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The What Van? Road Test: Ford Ranger (2019)
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Powertrain
Fitted with high-pressure common rail fuel injection, a variable-geometry turbocharger, a cast iron block and a cast aluminium head, our Ranger’s four-cylinder 16-valve diesel generates maximum power at 3,500rpm. Top torque of 420Nm bites across a 1,750rpm-to-2,250rpm plateau.
The 213hp version of the engine comes with twin low and high-pressure turbochargers.
Whichever variant you choose, the Ranger depends on AdBlue fed from a 20-litre reservoir to comply with the Euro 6c exhaust emission regulations.
Four-wheel drive is selectable and the electronically controlled transfer box offers three different modes or sets of gears: rear-wheel drive high range (2H), four-wheel drive high range (4H) and four-wheel drive low range (4L). A so-called shift-on-the-fly function allows drivers to switch to 4x4 at speeds of up to 70mph.
Driving
Gone are the days when 4x4 pick-ups lurched uncertainly around every bend, even when driven at moderate speeds. Although the steering could perhaps stand to be tightened up a little, the Ranger can be taken through corners with confidence.
It shares one characteristic with pick-ups of yore, however. The unladen ride is firm to the point of being downright unyielding, but this undoubtedly improves if you drop some weight in the back – 20 or so 37kg bags of grey 20mm Hereford gravel can work wonders, for example.
Though not quite as slick as we’ve come to expect from Ford, the quality of the gear change is acceptable.
For a big heavy pick-up, the Ranger seems pretty frugal, is certainly well put together and in-cab noise levels have been properly suppressed. However acceleration away from rest and up through the gears cannot be described as brisk, even with 177hp on tap.
Four-wheel drive is easy to engage. All you do is twist a knob between the seats which also allows you to engage the low-range set of gears if you are venturing off-road.
Contenting ourselves with squelching around a couple of muddy fields and a construction site, we found we didn’t need them.
The mud was deeper than we expected in one or two places, but the Ranger ploughed through it regardless, without breaking a sweat. Grab-handles are mounted above all the doors and on the A-pillars in case the off-road going gets rough, and the occupants of the cab need something to cling onto. Ground clearance is 232mm, with a wading depth of 800mm.
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