Ford Ranger 2017 Review

2017 4WD Dual-Cab Ute comparison

If you’re looking for evidence Australian ute buyers don’t always shop on price, look no further than the Ford Ranger. One of the more expensive dual-cab ute offerings on the market, especially in top-spec XLT form, the Ranger is nudging the dollars of the Volkswagen Amarok V6.

But don’t doubt the return on investment: Ford Ranger is clearly one of the most feature-laden and well-rounded one-tonne utes on the market, and one of the best to drive, both on and off-road.

Developed for Australian road conditions, the Ranger provides an enviable ride/handling balance, delivering a smooth and forgiving ride on a range of surfaces – even when empty – along with decent handling. The electric-assisted steering included with the latest update adds to the SUV-like feel, while the unchanged 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine remains a stand-out.

Load 500kg into a Ranger’s cargo area and it barely flinches or sags. Even with that weight in the rear, Ranger remains secure and stable at all speeds and over a variety of bumps and dips.

The Ranger has a sizeable tray and, in XLT trim, comes with a tubliner and 12-volt socket as standard. It's also one of two utes on test to have dedicated tray lighting, with two LED lights built into the sports bar (the Amarok being the other). Front and rear parking sensors ease the pressure when parking.

Even with a 2500kg caravan hitched up, the composure of the engine and transmission is largely maintained. Engine speed rarely exceeds 2000rpm, and the tow vehicle’s two-tonne-plus bulk is a good match for heavy trailers. Ford Ranger’s under-stressed performance was highlighted by fuel consumption during a towing stint of 17.4L/100km (only 4.0L/100km higher than testing without the trailer).

Adding to the driving experience are driver aids like radar cruise control and lane departure assistance (although on occasions we found there is a tendency for the vehicle to overreact and partially apply the brakes, when passing too close to a truck on a dual-lane highway).

Ranger’s reverse camera with adaptive grid lines works well, and the additional ‘zoom’ mode allows great precision when hitching up trailers without assistance – these sort of minor details lift Ford’s Australian-developed ute above most rivals.

Like the Mazda BT-50, the Ranger’s cabin is spacious, comfortable and practical, with enough room in the back for three burly blokes. But it’s a more entertaining place than the Mazda thanks to the latest Ford SYNC3 infotainment system, with its intuitive interface and seamless integration with smartphones including Apple CarPlay. Other highlights are the rich, rewarding sound from the audio system and adequate USB and 12V sockets for the front and rear.

There are a few negatives but for most, cloth upholstery, manual seat adjustment, key start and lack of voice control in the XLT aren’t exactly deal breakers.

With above-average entry, running and service costs, there are plenty of financial reasons to choose a cheaper dual-cab rival over the Ranger. But few shine in so many areas like the big Ford.

2017 Ford Ranger XLT pricing and specifications:
Price: $57,690 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 147kW/470Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined) / 13.1/100km (as tested, see text)
CO2: 229g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Ford Ranger XLT payload, towing and tray dimensions:
Payload: 1095kg
Tie-down points: Six
GVM/GCW: 3200kg / 6000kg
Vehicle weight: 2198kg (tare) / 2247kg (kerb)
Towing capacity: 750kg (unbraked) / 3500kg (braked)
Tray dimensions: 1420mm (L) x 1560mm (W) x 500mm (H); 1120mm (b/w arches)

2017 Ford Ranger XLT off-road geometry, wading and clearance:
Ground clearance: 237mm
Wading Depth: 800mm
Approach Angle: 29 degrees
Break-over Angle: 25 degrees
Departure Angle: 21 degrees

2017 4WD Dual-Cab Ute comparison:

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