Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards 2026: Best Pick-up Truck

Priced from £36,200 (double cab excl VAT) Fuel economy 26.6–91.1mpg (WLTP) CO2 emissions 70–277g/km Payload Up to 1098kg Power 237–277bhp Torque 443–509lb ft

The Ford Ranger has dominated the UK pickup market for years. The current generation arrived late in 2022, and since then, close to half of all pick-up sales in the UK have been a Ranger. A technical shift strengthens its appeal, with Ford introducing a plug-in hybrid option in response to tightening emissions regulations and changing tax treatment. The result is not just the class benchmark once again, but the most forward-looking pickup on sale.

Crucially, the Ranger PHEV doesn’t dilute what makes the diesel models so successful. It retains the core strengths that business users demand, which means a payload of at least 1000kg, a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and the same tough ladder-frame chassis that underpins the rest of the range. In other words, electrification hasn’t come at the expense of capability.

The addition of plug-in hybrid technology brings genuine day-to-day benefits. The ability to cover shorter journeys in electric mode reduces fuel use and lowers emissions, especially in urban centres, because the Ranger will officially cover 37 miles without using a drop of fuel. For those dealing with changing tax treatment for double-cab pickups, it offers a significantly lower cost solution than a conventional diesel pickup without forcing a full transition to battery electric.

Refinement is boosted by the hybrid system. Instant electric torque improves responsiveness at low speeds, while the petrol engine provides reassurance on longer journeys, running smoothly and quietly. The Ranger remains composed and confident whether unladen on the motorway or hauling heavy equipment to site.

Inside, the Ranger continues to blur the line between commercial vehicle and passenger SUV. A large portrait-oriented touchscreen dominates the dashboard, while advanced driver assistance systems and selectable drive modes make it as easy to navigate rough ground as it is the school run. Few competitors combine this level of technology with genuine working ability.

The Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Hilux remain solid choices, and the Volkswagen Amarok — itself based on the Ford Ranger’s mechanicals — offers strong road manners. But none can match the Ranger’s breadth of power options, technological sophistication, and readiness for a lower-emissions future.

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