AEB now standard across Ford Ranger line-up

All Ford Ranger models – from the entry-level XL cab/chassis to the range-topping Ford Ranger Raptor – will come with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard, as part of a ‘19.75MY’ upgrade to be released in June.

The potentially life-saving safety technology, which from this year is all but a prerequisite for a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, was previously standard only on the top-shelf Wildtrak and a $1700 option for the premium XLT as part of the XLT Tech Pack, which also includes Active Park Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Until now, AEB was unavailable from the rest of the MY19 Ford Ranger line up released late last year, including the Ford Ranger Raptor launched last July, when Ford promised it AEB would be fitted to all Rangers this year.

As such, the Ford Ranger – Australia’s second most popular new vehicle in 2018 -- joins the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and new SsangYong Musso to fit AEB as standard across the range.

Indeed, the only other ute in which AEB is even available is the upgraded 2019 Mitsubishi Triton, in which it’s standard on all but entry-level GLX models.

While the eight-variant Mercedes-Benz X-Class range starts at $50,400 and the cheapest AEB-equipped Mitsubishi Triton costs $36,290, the SsangYong Musso became the most affordable ute on sale with AEB earlier this year with a starting price of $30,490.

Now Ford has lowered that mark to $28,340 for the Ranger 4x2 XL single-cab/chassis 2.2L Low Rider manual that opens the 30-variant line-up for ‘19.75MY’, which also brings other running changes and small price rises (the base XL was previously priced at $27,990, while the Raptor range-topper is now $600 pricier than before at $75,990).

That means that although all Ford Ranger models already come with a five-star ANCAP rating, which was awarded in 2015, all models would now actually be eligible for the maximum safety score if they were tested to this year’s more stringent standards.

As with the X-Class, Triton and Musso, the Ford Ranger’s AEB system is packaged with a number of other safety features, in this case AEB with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Aid with Driver Alert System, Traffic Sign Recognition and Auto High Beam.

So new Ford Ranger features include AEB (new to XL/XLS/XLT/Ranger Raptor), Lane Keeping Aid with Driver Alert System (new to XL/XLS/XLT), Traffic Sign Recognition (new to XL/XLS/XLT) and Automatic High Beam (new to XL/XLS/XLT).

These features join a Rear View Camera (Pick-up models), Rear Parking Sensors (Pick-up models), Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) incorporating ABS, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control, Emergency Assistance, Hill Descent Control and Hill Launch Assist.

Ford Ranger XL and XLS models also benefit from an acoustic windscreen for enhanced cabin refinement, while XL cab/chassis variants now feature provision for an optional rear-view camera to be fitted and integrated into the SYNC touch-screen display.

Additional driver-assist tech is available as part of a lower cost Tech Pack for the Ranger XLT, including Adaptive Cruise Control and Semi-Auto Active Park Assist for $800 (previously $1700).

Leather upholstery for the Ranger XLT Double Cab is now $1500 (previously $1650) and the Ford Ranger Raptor adds eight-way power adjustable front seating as standard.

Expanding Ford’s capped-price service plan, eligible customers will be able to service their Ranger for a maximum recommended price of $299 (including GST) for each of the first A or B logbook services over the first four years or 60,000km (whichever comes first) at participating dealerships.

The list of Ford Service Benefits continues to include a Service Loan Car, Auto Club membership including Roadside Assistance) and sat-nav updates.

“Ranger has a tradition of leading technology, which includes being the first pick-up to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and in 2018 we added more powertrain choices and significant Driver Assist Technology coupled with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO, Kay Hart.

“Now, AEB with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition and Automatic High Beam is standard on every Ranger, from the entry-level Ranger XL cab-chassis all the way through to the Ford Performance Ranger Raptor.”

ANCAP chief executive James Goodwin welcomed the news. “The standard inclusion of AEB on the Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor is great news for ute buyers and other road users,” he said.

“As one of Australia’s top sellers, having this important safety technology fitted across the Ranger lineup will have a big impact.”

Ranger 4x2
4x2 XL Single C/C 2.2L Low Rider MT -- $28,340
4x2 XL Single C/C 2.2L Hi-Rider AT -- $34,040
4x2 XL Super C/C 2.2L Hi-Rider AT -- $36,540
4x2 XL Double C/C 2.2L Hi-Rider AT -- $38,540
4x2 XL Double P/up 2.2L Hi-Rider AT -- $39,940
4x2 XLT Double P/up 3.2L Hi-Rider AT -- $50,640
4x2 XLT Double P/up 2.0L Bi-Turbo Hi-Rider AT -- $52,140

Ranger 4x4
4x4 XL Single C/C 3.2L MT -- $42,240
4x4 XL Single C/C 3.2L AT -- $44,440
4x4 XL Super C/C 3.2L MT -- $44,740
4x4 XL Super C/C 3.2L AT -- $46,940
4x4 XL Super P/up 3.2L AT -- $48,340
4x4 XL Double C/C 2.2L AT -- $46,440
4x4 XL Double P/up 2.2L AT -- $47,840
4x4 XL Double C/C 3.2L MT -- $46,740
4x4 XL Double C/C 3.2L AT -- $48,940
4x4 XL Double P/up 3.2L MT -- $48,140
4x4 XL Double P/up 3.2L AT -- $50,340
4x4 XLS Double P/up 3.2L MT -- $49,440
4x4 XLS Double P/up 3.2L AT -- $51,640
4x4 XLT Super P/up 3.2L AT -- $56,540
4x4 XLT Super P/up Bi-Turbo AT -- $58,040
4x4 XLT Double P/up 3.2L MT -- $56,340
4x4 XLT Double P/up 3.2L AT -- $58,540
4x4 XLT Double P/up Bi-Turbo AT -- $60,040
4x4 Wildtrak Double P/up 3.2L MT -- $61,090
4x4 Wildtrak Double P/up 3.2L AT -- $63,290
4x4 Wildtrak Double P/up Bi-Turbo AT -- $64,790
4x4 Raptor Double P/up Bi-Turbo AT -- $75,990

19.75MY Ranger options:
Prestige paint -- $650
XLS SYNC3 Pack -- $1950
XLT Tech Pack -- $800
XLT leather seats -- $1500
XLT 18-inch black alloy wheels -- $750
Wildtrak 18-inch black alloy wheels -- $500
Raptor prestige paint -- $650
Raptor decal pack -- $750