2022 Ford Ranger review

The new Australian designed and engineered Ford Ranger ute is one of the most hyped new arrivals of 2022. We find out just how good it is.

The first all-new Ford Ranger since 2011 is a ute like no other.

The Australian designed and engineered machine delivers a combination of smart design, practicality and technology that is likely to put it on the radar of SUV buyers as much as cashed up tradies.

It’s a crucial vehicle for Ford in Australia – chief executive Andrew Birkic says it’s “much more than a truck for us” – accounting for more than two-thirds of the brand’s local sales.

Five dual-cab, four-wheel drive models are available: XL, XLS, XLT, Sport and Wildtrak. A high performance Raptor model will arrive later in the year.

The new Ford Ranger was designed and engineered in Australia.

The new Ranger takes design cues from the bigger F-Series pick-up that has been America’s favourite vehicle for decades. Prices for most models are up by 3 per cent. The XL 4WD four-door starts at about $47,000 drive-away, while the top-shelf Wildtrak with a new V6 diesel is about $74,000. Ford says the waiting list for the Wildtrack already stretches to a year.

Ford’s five-cylinder diesel has been retired and in its place are single and twin-turbo four-cylinder diesels. The single turbo is reserved for cheaper variants and musters a modest 125kW and 405Nm, while the bi-turbo is expected to account for the bulk of sales and makes 154kW and 500Nm. While the single turbo four-cylinder is hearty enough, it’s outclassed by the freer revving and more muscular twin-turbo, which is matched to a 10-speed auto.

Under the bonnet is a beefy V6 turbodiesel engine.

The new V6 is the show-stealer, though. It costs $3000 more on XLT, Sport and Wildtrak models and delivers 184kW and 600Nm. The V6 forms a sweet combination with the 10-speed auto, although the gear selector isn’t intuitive to use. The engine is smooth, refined and hushed, with a muscular mid-range that makes for effortless highway cruising and snappy overtaking.

The new Ranger also behaves better on the road. The left and right wheels are 50mm further apart, which plants the car better. While there’s still an old-fashioned leaf spring, live-axle rear end, the Ranger is well behaved over bumps. Unladen, the ride is firm but controlled, settling swiftly after bumps. The steering is predictable and the Ranger doesn’t lean in corners as much as rivals. The cabin is quiet by ute standards.

The interior has been given a major makeover and is packed with hi-tech features.

Off-road there’s ample clearance and wheel articulation, ensuring easy progress across muddy terrain. But it’s the technology that puts the Ranger ahead of workhorse rivals. There’s a digital display in front of the driver and a tablet-like centre touchscreen, which is 10.1 inches on most models and 12 inches for the Wildtrak.

An on-board modem allows owners to unlock the car from a smartphone, while safety is covered by nine airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control.

The Ranger is even better to drive on the road than the previous version.

An integrated electronic brake controller is standard on the Wildtrak and part of an affordable $900 option on models with the standard tow bar. That $900 option also includes a 360-degree camera and zone lighting, which illuminates sections around the car when parked. If a trailer is attached, a light-check system automatically cycles through the tail, brake, reverse and indicator lights to allow solo checking.

Other clever touches include a step behind each rear wheel to improve access to the load area and LED lights for the tray.

Occupant space is broadly the same, aside from some additional shoulder room. Those in the rear won’t have the sprawling space of a large SUV, but it’s comfy for a ute. The XL and XLS don’t have rear air vents, though.

A range of four-wheel drive upgrades has made its even better on the rough stuff.

The XLT, which costs about $58,500 as a dual-cab 4WD, is likely to be the most popular with families. It has different front-end styling with distinctive LEDs, as well as a tow bar, tyre pressure monitoring, a 12V power point in the tray, smart-key entry and bigger disc brakes.

The newly-added Sport (from $69,000) gets a black styling bar and 18-inch alloys, wireless phone charging and partial leather.

The Wildtrak has ambient lighting, heated seats, a 360-degree camera, a powered roller cover and an optional 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

There’s also a roof-mounted auxiliary switch cluster, as well as an extended sports bar that doubles as a lower mount for racks or additional tie-down points. All of which amounts to a lot of ute, albeit for more money.

The new Ranger does everything you’d expect from a workhorse ute but with a new level of liveability and technology not seen before in this market.

VERDICT 4/5

Clever design and impressive creature comforts build on a solid core of ability, setting a new standard for load luggers.

FORD RANGER WILDTRAK VITALS

PRICE From about $74,000 drive-away

WARRANTY/SERVICING 5 yrs/unlimited km, $1316 for 4 yrs/60,000km

SAFETY Nine airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree camera

ENGINE 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, 184kW/600Nm

THIRST 8.4L/100km

SPARE Full size

PAYLOAD/TOWING 951kg and 3500kg