Away in a Ranger...

Ford’s improved Ranger really has gone large in its appeal as a competitive proposition against tough rivals in the pick-up segment.

The idea is to tempt everyone from builders to surf-boarding, mountainbiking families with what is now a very complete product indeed.

There aren’t many pick-ups developed first and foremost to prioritise driving dynamics, but this is one of them.

Does it ride and handle like a Discovery? Well, of course it doesn’t. A Discovery isn’t built to take a 1.3-tonne payload. But does it set handling standards for the pick-up segment? Very definitely yes – more agile, stable, precise and comfortable than any vehicle of its kind we’ve seen to date.

There’s decent steering feel for a pick-up, too, despite the introduction of electrical assistance for the helm of this revised model.

Under the bonnet, most models will be sold with the 160PS 2.2-litre four cylinder TDCi turbo diesel that Ford uses in its passenger car line-up. For really effortless towing, though, you’ll need the flagship Ranger engine, a purposedesigned 3.2-litre five cylinder TDCi diesel with 200PS on tap and 470NM of torque, most of which you can access from as low in the rev range as 1,750rpm.

Of course, if you’re a typical Ranger owner, you’ll want to be putting its allterrain capability to the test on a pretty regular basis. Which is why, though there’s a two-wheel drive entry-level model for those who want it, most of the range is built around 4WD variants.

There are three Ranger bodystyles – Regular single cab, Super (which has occasional rear seats) and Double Cab with proper rear seats.

Prices start at around £18,500, excluding the VAT that most business buyers will be able to claim back. For the Double Cab bodystyle most customers will want, you’ll need to be budgeting in the £20,000 to £25,000 bracket excluding VAT.

If you’re looking for one of the best allround contenders in the pick-up sector right now, then this is the right tool.

The Ford Ranger.