Ford Ranger review

As with all pick-ups, the excellent company car tax advantages make the Ranger remarkably affordable if you’re running it through work. Those paying for one out of their own pot of gold will also find the Ranger competitively priced next to rivals including the Amarok, Navara and L200.

We wouldn’t bother with the entry-level rear-wheel-drive 2.2 TDCi 130 model, because it’s not very quick and isn’t any cleaner or more efficient than the more powerful 2.2 TDCi 160. The latter is therefore the best engine for balancing driveability with running costs. The 3.2 TDCi is gutsiest but very thirsty, so you won’t get much better than 27mpg on a motorway run.

The cheapest XL trim gets 16in steel wheels, electric windows, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a multi-function steering wheel. However, air conditioning is an option, so you would be wise to step up to XLT at the very least.

Limited trim is where we think your money is best invested, though. For not much more money, it adds 17in alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, leather seats (heated in the front), dual-zone climate control, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors and Ford’s 8.0in Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone mirroring.

Some options worth considering are front parking sensors, a rear-view camera and sat-nav. A load bay cover is also useful if you want to keep your valuables safely under lock and key.

Speaking of which, the Ranger scored highly in Thatcham’s security tests, plus it was the first pick-up to gain five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test in 2012. That was down to its various safety features, which include seven standard airbags, while the optional Driver Assistance Pack adds active safety kit such as lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation.

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