Drive with us: Test driving the Ford Ranger

Test driving the 2020 Ford Ranger Wildtrak

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a robust double cab Pickup Truck that combines practicality and comfort with rugged good looks and a well-equipped cabin.

The Ranger is available to both personal and business customers. However, it’s particularly attractive to customers looking for a business lease, and those who’ll use the Ranger for work, as it is a relatively tax-efficient van. It's also marked itself as hugely strong competition to the Nissan Navara or the Toyota Hilux. We recently took the 2020 Ranger Wildtrak out for a test drive. Read on to find out how we got on…

What did we drive?

Ford Ranger DC Wildtrak

Engine: 2.0 TDCi EcoBlue
Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic
Power: 210 Horsepower & 500 NM Torque
Colour: Moondust Silver
Wheels: 18 inch Boulder Grey Machined Alloys (with grey alloy spare wheel)
Options: Mountain Top Roller Shutter, Wildtrak driver assistance with Park, Trailer tow pack
OTR From: £21,545 (inc VAT)
Price of model driven: £41,679.64 (inc VAT)

*Models and prices correct at the time of the testing

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Engines

As with many manufacturers, there has been big a push towards creating much more efficient engines to go into our much-loved vans, with the caveat being that there isn’t a loss in performance. The Ford Ranger is no exception.

Gone are the massive 3.2L diesel engines in favour of a 2.0L EcoBlue and 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-turbo diesel engine that trumps the old engine with better efficiency and increased output. The Bi-Turbo gets 213 PS with 500NM of Torque, and there are also lesser-powered 130PS and 170PS variants available, designed to keep running costs down. 

Design

The Ranger is robust, rugged and rambunctious… (How’s that for alliteration?). But seriously, it is. The Wildtrak's road presence is undeniable. At 5359mm long and 1848mm tall, it’s one of the biggest pickup trucks on the market.

Anyone considering our Ford lease deals will be pleased to know that all models look seriously impressive. Standard Wildtrak models get 18-inch alloy wheels with a painted front fender grille, Boulder Grey radiator grille, rear bumper, door handles and mirror finishes. It also gets privacy glass, a side step with brushed inserts, front splash guard/mud flaps and roof rails.

This car had the Moondust Silver paintwork, but those who want something even more eye-catching can go for Sabre Orange, which is a colour only available on Wildtrak models. We also love the look of this truck in Shadow Black and Sea Grey.

Inside the Wildtrak is anything but basic. There’s leather/cloth mix upholstery with bright orange contrast stitching and ‘Wildtrak’ embossed into the seats and premium floor mats. A big leather sports steering wheel, ebony headlining and vast dash make the cabin feel impressively grand.

Technology

The cabin is centred around an 8-inch integrated touchscreen with Ford's SYNC 3 Navigation system, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Wildtrak models also get ambient lighting, heated front seats, keyless entry/start and power-folding, heated door mirrors with puddle lights. This car also had 2 USB ports, 3 12v sockets and a three-pin plug in the back! Oh, and you can say goodbye to warm sandwiches, as there’s even a cool box in the centre console.

Other features on this particular car include but are not limited to (includes standard and additional options):

• LED front fog lights
• Tyre pressure sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors,
• Traffic sign recognition
• Lane keeping aid
• Dual-zone climate control
• Active parking assist
• Automatic lights
• Electric windows (front and rear)

Practicality

The Wildtrak can also transition from workhorse to family wagon easily with two Isofix points in the back and huge wide doors making it easy to load child seats in and out. Huge big grab handles make it less difficult for shorter people like myself to climb in and out, but I don’t know that it could be considered ‘easy access’ for all, simply due to its sheer size and height.

It’s worth noting that someone wanting this car as their everyday commuter and not necessarily for work will have to work around the boot space, or lack thereof. While the Ranger has that massive load bay, it doesn’t have a lockable boot. So you’ll either need to use the back seats of the double cab or invest in a lockable hardcover or hardtop.

In terms of manoeuvrability, it’s about as good as you would expect in any big pickup. The turning circle isn’t great but it is okay. On the plus side, I found parking easier than I thought – aided massively by the reversing camera, sensors and the optional parking assistant that this car had. 

For anyone who is a hesitant driver in a big van, I would recommend going for a model with a reversing camera, even if it’s just for peace of mind.

The Drive

Our Ranger had a 10-Speed automatic gearbox but a 6-Speed Manual gearbox is also available. Both gearboxes ensure that the Ranger is far better equipped for motorway driving than has ever been the case with older pickups. Manufacturers realise that trucks are now not only being used for off-roading, but also for commuting and motorway driving – and are therefore much more capable and comfortable for both.

The driving position is high and the seats are seriously comfortable (at least in comparison to any other pickup I’ve driven). The brake and accelerator pedals are positioned nicely, meaning that even long journeys can be undertaken in comfort. 

While the Ford Ranger is certainly more powerful than its predecessors, the weight and size of this pickup is undeniable and its performance should therefore be judged accordingly. While it’s by no means as quick off the mark as the V6 in the old VW Amarok, it still pulls very well – with a nice growl and that mildly disconcerting feeling of driving fast without actually feeling like you’re driving fast… if you know what I mean?

There were a couple of aggressive gear changes, with that auto gearbox holding on to lower gears for longer than necessary, meaning that the transitions didn’t always necessarily feel smooth. There’s a little bit of play in the steering, but overall it's satisfyingly weighty to control. Most importantly to me, it wasn’t at all daunting to be behind the wheel of. I found it was happiest cruising along at 40 on the winding country roads or along the motorway at 60/65 which it would hold at around 1,500 RPM.

Loading and Off-Roading

For many, the most important consideration when looking at a truck will be its potential loading and off-roading capabilities. The Ranger is up there with the best when it comes to both. It’s got a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, a max payload of 1140kg and a tailgate that will support up to 220kg. This is significantly less for the top of the range Raptor model, so make sure you consider that.

Wildtrak models and above also get a locking rear axle and allow you to switch between two-wheel drive, four-wheel high and four-wheel low, enabling some serious off-roading.

It has a ground clearance of 237mm and an impressive wading capacity of 800mm – more than any of its major competitors. The approach angle (unladen) is 29 degrees, the breakover angle (without towbar) is 25 degrees and the departure angle is 27 degrees. All in all, I think that makes it a seriously capable off-roader. But remember that these stats will vary from model to model.

Model Lines 

XL

Single Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab

• Auto Start-Stop
• Quickclear heated windscreen
• Manual air conditioning
• Cruise control
• DAB Radio with Bluetooth, USB and AUX points
• Electronic shift-on-the-fly (4x4)
• Electrically-operated front windows with one-shot driver's window
• 6-way adjustable driver's seat
• 16" steel wheels
• Body colour front bumper
• Electrically-operated and heated door mirrors
• Emergency Brake Assist
• Intelligent Speed Assist/Traffic Sign Recognition
• Lane-Keeping System
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Intermittent variable windscreen wipers
• Ford Easy Fuel capless refuelling system
• Under-run bar
• Rear mudflaps

XLT

(in addition/replacement to XL models)

Super Cab or Double Cab

• 16" alloy wheels
• Chrome-finish door mirror caps and door handles
• Chrome-finish grille
• Chrome rear under-run bar
• Plastic moulded side steps
• Front fog lights
• Loadbox bedliner with 12 V socket
• Power tailgate lock
• Power-operated, heated and foldable door mirrors
• Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
• Radio/CD/DAB with 4.2" TFT screen, Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, SYNC with voice control, AppLink and Emergency Assistance
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel with remote audio controls
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Overhead console
• Illuminated vanity mirror sun visors

Limited

(in addition/replacement to XLT models)

Super Cab or Double Cab

• 17" silver alloy wheels
• Keyless entry
• Rear-view camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Electrically-operated and heated power-foldable door mirrors with puddle lights
• Chrome tubular sports bar
• Rear privacy glass
• EasyLift tailgate
• Ford Power starter button
• SYNC 3 with 8" Touchscreen, Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• 8-way power adjustable and heated driver's seat with lumbar support (Double Cab only)
• Leather interior
• Ranger logo floor mats
• Power converter
• Cool Box in centre console

*Model lines correct at the time of testing

Wildtrak

(In addition/replacement to Limited models)

Double Cab

• 18" alloy wheels
• Plastic moulded side steps with titanium effect inserts
• Aerodynamic sports hoop with integrated loadbox illumination
• Titanium-effect grille, door handles and rear steel step
• Aluminium-finish roof rails
• Titanium-effect, electrically-operated and heated power-foldable door mirrors with puddle lights and side indicators
• SYNC 3 with 8" Touchscreen and Navigation
• New partial-leather seat trim design
• Wildtrak logo floor mats
• Ambient lighting

Thunder

(in addition/replacement to Wildtrak models)

Double Cab

• 18" alloy wheels in Ebony Black finish
• Ebony Black aerodynamic sports hoop with integrated loadbox illumination and Race Red stripe decal
• Limited to Sea Grey metallic body colour
• Black powder-coated roof rails
• Black moulded side steps
• Ebony Black door handle
• Ebony Black mesh design grille with Race Red nostril inserts
• "Thunder" logo Partial Leather seats with Race Red stitching
• Unique Race-Red lined interior trim
• "Thunder" 3D external badging

Raptor 

Double Cab

• Unique 17" alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres
• Unique Raptor front grille
• Widened front and rear wheel arches with 150 mm wider track
• Aerodynamic sports hoop with integrated loadbox illumination
• Unique front and rear bumpers
• Front aluminium skid plate
• FOX Pro shock absorbers with position sensitive damping
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• Four off-road tow hooks
• Strengthened alloy side steps
• Loadbox roller shutter and carry bars
• Tow bar
• Unique Raptor suede trim with heated and power-adjustable seats
• Unique perforated leather sports steering wheel with centre marker and Raptor logo
• Unique instrument panel cluster
• Terrain Management System with six selectable drive modes
• FordPass Connect onboard modem
• SYNC 3 with 8" Touchscreen and Navigation

Final Verdict

The Ranger is an all-round great Pickup. It performs well on and off-road, and the interior is advanced and yet not in any way overly flashy. Its high towing, wading and loading capabilities match it well with industry greats such as the Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara. And those additional Wildtrak styling touches make it a seriously good looking van to boot. 

As we mentioned earlier, the Ranger is also attractive for those looking for a business lease. As the Ranger can carry over a tonne it’s classed as a commercial vehicle and therefore has tax benefits for businesses.