Price:
NIS 335,000 (test car XLT with chrome package), NIS 365,000 (Wildtrack)
Competitors:
Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Amarok, Ford F-250
We liked:
passenger cabin, refinement on the road, comfort and off-roading, fuel consumption
We didn't like :
price, 170 hp engine, modest equipment compared to the price,
score:
8.5/10
A tough 1-ton van, which entered a competitive work environment/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
The 1-ton van category has recently been strengthened with interesting brands, among which the Ranger will have to occupy its place.
Mitsubishi's successful pick-up has disappeared from the map, leaving the arena to the timeless Toyota Hilux and Isuzu Dimex, reinforced from below by Ssangyong Musu.
From above, an elite group of Jeep Gladiator and Ford Range Raptor formed, which are very desirable and expensive.
And here the half-siblings Volkswagen Amarok join the group, and next to it is the Ford Ranger, which is being tested today.
The chrome decorations and the loading bow are included in the 'chrome' package that costs NIS 10,000/walla! system, Rami Gilboa
These are 'half-siblings' because under the skin they sit on (almost) the same chassis, suspensions, transmissions, terrain assemblies and suspension configuration.
Champion only offers the Amarok with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel that produces 240 hp and 61 lb-ft, while Ford chose two 2.0-liter 4-piston diesel engines, producing 170 or 205 hp. The battle between Amarok and Ranger is not limited only to horse power and equipment levels; there is a conflict between two big brands coming to take a bite out of the iconic Toyota Hilux van and the question is, will the Israeli van driver know how to look under the outer shell?
The Ford Ranger has a good starting point; it is a new model for us, but Its big brother 250F has already opened the axle, and the blue oval is appreciated and accepted. Taxation tricks in Israel mean that the big 250F, which enjoys an exemption from purchase tax for commercial tools weighing 4 tons or more, costs less in Israel than its little brother Ranger; 250F will cost a farmer 315 thousand shekels 'Only', compared to NIS 325 or 365 thousand for the smaller and weaker Ranger.
The box door can be turned into a work table, with the help of optional accessories.
There are 12 and 220 volt points in the box/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
Delek Motors offers the Ford Ranger in the basic XLT version that we are testing today, with a power of 170 hp and a non-basic price of 325 thousand shekels. , you will get the Wildtrack version, which already costs NIS 365,000.
We should note that the Amarok is sold at official prices of 360 or 400 thousand shekels, but as a welcome to the Ranger, Volkswagen announced a commercial discount sale, 325 thousand shekels 'only' with the formidable 6V engine;
Can we call this a family feud?
As early as 1919, Henry Ford stated: "You can order your Ford T in any color, as long as it is black" / Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
Design: The black color of the test vehicle does no favors to the design of the Ranger, it overwhelms the powerful body carvings in American style, the square lighting units and the invested box door.
The Ranger boasts design elements taken from the American van world, which Ford has been leading for decades.
In front, a massive and unadorned grille, a chrome frame and square lighting units.
The license plate is high, protected against hitting the ground or immersion in deep water.
Wide side steps and a bright cargo arch complete the decorative elements and create a vehicle that is very impressive and American in character.
At 5.37 meters long and 1.92 wide, the Ranger is longer, wider and taller than the Toyota by a few centimeters.
The passenger cabin is very modern, the seats are excellent/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
Cabin: The living space is excellent.
It's easy to climb aboard with massive grab handles, the seating position is high and commanding, the seat support is excellent and the feel is more modern than regular work vans.
The forward view is slightly limited, due to the high hood.
The trim and upholstery materials are good and solid, as expected in a van intended to be used as a work vehicle.
The dashboard is dominated by a 10-inch vertical multimedia screen.
The panel is detailed and responds quickly, but requires a rather tedious scrolling to get to the menus.
We were happy to find dedicated switches for turning on the air conditioner and the sound system.
The 8-inch dashboard in front of the driver is detailed and original, but not always convenient to use;
The rev counter is too small in one corner, the fuel gauge is too big. There is a display of off-road conditions that is not bad at all. 6 AUX switches are installed in the ceiling, you are welcome to use them to turn on spotlights, a water pump, an announcement, anything that will give you a good feeling.
The back is relatively comfortable.
The rear seat folds up, to increase the storage volume/Wala! system, Rami Gilboa
The rear entrance is a little tighter but there is good room for two workers, or the owner's children.
There are air conditioner outlets, 12 and 220 volt sockets (but no USB or C sockets).
Even in the basic XLT version, the Ranger is spacious and comfortable enough to be used as a family vehicle.
There is a selection of storage compartments that includes a small and useful shelf in front of the passenger.
The door compartments are extra large, each can be threaded with a family drinking bottle + a thermos.
The cargo box is large and square with 6 anchor hooks, lighting, and 12 and 220 volt power points.
The vertical screen is detailed, supported by physical switches on the dashboard and the steering wheel/Wala! system, Rami Gilboa
Engine:
Ford Ranger comes to Israel with 2.0 liter diesel engines.
The twin-turbocharged Wildtrak produces 205 hp and 51 lb-ft which, oh, what a surprising coincidence!
Exactly the maximum power and torque of the Toyota Hi-Lex;
At Toyota the power comes earlier, the Ranger has a better gearbox.
The XLT test vehicle is equipped with a single supercharger that delivers 170 hp at 3,500 rpm, and 41.3 kgm at 1,750 rpm.
I cannot tell you that it is not strong enough;
The test vehicle cruised easily at highway 6 speeds, raced without a problem from Sodom to Arad, and we didn't feel underpowered in the field either.
The XLT only has six gears, but the first two are short and close together.
This gives a nice jump from a standstill, but later on we get longer gear ratios than is customary today, when many tools have 7, 8 and even 10 gears.
The tires are suitable for off-road work, the movement of the rear axle is excellent/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
It turns out that at intercity speeds the XLT's accelerations are quite anemic, you have to think a little more before overtaking, and we haven't loaded or towed anything yet.
It turns out that 170 horsepower is capable of being efficient enough, but considering the price of the car, we would have expected a little more pepper.
No tanderist is interested in 0-100 data, but to get a sense of proportion - the test vehicle needed 11.6 seconds to complete the classic acceleration, while the Wildtrak will settle for 10.5 seconds.
Amarok will do it in a very respectable 8.7 seconds.
On the other side of the coin, we found excellent isolation from engine noise and vibrations, the ride in the XLT is very quiet and pleasant.
The 6-speed gearbox is a bit slow in its responses, but it doesn't really bother.
An electric switch controls the manual gear combination.
The XLT was quite economical over hundreds of kilometers of cruising on Highway 6, ascent from the Dead Sea, and technical crawling in Nahal Dargot.
The fuel consumption on the intercity road is around 11-12 kilometers per liter, we also got better results.
The manufacturer claims 11.4 kml on a mixed route, it's a bit optimistic but definitely possible. In off-road driving, the Ranger will travel 6-9 kilometers per liter. For those who like strong engine performance or who load and tow a lot, it's worth considering an upgrade to a Wildtrack that will be more powerful and energetic.
There is nothing like a small coffee break, in a quiet desert channel.
It's easy to convert the Ranger into a travel vehicle/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
Driving comfort and road behavior:
the weak point of work vans is the driving comfort without cargo in the box.
These vans have rear leaf springs calibrated for 1-ton loading and with no minimum of 150-250 kilograms in the box they are stiff and bouncy, especially for the rear occupants.
The test vehicle is more comfortable than some of its top competitors due to different suspension calibration, 255/70 R17 tires that prioritize comfort, and a relatively high curb weight.
In terms of a van it is a civilized vehicle but I have to admit, I liked it a lot with slightly reduced air pressure.
The loading capacity is 1,000 kilograms as is customary in the category, as is the towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.
The dashboard displays a lot of information, a bit strange in its design/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
A comparative test would need to be conducted to rate the ride comfort against the competition, but my feeling is that the Ranger XLT will be one of the best in the field.
The high seating position and curb weight of 2,230 kilograms do not encourage sporty driving, but the steering is direct and quite light (it's good for city and off-road maneuvers), there are four disc brakes.
In terms of safety, there are plenty of alerts, lane departure control and autonomous braking, full cruise control.
There are 8 airbags and five Euroencap stars but there is no AWD option important for 4x4 driving on the road, to increase safety.
Thanks to an excellent suspension stroke and rear differential lock, the Ranger swallows rock steps with bold disdain/Walla system!, Rami Gilboa
Terrain:
All this is very nice but you already know that we are not here to count airbags, but to get off the asphalt.
The Ford Ranger was designed in Australia by people who know what it takes to handle grueling journeys in the Outback.
It has a ladder chassis and live rear axle, 4x4 or 2x4 drive, power transmission and traction control and most importantly, a locking rear differential.
The XLT base version comes with an excellent off-road tire size, 255/70R17, which is more resistant to accidents and allows you to mount off-road tires worthy of their name.
Wildtrak comes with 18 or 20 inch rims, less suitable for off-road work.
All Rangers come with full ventral protection/Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
The longest wheelbase in the category (3.27 meters) provides loading volume and interior space, but it affects the body angles;
An approach angle of 30 degrees is considered good, but the belly (21 degrees) and departure (23 degrees) angles are less good.
With a ground clearance of 23.5 cm and a short power transmission, the Ranger coped well with the demanding terrain of the Judean desert, allowing excellent control of the acceleration and braking pedals - it is easy to crawl over technical obstacles with it. The rear axle has excellent suspension travel and somewhat surprisingly, the Ranger R hardly rubs fenders on the ground and activates hill descent control by itself, even in High mode. I guess that in hot sands it won't be a great hero, but its big tires allow a massive reduction in air pressure, which will allow it to overcome even swampy dunes. With a slight body lift and the installation of tires Off-road or AT the Ranger will be an excellent touring vehicle.
Ford Ranger takes its first steps with us, but in the world it is well known and very successful / Walla! system, Rami Gilboa
The bottom line: Ford Ranger also injects new and high-quality into the mid-size van category, with excellent on-road and off-road capabilities and the ability to function as a family vehicle as well.
It is a modern and fresh workhorse, which may overshadow the category leaders who are already starting to age.
Delek Motors is trying to position the Ranger as a fashionable replacement for a tough recreational vehicle, but the XLT version is not entirely convincing in this branding.
The problem is its high price.
For NIS 325,000 I would expect a more powerful engine, a richer level of equipment, and 4x4 drive on the road.
The situation is made worse due to the fact that in front of the Ranger is the Amarok with the big engine and now also an attractive price and on the other hand is the Toyota Hilux, a capable competitor with an iconic status.
The battle between the two brands can only be determined after a comparative test, which we will get to on another occasion.
On the technical side: Ford Ranger XLT
Engine:
turbo diesel 4-piston 1,996 cc
power/rpm (hp):
205/3,750
torque/rpm (kgm):
50.9/1,750
gearbox:
automatic, 6 gears
drive: rear, 4X4 for off-road, power transmission
Offense aids:
traction control, rear differential lock, descent control
Dimensions:
Length (meters):
5.37
Width (meters)
: 1.92
Height (meters):
1.88
Wheelbase (meters):
3.27
Ground clearance (s) m):
23.5
Angle of approach / departure (degrees)
: 30 / 23
Tires:
M&S, 255/70 R17
Net weight (kg): 2,331
Loading / towing capacity (kg):
1,000 / 3,500
Box dimensions (interior, cm):
length 156.4, width 122.4 (between wheelhouses), depth 51.1
Performance (manufacturer)
0-100 km/h (seconds):
11.6
Maximum speed (km/h):
180
Fuel consumption (km per liter, Manufacturer):
11.4
Fuel consumption (km per liter, test):
10
Safety:
European crash test score
: 5 out of 5 stars
Active safety systems:
autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse travel, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping , vehicle monitoring in dead space, driver fatigue reduction, front and rear parking sensors
Warranty:
36 months or 100 thousand kilometers
More on the same topic:
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