Sector: Pick-up Price: €23,400–€37,675 Fuel: 6.5–8.9l/100km CO2: 171–234g/km

Ford unwrapped the face-lifted Ranger pickup at the Frankfurt Show in September 2015. There were no surprises in that it retains three body styles – double-cab, extended single cab (Super Cab) and single cab.

The latest Ranger is distinguished by its new trapezoidal grille and if you opt for the range-topping Wildtrak, there’s a vibrant shade of orange paint too.

Much of the detailed changes are out of sight. Firstly there are revisions to the engine range. Replacing the 125hp and 150hp variants of the Ford 2.2-litre diesel are versions revised for Euro-6 emissions limits. 130hp and 160hp variants replace the outgoing engines, which are available with automatic Stop/Start.

This combined with a switch to electric power steering and new final drive ratios has helped to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Ford quotes 171g/km and 6.5l/100km combined for the 160hp 4×4 model equipped with a 3.15:1 final drive ratio.

4×2 and 4×4 variants are available, but check your local specification for availability. Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are available, but only with the more powerful engines. This means the 160hp variant as well as the range topping 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel that has been part of the Ranger line-up since the 2011 launch. This engine produces 200hp and 470Nm of torque and if you opt for the Wildtrak, it’s the only engine option. Wildtrak comes with a long list of equipment including the 18-inch alloys, ‘sports hoop’ and 8-inch colour touchscreen display in the cab.

Although the Ford Transit van, which is also powered by this engine, will get a new 2.0-litre engine for Euro 6, the Ranger will stay with the 2.2-litre engine. It’s not likely to get 2.0-litre power until a new model is launched, which could be five or six years away yet.

The new 160hp engine delivers 385Nm of torque between 1,500 and 2,500rpm helping to make the Ranger more competitive with new rivals such as the Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan NP300 Navara. I drove both manual and automatic versions. The automatic offers smooth shifts, more so once the transmission oil has warmed up and would be an appealing choice for those who use pickups to tow regularly. If you do and you need a high towing weight capacity, you will need to opt for either the 3.55:1 or 3.73:1 drive ratio to take advantage of the 3,500kg maximum towing weight. The 3.15:1 ratio axle limits towing weight to 1,800kg, which could be enough for many users. Trailer sway control is an option, which would be particularly useful for high towing weights.

The Ranger is a capable off-road vehicle too and would suit farming, forestry or construction users. Hill launch assist and hill descent control make driving on steep slippery surfaces drama-free. It’s also equally at home on road, capable of cruising comfortably at motorway speeds.

Ranger is now available with a range of driver assistance systems from Lane keeping Alert and Aid, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera.

Verdict:

Reduced fuel consumption and revised engines give more appeal. The comprehensive range of options make it one of the best all-rounders in the pickup sector.