White Van Man Reviews: Ford Ranger
The poster boy for American pick-ups has faced some stiff competition from the east in recent years, but the new Ford Ranger is once again ready to flex its muscles in a competitive market here in old Blighty. The Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200 have all delivered on their Eastern promise and Volkswagen has even got in on the act with the Amarok.
Now it’s time for the Ranger to ride again and there are certainly some marked improvements in this latest model. A greater level of comfort and style have been added to the renowned practicality of the Ranger. You’ll also be put at ease by the amazing quotes you can get for cheap van insurance on a vehicle like this – if you know where to look… (hmm, now where do you think that might be?)
No matter which version you go for, you certainly won’t be lacking in power. The Ford Ranger comes in a 2.2-litre 150hp Duratorq TDCi or 3.2-litre 200hp Duratorq TDCi with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic transmission. Ford are also releasing 125bhp engine in the future.
The 2.2 litre version comes with a 1150kg payload and an unrivalled towing capacity of 3350kg. On road, the drive can be a little bit bumpy, but with a bit more of a load onboard (or a fat bas*ard driver like myself!), you’ll get a smoother ride.
The Ford Ranger loves a rocky road ahead
The Ranger really comes into its own on rockier ground, standing up well to every bump, not that you would feel it tucked away in splendid isolation in the double cab. The Wildtrak version is the one particularly aimed at adventurous off-roaders.
Quick-running waters, boulder-filled beds and greasy, steep climbs are all treated with contempt by this hulking pick-up. It even manages to get over the pot holes outside my house with relative ease (if anybody from the bloody useless council is reading, please get it sorted – its like living in Afghanistan down my road!)
Ford have also taken care to protect parts of the van such as the fuel tank which is tucked neatly away further up in the frame to protect it from rocks and other bumpy surfaces.
The engine and radiator are also protected with added casing and covers. Of course, if you are in the habit of using your Ford Ranger to take part in extreme activities, it’s best to factor that in when comparing van insurance quotes.
The steering has been engineered to give the driver more a car-like driving experience and the smooth and well spaced gear changes support the light steering.
The 2.2 litre version delivers a fair amount of power, but for a real bit of poke, the 200bhp from the 3.2l edition is where it’s at. Smooth and easy overtaking manoeuvres, especially from the automatic transmission is a welcome feature.
Creature Comforts
Ford have also taken steps to reduce the noise levels in the cab which is otherwise unspectacular. Suspension has been tightened up from previous Ranger models and noise levels have been cut by 22% throughout the double cab.
Seats are comfortable and come in tasteful cloth trim or leather in the Limited and Wildtrak editions. They are manually adjustable and the steering column can also be adjusted to suit your reach and height.
The interior does boast a host of separate storage compartments, including a ‘kangaroo pouch’ under the central console. The sloped surface also stops your bits and bobs sliding all over the place, especially when you’re taking the Ranger off road.
The interior comfort is further enhanced with manual air-conditioning which comes as standard on XLT models. The Wildtrak comes with sat-nav and a handy rearview parking camera. However, to get this as standard on other models, it will cost you an extra £750.
There are two 12V power sockets in the front the XLT and another in the back of the Wildtrak and Limited editions.
There are all the usual entertainment gadgets with a radio/CD player which is also set up for MP3 players and has Bluetooth and USB connections. This can all be operated with remote audio controls and steering wheel controls and the six speakers give you a great sound. You can also operate the cruise control from the steering wheel controls.
Safe and secure
The Ford Ranger may be all about adventure, but they haven’t sacrificed safety and an NCAP five-star crash rating, the first received by any pick-up, will give you peace of mind, not to mention improve your chances of getting a quote for cheap van insurance. The passenger cab is reinforced with high strength steel to ensure that the impact of any crash isn’t felt by the driver or passengers.
There are four separate specifications for the new Ranger, with Ford careful to make sure there’s something for everybody. The standard XL and XLT are expect to have the widest appeal and Ford hope they are going to be a hit in the fleet market.
The Limited is intended, as much as a pick-up can be, for city use and is aimed at the more sophisticated end of the market. The Wildtrak is everything it sounds like with the off-road adventurer and those keen on outdoor activities uppermost in the minds of the manufacturers.
Prices start at £19,300 for the double-cab XLT, which is slight higher than other models in the class, such as the VW Amarok or the Nissan Navara. The single cab will set you back £14,750 before tax while if you want to go the whole hog and splash out, in more ways than one, on the double cab Wildtrak 3.2 200hp auto, you’ll have to part with the best part of £25,000.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that you’ll want to find the best deal on van insurance.
Well you’ve come to the right place and we’ll provide you with most competitive quotes on the market. You can get an online quote or call our friendly UK-based team for an even cheaper price.