Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0 TD EcoBlue 205
Price: Ranger from £
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: 10-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power: 205hp
Torque: 500Nm
Emissions: 230g/km
Economy/Range: 32.1mpg
0-62mph: 10.5 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Styling
It’s immediately obvious that the new Ford Ranger is a much more modern thing than its predecessor. The design is slightly cleaner than before, but a little more chunky, giving it this rugged yet up-to-date feel. In the Wildtrak version tested here, the rugged accoutrements – the side steps, dark front end and the sports bar – it actually looks a little bit Raptor-ish. Until you park it next to an actual Raptor, that is… Either way, it’s a looker, and a vast improvement on its solid but slightly less sophisticated predecessor.
Interior
Perhaps predictably, the all-new Ranger comes with an all-new cabin that also brings the vehicle closer to passenger-carrying 4x4s in terms of style and refinement. Like the bodywork, it still looks chunky and rugged – there are big air vents and a bulky steering wheel – but it’s more tech-heavy than the interior of the old Ranger.
The most prominent feature is the new portrait-orientated touchscreen, which uses Ford’s latest software and looks pretty smart. It’s certainly a massive upgrade compared with the screens found in the old Ranger. The digital instrument display is solid, too, despite having a slightly fussy display and some confusing layouts. Nevertheless, all the information is there and it’s a more modern presentation than the dials found in the last-generation Ranger.
Quality has largely improved, too, with better materials on the dashboard and steering wheel, as well as a more premium fit and finish for the dash. There are a few notable exceptions, however, including the cheap-feeling rotary controls for volume and climate control, and the hidden door handles, which lurk inside the door card arm rests. It’s a pity that they’re such regularly used touch points, but even they can’t detract from an interior that’s more premium and better built than before.
Practicality
Practicality takes on a slightly different meaning in pick-up trucks, which aren't really judged in terms of boot space, but the Ranger's cabin offers all the utility and space you expect from a family SUV. There's plenty of space in the back (assuming you choose the four-door Double Cab versions) and there's enough storage for most customers' needs.
Naturally, there's a massive load bed at the back, rather than a boot, and that limits the Ranger in some ways. Without a lid or cover on the cargo bay, it's neither water- nor thief-proof, and neither will appeal much to consumers. Some sort of cover will be a necessity, then, and with that on board, the Ranger's maximum cargo load of just over a tonne will be reduced slightly. Nevertheless, there's plenty of space back there and being separate from the cabin makes it better for carrying bikes and the like, as well as work-related cargo.
Performance
The new Ranger is available with a choice of three different engines, all of which are powered by diesel. The cheapest option is the 170hp 2.0-litre, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and selectable all-wheel drive, but customers can upgrade to the engine tested here: a more powerful 205hp version of the same engine, albeit paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Finally, there's a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 240hp and the same 10-speed auto 'box as the 2.0-litre.
For many, the 205hp engine will be more than potent enough to be going on with, offering 500Nm of torque and a fairly respectable 0-62mph time of just over 10 seconds. Perhaps more importantly, it'll burn through a gallon of diesel every 32 miles or so on the official economy test. That makes it only marginally less efficient than the 170hp engine, yet it offers a noticeable increase in power.
The V6, however, is set to be the creme de la creme, with a smoother experience and more power, with only a minor reduction in economy. However, it'll only be available on the high-end Wildtrak and Platinum versions.
Ride & Handling
The big draw of the old Ranger was the way it drove, and this new model is no different. As before, it sets the standard for handling, with faster steering than the old car, giving it a more 4x4-like response. It still feels big and a bit cumbersome – there’s no fighting physics – but this is even closer to an old-school SUV than its predecessor. It isn’t about to trouble the Qashqais and Tiguans of this world just yet, but it’s closer to more rugged things such as the Ineos Grenadier and the Toyota Land Cruiser.
And it has the off-road capability to match, with plenty of ground clearance and selectable all-wheel-drive, as well as plenty of suspension travel. With the right tyres wrapped around those wheels, it’s pretty much unstoppable on any terrain. It has the towing credentials, too, pulling trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes quite happily.
Of course, that and the ability to carry a tonne of weight in the cargo bay means the Ranger doesn’t ride brilliantly. It isn’t too uncomfortable, but with nothing in the back, it still gets a bit bouncy and jiggly at times. It’s no worse than any other pick-up, though, so we won’t criticise it too harshly, especially given the SUV-esque dynamics.
Value
New Ranger prices start at £28,275 plus VAT, but that only pays for the two-door Single Cab versions. If you want a four-door model, you're looking at £29,800 plus VAT. And the Wildtrak comes in at £39,350 plus VAT, which makes it quite expensive. That said, you get plenty of equipment, including heated front seats, two-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel, not to mention a power-adjustable driver's seat and the massive central touchscreen.
Verdict
This new Ranger has everything that made the old vehicle a hit, but now it comes with a more polished and more high-tech interior, as well as a cool new look. It has its problems, but it's smoother than before and just as competent, which puts it straight in among the best pick-ups on sale. And despite the arrival of the new Platinum model, the Wildtrak remains our pick of the Ranger line-up.
