Ford Ranger Review 2024

Ford has an impressive pick-up history – indeed, its best-selling model globally is a truck and not a car. Now, the DNA of the USA’s favourite vehicle, the Ford F-150, has found its way over here in the form of the latest-generation Ford Ranger. But is it any good? Read our Ford Ranger review to help you decide.

The first thing you notice about the latest Ford Ranger is its dramatic appearance – it may be a utility vehicle at heart, but it also manages to be achingly cool, its ‘hockey stick’ headlights and Ford Mustang-style grille giving it a real presence on (or off) the road.

Offered as both a single and double cab, the Ford Ranger is a credible rival to the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max, and although vastly modernised over the older model it retains its platform, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, it’s a functional, ladder-chassis 4x4 and it’s designed to haul, tow and traverse poor terrain. That means it’s not as comfortable to derive as an SUV, but as a working vehicle it’s hard to beat.

There are four models available and there’s a quite clear divide between the functional models and the leisure ones – the XL and XLT are functional and ready for work, whereas the Wildtrak and Platinum models are much more leisure-focused.

That said, if you’re a business user and want a vehicle that minimises your tax liability while still doubling up as a family car, the higher spec Rangers have a lot going for them.

All are four-wheel-drive as standard and there’s a choice of 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre EcoBlue diesels. A sporty ‘Raptor’ model with a 290PS petrol engine was also offered, but as a limited edition aimed at collectors and enthusiasts rather than professional users.

Where the Ford Ranger is most impressive is inside the cab. The lower-range models are comfortable and have well laid-out instrumentation, but from XLT upwards you can get Ford’s latest SYNC4 infotainment system, with a massive 12-inch central touchscreen.

The cabin feels car-like and the interior quality is impressive with soft-touch plastics and chunky controls, all presenting the image of a scaled-down Ford F-150. The single cab is spacious, while the double cab is comfortable enough with room for four adults.

On the road, it pulls well whatever the engine and is a fantastic tow vehicle, though the single-turbo 2.0 XL and XLT aren’t as quick as some rivals. They’re perfectly happy at motorway speeds, though, and extremely stable with a load or a trailer behind the cab. Engine noise is noticeable but not intrusive.

The 3.0 V6 diesel with its 10-speed auto is notably quicker and more refined, but as mentioned it doesn’t come cheap.

The ride quality is as you’d expect from a separate chassis pick-up truck – it’s fine on smooth roads, but when the surface gets broken it can feel a bit jiggly, with lots of bumps and vibrations transferred into the cabin. That said, it’s no worse than a Toyota Hilux in that regard.

Overall, the Ford Ranger is a highly convincing package. A great-looking truck that doesn’t compromise any of its functionality in the process and one that will present a strong image for your business.

As a working truck, the Ford Ranger has a lot going for it. The load bay is deep and vast and features a heavy-duty plastic-moulded bedliner, while there are multiple lashing points for securing loads. It’s easy to get in there, too, with neatly integrated side steps incorporated into the chunky bumper moulding.

A lift-up load bay cover is standard on all but the XL , while Ford also offers some accessory hardtops. A number of these are also available cheaper from aftermarket specialists, but are not genuine accessories.

One particularly appealing feature is Ford’s optional ‘Zone Lighting’, which can be used to illuminate both the load bay and the area around it while loading and unloading. It’s a feature that will appeal to night workers, and with the Ranger being popular with road and rail maintenance companies, it’s a big plus.

The feature will also be a massive benefit for those who tow regularly, making it much easier to hitch and unhitch at night. Given the Ford Ranger has an impressive 3.5t towing capacity – the same as a Toyota Hilux or Land Rover Defender Commercial – that’s a big plus.

Engine-wise, the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel is functional but not especially quick, with a choice of 170PS or 205PS outputs, the latter of which is only offered in the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and has twin turbochargers.

The 3.0 240PS unit is incredible and has masses of torque, but is also expensive and only offered in Platinum or Wildtrak trim levels, both with a list price of over £50,000 new. That’s nudging on luxury SUV money.

In the lower trim levels, the 2.0-litre engine is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission with a combined fuel economy figure of 33.6mpg, while the 3.0 uses a 10-speed automatic gearbox and delivers 27.7mpg.