Ford Ranger Thunder (Limited Edition) Pick-Up Review

Ford’s limited-edition take on the popular Ranger Wildtrak          

Ford are no strangers to introducing special editions of the brilliant Ranger pick-up, but the Thunder is one of the rarest you will find today.

Originally launched in 2020, only 1,400 units made it to the UK, adding another unique design to the Ranger’s long-standing history.

I can hear you already… yes, this is unfortunately an old model.

The Thunder is no longer available to order from new but, thankfully, the spec is heavily based on current Wildtrak trim. It takes elements from the Wildtrak, the range-topping Raptor and even the Ford Mustang! So, if you like what you see from this Thunder, cast your eyes over our Ford Ranger lease deals, with the updated 2022 model expected to launch towards the end of the year.

Rivalling the likes of the Toyota Hilux and VW Amarok, the Ranger combines the ruggedness of a pick-up with the modern-day creature comforts that make our everyday journeys that little bit more refined.

What did we drive?

Model: Ranger Thunder

Bodystyle: Double Cab 4x4

Engine: 2.0L Ford EcoBlue Diesel (210 HP) 

Transmission: 10-Speed Automatic

Colour: Sea Grey

Wheels: 18" alloy wheels in Ebony Black finish

Options: Tacho Port, Roller Shutter, Load Box Divider

OTR: £32,965*

*Prices correct at the time of model launch

Price

For its initial launch, prices for the Thunder started at £32,965 excluding VAT.

Fast forward a couple of years and a new Ford Ranger starts from £24,750 (ex VAT), depending on your cab style.

A new Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab – a similar spec to the Thunder we’re reviewing - will cost just over £37,000 (ex VAT)*.

The Ranger is one of the more premium pick-ups on the market, hence the steep price. However, for those considering one for their next business van lease, it can become a much-more cost-effective driving experience.

If your business is looking to lease a van, Vanparison’s Ranger lease deals start from £315.28 ex VAT*. 

*Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change

Engines

Under the bonnet is Ford’s twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBlue diesel engine, which produces 210bhp and 500Nm of torque. This is the same engine currently used in the Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor trim levels.

If you need more performance, Ford have confirmed that the 2022 Ranger will include an improved 3.0L V6 engine.

There’s no current date confirmed for an electric variant of the Ranger, but plans have been teased and could come to fruition by 2025.

Design & Interior

The exterior design of the Thunder is what makes it so unique. Rather than the exclusive Sabre Orange colour scheme that the Wildtrak is best known for, the Thunder has splashes of red on a reprofiled front grille, with similar red stitching running throughout the cabin.

As is often the case with Ranger models, presence and stance are guaranteed. From all angles, the Thunder looked imperious. The wide front grille with red ‘nostrils’ inserts adds another element of detail to the face, while the angular wrap-around LED headlights complement the large grille, creating a fierce look.

The ground clearance on the Ranger is quite something. The sidebars are nicely positioned off the ground to provide support getting in and out should you need them.

The body styling will largely come down to personal preference. Ford are no strangers to a special edition Ranger, so if this isn’t to your taste, there’s a good chance they’ll have something that will do it for you.

The red Thunder detailing replaces the Sabre Orange ‘Wildtrak’ badges and detailing on this edition and it compliments this dark Sea Grey finish nicely. The sidebars and roof rails also give it that traditional pick-up look from the side.

Inside, the cabin is best described as car-like. It gives you all the modern-day creature comforts you’d want from your car, in your commercial vehicle. It does it all with an element of robustness about it as well.

There’s a nice blend of materials used throughout, with comfortable leather seats but more hard-wearing plastics in the places you’ll want and need them. A nice gloss plastic finish to the dash adds detail and style, making the Ranger the best of both worlds!

Drive

Having never driven a Ranger before, I was excited to get behind the wheel of the Thunder and my initial impressions were all positive. For a pick-up that is nearly 5.5m long, it doesn’t feel imposing to drive.

The wing mirrors are huge, giving you great visibility back to the tailgate.

While in the standard Drive setting, it was as quick as you would expect a pick-up of this size to be. It won’t win any drag races, but if you move into the Sport mode, it does open up surprisingly well if you need to put your foot down on the motorway.

Fitted with the same 10-speed automatic gearbox as the Ford Mustang, it progresses through gears nicely, providing all the torque you’ll need in the lower gears, which is really impressive for a pick-up of this size.

It wouldn’t be a Ford Ranger review without a bit of off-roading, and it felt right at home when we ventured off the beaten track.

Through the small toggle in the centre console, it can switch between two and four-wheel drive so quickly you won’t even notice.

Our road surfaces were reasonably treacherous and uneven, but it never felt uncomfortable to drive. The suspension absorbs bumps very well, so there were no real complaints.

The steering has a nice lightweight and agile feel to it, so working it through tight and narrow spaces is no problem.

In many ways, it drives like a big SUV. There was enough support in the driver’s seat and the raised driving position offers great visibility.

Payload & Practicality

We were testing a Double Cab variant – perfect for those combining work and family life into one vehicle. The Ranger is available in a wealth of cab formats, making it a hugely versatile option.

The tailgate was lightweight and easy to drop and lift as and when required. Our loading bed came with the divider fitted, but either way, the space is generous.

It has a 3,500kg towing capacity and a payload of 1,024kg, making it a hugely practical pick-up, whatever your business.

The manual roller shutters were one of just a few drawbacks to this older model. Thankfully, if you take out a Ford Ranger lease on the current generation, you do have the option to add power-operated shutters. 

They weren’t too heavy to shift and once they’re open momentum takes over, but it’s something that may become a bit of a chore if you’re opening and closing a few times a day on site.

One area where the Ranger excels is its power source options and connectivity (more on that later). You should never be without power, with sockets at the rear of the load bed and tow bar. 

This Double Cab variant had plenty of space in the second row of seats and you’ll comfortably get three average-sized adults in the back due to its generously high roofline.

With ISOFIX points on both rear outer passenger seats, it is also a very family-friendly pick-up, with good storage opportunities and a pull-down armrest and cupholder. 

Technology

The Thunder comes fitted with Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as an informative driver’s display.

Overall, it’s a very user-friendly system to use. You have traditional dials for the volume controls, but most of the time you will be relying on the touchscreen. Thankfully, it has been well laid out and it is very responsive.

Should you wish to connect your phone instead, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come as standard.

If you’ve ever spent any time in a Ford before, be that a car or van, it will all feel very familiar, and it makes the Ranger cabin a nice, easy-going place to be.

The Ranger’s connectivity options include two USB ports and two 12V sockets in the front, as well as another 12V in the rear, alongside a three-pin plug socket.

The cool box in the armrest was a godsend on a hot day with the Ranger – keep those sandwiches chilled on the move!

Model Lines & Equipment

As the Ford Ranger Thunder is no longer available to order as a new van lease deal, we have outlined below the standard kit available on the current generation of Ranger pickups.

XL

• 7.0 x 16" Silver Steel Wheel (with 16" Spare wheel)
• Loadbox Inside Tie Down Hooks
• Tie Down Rail with Rope Hooks
• Self Coloured Moulded Front Grille
• Body Coloured Plastic Front Bumper
• Rear Bumper Black Underrun
• Rear Mudflaps
• Self Coloured Exterior Door/Tailgate Handles
• Dual Power Heated Mirrors
• Self Coloured Exterior Mirror Finish
• Daytime Running Lights
• Heated Windshield and Rear Window
• DAB Radio with Bluetooth/USB and 3.5" Multifunctional Display and 4 Speakers
• Lane Keeping Aid
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Manual 4-Way Driver Seat Adjuster
• Electric Power Assisted Steering
• ABS, ESP & Roll Over Mitigation
• ISOFIX Child Safety Seat Attachments (Double Cab Only)

XLT

(In addition/replacement of XL)

• 7.0 x 16" Silver Alloy Wheel (with 16" Steel Spare wheel)
• Chrome Grille
• Chrome Exterior Mirror Finish
• Chrome Exterior Door Handle
• Chrome Lift/Decklid Handle
• Projector Beam Headlamps
• Side Step
• DAB Radio/CD with SYNC 2.5, microphone, 8" TFT Touchscreen and 6 speakers & Ford Pass Connect
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Electrochromic Inside Mirror
• Cargo Box Power Point Plug

Limited

(In addition/replacement of XLT)

• 8.0 x 17" Silver Alloy Wheel (with 17" Steel Spare Wheel)
• Bright Front Fender Grill
• Rear Bumper Chromed Steel Step
• Sports Bar with High Mounted Brake Light (ilo Load Rest)
• Dual Power Heated Fold Back Mirrors with Puddle Lamps & Signal
• Tailgate (with Easy-lift/lower mechanism)
• LED Projector Headlamps
• Privacy Glass
• Front Splash Guard/Mud Flaps
• DAB Radio/CD with SYNC 3, microphone, 8" TFT Touchscreen, 6 speakers and rear power point plug.
• Driver & Passenger Heated Seats
• Front Parking Aid
• Rear parking sensors
• Fixed Rear View Camera
• Passive Keyless Entry & Start

Wildtrak

(In addition/replacement of Limited)

• 18" Boulder Grey Machined Alloy Wheel (with Grey Alloy Spare Wheel)
• Painted Front Fender Grill
• Boulder Grey Radiator Grille
• Boulder Grey Exterior Mirror Finish
• Boulder Grey Exterior Door Handle
• Moulded In Colour Tailgate Handle
• Boulder Grey Step Design Rear Bumper
• LED Front Fog Lamps
• Roof Rails
• DAB Radio/CD with SYNC 3, Navigation, TMC and Active noise control, microphone, 8" TFT Touchscreen, 6 speakers and rear power point plug
• Ebony Headliner
• Sport Leather Stitched Steering Wheel
• Interior Ambient LED Lighting
• Locking Rear Axle
• Lower skid plates

Raptor

(In addition/replacement of Wildtrak)

• 17" Dyno Grey Alloys with LT 285/70 R17 AT Tyres
• Unique Raptor leather and suede trim
• F-O-R-D Grille
• Side Step with Brushed inserts
• Unique to Raptor leather steering wheel
• Black side step with Raptor logo
• Black plastic front bumper
• Dyno Grey painted rear bumper
• Black Front Fender
• Black Tailgate Handle
• Black exterior mirror finish
• Leather hand brake with Chrome Button
• Power passenger seat adjuster

Verdict

It’s easy to see why the Ranger is so often the pick-up of choice. It offers you the practicality of a large van, with the drive and cabin of a car. It's a fantastic blend of robustness and creature comforts.

The impressive towing capacity and respectable payload mean it will deliver when you need it to most, while the impressive technology and power output options allow it to excel in every environment.

Ford have promised further improvements in the 2022 Ranger, with updated exterior design and new engine options.

It’s a good sign of things to come when one of the class leaders is continuing to push for worthwhile improvements.