Ford Ranger
This is the all-new, 2024 Ford Ranger – what the rest of the world gets in place of ‘merica’s multitudinous F-150 pickup. It wasn’t that long ago that every manufacturer under the sun seemed to want a piece of the pickup market, especially in ‘lifestyle‘ guise. Emission rules have pretty-much put paid to the majority of the Ranger’s competition, though, and it’s left the Ford streets ahead as not only the best selling pickup in the UK, but Europe too.
Who are the competition?
Less competition doesn’t mean no competition, though, and this new Ranger actually shares its underpinnings with one of the relative newcomers to the game; VW’s Amarok. With the likes of Toyota’s Hilux and pickup specialist – Isuzu’s D-Max waiting in the wings, eager to take the Ranger’s crown, it’s no time to rest on any laurels Ford may find lying about. With this firmly in mind, Ford has made improvements in almost every department to keep their pickup ahead of the game; this is no mid-life facelift.
Even more road presence
Looks-wise the new Ranger has borrowed heavily from the F-150, and why wouldn’t they? – it is the most popular vehicle on Earth, after all. The grille is more imposing, flanked by LED C-clamp headlights to give even more road presence than the outgoing model. It bears more than a passing resemblance to the previous gen’s slightly insane Raptor and that’s no accident as its aggressive aura went down very well on this side of the pond.
Bigger in every way
The Ranger’s chassis is all new; it’s 50mm wider and has a 50mm longer wheelbase. So, just when you thought the Ranger wasn’t quite imposing enough, this model not only handles better, is more roomy inside, offers a smoother ride and takes up pretty much every lane it finds itself in. Ford hasn’t just made the Ranger bigger, though, it’s more user-friendly too. That extra 50mm in the wheelbase allows for improved approach and exit angles if serious off-roading is your thing and the 50mm added to the overall width means the load bed can now accommodate a full-size pallet loaded sideways. The load bed’s tailgate now also doubles up as a workbench with multiple power sockets, app-controlled lighting and the essential cup holder.
Is the new Ranger more comfortable?
Inside the new Ranger has seen many improvements too, keeping it right up to date. Sit inside and, apart from the little climb to get in, you could easily forget the Ranger’s workhorse nature. The cabin is about the most car-like we’ve seen in a pickup with either a 10.1″ or 12.1″ touchscreen dominating the dashboard and operating Ford’s SYNC 4 system. This Wildtrak X spec gets some seriously impressive soft-touch plastics around the cabin but if you need the tougher, hard-wearing plastics to stand up to some abuse they’re fitted to lower spec Rangers.
Is the new Ranger diesel only?
There’s apparently a PHEV Ranger coming in 2025 but for now there’s a choice of three powertrains, all diesel. There’s a 168bhp, 2.0l Ecoblue unit with part time 4WD & a six-speed manual ‘box and that’s only available on the more utilitarian XL & XLT specs. The same 2.0l engine also comes with 203bhp and that gets a 10-speed auto and permanent 4WD – that comes in Tremor, Wildtrak & the Wildtrak X spec we have here. Then there’s also a 3.0l V6 TD with 238bhp; this also has permanent 4WD, a 10-speed auto and, slightly strangely only comes in Wildtrak & range-topping Platinum specs.
The 203bhp 2.0l we’re testing is fairly smooth and works well with the 10-speed ‘box it’s mated to. It does still have a bit of an industrial feel about it, though. With 500Nm torque it’ll do 0-62mph in 10.5s which isn’t exactly quick but it returns a far more impressive 32.1mpg. If you really need more speed, the V6 manages the 0-62mph dash in 8.7s but combined economy drops to 28mpg and you are restricted to the two specs.
How much can the new Ranger tow and carry?
What’s more noteworthy and possibly more relevant than performance is the Ranger’s ability to manage heavy loads. A 3,500kg towing limit and payload of 1,200kg is right up there with the best of the competition. That increase in overall size doesn’t make the Ranger the easiest to navigate through tight gaps but the high seating position makes for great views out and with various driving modes for different surfaces, its off-road skills are excellent.
Should I buy a new Ranger?
The last generation Ford Ranger was very good in almost all departments so it would have been easy for Ford to just spruce it up a bit and call it a new Ranger. They haven’t though, far from it and this larger, more comfortable and even more capable Ranger is on track to remain the UK & Europe’s favourite pickup.
By Ben Harrington
2024 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X Specifications:
Engine – 2.0-l 4-cyl diesel, Transmission – 10 speed auto, Layout – Front engine, 4WD, Power – 203bhp,Torque – 500Nm Emissions – 271g/km CO2, Economy – 32.1mpg, Maximum Speed – N/Amph, Acceleration – 10.5s – 0-62mph, Price – £41,350 + VAT OTR
The 2024 Ford Ranger Double cab is available now, priced from £29,800 + VAT. For full details go to:www.ford.co.uk
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