You’d have to have been living under a rock these last few months to have missed word of the first major upgrade to NZ4WD’s Ute and overall 4WD of the Year, the Ford Ranger.

There are 14 models in the new line-up priced from $36,040 to $69,640.

All but one use Ford’s signature 3.2l Duratorq direct injection turbo diesel, the exception being the special order-only 2.2 litre (four cyl) 2WD Single Cab cab/chassis tradie/farm model available in manual only at $36,040.

Another couple of grand (RRP $38,040) buys you the wellside single cab version complete with 3.2 litre (five cyl) powerplant and there are also ‘Super Cab’ wellside versions in XL and XLT spec level (and auto trans options) with prices starting at $42,140.

It’s the Double Cabs where the bulk of sales are going to be made and Ford has four, an XL-spec cab/chassis manual, with an RRP of $53,840, an XL-spec wellside in manual ($55,440) and auto ($57,440), an XLT-spec pair for $61,040 and $63,040, and the range-topping Wildtrak with RRPs of Keen 4WDers will like the fact that new Ranger is as tough and rugged as the original with no change to wading depths and front/rear overhangs and even more electronic assistance thanks to the standard rear diff e-locker.

Everyone else will appreciate the 101 other things Ford has done to ramp up refinement and ease-of-ease across the engine, drivetrain, chassis and interior areas.

Nice one Ford. Let’s see what Toyota – not to mention Mazda, Holden, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Isuzu – has to say about that!
 
To read the full story in the November 2015 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (on sale October 19) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.