Ford Ranger Raptor: Know its alternatives

Ford Ranger Raptor was one of the most anticipated vehicles of 2018. Ever since we got a glimpse of this new super pickup truck, the excitement never left. Ford already had its Ranger series up and running, but the Ranger Raptor is so much more than just a next door pickup truck. Ford has done a lot of work to enable the Ranger Raptor to handle off-road territories with ease. And you can tell that by having a look at it.

The Ford Ranger Raptor has an intimidating appeal, especially from the front. We wouldn’t want to have it seen in our rearview mirrors. Features like massive 33-inch wheels, suspension from Fox Racing Shox USA, a ground clearance of 283 mm, and Ford’s Terrain Management System (TMS) with 4x4 capability, etc. make the Ranger Raptor a serious off-road vehicle. The engine on this machine is a new 2.0-litre Bi-turbo diesel unit that churns out 210 hp and 500 Nm and is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode. The new Ranger Raptor looks like a complete package. However, if you want to know about some of its alternatives, read on to find out.

Toyota Hilux

The latest model of the Toyota Hilux comes in two diesel engine options - a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder mill that produces 147 PS at 3400 rpm and 400 Nm at 1600 to 2000 rpm and a 2.8-litre 4-cylinder motor with 174PS and 450Nm. There are two transmission options as well - 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic.

Toyota is known for making reliable machines. And the Hilux is a perfect example of that. It can deal with many kinds of off-road terrains without breaking a sweat. And it also looks pretty good. The front gets a couple of large headlights joined by a stylish chrome grille. The interior is somewhat similar to that of the Toyota Fortuner but not that premium. Toyota has also provided a decent sized cargo bay. You can get the Hilux in both single and double cab variants as per your requirements. The Toyota Hilux price starts at Php 814,000 for the base model and goes all the way up to Php 1.62 million. It is available in 6 color options.

Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet Colorado specs have some really interesting numbers. The 2.8-litre VGT engine incorporated in this pickup truck is quite powerful. It produces a max power of 200 hp and generates a peak torque of 500 Nm. These figures are similar to that of the Ford Ranger Raptor. It also has a water wading capacity of up to 800 mm. Other interesting features include 18-inch wheels, Double Wishbone Independent Suspension with Coilover twin tube shock absorber at the front and Axle Suspension with Leaf Spring at the rear, etc.

In terms of looks, Colorado has an approachable visual appeal. It isn’t as intimidating as the Ford Ranger Raptor. But that doesn’t mean it is less in dimensions. It has a huge road presence. The Chevrolet Colorado price starts at Php 1.25 million for the base model. And it is available in 7 color options.

Isuzu D-Max

The D-Max is the only pickup truck from Isuzu available in the country. It has been around for quite some time now and has gained a good reputation for its off-road capabilities and towing power. Powering the Isuzu D-Max is a 3.0-litre 4-cylinder Blue Power Diesel engine with turbo intercooler that produces 177 PS and 380 Nm. There is also a smaller engine variant; a 1.9-litre engine that has 150PS and 350Nm.

The signature LED daytime running lights and the bold chrome grille at the front, make the Isuzu D-Max stand out of the crowd and easily identifiable. The interior of the D-Max is spacious and quite comfortable as well. Isuzu also has a D-Max X-series lineup which enhances the looks of the truck. There is a lot of red accents found all over the vehicle which makes it look much sportier. The Isuzu D-Max price starts at Php 1.25 million. There are five color options - Titanium Silver, Gray, Cosmic Black, Garnet Red, and Splash White.

These were some of the best alternatives to the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor. Each one of them has got some of the other features that is better than the others on the list. Ford’s Ranger Raptor is really making other pickups in the category a bit nervous. You can buy the Ranger Raptor at a price of Php 1.9 million, which is a bit on the dearer side but it surely offers a lot.