2025 Ford Ranger assessment | CarExpert

Greater than two years on from its debut, the present Ford Ranger continues to be the dual-cab ute king.

Not solely was it the best-selling automobile bar none in Australia in 2023, it’s sitting atop the VFACTS gross sales for 2024 forward of the Toyota HiLux.

Except for just a few changes to its gear checklist, the introduction of some special-editions, and the requisite worth rises since its debut, little or no in regards to the Blue Oval’s best-seller has modified.

However outdoors of Ford’s 4 partitions, the ute market has advanced quick. On the backside finish, the trickle of inexpensive Chinese language utes coming to chop the bottom mannequin’s lunch has change into a flood.

On the high finish, Toyota has rolled out mild-hybrid know-how for the HiLux, Isuzu has overhauled the D-Max, and BYD is coming with the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 to essentially shake issues up.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the 2023 Ford Ranger XLT V6

The Ranger may be the highest canine for now, however there are many rivals gunning for its crown. We’ve hopped again into the XLT V6 to see if it’s nonetheless bought what it takes.

How does the Ford Ranger examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Ford Ranger in opposition to equally sized autos.

Ford

Ranger

How a lot does the Ford Ranger value?

We hope you’re sitting someplace comfy, as a result of it is a huge lineup due to an enormous mixture of drivetrains, physique kinds, and trim selections.

Ranger XL

Ranger Black Version

Ranger XLS

Ranger XLT

Ranger Sport

Ranger Tremor

Ranger Wildtrak

Ranger Platinum

Ranger Raptor

To see how the Ford Ranger compares to its rivals, try our comparability software

What’s the Ford Ranger like on the within?

Greater than two years after its debut, the Ranger continues to be probably the most trendy dual-cab ute available on the market… not less than earlier than you begin taking a look at greater, considerably costlier American pickups.

With a tilting and telescoping wheel, well-padded seats that accomodate tall drivers, and loads of storage up entrance, it’s nonetheless the perfect ute on the market when you’re planning to spend lengthy stints on the freeway.

Even with out the leather-based trim, heated seats, and fancy stitching of the Wildtrak, it’s a top quality place to spend time.

Though the XLT solely will get a 10-inch show as an alternative of the 12-inch touchscreen within the Wildtrak, it’s nonetheless greater and higher than what’s on provide in a HiLux or D-Max. Ford has polished the software program since launch, with new icons and colors that debuted within the Ranger Platinum.

The menu construction is logical, and the quantity of display actual property means key info isn’t buried. It’s doable to have your mapping, radio preferences, and local weather particulars on show , for instance. In contrast to earlier examples, there isn’t a awkward lagging or stuttering between screens right here.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay linked flawlessly for us, however on longer journeys we used USB-C to protect cellphone battery. 

The digital instrument cluster is sort of primary; solely the Ranger Raptor and Platinum get a totally featured 12-inch setup. It reveals your velocity, revs, and journey info, however can’t be arrange with mapping for instance.

FordPass Join is commonplace on the Ranger, and permits house owners to lock or unlock and remotely begin their automobile, discover their automobile, examine their gasoline degree, activate the outside lighting, and even examine the symptoms in your trailer are working.

It appears like Ford has actually considered easy methods to value-add with its app within the Ranger, moderately than simply translating passenger automobile know-how right into a automobile with a unique set of targets.

Cupboard space across the cabin is plentiful. The central bin is deep, the door pockets have loads of room, there are two cupholders on the transmission tunnel, and the slot beneath the dashboard is big. The slot forward of the gear selector is ideal for a big McDonald’s fries.

You don’t get the neat pop-out cupholders on every finish of the dashboard, nor the additional pop-up glovebox atop the sprint from the Wildtrak.

Rear seat area is high quality, however doesn’t really feel like a lot of a step on from what was beforehand on provide.

Legroom and headroom are each acceptable, and the bench is broad sufficient that three tradies will be capable to journey on brief journeys with out eager to kill one another afterwards.

The inclusion of air vents is sweet, though the actual fact Ford has fitted a 12V slot however no USB ports on the rear of the centre console looks like a missed alternative.

The 12V is flexible in terms of equipment, however you’ll have to plug in a dongle to cost iPads again there.

Together with the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether baby seat factors, the Ranger encompasses a fold-down central armrest, damped rear seize handles, and storage bins beneath the seat bases.

Twin-cab Ranger fashions have a wider tub than earlier than, billed as ample to flat-stow a 1200mm x 800mm pallet.

It’s less complicated to entry, with sturdy field steps fitted simply behind the tyres. At 100kg, my weight didn’t make them flex.

The counterbalanced tailgate (with mounting factors for vices and even a pre-drawn ruler) will be lifted with a finger, there are six tie-down hoops within the mattress, and the field sides have structural attachment factors for canopies pre-fitted.

To see how the Ford Ranger compares to its rivals, try our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

Though you’ll be able to have your Ranger with a less expensive, much less highly effective Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, our tester was fitted with the V6. Together with extra energy, it brings a extra subtle four-wheel drive system that may be operated on sealed surfaces.

To see how the Ford Ranger compares to its rivals, try our comparability software

How does the Ford Ranger drive?

In case you’re driving to and from work in your Ranger with out ever actually testing its payload or towing capability, you most likely don’t want the V6 engine… however that doesn’t imply you received’t need it.

The engine (dubbed Lion) traces its roots to Land Rover, and a model of it featured within the Ford Territory diesel. It was new to the Ranger at launch, however an iteration has additionally appeared within the full-sized F-150 pickup offered within the USA.

The additional torque on provide is instantly noticeable, taking part in out with a satisfying surge of efficiency from under 2000rpm whenever you lean on the throttle and robust in-gear response at freeway speeds. If you need extra punch it’s clear there’s a a lot increased ceiling on what the V6 can do.

In our drag races, towing assessments, and off-roading assessments, the additional torque makes a significant distinction relative to the Bi-Turbo. The easy really feel it gives is opulent within the context of the dual-cab ute market.

Past the additional punch on provide, the V6 units itself aside with correct full-time four-wheel drive. Slightly than the part-time four-wheel drive system within the Bi-Turbo, which shouldn’t be pushed in 4×4 on sealed roads, the system within the V6 can be utilized on a regular basis.

You’ll be able to set it in 4A and overlook it for regular driving, then take pleasure in all-wheel drive traction in moist circumstances with out the danger of your differentials binding.

Utes on all-terrain tyres are notoriously skittish on moist tarmac, so the added safety of a full-time four-wheel drive system brings advantages in a variety of circumstances.

There are limitations to a ladder-frame automobile relative to a monocoque in terms of trip consolation and not using a load within the tray.

At launch, Ford talked about making the automobile’s monitor 50mm wider and transferring the dampers outboard to chop down on hopping when the tray is empty. Greater than two years on from launch, the Ranger stays one of many comfier utes to drive on the street.

You don’t get the sense the tail is wagging whenever you hit bumps at velocity, and occupants aren’t jiggled round relentlessly.

It’s rock-solid over the type of washboard gravel roads prevalent in distant elements of Australia, and does a superb job of absorbing the type of pitted streets widespread within the much less distant bits. On coarse-chip roads it’s impressively hushed within the cabin, too.

The Ranger can’t escape its ladder-frame chassis and payload carrying functionality solely, although. It’s busier than the associated Everest 4×4 on the freeway, for instance, and by no means settles solely the place SUVs will.

In case you want a tray on the again of your automobile it’s a superb alternative, however utes nonetheless aren’t in a position to match non-commercial autos for consolation.

Like its predecessor, the brand new Ranger options mild steering and respectable all-round visibility. It’s one of many best utes to pilot on the town, and the electrical energy steering system feels extra direct than earlier than.

Within the previous mannequin you wanted to twirl, twirl, after which twirl the wheel some extra at low speeds; the brand new mannequin requires smaller inputs.

The sleek idle begin/cease system makes a distinction within the metropolis, though loads of house owners will little question flip it off instantly.

It’s value noting the reversing digicam is a magnet for mud and spray, so it’s value carrying a material within the cabin when you depend on it and frequent mucky roads.

The Isuzu D-Max was the primary ute to essentially put a full suite of driver assists entrance and centre, however the Ranger’s programs are higher calibrated. The lane-keeping help retains you between the white strains on the freeway and holds the automobile properly in its lane in tough circumstances.

Our expertise with the Ranger off-road has confirmed it’s an idiot-proof approach to enter the wilderness.

Any inputs to the off-road dials on the transmission tunnel deliver clear, brilliant animations on the instrument cluster or central display to maintain much less skilled drivers abreast of what’s taking place, and the four-wheel drive system switches modes shortly.

Hill descent management retains an iron grip in your momentum and doesn’t grind or graunch like older programs, both.

As for towing? The Ranger Wildtrak V6 was easy with the two.5-tonne trailer we utilized in our Mega Take a look at, run in its Tow/Haul driveline mode, which holds decrease gears longer.

Regardless of having 10 speeds, the transmission’s ratios felt well-spaced, and it pulled up the ascent with no hesitation, gaining velocity all the way in which.

The Australian-tuned trip high quality over undulations proved to be higher than common with solely a touch of bounciness, ditto the engine braking from the diesel – though the buttons on the gear shifter for guide adjustments are annoying. Paddles could be a greater choice.

To see how the Ford Ranger compares to its rivals, try our comparability software

What do you get?

Ranger XL commonplace gear:

• 16-inch metal wheels
• All-season tyres
• 16-inch metal spare wheel
• Entrance disc and rear drum brakes
• Heavy-duty suspension
• Black grille
• Halogen headlights
• Halogen daytime operating lights
• LED central high-mounted tail mild
• LED tail lights (pickup solely)
• Tailgate with raise help (pickup solely)
• Built-in tailgate step (pickup solely)
• 10.1-inch Sync4 portrait touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Embedded modem
• Distant begin by way of FordPass app
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Ebony material upholstery
• 8-way guide driver seat
• 4-way guide entrance passenger seat
• Vinyl ground protecting
• Energy rear home windows (double cab solely)
• Single-zone local weather management
• Electronically locking rear differential (4×4 fashions solely)
• Typical gear selector
• Mechanical handbrake

Black Version provides:

• Black sports activities bar
• Drop-in mattress liner with 12V socket
• Asphalt Black 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Black aspect steps
• Asphalt Black grille with Bolder Gray inserts

Ranger XLS provides:

• 16-inch Darkish Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
• Black aspect steps
• Halogen entrance fog lights
• Black grille with silver accents
• Carpet flooring
• Driver ground mat
• Entrance parking sensors
• Drive mode choice
• Tow bar
• Trailer mild examine
• Built-in trailer brake controller
• Prolonged blind-spot monitoring with trailer protection
• Physique-colour door handles
• 6-speaker sound system
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear seat air vents
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio

Ranger XLT provides:

• 17-inch Darkish Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
• 17-inch metal spare wheel
• Rear disc brakes
• Digital handbrake
• Leather-based-wrapped ‘e-Shifter’ gear selector
• 4×2 locking rear axle
• Entrance grille with chrome central bar
• LED headlights
• C-shaped LED daytime operating lights
• Entrance-mounted tow hook
• Black sports activities bar (pickup solely)
• Rear tub illumination (pickup solely)
• Bedliner with 12V socket (pickup solely)
• Spray-in bedliner with 12V socket (tremendous cab solely)
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Electrochromatic mirror
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Adaptive cruise management with lane-centring and cease/go

Is the Ford Ranger protected?

All variants of the Ford Ranger other than the flagship Raptor have a five-star ANCAP security ranking.

Normal security gear throughout the lineup consists of:

• 9 airbags
  • incl. driver, passenger knee airbags
  • incl. front-centre airbag
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Automotive, Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
  • Junction help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot help
• Rear cross-traffic alert (pickup)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Highway edge detection
• Reversing digicam (pickup)
• Rear parking sensors (pickup)
• Trailer Protection (with elective Tow Pack)

Ranger XLT provides:

• Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
• Blind-spot monitoring incl. Trailer Protection
• Lane centring help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Tyre strain monitoring

The elective Touring Pack provides a surround-view digicam, whereas stepping as much as the Wildtrak and above provides the Energetic Park Help 2.0 system.

How a lot does the Ford Ranger value to run?

To see how the Ford Ranger compares to its rivals, try our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Ford Ranger

Though its rivals have all moved ahead because it launched, the mid-range XLT – which isn’t notably mid-range in worth if we’re being truthful – simply will get a lot proper.

It’s good to drive unladen, tows like a champion, and is succesful and approachable off the overwhelmed monitor. Throw in a contemporary inside, and Ford continues to be onto a winner.

Do you want the V6? Our testing has proven it’s value spending the additional cash when you’re planning to push deep into the automobile’s towing capability, or the power to make use of 4A mode on sealed roads is effective to you.

As for a way the XLT sits within the lineup? It’s all of the Ranger you really want, given it packs a full checklist of energetic security options and sufficient creature comforts inside.

Curious about shopping for a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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