Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards 2025: Best Pick-up Truck
Proving that pick-up trucks can be practical as well as comfy, the Ford Ranger shines by being good to drive, spacious for passengers and its ability to carry lots of cargo...
Ford Ranger
Priced from £30,800 (excl. VAT) Fuel economy 22.1-33.6mpg C02 emissions 221-334g/km Payload Up to 1099kg Power 168-237bhp Torque 299-443lb ft
Despite competition from the Volkswagen Amarok, with which it shares its underpinnings, the Ford Ranger remains the runaway best-selling pick-up truck on the market. The 2023 version brought with it a raft of improvements, all intended to make the Ranger the go-to vehicle in the 4x4 pick-up segment.
The Ranger scores over the competition with its breadth of products on offer. For those wanting a basic, utilitarian single cab, the XL model is designed with functionality in mind. Previously top of the range, but now in the midsection is the double cab Wildtrak, sporting plenty of bells and whistles for the owner whose priority might not be for off-road purposes, through to the MS-RT with its rally-inspired heritage and styling. And then there’s the Ford Ranger Raptor, the ultimate off-road Ranger.
Engine choice is mainly dictated by model selection, but there are 170, 205 and 240bhp diesel units in the mainstream range, with Raptor having the option of a powerful V6, 288bhp petrol engine. Importantly, with the exception of the Raptor, all Rangers have at least a 1000kg payload — essential for business users — and most can tow up to 3500kg.
The cab environment belies the fact that this is a commercial vehicle. Every model gets a huge Tesla-style portrait-orientated multimedia screen in the centre of the dash. This isn’t just for multimedia and navigation — take the Ranger off-road, and you’ll get predictive guidance lines over the front camera feed together with a display of pitch and roll angles, keeping you safe and within limits. Various drive modes, including ‘Mud and Ruts’, are selectable, maximising the grip available in all environments.
There are other, very capable pick-ups out there, but the Ranger wins with its all-round ability and versatility. Its on- and off-road characteristics are exemplary, and its extensive range of vehicles and power units is unmatched.
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