UK Drive: Ford’s Ranger is still a very polished pick-up

What is it?

There’s a slimmer range of pick-ups to choose from than ever before. Tighter emissions have seen the variety of trucks here in the UK dwindle and today, it’s relatively slim pickings if you’re after a capable load-lugger.

However, the Ford Ranger still stands tall in this category, and it was first introduced in its current form in 2021. While it’s the mad-hat Raptor which often commands the limelight, more ‘regular’ versions of the Ranger are far better suited to tough, demanding jobs. We’re testing it here in snazzy Platinum specification, which gets a few extra toys without diminishing this pick-up’s real-world abilities.

What’s new?

Ford’s latest Ranger sits on a brand new platform and it’s one that it shares with the Volkswagen Amarok. Ford responded to previous customers of the Ranger who wanted more power and off-road ability from their pick-up and delivered this new version, which introduced a series of punchier diesel engines.

But Ford also worked to improve how the Ranger handled on-road, too, tweaking the suspension to help make this truck a little comfier to live with when you’re not tackling the rough stuff. It comes with a 1,200kg maximum gross payload, too.

What’s under the bonnet?

One of the headline engines available with the Ranger is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel and it’s the one that we’ve got powering this version, too. With 234bhp it’s more than powerful enough for most occasions and a chunky 600Nm of torque allows it to plug through difficult terrain. In fact, the Ranger is accompanied by a maximum braked trailer allowance of 3,500kg – the maximum you can get from a pick-up in the UK.

Ford claims that you should get up to 27.4mpg combined from the V6, too, alongside CO2 emissions of 270g/km.

What’s it like to drive?

We’ve come a long way from the agricultural pick-ups of old. The Ranger – in this comfortable, easy-going specification – is a doddle to drive. Aside from its rather large dimensions, the Ranger feels closer to an SUV these days than a true pick-up and this will make it easy to drive on a day-to-day basis. Sure, its length and width means it’s not going to be the most pleasant of options around a multi-storey carpark, but it’s not half bad at doing usual driving.

On the motorway, the Ranger is composed enough to tackle those longer journeys without being too noisy or bouncy. While Ford has reworked the Ranger’s suspension to help when it isn’t loaded up, like most pick-ups it feels at its best when there’s something in the back. The V6 engine under the bonnet makes light work of getting the Ranger up to speed, too, and Ford’s on-paper claim of 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds seems right on the money. The only snag is the 10-speed automatic gearbox; as in other Ford models, it just has too many ratios to ever feel ‘happy’ and seems to be ever-changing as a result.

How does it look?

Large and upright, the latest Ford Ranger is more American-looking than ever. It’s available in both single- and double-cab setups – depending on what kind of job you’re looking to do with it – while the specification you opt for changes how the whole truck looks. Platinum models, like this one, have a more classic chrome finish on the front grille, whereas Wildtrak versions ditch this in favour of a blacked-out appearance.

There are loads of eye-catching colours to choose from on the Ranger, too, though ‘Frozen White’ is the only no-cost one – the rest will set you back £600 excluding VAT.

What’s it like inside?

As a little reflection of the driving experience, the interior of the Ranger is more car-like than ever. There are loads of upmarket materials used throughout it and everything has a nicely solid finish to it. Platinum-grade trucks get leather upholstery as standard and as well as giving a more upmarket feel, makes things a little harder-wearing inside.

There’s a good level of storage for odds and ends, too, and space in the rear of this double-cab pick-truck isn’t too bad either.

What’s the spec like?

You’ll pay from £30,800 for a standard double-cab Ranger with a basic engine, but this rises considerably to reach £49,358 if you want the punchy V6 engine with Platinum specification. Fortunately, there is plenty of equipment included as standard with highlights being a soft-close tailgate, Matrix LED headlights and an acoustic laminated windscreen for a quieter driving experience. Our truck, with a few extras, comes in at a hefty £53,430.

As with other Ford models, the Ranger also gets a massive central touchscreen. On Platinum-grade trucks is a 12-inch unit – lower specifications have a 10-inch one instead – and it’s packed with features. It’s easy to use, too, but the inclusion of physical controls for the heating and ventilation is a bonus and makes them much easier to use when you’re on the move than having to delve into the screen.

Verdict

The days of rough-and-ready pick-up trucks appear to be well behind us. It is when you’re driving the Ford Ranger, anyway, which delivers a more upmarket and premium-feeling experience than you’d ever expect to get from something this capable.

At close to £50,000 this is one expensive truck, mind you. But as an all-rounder and something that could easily fill the space of a traditional SUV, the Ranger is well worth checking out.