6-way comparison: Ford Ranger vs. Toyota Hilux vs. Mitsubishi Strada vs. Nissan Navara vs. Isuzu D-Max vs. Mazda BT-50
It’s no secret that the pickup segment in the Philippines is hotly contested. In fact, most manufacturers choose to pack their pickup offerings with as many features as possible because they know how much we Filipinos love them.
One such brand is Ford, while they have “struck out” on other segments, they struck gold in the pickup segment with the Ranger. So much so that it is one of the best-selling vehicles (not just pickups) in the country.
The next generation Ford Ranger has just been launched, and now it’s time to find out if Ford has indeed done right or not.
Do take note that for this comparison, we chose to highlight the top-of-the-line variants of each model.
Below are the criteria we used, which are based on what we think matters most to the consumers.
Photo: Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4
Table of Contents
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5370 x 1918 x 1884
Ground clearance: 235mm
Engine: 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel
Power and Torque: 210PS and 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 Liters
Infotainment: 12″ Colored Portrait Touchscreen SYNC®4a with Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ Compatibility (Voice Commands available with Wildtrak Variants)
Safety: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Centering, Auto High Beam, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning System, Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping System, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert & Braking, 360 Degree Camera, Reverse Brake Assist, Evasive Steer Assist, Hill Launch Assist & Roll Over Mitigation, Hill Descent Control, 7 airbags, ABS + EBD, ESP with Traction Control System
Price: PHP 1,875,000
Photo: Toyota
Toyota Hilux GR-S
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5,320 x 1,900 x 1,815
Ground clearance: 279mm
Engine: 2.8L Diesel, 4-Cylinder, 16-Valve DOHC Variable Nozzle Turbo with Air-cooled Intercooler
Power and Torque: 204PS and 500Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 Liters
Infotainment: 8″ Display Audio AM/FM/Bluetooth/USB/Apple Carplay/Android Auto/Smart Device Link (SDL)/Miracast
Safety: 7 airbags, ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
Price: PHP 1,990,000- 2,010,000 (Emotional Red)
Photo: Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Strada Athlete 4WD AT
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5,305 x 1,815 x 1,795
Ground clearance: 220mm
Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve Clean Diesel with VGT and MIVEC
Power and Torque: 181PS and 430Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (4WD Super Select-II)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 Liters
Infotainment: 8″ Touchscreen with Mirror link feature, Bluetooth, USB, Aux-In
Safety: Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA), Hill Descent Control, Forward Collision Mitigation System (FCM), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), Blind Spot Warning System (BSW), Auto High-Beam, 7 airbags
Price: PHP 1,818,000
Photo: Nissan
Nissan Navara PRO-4X
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5,260 x 1,875 x 1,855
Ground clearance: 220mm
Engine: Inline 4-Cylinder, DOHC, with Variable Turbocharger (VGS) and Intercooler
Power and Torque: 190PS and 450Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 Liters
Infotainment: Nissan 8″ Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Bluetooth (Handsfree Calling and Audio Streaming) / USB (Type A and Type C) / iPod / Aux / Tuner
Safety: 6 airbags, With Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Monitor, Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Driver Alertness, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), High Beam Assist (HBA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Price: PHP 1,746,000
Photo: Isuzu
Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 4X4 LS-E AT
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5,277 x 1,880 x 1,810
Ground clearance: 240mm
Engine: Inline 4-Cylinder, In-line Blue Power Diesel engine with turbo intercooler, semi-midship weight distribution
Power and Torque: 190PS and 450Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Fuel Tank Capacity: 76 Liters
Infotainment: 10.1″ full touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Safety: 7 airbags, brake override system, ABS, EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control
Price: PHP 1,825,000
Photo: Mazda
Mazda BT-50 3.0L 4×4 AT
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 5,280 x 1,870 x 1,810
Ground clearance: 240mm
Engine: Inline 3.0L DOHC Diesel Engine In-Line 4-Cylinder Intercooler Turbocharged
Power and Torque: 190PS and 450Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Fuel Tank Capacity: 76 Liters
Infotainment: 9” LCD USB, Bluetooth Hands-Free Android Auto & Wireless Apple Carplay
Safety: 7 airbags, (ABS), (ESC), Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Automatic Highbeam Control, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control
Price: PHP 1,790,000
Verdict
Here’s where things get interesting, based on the specs and prices above, the most “bang-for-buck” option is the (often overlooked) Mazda BT-50. Besides the Nissan Navara, it is the only top-of-the-line pickup that comes in below PHP 1.8 Million. What makes the BT-50 a better option is the fact that it has a newer engine and platform (than the Navara). Also, the BT-50 has a whole host of safety features that are up to par with the more expensive competitors.
So what about the Ford Ranger? well, it’s the second most expensive option, but it must also be said that it’s the newest and is filled with a lot of creature comforts and safety features. It also has the most powerful engine. I would have to say that the Ford Ranger is the 2nd best choice out of the bunch.
As for the others, the Navara is actually the most affordable but the platform and engine are quite dated. What can’t be taken against it though is the fact that it has the full suite of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety features. Next up is the D-MAX. While it is a big step up compared to its previous generation, it falls short in terms of safety and is quite pricey. The Strada meanwhile comes short on engine power and is also on the expensive end of the spectrum.
Lastly, the Hilux is the most expensive option at a whopping PHP 115,000 more than the second most costly (Ranger) option. It also lacks a staggering amount of safety options compared to the others on the list.
So to answer the question, Ford has done right by the Ranger. The Ford Ranger (based on specs and prices) is worth it in every sense.
