The build-up to the all-new Ford Ranger has been a long time in the making, and that’s enough to ensure this is one of the most hotly anticipated cars in some time. It’s hard to understate just how much effort has gone into creating a segment-topping unit here, with the blue oval brand spending over five years crafting what may turn out to be the last version of this iconic ute designed and engineered down under.

There is a lot to live up to here, with the outgoing Ranger having notched up tens of thousands of sales locally, and quite the reputation in a number of overseas markets. If that’s not enough, the ute segment has become a fiercely competitive corner of the market, with names like the Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, and the best-selling Toyota HiLux.

Pricing for the new Ford Ranger starts from $35,930 plus on-road costs, and tops out at $70,190 before on-road costs. Although dearer than the outgoing model, it is accompanied by a swathe of changes, from a complete design overhaul inside the cabin, to a revision of the car’s mechanical underpinnings. Already a stalwart near the top of the sales charts, things go from strength to strength with this fan favourite.

What features are included?

A new generation car should herald big changes, and that’s exactly what’s in store here. While Ford has done away with the manual variants from its Australian line-up, there are a host of new additions in the way of standard inclusions.

The range is still categorised by three main body types - a two-seater cab chassis, four-seater super cab chassis or pick-up, or the five-seat double cab chassis or pick-up. Each is available in either a 4x2 rear-wheel drive configuration, or the four-wheel drive option that tackles tricky terrain with ease.

At the entry level is the XL variant, which sets the baseline for the Ranger’s universal kit, including nine airbags, front tow hook, digital instrument cluster, air-con, 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen system, as well as active safety features like AEB, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. In the pick-up variants you’ll find extras like cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitoring.

The XLS variant adds nice touches like carpet, side steps, alloy wheels, and fog lights. It’s followed by the mid-tier XLT, which has broader appeal thanks to LED headlights, sports bar, 17-inch alloys, keyless operation, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, traffic sign recognition, and more.

At the pointy end we have the Sport variant, offering bonuses like 18-inch alloys, off-road screen, leather upholstery, powered driver’s seat, and dual front tow hooks. But the real gem in the line-up is the top-tier Wildtrak. 

Almost in a league of its own, the Wildtrak’s exterior grille, sports bar, bumper, wheels, and side rails have all been given an exclusive touch-up. Inside the cabin you’ll find premium additions like a 360-degree camera, active park assist, heated and powered front seats, a larger 12-inch touch screen, and so forth. And that’s without considering some of the optional off-road and towing extras available.

In terms of engine choices, the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel is no more, and you now have several options. On offer are two versions of a four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine, being either a turbo six-speed auto - rated at 125kW at 3500rpm and 405Nm between 1750-2500rpm - or a bi-turbo ten-speed auto offering 154kW at 3750rpm and 500Nm between 1750-2000rpm. 

Alternatively, Ford has rolled out a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel in the XLT, Sport, and Wildtrak, mated to the aforementioned ten-speed auto gearbox. This set-up also features an electronic on-demand 4WD system fit with full-time four-wheel driving, six driving modes, and electronic rear-diff lock. This high-spec engine produces a maximum 184kW of power at 3250rpm, and 600Nm of torque at 1750-2250rpm.

It’s good news on the fuel economy front as well, with improvements over the outgoing model, and an official rating by Ford of between 7.2L/100km and 8.4L/100km across the range.

Ford knows today’s customers expect great aftersales support, and it’s pleasing to see new car buyers benefit from a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, including roadside assist. You can expect to pay $329 for the first four vehicle services across the first four years, or 60,000km.

Practicality, amenity and comfort

The beauty of the Ford Ranger has always been the fact that it can function as a dependable workhorse, a day-to-day drive for running errands, and also a weekend car fit for a family trip out of the city. That practicality remains a strong selling point.

Inside the cabin, it is largely a case of design and aesthetics being revamped, while the architecture feels consistent. So things like road visibility and interior light still feel the same, as they should. On the other hand, where Ford has invested time and money is in the overall ambience of the cabin. 

Ford has changed the seats and trim, the dashboard has been reworked entirely - now sporting a dazzling and intuitive touchscreen as the centrepiece - and it all feels fresh and exciting rather than the tired ute-like format we’re used to seeing in this segment. Connectivity is a strong point, whether it be the USB-A and USB-C ports, or the wireless charging in the Sport and Wildtrak variants, and storage across the board feels abundant.  

What we really love about the all-new Ford Ranger is the seating, which feels exceptionally comfortable. Whether you’re in the front row, or the second row, there is greater support on offer, making it among the best in a category often known to induce a little fatigue on long trips. 

Combined with lift assist for the tailgate - which now supports a cargo hold fit for a Euro palette - as well as grade-specific features like a bedliner, box caps, load-bearing aluminium side bars, tie-down rails, zone lighting, and a powered roller shutter, the Ranger’s workhorse ethic is clear from the get-go. On top of that, you have a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,500kg.

How does it drive?

The outgoing Ford Ranger was already one of the better utes on the market for driving refinement, offering a great level of poise, ride comfort, and it felt delightful to drive. Any areas where the Ranger was somewhat rusty have now well and truly been addressed. This all-new iteration feels much more smooth, and ultimately, the Aussie design influence shows up well on our local roads.

One of the principal reasons for this overall improvement is the ten-speed auto gearbox that you’ll find in the 2.0-litre bi-turbo and 3.0-litre V6 models. These units feel much more responsive to the throttle, and of course they both offer a greater deal of power as well. However, it’s not just the output here that’s noticeable, it is the efficiency with which it is delivered, with acceleration feeling controlled yet robust, and the engine no longer sounding as if it’s really struggling at the top of the tachometer. 

Another improvement that should be immediately noticeable to current Ford Ranger owners is how much more nimble this all-new version feels compared with its predecessor. It’s still working within the parameters of its limits, namely, the fact this is a ute. However, steering now feels more accurate thanks to the electric power set-up, while still maintaining a great level of assertiveness.

If power, performance, and off-road tenacity matter, there is no going past the Wildtrak, with its brawny V6 engine a clear step above the rest of the range. It extracts every bit of juice from the ten-speed gearbox, and it’s even more fuel efficient than the former top dog of the Ranger series. That translates into potent overtaking ability, and it really puts the wild in Wildtrak.

How safe is it?

Ford’s popular ute has always fared well in the safety stakes, and it is the same story here. The all-new Ranger continues where its five-star ANCAP predecessor left off. The thing is, if you were to just focus on the ratings, you might believe this next-gen model is the same as the last. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, with marked improvements on offer.

Nine airbags is the headline change, with the inclusion of a front-centre airbag to protect against lateral impact, and two knee airbags in the front as well. But the most valued item on offer is none other than the Ranger’s active safety suite. 

As we touched on earlier, the sheer number of safety aids that fit into every variant is impressive. From AEB to lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, in this day and age you shouldn’t settle for anything less. Elsewhere, parking sensors are standard, while the pick-up versions benefit from added safety in the form of blind-spot technology and rear-cross traffic alerts. 

All up, a comprehensive safety offering, and it’s great to see the love spread across the range.

Verdict

PROS: Vastly superior seating and cabin ambience, expansive active safety across the range, new V6 engine offers improved performance and dynamics

CONS: No more manual variants

It’s always a difficult task to live up to the hype when designing one of the most eagerly awaited cars on the market. Quite simply, Ford has knocked the ball out of the park here. The new Ranger is a sight to behold from the first moment, with striking looks, inside and out, and a real showstopper when it comes to practicality, occupant comfort, standard inclusions and safety, as well as driving pleasure.

Across the board, Ford has delivered a clear step up from the last-generation Ranger, and this ute deserves every bit of praise that is likely to be thrown its way. The standout improvement is the new 3.0-litre V6 engine, which is smoother and more responsive, but there are also a lot of changes to appreciate inside the cabin. If this is the last Ford Ranger designed down under, the team deserves a tip of the hat, because this feels like the best ute on the market right now.

Ford Ranger XL specifications

Body: 2-door or 4-door; 2-seat, 4-seat, or 5-seat; cab chassis, pick-up ute

Drive: RWD or 4WD

Engine: 1996cc 4-cyl, DOHC, 16v - turbo or bi-turbo

Power: 125kW @ 3500rpm

Torque: 405Nm @ 1750-2500rpm

0-100km/h: Undisclosed (est. ~10 seconds)

Fuel consumption: min. 7.2L/100km (combined)

Weight: 1789–2399kg

Transmission: Six-speed auto or ten-speed auto

Suspension: Front - MacPherson strut; Rear - Leaf-spring (standard)

Price: $35.930 (from)