Ford Ranger Review

 

Ford Ranger Review, For Sale, Colours, Models, Specs & News

If there's one thing that Aussie tradies are spoiled for, it's choice.

With the number of big, ladder-framed light commercial utes on offer, it's difficult for any single truck to rise to the top. One truck has done it, however; bigger and bolder than ever before, the Ford Ranger's popularity has escalated to the point that it's stealing the thunder of the previously unassailable Toyota HiLux. The Ranger name has only been used in Australia since 2006, but that doesn't mean that Ford is new to the party. Ford Ranger is really just a new name for the Ford Courier, a nameplate that was used in Australia since 1979.
Available in a range of sizes and body styles and priced from $29,190 for the Ranger XL 2.2 LOW Rider (4X2) up to $85,490 for the Ranger Raptor 3.0 (4X4), the Ranger can serve as anything from a small, 4x2 single cab to extra and dual cab 4x4 utes with a choice of diesel engines and pickup and cab chassis trays.

Ford Ranger Accessories

Standard XL features include a front tow hook, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Ford’s latest Sync4 multimedia system, a digital instrument cluster, manual air-conditioning, USB-A and -C ports, cloth seats and 16-inch steel wheels.

Note, too, that all Rangers score nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist, while all pick-ups have blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech.

Next up is XLS, adding fog lights, alloy wheels, side steps and carpet.

The XLT is the least-expensive version with the now Ranger-signature C-clamp LED headlights, and can also be identified via its chrome grille bar, pick-up tub bed-liner with illumination, a sports bar and 17-inch alloys. Little luxuries inside include keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fancier interior trimmings, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality and traffic-sign recognition tech. 

Above that, the Sport ushers in contrasting blacked-out themes inside and out, two front tow hooks, 18-inch alloys, wireless charging, an Off-Road screen showing 4WD activation and other related settings, leather upholstery and a powered driver’s seat.

Finally, the Wildtrak gets its own grille, bumper, sports bar and wheel treatments, a trailer brake controller, side rails and a powered roller shutter for the tub and zone lighting all around the vehicle, while the cabin upgrades to a 12-inch touchscreen, ambient lighting, pull-out cupholders, a powered front passenger seat, front seat heaters, a 360-degree camera and active park assist.

Sophisticated Matrix LEDs and premium 10-speaker audio sound system can be had in the Wildtrak Premium Pack, while some other higher-grade Ranger features can be bundled up into option packs in lower grades as well.

There are also various off-road and towing packs, depending on grade.

Ford Ranger Colours

The Ranger is available in Arctic White, Meteor Grey, Aluminium Silver, Blue Lightning, Sedona Orange and Shadow Black. Going Wildtrak adds Luxe Yellow to the colour palette.

Ford Ranger Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Ford Ranger varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $29,190 and going to $85,490 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Ford Ranger Towing Capacity

The Ford Ranger has maximum towing capacity of 3500kg for the latest model available.

Ford Ranger Dimensions

The dimensions of the Ford Ranger Ute vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Ford Ranger Wheel Size

The Ford Ranger has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 215x70 R16 for Ute in 2022.

Ford Ranger Interior

The new Ranger is as fresh and modern as the old one was looking old and tired; it's a massive change.

That said, the general architecture and dimensions remain the same – the windscreen position, the door apertures, the glasshouse. This is not an all-new truck, but a thorough overhaul of the previous design from 2011.

Yet there are real big-ticket differences, kicking off with an all-new dashboard, door cards, seats and trim. Now you'll finally find a reach as well as height-adjustable steering column.

The touchscreen choices really dominate the cabin – measuring in at  10.1 inches in all but the Wildtrak, which jumps up to a 12-inch item. It also operates the latest SYNC 4A system, and that's a first for an Aussie Ford. 

The new Ranger also gains a number of new items, such as full digital instrumentation across the range, both USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as a wireless charger from certain grades upwards and a storage shelf above the glovebox (that's lidded in Wildtrak).

Moving on to the rear seats, you will find face-level air vents for the first time in some grades, the seats have been redesigned for added comfort and support, as well as the usual amenities like overhead grab handles, map pockets and centre armrest with cupholders in higher grades. 

Downsides? For some people, using touchscreens for functionality can be confusing; at least Ford has has made essentials like volume and climate controls as hard buttons and knobs, so you’re not so distracted using these. The 12-inch screen's extra depth makes accessing the USB ports directly underneath awkward. The pull-out cupholders struggle with broader cup bases as their clamps are too narrow. And we experienced a glitch with connecting the phone and climate control system in separate cars.

Breaking down the model walk, there are key differences between each model to help you make up your mind.

The XL, for instance, is a workhorse. Minimum frills, hard-wearing cloth, vinyl floor, a manual handbrake, easy-access dash storage – that sort of thing.

The XLS is more of the same, but with side steps, carpet and livelier trim.

Moving up to the XLT, it adds keyless entry/push-button start, leather wheel, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav and electric park brake up front, as well as rear-seat air vents and centre armrest with cupholders out back.

The Sport ushers in leather, a powered driver’s seat, ‘off-road screen’ and wireless charging, while the Wildtrak ups the ante with the larger touchscreen, 360º view camera, ambient lighting, pull-out cupholders, a powered front passenger seat and front seat heaters.

Ford Ranger Fuel Consumption

The Ford Ranger is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by — and Diesel fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.5L/100km for Ute /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Ford Ranger Seats

For 2023, the Ranger's seats have been redesigned.

The front seats are new, and are claimed to be more comfortable than before, with improved support. They include a front-side airbag between driver and passenger.

We certainly found them amply comfortable after many hours and hundreds of kilometres behind the wheel during the launch drive days.

Moving on to the rear seats in the Dual Cab, there is room for three people to sit abreast, with the cushion and backrest providing sufficient comfort and support as well. There is storage beneath the bench, but it does not slide forwards.

Ford Ranger Speed

The Ford Ranger V6 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds.

Ford Ranger Boot Space

Ranger now comes with a box step for smaller-statured people reach things more easily in the tub.

Moving to the back, the tailgate retains its lift assist, and opens up to reveal a cargo area capable of taking a Euro palette for the first time. And there are now new box caps to help protect the fresh metalwork.

There are other innovations, such as a bedliner with moulded slots to help keep items in place, a 12V outlet, illumination under the box caps, load bearing aluminium side bars to secure items to, latching points on the box caps for accessories like canopies and cross bars, and external tie-down rails with sliding cleats for odd-shaped items.

Plus, there’s zone lighting available on higher-grade models, using the many LEDs around the vehicle for useful nighttime illumination operable remotely via the FordPass app.

Even the tailgate is a workbench, with two clamp pockets to secure project materials and a built-in ruler for convenient measuring.

Additionally, there’s a powered roller shutter for added security that's standard on Wildtrak and optional on other grades.

Finally, all Rangers offer a maximum towing capability of 3500kg. Payloads vary from 934kg to 1441kg, depending on model and grade.

source: carsguide.com