SECTOR Pickup  PRICE €18,246 – €30,190 (approx)  FUEL 8.6 – 10.6l/100km  CO2 219 – 281g/km

Ford launched the Ranger towards the end of last year and it became the first pickup to be awarded a five-star EuroNCAP rating, scoring 89% for overall safety.

Side curtain airbags are standard on all

European Rangers, as are side airbags, three-point seatbelts for all five seats and ESP electronic stability control.

Like the outgoing model, the Ranger is available with three body styles, single cab (Regular), extended cab (Super) and double cab. Two-wheel drive Regular and Super cab models are available, while all double cabs feature four-wheel-drive.

Ford offers two engine options. Most

customers are expected to opt for the 2.2-litre 150hp diesel, derived from the Euro5 Transit engine range. This is available with both 4×2 and 4×4 models. Ford quotes combined fuel consumption of 8.6l/100km (228g/km CO2) for 4×4 models and 8.3l/100km (219g/km CO2) for 4×2 models. For models with the six-speed automatic transmission, Ford quotes 12.5l/100km (264g/km of CO2). Ford is also offering the five-cylinder 200hp common-rail diesel, first seen in the Transit, but dropped from the Euro5 Transit engine line-up. The 200hp engine is only available in double-cab models and Ford quotes combined fuel consumption of 9.9l/100km (264g/km of CO2) for manual models. There is also a 125hp variant of the 2.2-litre diesel reserved for single cab models with both 4×2 and 4×4 drive.

The variety of engine, body and drive configurations gives the Ranger a gross

payload between 1,117kg for the 3.2-litre double cab automatic and 1,309kg for

the 2.2-litre single cab 4×4 model. The maximum permissible towing weight for 4×2 models is 2,500kg and 3,350kg for 4×4 models – greater than any rival.

The load area is 1,544mm wide with 1,139mm between the wheel arches and sides are 511mm deep. Bed length measurements are 2,317mm for Regular cab models, 1,847mm for Super cab models and 1,560mm for double cabs.

It’s a larger and altogether more accomplished pick-up than the Mazda-based predecessor, with a cabin that offers comfort and equipment much more like a car. Most buyers will opt for the Transit-based 2.2-litre 150hp diesel, which offers the best performance/economy compromise. The obvious comparison is with the VW Amarok and the VW probably offers better engine refinement, but the Ranger’s slightly gruffer engine note is quite in keeping with a pickup truck. There is better refinement from the 3.2-litre engine but the rising cost of fuel and the higher fuel consumption will keep sales low.

We sampled the Ranger both on and off road and arguably Ford has drawn on its ownership of Land Rover to deliver a highly competent off-roader. The load sensing ESP includes hill descent control and trailer sway mitigation among other features. Specification may vary according to market. Such control makes off-road driving very simple, even for drivers with little experience, because the system will stop the vehicle from running away downhill when going either forwards or backwards.

On-road, the Ranger proved to be equally competent. The ride is firmer than the Amarok but good by pickup standards, running unladen. The engine has plenty of torque, making the Ranger suitable for towing or demanding off-road use and it can cruise comfortably at highway speeds. The six-speed automatic gearbox is available with both 150hp and 200hp engines and could be a good choice for towing.

Verdict

The Ranger offers the practicality of a pickup truck, with impressive on and off-road ability. The range of models available should suit leisure and work users equally well.