GAME CHANGER
Ford’s tough Aussie designed and engineered ute sets a new benchmark
The first all-new Ford Ranger since 2011 is a ute like no other. The Australian designed and engineered machine delivers a combination of smart design, practicality and technology that is likely to put it on the radar of SUV buyers as much as cashed up tradies.
It’s a crucial vehicle for Ford in Australia – chief executive Andrew Birkic says it’s “much more than a truck for us” – accounting for more than two-thirds of the brand’s local sales.
Five dual-cab, four-wheel drive models are available: XL, XLS, XLT, Sport and Wildtrak. A high performance Raptor model will arrive later in the year.
The new Ranger takes design cues from the bigger F-Series pick-up that has been America’s favourite vehicle for decades. Prices for most models are up by 3 per cent. The XL 4WD fourdoor starts at about $47,000 drive-away, while the top-shelf Wildtrak with a new V6 diesel is about $74,000. Ford says the waiting list for the Wildtrack already stretches to a year.
Ford’s five-cylinder diesel has been retired and in its place are single and twin-turbo fourcylinder diesels. The single turbo is reserved for cheaper variants and musters a modest 125kW and 405Nm, while the bi-turbo is expected to account for the bulk of sales and makes 154kW and 500Nm. While the single turbo fourcylinder is hearty enough, it’s outclassed by the freer revving and more muscular twin-turbo, which is matched to a 10-speed auto.
The new V6 is the show-stealer, though. It costs $3000 more on XLT, Sport and Wildtrak models and delivers 184kW and 600Nm. The V6 forms a sweet combination with the 10speed auto, although the gear selector isn’t intuitive to use. The engine is smooth, refined and hushed, with a muscular mid-range that makes for effortless highway cruising and snappy overtaking.
The new Ranger also behaves better on the road. The left and right wheels are 50mm further apart, which plants the car better. While there’s still an old-fashioned leaf spring, liveaxle rear end, the Ranger is well behaved over bumps. Unladen, the ride is firm but controlled, settling swiftly after bumps. The steering is predictable and the Ranger doesn’t lean in corners as much as rivals. The cabin is quiet by ute standards.
Off-road there’s ample clearance and wheel articulation, ensuring easy progress across muddy terrain. But it’s the technology that puts the Ranger ahead of workhorse rivals. There’s a digital display in front of the driver and a tabletlike centre touchscreen, which is 10.1 inches on most models and 12 inches for the Wildtrak.
An on-board modem allows owners to unlock the car from a smartphone, while safety is covered by nine airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control.
An integrated electronic brake controller is standard on the Wildtrak and part of an affordable $900 option on models with the standard tow bar. That $900 option also includes a 360-degree camera and zone lighting, which illuminates sections around the car when parked. If a trailer is attached, a lightcheck system automatically cycles through the tail, brake, reverse and indicator lights to allow solo checking.
Other clever touches include a step behind each rear wheel to improve access to the load area and LED lights for the tray.
Occupant space is broadly the same, aside from some additional shoulder room. Those in the rear won’t have the sprawling space of a large SUV, but it’s comfy for a ute. The XL and
XLS don’t have rear air vents, though.
The XLT, which costs about $58,500 as a dual-cab 4WD, is likely to be the most popular with families. It has different front-end styling with distinctive LEDs, as well as a tow bar, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12V power point in the tray, smart-key entry and bigger disc brakes.
The newly-added Sport (from $69,000) gets a black styling bar and 18-inch alloys, wireless phone charging and partial leather.
The Wildtrak has ambient lighting, heated seats, a 360-degree camera, a powered roller cover and an optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
There’s also a roof-mounted auxiliary switch cluster, as well as an extended sports bar that doubles as a lower mount for racks or additional tie-down points. All of which amounts to a lot of ute, albeit for more money.
The new Ranger does everything you’d expect from a workhorse ute but with a new level of liveability and technology not seen before in this market.
VERDICT hhhhj
Clever design and impressive creature comforts build on a solid core of ability, setting a new standard for load luggers.