Ford Ranger: New range reviewed by Forestry Journal

DESPITE the fact that the pickup market is now more or less dominated by the Ranger series from Ford, it does nothing to detract from the blue oval-badged models being able to offer an ever-changing and wide format of options for buyers.

From the lowly XL designation to the Raptor, there’s a pickup in there for everyone. In recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to put three different varieties of Rangers to the test and they did not come up wanting.

Let’s start at the bottom.

The XL is the starting point for the Ranger and is an out-and-out utility vehicle aimed squarely at the ‘commercial’ rather than the ‘lifestyle’ end of the market. But that said, it’s a model you could easily live with day-to-day.

WANT MORE VEHICLE REVIEWS? 

• 'A strange sort of car': Subaru Forester e-Boxer review
• 'A good alternative to the Toyotas and Fords out there': D-Max V-Cross review
• 'It is a lovely car to drive': Audi Q8 reviewed by a forester

While all models share the new tougher, bolder look in the latest incarnation of the Ranger, the XL is the most muted of the line-up – as you would expect for a base model. Standard fare across the range is the 2.0L EcoBlue engine, which can play to a different tune depending on the model.

In the XL, which has a single turbo, it’s rated at 167 hp and is matched with a six-speed manual transmission – further up the food chain, you get 200 hp from a twin-turbo arrangement of the same engine.

Despite its lowly status in the Ford catalogue, the XL does come with a rear-view camera, Halogen head and tail lamps, a Thatcham security system and a variable-speed windshield wiper. It also comes with all those safety pains, such as ‘intelligent’ speed assistance, speed sign recognition and lane-keeping aid, most of which can, thankfully, be turned off.

It also has a large central touchscreen, with Ford SYNC 3 technology, plus heated windscreen, various power sockets dotted around the cabin, and a steering wheel with some mounted controls.

The tested model had some extras that are worth considering. A rudimentary air-conditioning unit will add £600; a body protection pack, which contains underbody protection, locking rear axle and a fuel tank guard, puts £360 on to the bottom line. Another possible is underbody wax protection at £300 – but surely this should be standard fare for this type of vehicle?

Inside the cabin of the Wildtrak, with its easy-to-use touchscreen. (Image: Supplied)

The XL is shod in 16-inch steel wheels and with a similar spare wheel, so it’s not flashy. But remember the base price for this model is £35,760, which includes VAT.

Inside, it’s all about utility, rather than luxury – but that’s not unexpected in such a vehicle.

Plenty of room for four or five adults in what is a surprisingly spacious cabin. There’s a simple two/four-wheel-drive selection option, with a low ratio too.

It’s quite capable too, and it can handle a payload of 1,074 kg with a towing capacity of 3,450 kg, which makes it an ideal rural workhorse. And it will return 33 mpg.

A TREMOR OF EXCITEMENT

The Ford Ranger Tremor is a chunky-looking mid-range option for foresters. (Image: Supplied)

Next in line from Ford was the Ranger Tremor. Not quite sure what the significance of the name is, but its good looks certainly gave me a shiver of anticipation.

It looks much chunkier than the XL, despite sharing the same body. But the added fripperies manage to give this a big step up in tough-guy looks, and that’s because this is a Ranger that is being targeted at looking the part off road.

That’s evidenced by the chunky all-terrain tyre option on the 17-inch black alloy wheels, with a bad-boy look about the front accentuated by a very visible front engine guard, with accents on the door handles and mirrors.

With its more sophisticated 4x4 system, this is ably complemented by Ford’s latest 10-speed (yes, you read that right) automatic gearbox, and has the twin-turbo and 200 hp version of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel providing enough push to reach 62 mph from a standing start in 10.5 seconds.

A wider track width, plus an added inch to the ride height from the long-travel suspension, which incorporates well-proven Bilstein dampers, adds to the feeling that this is a BIG vehicle.

But that does not make it less agile, both on and off road. A reverse parking aid will help with the former, while some clever off-road systems – Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control – very much make things simple off road. The ability to lock the rear axle will also keep it motoring on when the going gets muddy and rough.

On this model there’s also a heavy-duty side-step to enable easier entry, plus a manual six-way adjustable heated front driver’s seat (four-way and heated on the passenger’s side). Once in the seat, Ford’s easy-to-use 10-inch touchscreen gives control over most things, including an easy hitch-up to your phone.

Cruise control can make motorway driving a doddle, but the extra weight and power in this version of the Ranger only gives you about 27 mpg. This one, though, can handle the full 3,500 kg max towing weight and has a load-bay capacity of 1,041 kg

Exclusive of VAT, the Tremor comes in at £35,865 and the test car provided had a Power Pack 3 option, which added £450 to the final tally.

HEADING FOR THE WILDTRAK

It may be basic, but the Ford Ranger XL is a willing workhorse. (Image: Supplied)

Moving up a gear to the Wildtrak version tested, we have the same engine power of the Tremor, though an option would be to go for the V-six cylinder and 235 hp 3.0 litre EcoBlue engine which adds £5,500 to the cost of the standard model’s £40,221 price tag.

This one will work just as hard as the rest of the range, but the looks and appeal are edging towards the ‘lifestyle’ end of the market, given its plusher, smart interior.

The Wildtrak also gets a more sophisticated transmission than that on the lesser models, featuring the 10-speed auto box twinned with Ford’s e-4WD full-time systems which has a new electronically controlled torque-on-demand transfer case. This takes a lot of the guess-work out of off-road work, but also gives a more precise and economical edge on the road, leading to an average mpg of 32.

Our test vehicle came packed with optional goodies, including really smart 20-inch machined matt black alloys (and there’s a full-size aluminium spare wheel). There was also a useful powered roller shutter feature, which included a load box bed liner in its £1,600 extra cost.

One that you could really leave off your list is the Ice Feature Pack 106 (cost £450) which is nothing to do with the Ranger’s capability on ice, but more to do with an infotainment system upgrade, including a bigger screen. 

And one that you really should look at is the comprehensive £1,100 Technology Package 71. This is great for those who expect to tow a trailer and, as well as reverse and front parking aids, has a 360-degree camera function to go with a 13-pin socket, tow hitch and a host of other safety aids.
So, all in all, the test vehicle hit the road at £44,671 (ex VAT).