Seldom does a producer get pleasure from such market dominance as that of Ford, with its Ranger pickups commanding a peerless 57% share of the sector in 2022.

And the flip of the 12 months noticed the most well-liked producer’s hottest mannequin – the Wildtrak – relaunched with an even bigger engine, a slick full-time four-wheel drive system, and an SUV-like cabin.

See additionally: First impressions: Ford’s new V6 Ranger Raptor pickup

The segue from outdated to new seems to have performed nothing to hurt gross sales, with 5,000 automobiles already spoken for this 12 months and the corporate properly on observe to hit its 15,000-unit goal – regardless of prolonged lead instances for some variants.

It’s no shock that the longest wait (round 9 months) is for the ever-popular, and now V6-powered, Wildtrak – a mannequin that in current instances has accounted for greater than 75% of all Rangers on UK roads.

Its launch heralds a return to big-bored blocks, which have been off the menu for the reason that departure of the Volkswagen Amarok in 2020.

To Ford’s shock, and regardless of a meaty £4,500 worth premium, that pent-up demand has seen early gross sales of the V6 exceed these of the choice 2-Litre bi-turbo block, which is a carryover from the earlier technology.

Nevertheless, the Wildtrak’s everlasting endurance will likely be examined, with a rejig within the seven-strong Ranger line-up shuffling it down the pecking order to a center spot.

Above it now come the brand new Wildtrak X and Platinum fashions, plus the high-performance Raptor that resides in a league of its personal.

The lower-spec Tremor – with much less fancy stuff however related off-road means – ought to present farming patrons with extra meals for thought, too.

Engine choices

The brand new mannequin may be longer, wider and extra comfy than its predecessor, however chief among the many raft of highlights is the introduction of the aforementioned 3-litre V6.

With 240hp and 600Nm of torque on faucet it makes the 164hp and 360Nm of the Isuzu D-Max – a longtime farming favorite – look frightfully feeble.

The extra economical possibility, each in up-front and working prices, is the 2-litre EcoBlue bi-turbo model (205hp, 500Nm). It’s good for 32mpg, versus the V6’s 28mpg.

Probably the most fundamental Rangers, the XL and XLT, are propelled by a single turbo, 170hp iteration of that engine, allied to a six-speed guide or auto transmission.

Redesigned four-wheel drive

The Wildtrak breaks into what was as soon as completely Amarok territory in providing a full-time four-wheel drive system, solely it additionally comes with a torque multiplying BorgWarner switch case to offer low-range gears.

This runs by means of Ford’s slick shifting however often troublesome 10-speed auto transmission and, in addition to providing the customary two- and four-wheel drive high-range modes, it has a neat new 4A automated setting.

With some digital wizardry, this offers “torque on demand”, various the drive between the entrance and rear wheels in accordance with the circumstances.

Because of this, it may be used for regular on-road driving with out the danger of binding the differentials.

Inside this technique are six advised modes – regular, eco, tow, slippery, mud and sand.

When chosen, these alter settings associated to the traction management system, gear shift timing and throttle response. In some circumstances, they lock the rear differential too.

It’s additionally potential to restrict the variety of ratios obtainable, a helpful function for gnarlier off-roading, and a entrance diff-lock is obtainable on the choices checklist.

We discovered its tendency to hover in a gear, as a substitute of upshifting on the first alternative, was a profit off-road, however much less beneficial on it.

Different updates value mentioning embody a better trip top, offered by coil springs on the entrance and leaf variations on the rear – reasonably than the fancier position-sensitive Bilstein setup on the Tremor and Wildtrak X – and a Path Flip Help function that brakes the within wheel to slash the turning radius by as much as 25%.

New look

The boxy exterior and squared-off nostril make the newest Wildtrak a better relative to its US counterparts than ever earlier than.

The similarities are emphasised by the sheer dimension of the factor, with its wheelbase and observe width each elevated by 50mm to ship a greater method angle and extra articulation.

Although the chassis is unchanged, the rear suspension dampers have been shifted outboard of the body to ship a smoother trip, with small bumps close to imperceptible and jitter saved to a minimal even with an empty load mattress.

The draw back is that it’s a monstrosity to park, not helped by an unremarkable 12.9m turning circle, and drivers will likely be reliant on the mix of parking sensors and cameras to fit it between a pair of white strains.

Whether or not they’ll then have the ability to get out of the door is one other query.

Aesthetic adjustments of notice embody the American F150’s so-called “C-clamp” LED headlights, a brand new grille and bolder arches.

The load mattress (1.22m large, 1.56m lengthy) is rated to over a tonne, comes with a moulded plastic bedliner and can now swallow a Euro pallet with out it clashing with the wheel.

Amongst a handful of natty little enhancements are a step behind the rear wheel to ease entry – one thing that the near-identical Amarok received’t have – and an built-in ruler and clamp pockets alongside the sting of the tailgate to kind a make-do work bench.

Inside, it’s much less pickup and extra SUV. The centrepiece is a Tesla-style 12in central touchscreen, which has thinned out just a few guide controls.

Pleasingly, some stay, with nobbly dials for fast changes of the dual-zone local weather management and sound system quantity.

The scale of the display screen permits for maps, media and temperature to be displayed concurrently, with extra particulars – predominantly the drivetrain settings, steering angle and the like – housed within the digital sprint behind the steering wheel.

Storage is neatly organized and plentiful and the entrance leather-based seats are comfy however, on first impressions, these within the rear don’t get fairly as a lot area as is afforded to passengers within the Ssangyong Musso.

Remainder of the vary

Propping up the gang of seven Rangers are the XL and XLT, powered by a 170hp 2-litre engine paired with a six-speed guide and part-time 4×4 system.

These promote in surprisingly few numbers (totalling not more than 2% of complete gross sales), however now have an inexpensive customary spec.

That is the results of mom rules coming into play in 2024 that necessitate the inclusion of assorted driver aids corresponding to cruise management and evasive braking.

Because of this, they’re not as low-cost as they was, with double-cab costs beginning at £29,800 ex vat.

Above these come the Tremor, a brand new mannequin that has much less chrome and higher off-road credentials than the Restricted model it replaces, adopted by the Wildtrak, Wildtrak X (2-litre solely) and Platinum (V6).

High spot is held by the Raptor, a sports activities efficiency car with a sub-700kg payload meaning it doesn’t qualify for the business car tax break. It prices the fats finish of £60k and sells properly in Essex. Say no extra…

Farmers Weekly verdict

Early impressions recommend Ford has performed little to hurt a successful system.

A greater four-wheel drive system and the choice of an even bigger engine are apparent enhancements however, with the V6 beginning at virtually £44k, there’s a worth to pay for the upgrades.

Farming patrons keen to accept the 2-litre, 205hp oil burner may be higher served wanting on the new Tremor, which is predicated on the extra workaday XLT.

It’s £5,000 lower than a Wildtrak with the identical engine, transmission and 4×4 system, and may have ample energy for many jobs.

As such, Ford expects it to take a chew out of the Wildtrak’s market share, although deliveries for it and the Wildtrak X aren’t slated to start till August.

Electrical variations of the Ranger are additionally stated to be within the works. The corporate is investing closely in EV expertise and, within the US, already has a 600hp electrical Lightning model of its F150 pickup.

A fast scour of the Mental Property Workplace web site reveals Ford filed for the Ranger Lightning trademark final 12 months, so watch this area.