The Ford Ranger, like the Volkswagon Amarok before it and its Mazda BT-50 twin-under-the-skin, redefined what we expect from a ute. Even in its basic workhorse form, the Ranger’s quality and dynamic ability shine brightly.
The term “car-like” has been tossed around a lot to sum up the improving comfort levels and handling of modern utes, but the truth of the matter is; they are still not “like” cars in any sense – they are still big trucks, and getting bigger all the time – yet the Ranger is the closest yet to providing car-like comfort and handling, while still being an impressively capable load-lugger and off-road battler.
Outside
Likes: It looks like a truck! Big, tough and functional, especially in steel-wheeled, base model XL guise. Functional and purposeful, yet handsome.
Dislikes: Plastic grille of the XL lacks the presence of the chrome up-spec version. The black plastic sections that fill in where the fog lights would be in up-spec models just look like, um, holes…
Inside
Likes: Dash layout a breath of fresh air in the ute segment. Nicely laid out and functional. Feels solid and rugged, just like the outside. Proper work ute interior is very washable.
Dislikes: Seat fabric a bit naff. Doesn’t feel quite as rugged as the rest of the package. Some of the plastics are a bit flimsy.
Under the bonnet
Likes: The 3.2-litre inline five-cylinder engine is big and brawny (147kW/470Nm) and pulls like a freight train in any gear. Massive torque is literally everywhere. Sounds like it looks: a big truck. Six-speed manual has nice short throws and a positive action.
Dislikes: The trans does feel a bit rubbery though.
On the road
Likes: Great ride and handles incredibly well for something so utterly massive with a leaf-sprung rear end. No traditionally ute-like unloaded rear end in the wet hysteria, unless you really provoke it.
Dislikes: Which is actually easy to do, with the big torque…
Verdict
The basic Ford Ranger is a remarkably good package. Stripped of all the shiny bits and interior toys, the basic package shines through even stronger.
All the safety stuff is presented and accounted for (ABS, brake assist, stability control, 6 airbags, hill descent control, hill-hold, trailer sway mitigation), the engine is still massively impressive and it handles like it shouldn’t. The fact that it doesn’t have any distracting shiny bits just makes that even more impressive.
At $54,440 for the double cab well side 4WD we tested here, that is still a hell of a lot of ute for the money, especially when you add in its staggering off-road ability on top of its remarkable on-road performance.
The complete package, even though it doesn’t have all the shiny bits.
Price: $54,440
Engine: 3.2-litre inline five-cylinder diesel
Power/torque: 147kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-100km/h: n/a
Fuel consumption: 8.9L/100km
CO2 emissions: 235g/km
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