Ford Ranger

Ranger Overview

Ford Ranger is one of the hottest-selling workhorses in the market today. The Blue Oval brand has found its foot stamped due to the Ranger. It outshone the Holden Colorado while standing tall alongside current-gen models, the Toyota Hilux and the Mitsubishi Triton. Unmatched loading and towing capacity and ability to shine on- as well as off-road is what makes the Ford ute robust and preferred choice for the buyers. Not just outdoor capabilities that it is known for but for its upmarket interior too. The cabin is comfy, smart and packed with intelligent technologies that make it even more desirable. The exteriors have been designed to suit the purpose. While LED lights, sidestep, tow bar are meant are purposely included, the sport bar is there to enhance its overall appeal. Regarded as the most advanced pickup in the Australian market, Ranger features traffic signal recognition, reverse camera, tire pressure monitoring system, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking, and auto high beam function. The pickup grants you the confidence to tow a load of up to 3500kg. Additionally, it gets leather seats, 8-inch touchscreen SYNC3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and 4.2-inch dual dials on the instrument cluster. Available as Double Cab and Super Cab options, the Ranger is available in four different variants, XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak and seven colour choices including white, red, blue, silver, grey, black and saber. Under the hood, it comes with three engine options, 2.2-litre TDCI, 3.2-litre TDCI, and bi-turbo 3.2-litre diesel. Both the units are tried and tested to deliver enormous torque and power worked in combination with the avant-garde 10-speed automatic transmission. Do not worry while climbing a steep sandy incline or passing a raging river, the Ranger has its basics covered. With the presence of e-locking differential, 800mm water wading capacity, and advanced features like hill descent control, everything is plain-sailing for the Ford pickup when for others it really isn’t.

Ford Ranger Interior & Features

The similarity between the Everest and Ranger doesn’t end on the outside, it continues in the interior layout of the latter too. The Ranger shares its seating layout for front and second-row as well as dashboard design with the Everest, which means that you sit quite high and are welcomed by a nice and plush looking cabin. The three-spoke steering wheel feels chunky and comes fitted with all the essential buttons for music, telephony, and cruise control. Even the funky looking instrument console, music system, automatic climate controls with vertical vents for AC are borrowed from the Everest, which gives an upmarket feel to the cabin.

In terms of features, while the XLT comes loaded with features like cruise control, 4.2-inch music system with CD, radio, USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity with 6 speakers, Ford’s SYNC system, manual AC, 4-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, leather steering wheel, two 12V sockets and remote keyless entry, the Wildtrak variant adds in adaptive cruise control, 8-inch touchscreen unit for the music system with more advanced SYNC 2 system, automatic climate control, 8-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, cooled console, and 230V inverter.

Ranger Exterior

Pickup trucks need to have a stance which feels usable and intimidating, and in this purpose, the Ford Ranger fits the bill. Sharing its platform with the seven-seater Ford Everest, the Ranger shares a lot in common with the former. The resemblance in both the vehicles is quite evident from the way the Ranger looks from the front. The large headlamps with projector bulbs and daytime running LEDs have been lifted off from the Everest, though the three slats large chrome grille is replaced here by an even larger and imposing grille, which looks purposeful with the high raised front bonnet and large front bumper. The bumper too has been tweaked to make it feel in continuity with the grille, with plastic cladding taking the center stage here. While the XLT variants come with chrome finish on the front grille, the Wildtrak version’s grille is finished in matt black scheme. The rearview mirrors are finished in chrome, thus increasing the premium factor.

The similarity between the Everest and Ranger extends all the way from the side fenders till the B-pillar, after which the real difference appears. Gone is the third row here to make way for a big flat loading bay, which has the capacity of carrying loads up to 3,500 kg. This is quite helpful for your weekend adventure runs. In terms of features, the Ranger comes equipped with all the essential features such as automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, front fog lamps, electrically adjustable and foldable outside rearview mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps, bed liner, sport bar, and rear park assist. In addition to all this, the Wildtrak variant comes with some additional goodies such as front park assist, roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, puddle lamps on outside rearview mirrors, and 12V socket and illumination bulb for the cargo bay.

Ford Ranger Mileage Running Cost

The fuel economy of Ford Ranger is reasonably good. The 3.0-litre engine delivers a city mileage of 8-9 kmpl and on the longer route it can achieve 10-11.5 kmpl. Moreover, when it comes to lower displacement engine i.e. the 2.5-litre mill, the fuel economy increases to about 9.5 kmpl and 12 kmpl in city traffic and highways respectively.

Ranger Engine & Fuel Consumption

As mentioned earlier, apart from the platform, the Ford Ranger shares its engine options with the Everest. This means that the pickup truck is offered in two diesel engine options – a 2.2-litre diesel and a 3.2-litre diesel. While the 2.2-litre diesel is good enough for putting up 160 PS of maximum power and 385 Nm of peak torque, the 3.2-litre diesel is even more powerful, offering 200 PS of maximum power and 470 Nm of peak torque.

Both the engine options are offered in a single XLT trim which comes with a 4x4 drive mode offered as standard. However, one can choose between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic gearbox. In addition, the 3.2-litre version comes with the Wildtrak variant which is offered only with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Ford Ranger Braking & Safety

Given the goodies and comfort features it comes packed with, it is quite evident that Ford hasn’t cut short in the list of safety features in the Ranger. The Ranger comes fitted with all the top-of-the-line safety equipment one can expect from a pickup truck of this cadre.

-While the XLT variants come standard with dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), emergency brake assist (EBA), load sensing proportionate valve (LSPV), hill descent control, hill start assist, roll over mitigation, trailer sway assist, load adaptive control engine immobilizer and ISOFIX mounts, the Wildtrak variant adds in extras such as  lane departure warning and assist, forward alert and collision mitigation and distance indication alert, making it one of the safest pickup trucks in its class. 

Ranger Verdict

With all the features and potential that the Ranger's engine hold, it is a good bet for the ones who do not want to go with the much-acclaimed Toyota Hilux. Though you will major deal-breaker between the two pickups, it is the look and feel with the brand's loyalty that will help a customer in taking the final decision.