Ford Ranger review

Many people love a large SUV or pick-up for its high-up driving position, and if that’s you, you’ll appreciate the lofty Ford Ranger. And that’s not all: even on entry-level models, the driver is treated to a comfortable seat with four-way manual adjustment, and eight-way electric seats with lumbar adjustment are standard on Limited and Wildtrak models. The Raptor, meanwhile, has bespoke seats that are comfortable even when bouncing over rocky terrain. However, the comfy seats don’t address the Ranger's offset pedals and awkwardly shaped footrest for your left leg; the Ssangyong Musso is a more comfortable proposition for a long drive.

Although you can't have LED headlights on the Ranger, higher-end models get xenon headlights, which have plenty of main beam range but do prove a little dim when dipped. With that high driving position and relatively thin windscreen pillars, forward visibility is very good, but the Ranger’s small rear screen and long load bay make it tricky to see what’s behind you.

On XL and XLT trim, you’d be sensible to consider the rear parking sensors that can be fitted as an option. Jump up to Limited trim and above to get front and rear parking sensors plus a rear-view camera as standard.

The entry-level Ranger XL comes with a simple, monochrome-screen infotainment system, although Bluetooth and DAB radio are both standard. XLT models come with an 8.0in Ford Sync touchscreen infotainment system, while Limited, Wildtrak and Raptor versions get the same screen with the addition of Ford’s latest Sync 3 software. The Sync 3 system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, but only Wildtrak and the Raptor get built-in sat-nav as standard.