Ford Ranger XLT
Admittedly I’m no expert when it comes to trucks, or bakkies – as us South Africans like to call them – mainly because I used to feel they had no place outside of a construction site. However there’s something special about the new Ford Ranger that gives me the impression I’ve just tested a pivotal vehicle in the motor industry.
Saying something that positive about a vehicle in a market traditionally dominated by the Toyota Hilux must mean this Ford is one heck of a car. So, what is it that makes the new Ranger the benchmark in this competitive segment?
Put simply, everything about it is class leading; looks to kill, a 3.2-litre turbo diesel with enough torque to move planets, refined and comfortable tarmac driving, excellent off-road performance, spacious cabin, an immense tow rating and one of the biggest bins in the class.
The designers call the Ranger’s styling “21st Century Tough”. Whatever it’s called they definitely hit the mark. The taut and muscular body looks equally at home on a construction site or outside a trendy Durban North bar. Ford has adopted the American motto of bigger is better with larger headlamps, bigger mirrors and that signature three-bar grille – all of which contribute to an imposing, aggressive front end.
While they made a statement with the exterior appearance, Ford took a more mature and forward thinking approach on the inside of the Ranger. The cabin is thoughtful in design, built tough to withstand the requirements of a work vehicle, yet comfortable and quiet enough that it might pass as a mid-range sedan.
Much like most mid-range sedans the Ranger boasts a fair bit of technology under the skin, such as Bluetooth, USB and iPod integration and voice control over the radio, CD, iPod and mobile phone.
Thanks to some clever engineering the Ranger delivers best-in-class rear leg room and knee clearance. Three adults 
can easily fit in the second row while two six-foot adults can comfortably sit one behind the other. There’s tons of storage too, with 23 storage bins of various shapes and sizes on offer – the biggest of which is the centre console bin that can house up to six cans of beverage.
Powering this brutish beast is a new 3.2-litre Duratorq five-cylinder turbo diesel engine with what Ford terms a ‘substantial’ 470Nm of torque – which must go down as the understatement of the year – and power output of 147kW. Delivering this colossal grunt to the road is a six-speed manual gearbox. For everyday use I abandoned first gear, which is really there for people who live at the bottom of a ravine, and pulled off in second instead. From there on the gearbox is slick and easy to operate.
Admittedly the driving experience is still somewhat bakkie-like. The suspension is set for a one ton load so you do tend to feel most bumps and ruts shudder up through the spine, but that goes with the territory. Road holding is adequate and there is a decent amount of feedback offered from the nicely weighted steering.
Off-road one can definitely sense the exceptional lengths Ford engineers went to in order to ensure it can stand up to the toughest challenge. When the going gets rough there is the option of switching to low range, electronically locking the rear differential, engaging hill decent control or utilising the 800mm wade depth depending on the obstacle in front of you.
One thing for sure is that you will most likely overcome anything the outdoors can throw your way. While other manufacturers produce brilliant trucks for certain situations, what Ford has created with the Ranger is a vehicle that can be used in all situations, all the time, without compromise – and that makes it the new benchmark.
Price: R374,474
Engine: 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi five-cylinder
Power: 147kW
Torque: 470Nm
Fuel consumption: 9.2l/100km (claimed)
Miles Downard
First published in Autodealer KZN – 10 February 2012