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Driven: 2019 Ford Ranger (European model)

When the Ford Motor Company brought out the Ranger at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2010, it was as plain as day the mid-size pickup on the T6 vehicle architecture was developed primarily for Australia and surrounding markets.
2019 Ford Ranger (European model) 79 photos
Photo: Ford Romania
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Slowly but steadily to the surprise of everyone, European customers started to favor the workhorse over more traditional commercial vehicles such as panel and passenger vans. This shift in the Old Continent emboldened the Blue Oval to make the Transit a lot better while updating the Ranger as much as possible.

For the 2019 model year, the mid-size pickup is better than ever before thanks to a number of improvements such as the redesigned anti-roll bar at the rear axle and 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbo diesel. The extent of these improvements is directly proportional with the commercial success of the Ranger in Europe, where it’s the best-selling pickup in the mid-size segment.

In EU20 countries, FoMoCo fares better than Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Renault. Given these circumstances, there’s no denying the pressure to evolve the Ranger while keeping costs under control was huge.

During our trip to Sibiu to test the Ranger Raptor, we’ve also had a go in Limited and Wildtrak models equipped with the 2.0- and 3.2-liter engines as well as the six- and 10-speed automatic transmissions. And you know what? It’s hard to point out what’s different from a visual standpoint, but these trucks do feel different.

The first thing that captures your attention is how the ride quality feels while seated in the back. Less body roll in the corners and bounciness on the highway are the highlights, and in the Wildtrak trim level, the modifications brought to the seating surfaces level up the perceived quality of the cabin.

Our testers were all double cab, including the Ranger Raptor, and this body style provides sufficient legroom and headroom for taller adults regardless of where they’re seated. The regular and super cabs are work-oriented trucks, and as you’d expect, the layout of the cabin isn’t the only aspect that influences the towing and payload capacities of the 2019 Ford Ranger.

2019 Ford Ranger \(European model\)
Photo: Ford Romania
Even though the 3.2-liter Duratorq sounds meatier, features an additional cylinder, and now complies with the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard, it’s the 2.0-liter EcoBlue four-cylinder turbo diesel that happens to be the torquier engine. The bi-turbo matches the output of the Ranger Raptor, but it’s capable to tow up to 3,500 kilograms easy peasy. Payload is rated at 1,252 kilograms, and the bed is suitable even for long items such as motocross bikes.

During the 2019 edition of Red Bull Romaniacs, Ford of Romania decided to feature a Ranger Raptor in the Prologue of the competition in downtown Sibiu with a wooden ramp built upon the bed of the off-road sports truck. Despite the abuse of so many motorcycles and riders, the box didn’t feature any wear and tear at the end of the event. And wouldn’t you know, the Raptor has the lowest payload rating of all Ranger models on sale in the Old Continent.

With the Raptor’s exception, four trim levels are available for the Ranger. The list starts with the XL, continues with the XLT, and is rounded off by the Limited and Wildtrak. Believe it or not, the interior of the Wildtrak feels the plushest of the lot, especially with the black headliner.

The first pickup in the mid-size segment to feature Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Intelligent Speed Limiter as standard, the Ranger is also complemented by the FordPass Connect on-board modem and SYNC 3 infotainment that runs Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. As opposed to when the T6 entered production in 2011, the 2019 model year is a far superior product for both the driver and passenger.

More adventure-oriented customers are further treated to lots of USB ports, 230-volt outlets, and an extensive selection of accessories such as cargo management systems. If you’re in the market for a bug-out mobile, the Ranger is a perfect alternative to a camper van.

2019 Ford Ranger \(European model\)
Photo: Ford Romania
Both on the road and off it, the 3.2-liter Duratorq isn’t as economical nor as responsive as the 2.0-liter EcoBlue for obvious reasons. The most important of them is the 6R80 automatic transmission, which does a great job but doesn’t feel as immediate or smart as the 10R80.

The 10-speed automatic is similar in design to the one that Ford utilizes in the 2019 Ranger over in the United States. It comes as no surprise that driving in the city gives you the impression that the transmission is always fishing for gears, but out on the open road, the 10R80 settles down. What’s most impressive about this gearbox is the immediacy, both from a standstill and in high-speed scenarios such as highway driving.

What doesn’t feel so great in the Ranger is the steering, which hardly tells the driver how much the wheels turn. It does feature a few improvements over the previous model, but like every other mid-size pickup with the notable exception of the Ranger Raptor, the Ranger still demands a lot of attention on the narrow roads of Europe.

Another thing that doesn’t feel right but it’s to be expected in this type of vehicle is how the transmission doesn’t stay in the torque band while cornering. Be it the six- or 10-speeder, normal or Sport driving mode, cornering in the Ranger might feel frustrating if you’re a sporty driver.

“What about the plastics? Ford has a thing for low-quality plastics in the interior.” A few improvements were made in this regard as well, and even though some parts of the cabin give the impression of cheapness, the Ranger looks and feels better in every respect when compared to other Ford commercial vehicles such as the Transit Custom we drove from Bucharest to Sibiu.

2019 Ford Ranger \(European model\)
Photo: Ford Romania
The noise-canceling technology and acoustic glass we’ve talked about in the Ranger Raptor test can also be found in the Ranger, and there’s no denying these two help the NVH by a considerable margin. Wind noise is hardly a nuisance, tire roar and suspension noise from the wheel arches are also hardly noticeable, and engine vibrations barely get inside the cabin.

Opening and closing the tailgate also happens to be an easier job than before thanks to an easy-lift system made possible by a torsion bar. This feature comes standard on the Limited and Wildtrak, and of course, the tailgate folds flat if you’re planning to fit a bed extender and a camping mattress.

Speaking of getting away from the urban jungle, both the Limited and Wildtrak handled a Red Bull Romaniacs course near the city of Sibiu without a single hiccup. The Ranger Raptor always pulled ahead of them thanks to the higher ground clearance, superior suspension system, and Baja driving mode, but lesser models held their own on this challenging terrain.

If we were to pick our favorites, the Ranger Raptor would be the undisputed leader and the Ranger Wildtrak with the 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel would come on a close second when equipped with the black interior and orange stitching. The Wildtrak also happens to feature the closest exterior design to the Raptor thanks to the black grille, mirror caps, and fog light surrounds.

As far as pricing is concerned, the Ranger also happens to be a bit more affordable than the Nissan Navara. There are cheaper alternatives such as the L200 and D-Max from Mitsubishi and Isuzu, but as an all-rounder, the Ranger is a notch above the competition.

2019 Ford Ranger \(European model\)
Photo: Ford Romania
Because there’s no demand for such an engine in this part of the world, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo that comes as standard in the United States isn’t available in Europe. “How much for the Raptor, then?” In the ballpark of 65,000 euros including value-added tax and a few extras is a lot for a pickup this size, but do remember there’s nothing quite like it out there.

You could say that Ford of Europe has every base covered with the 2019 model year of the Ranger, and you wouldn’t be wrong. For the versatility, capability, and continuous improvements the Blue Oval performed over the years, it would be hard to choose a different pickup than the Ranger for either work or leisure.

And on that bombshell, have you heard that FoMoCo is developing the next-generation Ranger as we speak with lots of influences from the F-150? Images of the newcomer surfaced online in February 2019, and while there’s no visible Blue Oval badging up front or at the rear, the Built Ford Tough exterior design is unmistakably Ranger.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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