Ford ranger platinum 2023 review

But at this price point come some fairly serious expectations.

Give the Ford Ranger chrome treatment, a silky smooth V6 engine and a comprehensive off-roading package and you get the Ranger Platinum; the most premium offering within the Ranger family, bar the Raptor. We are driving arguably the most intentional luxury offering within the Ford Ranger family. Yes, the Ranger Raptor still sits in a league of its own, and while it may possess similar elements to the Platinum, with equally high-grade materials, the Raptor is still a very sporty, niche off-roading vehicle in terms of look and feel. The Platinum on the other hand caters specifically to the luxury bakkie market. I mean, when have you seen this sort of chrome treatment on a Ranger before?

Ford ranger platinum 2023 review

And is it worth the money over a Wildtrak? Glenn Butler goes looking for answers. If you're into utes, no introduction is necessary, so feel free to jump right to the pricing section below. If you're new to utes, a bit of background will help set the scene. Dual-cab utes are enjoying incredible popularity right now. In fact, the top two new vehicles bought by Australians in and so far in are the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in dual-cab 4x4 configuration. The Ford Ranger is also the Drive Car of the Year , so not only is it popular with consumers, it's critically acclaimed. Ford is cashing in on that popularity — or maybe responding to consumer demand? So the Ranger Platinum still has a ways to go to topple the true price king — prices quoted here include the latest round of price rises. But the Ranger Raptor is a sports-focused ute, whereas the Platinum is a more highly equipped mainstream variant, so they're really not comparable. And is it worth the money over a V6 Wildtrak? Like the Wildtrak, the Platinum is a four-door dual-cab with a kW and Nm 3. Visually, the front end shares a lot with the Platinum spec of the Everest Large SUV, including standard matrix LED headlights which can shape the beam for better night penetration.

Buying Advice.

The latest Ford Ranger has been a commercial and critical hit since it launched in Since then, the Blue Oval has added regular updates and has now rolled out the most expensive mainstream version yet, the Ford Ranger Platinum. Essentially, this is a V6 turbo-diesel 4x4 dual-cab with the top-end of the options list raided to justify the price. But the essentials that have won the Ranger line-up so much praise are the key ingredients. So does a V6 Ranger with more gear and an even higher price make for compelling buying? It is the most expensive mainstream dual-cab 4x4 turbo-diesel in the Ranger line-up.

Considered more of a diet F than mini-truck, the Ranger comes with a hp turbocharged inline-four and speed automatic transmission. It comes up big with a pound maximum towing capacity, however. The Ranger can be ordered as either a two-door SuperCab with a six-foot bed or a four-door SuperCrew with a five-foot bed. This is largely an appearance package with an exclusive Eruption Green Metallic paint color and black mesh grille. Azure Gray Metallic Tri-coat is also added as an available paint option. It comes standard with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking—things that are only available on the Chevrolet Colorado's and the GMC Canyon's highest trims. Our first choice, however, is the SuperCrew crew-cab body style dressed in the mid-level XLT trim and equipped with four-wheel drive. We'd add the FX4 off-road suspension, a bed liner, and the A package that includes heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch touch-screen infotainment system. Pop the hood of the Ford Ranger, and you'll be greeted by a turbocharged 2.

Ford ranger platinum 2023 review

And is it worth the money over a Wildtrak? Glenn Butler goes looking for answers. If you're into utes, no introduction is necessary, so feel free to jump right to the pricing section below. If you're new to utes, a bit of background will help set the scene. Dual-cab utes are enjoying incredible popularity right now. In fact, the top two new vehicles bought by Australians in and so far in are the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in dual-cab 4x4 configuration. The Ford Ranger is also the Drive Car of the Year , so not only is it popular with consumers, it's critically acclaimed. Ford is cashing in on that popularity — or maybe responding to consumer demand?

Astel

Turning off the sealed road at the Murchison Gap Lookout stunning views seems a good time to remind those unfamiliar that speccing the V6 diesel also includes full-time 4WD capability. V6 engine is a refined and quiet operator that puts lots of rattly fours to shame. Find similar cars. Adults sitting in the front or back will have plenty of space and there are also lots of storage areas dotted around. Not so much New Car Deals. All cars for sale. It must be one of the most no-brainer options boxes to tick in the history of the motor vehicle. Other clever driver assist features include an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go and the ability to adjust road speed in accordance with traffic signs. Car of the year. Storage options are good in the front and back seat, including generous door bins all-round. The Ranger XLS is only available with the 2.

The Platinum showcases the breadth of ability the current Ranger possesses. Making an upmarket pick-up truck is no easy venture, though. Just ask Mercedes , whose ill-fated Nissan Navara -based X-Class quietly went off sale many years ago.

Volkswagen has used the same basics to develop a classier presentation in the Amarok. Review Type Local Launch. Every Ranger carries a high level of standard safety gear including dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting curtain airbags, along with a driver and passenger knee airbag. We are driving arguably the most intentional luxury offering within the Ford Ranger family. The Ranger Platinum is also one of the quieter utes I've driven in terms of tyre noise, which suggests that the milder all-season tread counteracts any extra noise kicked up by the bigger inch tyres. Dealer New. Review Type Long-Term Test. They looked particularly impressive kicking up the snow of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds, but more on the driving conditions later! During our time with the Platinum, we tried it out in plenty of different environments and found it to be a smidge thirstier than the quoted 28mpg. Ford Ranger Long-Term Review. There are now some options to contend with, a power roller tonneau made available from MY Car Guides. Pricing and specifications. Written by Bruce Newton. Its lane keep assist in particular is well calibrated; there is still the occasional unrequired nudge but nothing like the continued intrusion by some other systems.