Test drive Ford Ranger 3.2 TDCi Wildtrak 200 hp, brute strength without giving up anything

Last May the 2016 Rally of Portugal was held, an event we wanted to attend in person since it was nearby, as has become a custom. This edition was centred on the north of our neighbouring country, with areas in the middle of the mountains that required a capable vehicle to reach the different locations or even those less well-known spots or those with easy access.

Faced with this situation, we decided to test a pick-up and, within the short list of models still on the market, we chose the American manufacturer. Precisely this same year Ford launched the new generation of the Ranger with major changes and a design in the purest American style that catches the eye wherever it goes, even more so when it comes to the Wildtrak trim that tops the range, with exclusive equipment and finish, where orange is the star. So we took the wheel of a Ford Ranger with a 3.2 TDCi 200 hp diesel engine and 4×4 traction.

Exterior design: American DNA on all four sides

The robustness of its design reminds us of the legendary Ford F-150. All the exterior details are very well crafted to achieve an imposing look for this pick-up. The front is designed in the purest American style, with a large black grille contrasting with the body colour and, on either side, small halogen headlights with a decent level of illumination.

On the side profile the body is separated from the rear box, and the enormous 18-inch alloy wheels are sized for off-road use, since they are fitted with Continental Cross Contact tyres in 265/60 R18. On a side air intake you can see the number referring to the 3.2 displacement of its five-cylinder diesel engine. Another practical element for getting into the vehicle, but uncomfortable when off-road, are the side running boards.

At the rear, the model name stands out in large letters across the tailgate, and the bumper steps are reinforced to support a greater weight. Just below the Ford oval you can see the rear-view camera, quite handy for parking or manoeuvring this pick-up.

Rear box: the practicality of a pick-up

The rear box on our unit was completely open, but a metal roller shutter can optionally be fitted to keep belongings and equipment stored at the back safe. The box has a fully sealed 12V socket and several hooks for tying down any type of restraint and transporting the load securely. Another practical detail is that the tailgate of the box can bear up to 200 kg (that is, two seated people, for example). The material of the box floor and sides is a hard plastic that copes very well with use, can be cleaned simply with water, and resists scratches and marks.

Interior design: like a passenger car

After a small jump up to get into the Ranger’s interior, once we are behind the wheel the difference with any saloon is non-existent (apart from the height). The dashboard design is simple, with plastic materials (in some areas even leather with orange stitching is used). In the centre is the 8-inch touchscreen that controls all the multimedia and navigation system. We particularly liked the instrumentation, which is very complete and full colour, with two distinct zones informing us about the on-board computer and safety systems on the left, and navigation or multimedia data on the right.

The seats in this version are orange in fabric and leather, and the same orange appears on the centre armrest stitching. The driving position is considerably high, with the steering wheel quite upright, something you have to get used to, and visibility is good to the front, sides and rear. Lateral support is adequate, and when covering long distances or venturing onto an off-road track, the cushioning is comfortable.

There are three body types for the Ranger: the single cab (2 seats), the Super Cab (four seats with two small rear-hinged doors that open the opposite way to conventional ones) and the four-seat double cab with conventional doors. We tested the only body style available in the Wildtrack version, i.e. the double cab, with spacious rear seats offering more than enough room for feet and head, at saloon level.

In the rear seats there are two power outlets: a conventional 230V/150W one and a 12V one. In addition to hiding two large compartments under the rear seats, ideal for storing tools, there are generous door pockets in the rear doors. There is also a small space behind the rear seatbacks where the jack and warning triangles are stored, and any thin item (a small shovel, for example, or any other tool) fits there.

Engine and performance: 200 hp with plenty of power

The Ranger’s engine range consists of two powerplants: a 2.2 TDCi of 160 hp and a 3.2 TDCi of 200 hp. The latter is only available with the Wildtrack trim. All engines, however, are paired with the four-wheel drive system.

When I look at the spec sheet of this Ford Ranger, with its 3.2 TDCi 200 hp engine, that large displacement immediately makes us realise we are not talking about the same interpretation of 200 hp that a sports car or a saloon might have. Its powerful and robust diesel engine is in keeping with the aesthetics and presence of the Ranger Wildtrack.

It is a high-performance powerplant, with great torque -470 Nm- that helps off-road use and powers the Ranger’s 2.2 tonnes forcefully. Response is very good from low revs; from 1,500 rpm it already pushes hard, with particularly strong thrust between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm. The engine sound also suits the rugged look of the Ranger: at idle it is a hoarse but normal sound, while once past 3,000 rpm you feel as if you are at the wheel of an Ford F-150, because the sound becomes extremely loud.

This engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox with short ratios, especially first and second, intended for off-road use. The steering feels firmer than usual but is not uncomfortable when manoeuvring, while the braking system performs its function very well and stops the enormous weight and size of the Ranger forcefully in almost any situation.

Handling: 4×4 but with comfort

The first scenario in which we drove the Ford Ranger was on a motorway (though limited to 90 km/h top speed according to its spec sheet), and on this type of road we particularly liked the comfort it offers. The soundproofing is more than adequate, above what is normal for a pick-up, and comfort levels remain quite good throughout. Its 200 hp does not make it a sports car, but for overtaking or joining traffic it is a good ally (without expecting miracles, since the car weighs what it weighs and has the dimensions it has).

On country roads it still maintains a notable level of comfort. That said, it is not the best vehicle for climbing a mountain pass or for areas with fast bends, where you will have to work the gearbox constantly, and we must not forget its suspension layout (leaf springs at the rear, for example), which requires particular finesse at the wheel if we try to drive it sportily, although of course this is not the purpose Americans have in mind. If you want to go and have a coffee on the Gran Vía in Madrid, it will not be the most practical car (despite having a rear-view camera and parking sensors), but you will see everyone looking down on you from above (it has good front and side visibility thanks to its height), and you will attract attention as if you were driving a powerful sports car. Curiously, fuel consumption barely rises in town compared with the average on the open road.

Off-road handling

This is where the Ranger comes into its own. It is one of the most capable pick-ups for overcoming any obstacle where the tarmac runs out. Technically, it features a four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case (selected from a control on the centre console), as well as hill descent control and an improved traction control for off-road use.

Among the figures worth highlighting are the 3,500 kg towing capacity -one of the best figures on the market- and the 800 mm wading depth, as well as a ground clearance of 230 mm, an approach angle of 28 degrees and a departure angle of 25 degrees, something few pick-ups or 4x4s can match. There is also an optional off-road pack that adds a lockable rear differential and extra underbody protection for the transmission and fuel tank, so you can drive more safely through difficult terrain.

Our first intense test was on one of the access roads to the Rally: a mountain track with the typical stones and water-cut gullies, where the Ranger got through without complications, even in 4×2 mode. The route became more demanding when we had to cross a firebreak; there we did need to engage four-wheel drive but not the low range, and we were pleasantly surprised by the ease with which it passed any type of obstacle (only occasionally limited by the side running boards, which reduce ground clearance). On rocky areas with large stones, with patience and low range, the Ranger got through without major difficulty.

Fuel consumption

The average fuel consumption of the Ranger was 9 litres per 100 km. It could be reduced on the motorway, where we achieved an average of 8.5 litres per 100 km on the Madrid > Vigo > Madrid route, and on country roads it could even drop to 8 litres per 100 km, provided we were very careful with the accelerator and the terrain helped. In town, however, it barely dropped below 9.5-10 litres per 100 km in the various tests we carried out.

Equipment: without giving up anything

In our reviews we always begin the equipment overview with the safety section, that is, the safety features the Ranger has as standard. Even the base trim includes front, side and curtain airbags, plus a driver’s knee airbag, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring, among other features. In Euro NCAP crash tests this latest generation has not been assessed, but the previous 2012 version did achieve five stars, and it is quite likely the current one will maintain them (especially given the safety it offers and the extensive range of driver assistance systems).

The comprehensive equipment available -standard or optional- is closer to that of a passenger car than a pick-up, with features such as adaptive cruise control more typical of the premium segment. The equipment is structured in four trim levels: XL, XLT, Limited and Wildtrack.

The unit we tested was a Wildtrack, that is, the most fully equipped level in the range. Highlights include: an 8″ touchscreen navigation system with voice control, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, seven-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, mixed cloth and leather upholstery, among other features. Optionally, a safety pack (1,010 euros) is available that adds features unheard of in a pick-up: traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning/lane keeping assist.

The only thing I miss with all this equipment is xenon headlights and a sound system more in keeping with the final price, since its mere four speakers are barely adequate to deliver sound quality beyond the merely correct.

Prices

It is always advisable to ask at your nearest official dealership, since occasional discounts exist or the price may be reduced depending on who registers the car (private individual, company or self-employed):

• 2.2 TDCI 160 hp 4×4 XL Single Cab 27,100 euros
• 2.2 TDCI 160 hp 4×4 XL SuperCab 27,600 euros
• 2.2 TDCI 160 hp 4×4 XL Double Cab 29,100 euros
• 2.2 TDCI 160 hp 4×4 XLT Double Cab 30,600 euros
• 2.2 TDCI 160 hp 4×4 Double Cab Limited 33,600 euros
• 3.0 TDCI 200 hp 4×4 Wildtrack Double Cab 36,600 euros

Opinion and personal assessment

A pick-up for everyday use? Well… it is not so far-fetched. This is perhaps the best summary after the Highmotor test of the Ford Ranger. Right from the start of the test I had the idea that pick-ups were rugged working vehicles not suitable for daily use. It is true that the Ranger has a version aimed purely at work, but the one we tested, the Wildtrack, rides so comfortably and its equipment is so extensive that we miss nothing compared with what a saloon or an SUV can offer, although driving the Ranger carries a sense of excitement that neither a saloon nor an SUV provides.

If you want to buy one, you need to like the 4×4 world, and make the most of it, since that is its main argument. Nowadays there are few genuine 4x4s, or ones with real off-road ability, where a tall car can pass without complications. In our test we confirmed that almost no type of terrain can resist the Ranger and its effective four-wheel drive system. On tarmac it is a comfortable car, with high on-board comfort (one of the best pick-ups in this respect), and it does not give up comfort features typical of other segments. That said, we cannot overlook that its spec sheet indicates it cannot exceed 90 km/h on the motorway.

In short, it has exceptional off-road, traction and towing capabilities, its design makes an impact and catches the eye, on-board comfort is more than notable, and the equipment is more typical of the premium segment. So for those seeking a different and effective 4×4 without giving up comfort, the Ford Ranger is an alternative worth considering.

Photos | Test team