring and Touring L are gone for 2025). The Select now becomes the base trim level and is available with either the gas-only engine or the plug-in hybrid powertrain, as is the range-topping Pinnacle. The middle child takes only the 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Pricing will be available closer to its on-sale date later in 2024.
For full new-model details on the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica — including a trim-by-trim breakdown of features and equipment — follow the link below to the No. 3 news story from the month of September.
Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the Ram 1500, Toyota Grand Highlander, Lexus TX, Rivian R1S, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Sienna, Buick Enclave and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past month:
1. Is the 2024 Ford Ranger a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros, 2 Cons
2. 1.2 Million Ram 1500s Recalled for Software Glitch
3. Chrysler Simplifies 2025 Pacifica Minivan Lineup
4. Ford, Lincoln Recall 90,000-Plus Vehicles Over Faulty Engine Valves
5. Sales to Resume for 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, Lexus TX After Airbags Forced Stop-Sale
6. 2025 Rivian R1S Review: Invisible Changes, Still a Champ
7. Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good SUV? 6 Pros, 2 Cons
8. 2025 Toyota Sienna Up Close: New Features for Your Family
9. 2025 Buick Enclave Review: Pretty, But Only Partly Premium
10. What Federal Interest Rate Cuts Could Mean for Car Shoppers
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
