The best value truck? Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Sport 4×4 AT – Review
It’s no secret that Ford Philippines owes most of its success to the popularity of the Ranger pickup. With every generation, it seems the blue oval takes the nameplate further and further in terms of what a modern pickup truck should be.
However, it must be said that the Ford Ranger lineup is extensive and possibly confusing, with that thought I decided to find out which variant I thought would be the best value for money, and I ended up feeling like I found not just the best Ranger, but possibly the most worth it pick up in the market now.
Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Sport 4×4 AT
Table of Contents
I always liked how the current generation of the Ford Ranger looks like, it presents a very premium, modern, and rugged aesthetic that really sets itself apart from all its contemporaries.
The Sport variant appeals to me even more because of its subtlety, apart from this eye-catching blue color one would be hard-pressed to determine which variant of the Ranger it is. I also like the functionality built into the design, such as the small step board found on either side of the rear tires to help with loading and unloading, I honestly think the design of the current model will age well as the years press on.
Interior
Ford has always been very good at making the interiors of their vehicles feel upscale, in the case of the Ford Ranger Sport it feels very well put together inside with nice-to-touch panels and a general feeling of solidity. One thing I also noticed was that the interior has a no-nonsense approach ergonomics-wise, the only outlier being the iPad-like touchscreen infotainment system that houses vehicle settings, connectivity features, and more.
Functionality also plays a part, the 2nd row seats can fold up and there are additional storage trays underneath which is a feature overlooked and lacking in most pickups.
Overall, Ford nails the interior of the Sport even if it isn’t the top trim model.
Engine and Performance
The Ranger Sport makes do with the single turbo 2.0-liter diesel making 170 hp and 405 Nm of torque, the transmission is a 6-speed automatic.
Driving Impressions
I can say with certainty that the Ranger Sport deserves its name, it feels like the most athletic and lively pickup to drive. No matter how many other times I drive different pickup models, the Ranger always feels like the easiest and most engaging to drive.
There’s a lightness to it that is somewhat surprising given that it’s a workhorse, the lightness also leads to nimbleness compared to the competition, I find it so much easier to drive the Ranger on a daily basis despite the tightness of our country roads.
The Sport variant I was lent was the 4×4 version, although it lacked the terrain mode found in the Wildtrak I think the simplicity of the 4×4 Sport makes it more approachable for most people who just need the offroad basics like locking differentials and switching from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.
Despite it being the non-bi-turbo engine the powertrain is more than enough to shove the Ranger Sport along, it feels very brisk and the 6-speed automatic is actually better suited to this engine, it doesn’t hunt for gears like the 10-speed does sometimes.
Points for Improvement
I honestly have no glaring issues with the Ford Ranger Sport apart from the ride, I think the ride could be slightly improved.
Price and Verdict
At PHP 1,624,000USD 27,576INR 2,347,167EUR 26,552CNY 201,376 the Ford Ranger 2.0 Turbo Sport 4×4 AT is value-packed for the price, it comes with all the features any modern pickup needs and then some. Not to mention it also feels the best to drive and the best to ride compared to the others, it’s hard to find any fault with the Ranger and that’s why it’s a best seller and will continue to be.
