The base Ranger – the XL – features halogen headlights, a front tow hook, a digital instrument cluster, manual air-conditioning, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Ford’s SYNC 4A multimedia system, USB ports, cloth seats, rubber floors and 16-inch steel wheels.

The XLS adds alloy wheels, side steps, fog lights and carpet.

Step up to the XLT and you’ll also score LED headlights, tub bed-liner with illumination, a sports bar and 17-inch alloys outside, while keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality, traffic-sign recognition tech and fancier interior trim.

The Sport brings wireless charging, an Off-Road screen, leather upholstery, a powered driver’s seat and 18-inch alloys to the table.

Choosing the Wildtrak ushers in most of the above, plus a sports bar, trailer brake controller, side rails, a powered roller shutter, zone lighting, a 12-inch touchscreen, ambient lighting, a powered front passenger seat, front seat warmers, extra cupholders, a surround-view camera and active park assist.

Finally, the Platinum standardises Matrix LEDs, 10-speaker premium audio, 20-inch alloys, a 12.4-inch digital instrument, cooled front seats, a driver’s side seat memory setting, heated steering wheel, pre-installed auxiliary switch panel for accessories, pleated leather trim, a soft-drop-open action tailgate, slidable tub rack system and swinging roof racks.

The Ranger Platinum comes with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel, producing 184kW of power at 3250rpm and 600Nm of torque at 1750-2250rpm.

A 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission sends drive to the rear wheels in most cases, unless the electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system is engaged, with full-time all-wheel drive.

There is also 4x4 High and 4x4 Low ranges, that lock in the 4WD system for greater off-road capability.

The Ranger’s interior is one of the largest and roomiest in its midsized SUV class.

All the basics are spot-on: great seats, ample vision, excellent ventilation, a good driving position, useful storage, and real care when it comes to ergonomics.

The dashboard is dominated by a central portrait touchscreen, which includes access to multimedia, vehicle settings and communication systems, while the instrumentation cluster is all-digital and multi-configurable.

Further back, the rear bench seats three, offers sufficient comfort and space, and most amenities, including USB ports and ventilation outlets on higher-spec models.

The Ranger is a five-seater dual-cab ute, with a pair of comfy and very supportive bucket seats up front and a folding rear bench in the rear.

Underneath the cushion, which rises as a single piece, is storage for smaller items, while the backrest also folds forward for extra cargo capacity if the rear seats are not in use.

A pair of ISOFIX latches and child-seat anchorage points are also fitted.

Our Ranger V6 diesel averaged 8.4L/100km (for 222g/km of CO2 emissions), that means 952km is possible from the 80L fuel tank capacity.

Our trip computer hovered around the 9.8L/100km mark, but when we refuelled, we averaged 9.5.

The Ranger V6 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in around 8.5 seconds, on the way to a top speed of about 180km/h.