Service intervals are set at one year/12,500 miles. Admittedly that’s short, but that’s no bad thing if the truck is having to endure the sort of hammering that can be dished out by intensive off-road use.
Under those circumstances regular workshop visits can make sound sense so that any damage can be dealt with.
At three years/60,000 miles the warranty could stand to be a little more generous given the vehicle’s high price.
You can switch the anti-idling system designed to help you save fuel on and off. We left it on most of the time, but we’re not sure how much impact it had on the fuel consumption.
We averaged a, painfully-high, 21.5 mpg. As it happens that was marginally better than the woefully-meagre WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) official figure of 20.5mpg.
The LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights should last for ages and its good to see a spare wheel is provided. Bash a rock and rip a tyre’s sidewall wide open and an inflator/sealer will be of no help whatsoever.
Ford Ranger Raptor V6 petrol pick-up
Price £60,664
Price range £57,064-£60,664*
Gross payload 676kg
Load length 1544mm
Load width (min/max) 1,200mm/1,584mm
Load bay height 529mm
Loading height 860mm
Gross vehicle weight 3,130kg
Braked trailer towing weight 2,500kg
Cost per mile tbc
Engine size/power 2,956cc, 292hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 491Nm @ 2,300rpm
Gearbox 10spd automatic
Fuel economy (combined WLTP) 20.5mpg
Fuel tank 80 litres
CO2 315g/km
Warranty 3yrs/60,000 miles
Service intervals 1yr/12,500 miles
Insurance group 42E
Price as tested (inc VAT) £64,144
* Businesses should be able to reclaim VAT on diesel model.
Options
Metallic paint £720
Decal pack £600
Electric load area cover plus roll-over bar £2,160
Isuzu D-Max
Price range (ex VAT) £23,924-£51,324
Gross payload 1045-1205kg
Braked towing weight 2500-3500kg
Engines 164hp 1.9 diesel
Verdict: It’s a hardy workhorse with plenty of kit and a more-than-competent off-road performer, and Isuzu deserves high praise for its stress on onboard safety systems. The lack of power lets it down however, and the manufacturer should give some thought to offering a beefier diesel as an alternative to what is on offer at present. One suspects however that it is a lot more interested in developing a battery-electric model.
Toyota Hilux
Price range (ex VAT) £27,777-£60,187
Gross payload 1000-1030kg
Braked towing weight 3500kg
Engines 150hp 2.4 diesel, 204hp 2.8 diesel
Verdict: The biggest improvement made to the Hilux recently is the advent of a 200hp-plus diesel which has given it a power boost. The engine’s arrival was accompanied by a restyled exterior, a reworked interior and some well-judged mechanical changes. With a reputation for being virtually unbreakable, the Hilux is not lacking in comfort. Second-hand values are healthy, and we’re big fans of Toyota’s approach to warranty.
Volkswagen Amarok
Price range (ex VAT) £33,990-£48,410
Gross payload 842-1103kg
Braked towing weight 3420-3500kg
Engines 170hp, 205hp 2.0 diesel, 240hp 3.0 diesel
Verdict: The Amarok has the same platform as Ford’s Ranger, but the styling is different, and a V6 petrol engine is nowhere to be seen. Sold solely as a 4x4 double-cab, it builds on what the previous Amarok had to offer. As is usual with VW, onboard safety is at a high level, so is build quality – all VWs give you the impression that they’ve been carved out of a solid block of steel – and the warranty and servicing package provided is impressive.
Design 9/10 – A stack of clever features make it an extraordinarily-effective off-roader.
Cabin 9/10 –A well-designed working environment with one of the best touchscreens.
Ride 9/10 – Tackles the umpteen defects in Britain’s Third World highway network with aplomb.
Refinement 8/10 – The engine is commendably quiet and never sounds harsh.
Load area 6/10 – Poor payload capacity and towing capacity is below the magic 3.5 tonnes.
Handling/performance 10/10 – Both are utterly superb, with no defects that we can detect.
Engine/transmission 10/10 – An outstandingly-well-matched combination that delivers on everything.
Standard equipment 9/10 – It’s got virtually everything a discerning 4x4 double-cab pick-up purchaser wants.
Operating costs 6/10– Fuel consumption is the main drawback here, but petrol means no AdBlue refills.
What Van? subjective rating 8/10 – Ford could sell the V6 Ranger Raptor with the slogan: “The truck you always promised yourself.” OK, it’s not perfect – but we’d have one tomorrow.
Overall Rating = 84/100