The Next-Gen Ford Ranger pickup is a capable workhorse, for those with go-anywhere aspirations. It is also surprisingly well equipped!

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Photos: Clifford Chow

SINGAPORE

You’d be quite forgiven to think that the new Ford Ranger is a modern, well-equipped current-day passenger car, if you were to go through its extensive list of equipment. Well, saying that this is an entirely new truck is not entirely true. The fifth-generation vehicle shares major componentry with the previous car, including an updated version of its T6 underpinnings.

But when comparing the new Ranger to the previous pick-up, most would point out that it is visually a different animal. Over here, its design language sees a “fuller” front-end, supported by C-shaped DRLs; the styling which is in-line with the blue oval’s North American market trucks and SUVs. I would also say that compared to the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200, it is the best-looking of the three.

Within the cabin, you will be greeted by a fair share of scratchy, almost cheap hard plastics, which is common with commercial vehicles. However, I like that Ford had put in some effort to texturise various hard surfaces, while common touch points feel like they are built to last. I appreciate that there is also a car-like quality about the interior.

For its occupants, the new truck presents a huge leap in terms of technology. I start with the infotainment unit, where the Singapore-spec Ranger gets the upgraded vertical 12-inch screen over the 10.1-inch unit as standard equipment. While the interface may not be the easiest to navigate, it does feature voice activation, which function much like those on BMWs or Mercedes-Benz cars. However, it recognises significantly less commands. 

The infotainment system also pairs wirelessly to both Apple and Android phones. To ensure that mobile devices stay charged, it is also equipped with a wireless charging pad at the base of the dashboard, alongside USB A and C ports. Other modern touches include an 8-inch digital driver display, and 2H, 4H and 4L mode buttons, nestled within a drive selector ring.

An innovation also worth mentioning, is the Zone Lighting feature, which gives you individual control of the headlamps, puddle lamps and the rear licence plate lighting (and optionally the cargo box lights). This adds to the truck’s versatility, since you can illuminate areas around the vehicle – great when making sure you can see while pitching your tent on a moonless night (that is if you can find a way of getting that truck into your camp ground in Singapore), to inspecting something at a work site in the evening.

There is also some forward thinking going on, as Ford has pre-wired the Ranger, making it an easier job to install aftermarket add-ons. The wiring is matched to six auxiliary Upfitter Switches, which are located within the overhead console.

The Ranger is only available here with one engine – a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel, putting out 168hp and 405Nm. A different version of the 2.0 goes on to power the Ranger Raptor, producing 206hp and 500Nm. The regular Ranger’s engine is mated to a ZF6HP-derived 6-speed automatic, which goes on to drive the vehicle in high and low range 4WD modes, and in RWD. As maximum twist happens at 1,750rpm, the Ranger does lag behind a little in start-stop driving situations. However, in most other conditions on and off-road, the small diesel engine performs adequately.

When cruising at highway speeds, that rear heavy duty leaf spring setup feels somewhat distant from the decently-insulated interior. Bumps at higher speeds come through as a far-away “thunk”. The Ranger’s car-like qualities provide me with a sense of on-road confidence. There are times where I forget, and enter a turn at speeds normal to a car, only to have the front tires roar in protest; but the Ford pick-up feels forgiving enough, not to induce anything that sounds like “ship in fence”.

The Ranger feels quite at home even off the road. Its 4WD system (in either High or Low mode) engages seamlessly with a push of the selector button. To ensure that tyre slip is well-managed, the drive mode selector wheel allows you to “tell” the pick-up, what sort of terrain you are treading on. To further help with your off-roading progress, the Ranger’s 360-degree camera provides you with a top-down view of your surroundings, further bolstering driver confidence when off-roading. The camera also reduces the number of times someone might need to exit the vehicle to scout ahead.

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For auto journalists like us, the Ford Ranger is quite a novelty to drive, since most of the time, we would be gushing over things like comfort, zero-to-one-hundreds, hand-stitched leather, or even fuss over minor things like shutline gap consistency. 

However, the Ranger will not come cheap. It retails at $129,888 before adding on the (accurate at time of writing this) almost $83,000 Commercial Vehicle COE. But I must say that Ford’s small pick-up is far from being a novelty. It is a well-sorted and capable truck for those who need a workhorse for leisure.

Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo 4X4 Double Cab

Engine	1,996cc, turbocharged diesel in-line 4
Power	168hp at 3500rpm
Torque	405Nm at 1,750-2,500rpm
Gearbox	6-speed automatic
0-100km/h	12.1 seconds
Top Speed	180km/h
Fuel Efficiency	9.4L/100km
CVES Band / CO2	C  /  247g/km
Agent	Regent Motors
Price	$129,888 without COE
Availability	Now
Verdict	Loaded with tech which could put some luxury cars to shame, the Ford Ranger checks many boxes

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