More Lone Ranger than Sloane Ranger
and headlights in the latest Ford corporate look plus an improved interior. A raft of technology and active safety improvements include Ford’s SYNC2 navigation and connectivity system on the higherspec versions.
There is better efficiency after engine tweaks and a new stop-start system and electric power steering plus suspension revisions to improve the on-road drive.
Three body styles are on offer: the (Regular) single cab, the extended Super Cab and the full size Double Cab with two-and four-wheel drive versions, manual and automatic transmissions plus a choice of two diesel engines - a four-cylinder 158bhp 2.2-litre TDCi (our test car) and a 3.2-litre five-cylinder unit with 197bhp.
Our 2.2-litre auto takes a shade over 12 seconds to hit 60 mph and can reach a top speed of 109. Mpg figures are over 35 combined with more than 40 possible on a run.
In terms of trim the Ranger has the XL and XLT models for commercial buyers and our Limited version plus Wildtrak, with more luxurious specification, for people who want their truck to double as family transport.
The ranger drives well, in fact you could almost be in a mid-range SUV apart from the slightly choppy ride, as the cabin is sturdily built yet stylish with a big central touch screen, cruise control, tinted rear windows, cool box centre console, DAB radio, sat nav, bluetooth, phone connection, soft leather seats (electric and heated for the driver), auto headlights and wipers, heated screen, rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.
Outside the power door mirrors have puddle lights, there are 17” alloy wheels (which I think could be bigger) an illuminated load area with power sockets and our test car also boasted optional extras like a huge chrome roll bar, special ‘Performance blue’ metallic paint and rear view camera.
Even so the on the road price was £32,000 (£30,449 without extras) and the Ranger range starts from £17,876 (excluding VAT) for the 2WD XL regular cab, going up to £33,300 for the Wildtrak 4x4 double cab mode (including VAT).
While it is a big rig, the Ranger is quite easy to drive with my only criticism being the engine is a little noisy when pushed (perhaps the 3.2 is a better option).
The Ranger has all the off-road equipment for good all-terrain performance.
The electronically-controlled 4x4 transmission allows you to shift between two and four-wheel-drive modes on the move and there’s a low range 4x4 mode that will be useful if you plan on testing the Ranger’s 28-degree approach angle or class-leading 800mm wading depth.
With 299mm of ground clearance, Hill Decent Control and Hill-Start Assist the Ranger is always going to be a capable in the rough.
The optional Off-road Pack, however, adds a locking rear differential as well as extra protection for the underside to make it an even better choice for buyers who’ll be taking their truck off-road on a daily basis.
The Ranger also has lots of accessories to customise your truck – although I doubt the big ‘Tonka’ sticker I saw on the back of one in Bolton is an official Ford fitment.
More information at ford.co.uk