It’s been a very long time coming. So long that I’m almost shaking at the thought of writing this First Impressions piece on the new Ford Ranger. As intimidating as it may seem, we jetted off to Cape Town as guests of Ford South Africa to sample the new Ranger. let’s get right into unpacking my experience of this much loved bakkie.
The new generation Ford Ranger is a mid-size bakkie that is designed to meet the needs of both urban and rural drivers. With its brand new rugged and durable construction, advanced technology, and powerful performance, the Ranger is a versatile vehicle that can handle a wide range of tasks and activities.
One of the first things that you will notice about the new Ranger is its striking and aggressive design. The front of the truck has been completely redesigned and now features a bold grille and sleek headlights that give it a bold and imposing look. Those C-shaped daytime LED lights are a looker, even from your reverse mirror. The body of the truck is also designed to be aerodynamic, which helps to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency. I couldn’t help but notice how much bigger the shoulders of the vehicle have grown, compared to the outgoing model.
Under the bonnet, the Ranger is powered by a choice of either a 2.0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo in-line four-cylinder diesel engines as well as Ford’s proven 3.0L V6 turbodiesel. The latter, only found in the Wildtrak derivative, is a powerful engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which helps to provide smooth and responsive acceleration. Its certainly a favourite. But if we’re being honest, you’d be perfectly fine off with the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine. Trust me.
The Ranger also comes with a variety of advanced driver assistance features, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera.
There’s also a variety of advanced technology features that make it one of the most connected and convenient bakkies on the market. It comes with Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment system, which allows you to easily control your audio, navigation, ventilation and other features using voice commands. All mated to a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display. It’s super clear and responds quickly to the touch. A needed improvement compared to the outgoing model. As with all Ford models of late, there’s support for FordPass too. FordPass enhances the ownership experience with features like remote start, vehicle status check and health alerts, digital owner’s manual and remote lock and unlock functions via your mobile device.
If we’re being honest, you’d be perfectly fine with the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo engine.
When it comes to cargo and towing capacity, the Ranger is one of the most capable bakkies in its class. The Ranger can tow up to 3500 kg when properly equipped. The Ranger also comes with a variety of bed and cargo management features, such as a bed liner and a built-in cargo management system. Circling back to towing, the Ranger has a Tow Haul drive mode for use whilst towing or carrying heavy loads. It optimises gear shift timing to maintain best power delivery and engine braking and reduced shift busyness.
As is the norm, the Ranger also comes with a variety of off-road features that make it well-suited for those off-road adventures. The bakkie comes with a 4×4 drivetrain and a variety of off-road modes, such as mud, sand, and rock. The Ranger also comes with a variety of suspension and tyre options, which allow you to customize your bakkie to meet your specific off-road needs.
With a growing list of over 200 factory-backed adventure, urban and commercial accessories, you will be able to personalise the Rangers to suit your unique lifestyle.
Overall, the new generation Ford Ranger is a versatile and capable bakkie that is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of drivers. With its rugged and durable construction, advanced technology, and powerful performance, the Ranger is a bakkie that can handle a wide range of tasks and activities. Whether you are looking for a truck for work or for play, the Ranger is a great choice.
Pricing for the new Ford Ranger starts at R486 600. But if you’re eyeing the Double Cab Wildtrak with the V6 engine, that will set you back R953 500.
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