TEST DRIVE: 2017 Ford Ranger 4x2 2.2 XLT A/T

Gone are the days when pickup trucks were considered as a workhorse vehicle. It has now been transformed into a lifestyle truck that's usually used as a daily-driven machine and a weekend road-trip car. This is the reason why modern pickup trucks are designed to have a more premium interior and a more comfortable ride. The pickup truck segment is one of the most tightly contested market in the Philippines. Manufacturers are aggressively promoting their respective challengers in the-so called pickup wars. The Ford Ranger is one of the many pickup trucks being sold in the local market.

In fact, it is the best-selling Ford model in April 2018, with almost 800 units sold. What does the Ranger have to offer in order to be Ford's top selling unit last month? To answer that question, Ford Philippines lent us the keys of the Ford Ranger 4x2 2.2 XLT. When you look at the Ranger, you can right away say that it's a vehicle that doesn't fall short of testosterone. It has a bold and composed stance, which makes it the gym buff of cars. The wide trapezoidal chrome grille along with the sharp-looking headlights and the large bumper allow the Ranger to have a commanding stance. The chrome grille looks good; however, I prefer the black, gray-ish grille that's fitted to the Wildtrak variant.

Turning at the side, the prominent wheel arches add to the Ranger’s muscular appeal. The side profile is accented by chrome trims as seen on the exterior mirrors and door handles. The blue-white-red stripes you see is not a standard feature--it's an aftermarket decal placed by Ford. And yes, this pickup truck looks better without those stripes. The rear, on the other hand, has massive taillights and a bumper that has chrome trims.

Inside, it has a black interior theme along with splashes of silver accents, which gives it a premium feel. It also has a straightforward interior that features only the necessary functions. But, the upper half of the center console might take some time to get used to--it has a lot of buttons ranging from numerical symbols to different radio functions. The thing I liked most in this Ranger's interior is the instrument cluster. It has a white-on-black gauges for easy readability and the blue-colored needle is a nice touch.

Under the hood, this Ranger is powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine that delivers 158 hp and 385 Nm of torque and is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. This power rating is more than enough if you plan to make this vehicle as your daily-driven car in the metro. Why bother getting the bigger 3.2-liter diesel engine if you would only use the Ranger in the urban jungle, right? Traffic is bad in the city plus high inclined roads are not much present.

Speaking of which, driving the Ranger around the city is easy due to its light steering, which is brought upon by the Electrical Power Assisted Steering (EPAS). The EPAS allows the Ranger to smoothly navigate tight turns and narrow streets without a sweat. The light steering feel also results to less driver fatigue, which is crucial when you're driving around the city. The ride comfort isn't that bad either--though it will get bumpy when you're driving through the dilapidated roads of EDSA. You need to understand that the Ranger is still a pickup truck, so don't expect it to have a 100 percent car-like ride comfort. Out in the open highway, this Ranger continues to prove why it is Ford Philippines' best-selling model last April 2018. It is stable in highway speeds and the light steering becomes firmer, which gives you better control of the vehicle. You can change lanes with confidence and you can keep the Ranger within the lane with less effort. In terms of fuel economy, this Ranger registered 14.5 km/l while running at 100 kph.

The Ranger has four things why it has been one of the best-selling models of Ford Philippines. First, it has a bold and composed exterior along with a premium interior. Second, the steering is light when you're driving in the city and it gets firmer at faster, highway speeds. Third, the Ranger has a relatively good ride comfort but not the best in its class. And fourth, considering all the points mentioned, the Ranger offers less driver fatigue. Priced at PHP1.188 million, the Ford Ranger 4x2 XLT is a vehicle that's worth considering if you're looking to get a brand-new pickup truck.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: We're trying a new format for our car reviews. It's shorter and easier to read compared to our old format which was more detailed and even had a scoring system. Let us know which one you prefer.