Ford Ranger

Unlike the boring and simpleton interiors of the pick up trucks from yesteryears, the Ford Ranger convinces to change the notion with its premium appeal on the inside. The broad and dual-tone interior layout has been shared with the Ford Everest SUV sold overseas.

The four-spoke steering wheel with a cluster of buttons on both the sides feels chunky to hold, whereas the futuristic-looking part digital instrument console looks too cool for a pick up truck. The broad centre console with a large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with vertical trapezoidal AC vents on both of its sides and another trapezoidal housing for buttons of music system and climate control make it look and feel big and premium on the inside. The soft-touch dashboard with a thick piano black panel on the dashboard is something which makes the cabin feel posh.

The sliding rear window and under-seat storage compartment beneath the rear seat are features which add utility to the cabin, while features like a 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen music system, leather upholstery and push-button start are features usually found in premium SUVs.

Going by its forte of a pickup truck, the Ford Ranger has the built to last and tough appeal to it, thanks to its boxy and angular shape, which looks robust from whichever angle you look at. While the basic XL trim looks spartan, the range-topping Lariat variant definitely has a street presence to it.

At the front, the hexagonal chrome grille with two thick chrome slats at the centre looks appealing and adds some premium appeal to the front fascia. The boxy headlamps do come with projector bulbs and daytime running LEDs do go well with the rough yet modern personality of the vehicle.

While the side profile does lack the presence of prominent character lines, the bulges over wheel arches and bold alloy wheels do add to the muscular presence. The rear profile looks plain, however, the large and vertical LED tail lamps do manage to make it look modern.

Matching the rough and tough visual appeal of the Ford Ranger is its sturdy driving dynamics. Despite the mammoth size, the Ford Ranger has very good stability and braking capabilities. However, the stiff suspension makes the overall ride quality quite harsh. Though, the Terrain Management System works flawlessly over various kinds of surface, matching the excellent prowess of the four-wheel-drive system.

Beneath the huge bonnet of the Ford Ranger lies the 2.3-litre turbocharged ‘Ecoboost’ four-cylinder petrol engine, which promises performance levels as behemoth as the size of the vehicle itself. Coupled to a 10-speed torque converter, the engine pumps out a maximum power output of 272 PS and a peak torque output of 420 Nm.

It is not only the list of comfort and convenience features which make the Ford Ranger luxurious for its segment. Apart from the crucial ones like front, side, and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and parking sensors, the Ford Ranger has some state-of-the-art features like Trail Control, Lane Keeping Assist, adaptive cruise control, BLIS with trailer coverage, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and a rearview camera.

While the Ford Ranger is pegged as an affordable pickup, it is premium and luxurious enough to give midsize SUVs a run for its money. The extrovert styling, long list of features and rich interiors surely uplift its overall visual appeal in and out. At the same time, it has all the Ford’s traditional DNA of excellent performance and driving behavior, which do make it an interesting vehicle behind the steering wheel.