RANGE OVER SPORT (some text hidden) --NONE--
By Jonathan Crouch
Fed up with EVs? Ford offers an antidote with this gutsy fourth generation Ranger pick-up. Surf shack seekers should form an orderly queue, reckons Jonathan Crouch
Ten Second Reviewword count: 53
Ford has re-invented its Ranger pick-up in this fourth generation form with extra attitude and an activity-orientated vibe that really suits it. It's more car-like where it counts - inside - but a proper pick-up in terms of cargo capacity, torque and traction. Want a truck? We think you'll want one of these.
Backgroundword count: 183
Think of a pick-up and Ford is a name you just can't ignore, the company represented in this growing segment since the turn of the century by this tough, versatile Ranger model. This fourth generation design targets the growing lifestyle part of the pick-up market more directly than ever before, while still keeping the tough capability that will appeal to business operators. It's shares its design with the second generation Volkswagen Amarok, though Ford has led the engineering of this latest model; this is, after all, a key model for the Blue Oval brand - the Ranger accounts for nearly 40% of the European pick-up market. But it's very much a global product, designed and engineered in Australia, built in South Africa and Thailand and featuring a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel assembled in Dagenham, part of a design versatile enough for export to over 180 countries. Perfect in principle not only for core pick-up customers like farmers, plumbers and jobbing builders but also for the self-employed private people increasingly wanting a vehicle like this as a lifestyle accessory. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experienceword count: 409
The vast majority of Ranger customers will be choosing between Ford's offered range of proven Single-Turbo and Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre in-line four cylinder diesels. The Single-Turbo 170PS unit is the engine you'll need if you want manual transmission or the single cab body style with your Ranger. You're more likely though, to want the Bi-Turbo powerplant we tried, which puts out 205PS and can only be had with a 10-speed auto. The faster alternative is a 3.0-litre diesel V6 with 240PS, which also uses the 10-speed auto. You can also ask your dealer about a PHEV version, which combines a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery system. When fully charged, a (rather unremarkable) EV range of up to 28 miles is promised. The top Raptor performance model uses a 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol unit with 292PS, but can also be ordered with the previous generation model's 210PS 2.0-litre diesel. For mainstream Rangers, Ford has developed a couple of four-wheel drive systems - a basic electronic shift-on-the-fly system for more affordable Ranger models. Or the more advanced full-time four-wheel drive system with a set-and-forget mode for the top automatic variants, including the volume 'Wildtrack' version we tried. Avoid base 'XL' trim and you get some basic drive modes - 'Normal', 'Eco', 'Slippery' and a 'Tow/Haul' setting you'll need to maximise the 3,500kg braked towing capacity that most variants offer. The more advanced full-time e-4WD system we tried adds a 'Terrain Management System' which on the 'Wildtrak' model is controlled by a rotary dial between the seats: a twist of this and you've access to a couple of extra modes - 'Mud/Ruts' (which maximises drive-off grip and keeps the tyre tread clear of mud) and 'Sand' (which optimises power delivery and gearshifting to maintain momentum in sand and snow). In the centre of the dial are your main drivetrain buttons - '2H', '4H', low range '4L' and the 'set-and-forget' '4A' auto 4WD setting. Across the line-up, pick-up regulars will immediately note after the first half mile that the steering isn't as slow as it usually would be in a truck; and that body roll is better controlled than it normally would be in a vehicle of this type. The ride's a bit better this time round too, thanks to the way that the rear suspension dampers have been shifted outboard of the frame rails. Ford, it seems, still knows a thing or two about R&D dynamics.
To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227
Pictures (high res disabled)
Statistics (subset of data only)
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Price: |
£25,000.00 (Estimated At 30 May 2022) |
£57,340.00 (Estimated At 30 May 2022) |
Braked Towing (kg): |
3350 |
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Payload Capacity (l): |
1340 |
Scoring (subset of scores)
Category: Pick-Ups
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Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed. |