Ranger goes one better

Hard to fault: Ford Rangers designers set out to beat their rivals in all aspects. Photo / Supplied

Ford's new Ranger sets out to prove that the best way to beat the opposition is to line it up, pick the area in which each vehicle excels, then start out from scratch to beat it.

What's new "Only a handful of parts was carried over, nuts and bolts you could stick in your pocket," says Gary Boes, vehicle line director for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.

Ranger's larger, much stiffer body was designed to evoke strength and capability, with power tools and the G-Shock watch among influences cited by design manager Peter Jones: "And what that watch says is you could drop it and you wouldn't give a shit, right?"

Clearly toughness was paramount, so New Zealand will get the 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre I5 diesel in six-speed manual or six-speed auto formats, each with a super-low first gear for off-road or towing work and a cruising sixth aimed at fuel economy.

Four-wheel-drive variants have an easy dial to switch from two to four-high or four-low and an electronic locking diff. A battery of electronic aids from stability control to ABS, hill descent and hill start, trailer sway and rollover mitigation help keep you upright. There are six airbags and a frame designed to withstand impacts.

This Ranger underwent 9000 simulated and 110 actual crash tests, with more simulated safety testing than any other Australian-designed Ford.

The company line New Zealand will get the Wildtrak, XLT and XL, in double cab and supercab, wellside and cab chassis, four and two-wheel-drive formats. A 2.2-litre diesel engine is available to order. Price will be competitive, Ford says.

What we sayStrong looks outside and in, with nice fit and finish touches for a smart cabin that still feels tough and includes a glovebox which will swallow a laptop; a capacious load tray that comes standard with six tie-down points each capable of 750kg strain; and generous specifications including Bluetooth with voice control, cruise control with steering-wheel-mounted buttons and air-con as standard on all variants, plus 17-inch alloy wheels and rear park sensors from XLT up; plus rear accommodation that rivals the best. Ranger is hard to fault.

On the roadAnd it gets better, for it is impressive both on and off-tarmac. A full day spent throwing it around narrow switchback hill roads proved just how assured this 4x4 is on seal. Ride is compliant and controlled, the steering nicely weighted and as precise as you'll find in what is, after all, an off-road truck. And though it handles well empty, it just got better with a 750kg load in the tray, while the hefty torque from low revs and a great engine-gearbox mating will be appreciated in the rough.

Why you'll buy one?It tows 3350kg, wades to 80mm, and delivers an engine best appreciated in hard, slow, low-range work, plus competitive off-road skills and one of the best cabins in the bracket.

Why you won't?At 91mm longer, 15mm wider and considerably heavier than a Hilux, it's too big for some New Zealand conditions.