FORD RANGER

THE current generation Ranger arrived here in late 2011 but was revised heavily for the 2016 model year, with improved engine response and refinement, electric power steering and changes to the way the chassis electronics work, which, along with the generous wheel travel, helps make the Ranger a top-tier performer off-road.

The Ranger has a big roomy cabin that’s second-to-none in terms of combined front and rear legroom, and with the gutsy 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel is about as good as it gets for heavy-duty low and tow work. An optional powertrain, a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel with a 10-speed automatic, came in 2018 and, while the small bi-turbo engine has the same towing capacity on paper as the 3.2, it doesn’t match the bigger engine when there’s serious work to be done; although, it’s quiet and refined and peppy enough with moderate loads. Unfortunately, it also has to work harder to do the same job as the 3.2, which makes the ‘big’ fivecylinder engine still the pick of the two. Such is the Ranger’s popularity it now outsells the Hilux in 4x4 models, which keeps second-hand prices strong. An all-new Ranger is due in the next couple of years.