The Ford Ranger scored a major upset earlier this year when it successfully defended its Pickup of the Year title against a couple of larger rivals. That was the previous model. Now a super sized, super powered, and better-equipped Ranger steps into the ring.

The Ranger continues the no-nonsense look of its predecessor, with a billet-style front grille that will continue to propagate within the company’s light-truck lineup. Simple and straightforward seems to have been the design brief.

To see how the all-new pickup measures up, we sampled two versions, a 4x2 Trekker and the range-topping 4x4 XLT. Both trucks looked suitably brawny, with bulky fender cladding and massive wheels, and each of them seems to have been attuned for specific driving purposes.

On the Road

For on-road duties, we climbed aboard the Ranger Trekker 4x2. The Trekker is not ridiculously tall so getting in and out is easy, even without a stepboard. But its eye height is still elevated, giving an excellent view of the road and allowing us to see over passenger cars. 

The Ford Ranger feels right-sized for Philippine roads. Driving some of its rivals is like shopping for groceries using a forklift. The Ranger is actually longer than other compact pickups but its moderate width allows it to dart easily through traffic and gaps in highway processions. Making maneuvers easier still is the squared-off hood, easily visible from the driver’s chair. All of these contribute to a nimble, more compact feel.

The tall, upright cabin looks modern and decidedly more car-like than before. Secondary controls like audio system and airc onditioning have been raised high on the dashboard, opening up space for a large storage bin and cup holders below them. The audio system can read MP3 files and adjusts volume to compensate for vehicle speed, but an auxiliary input for your iPod is sadly missing. Plastics are hard but the center segment is finished in shiny silver. The only ancient bit here is the twist-and-pull handbrake. The gauges are the default three-circle configuration, backlit in bright green.

The 2.5 liter turbo diesel is state-of-the-art, incorporating common-rail direct injection and dohc 16-valve heads.  Power and torque are more than enough for city and highway driving. The engine produces 143 hp, and 330 Nm at just 1800 rpm. Of all the pickups in the Philippines, the Ranger has the smoothest and quietest engine lineup. Turbo lag is negligible, and in-gear acceleration is excellent. The engine is even capable of pulling away from standstill in top gear.

The five-speed manual is a willing accomplice, allowing for quick, solid shifts. Gears are well-spaced, with first gear genuinely useful in city driving. The lever has been raised, too, making it a convenient hand-drop away from the steering wheel.

The ride is within pickup normality: predictably jiggly, but not uncomfortably so, even after a 300 km drive. The Ranger hits a sweet spot at about 80 km/h to 100 km/h when the ride suddenly smoothens out. Road and wind noise are commendably low, even when running at about 150 km/h. Rear seat space is now adequate for moderately long journeys.

Despite looking too much like its predecessor, the Ranger has all new body panels.  Side-by-side, it's slightly larger with a higher metal work particularly on the pick-up bed.

The clean body is misleading. The Ranger has been through some pretty tough terrain as shown by its ultra-dirty engine compartment. No denying what the best aspect of the Ranger is.