2011 Ford Ranger Reviews

Released in 2011, the all-new PX Ranger was Ford’s entry into the new-age ute market and the range of models verged on bewildering.

Once just a workhorse the humble ute is now called upon to perform all sorts of duties, from traditional worker, to cool sportster, weekend escaper and even family hack.Where in the past Holden and Ford dominated the market with their locally designed and built Commodore and Falcon-based models, the needs of Australian ute buyers are now well served by a vast array of makes and models.One of the more popular ones is the Thailand-built Ford Ranger, which has assumed the mantle once worn by the Falcon, itself a descendent of the original Aussie ute.The PK Ranger was a face-lifted and updated remake of the previous PJ model. It boasted a new, more urbane look, the range of variants was expanded and included a new high-end 'Wildtrack' version, and there were more standard features.It was available in XL, XLT and Wildtrack forms, with a range of cab-chassis and pick-ups, there was a choice of single-cab, super-cab and dual-cab body styles, all were diesel powered, and there was a choice of rear-wheel drive of four-wheel drive.The XL was the entry model. It was available as a rear- or four-wheel drive cab-chassis with single, super or dual-cab bodies, or a pick-up, with the choice of rear or four-wheel drive, and single, super or dual-cab bodies.All were turbo-diesel powered, by either a 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre engine, and depending on the variant a choice of manual gearbox or automatic transmission.Standard features included dual front airbags, air conditioning, tilt adjustable steering column, MP3 connectivity, two-speaker sound, CD player, remote central locking, cupholders, power front windows and power mirrors, and cloth trim.Optional extras included ABS braking, bucket front seats, and a tray.Moving on up to the XLT saw the choices reduced. It was only available as a pick-up, which came as a rear-wheel drive with a dual-cab, or four-wheel drive with super- or dual-cab.XLT buyers were treated to the additional features of 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS braking, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, air conditioning, side front airbags, CD stacker, front fog lamps, leather steering wheel and gear knob, flares, and chrome grille, mirrors, and door handles.Metallic paint was the only option offered.New to the range in PK was the Wildtrack. It was only available as a dual-cab four-wheel drive pick-up with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and the choice of manual gearbox of automatic transmission.Standard were 18-inch alloy wheels, six-speaker sound, CD stacker, air conditioning, fog lamps, illuminated side mirrors, leather steering wheel and gear knob, power front windows, power mirrors, roll bar, roof rails, side steps, sports dials, and suede-look trim. If that wasn’t enough you could also have metallic paint.While the PK Ranger was well equipped for the day it didn’t have features like Bluetooth to sync an iPhone or Android device, there was no sat nav to find your way about, it didn’t have a touch screen, the air conditioning wasn’t climate control, and there was no sunroof on offer.Likewise when parking or reversing you couldn’t call on the assistance of a reversing camera, parking sensors and a park assist system.The spare tyre was a full-sized one.The number of seats in the cabin was dependent on the body chosen.If you chose the single-cab you got a bench that could accommodate three, but there was also the option of bucket seats, which would limit the seating to two.The super-cab could accommodate four, two in the front buckets seats, and two in the rear seat.With bucket front seats and a rear bench for three, it was possible to accommodate five in the dual-cab.The cabin was neat and tidy, all controls were well within the driver’s reach, and the seats were comfortable and supportive.There was a footrest for the driver, the steering column could be adjusted for tilt, and there were cupholders in the front.The XL and XLT had cloth trim; the Wildtrack had suede lookalike inserts in the seats and the doors.It was too early for ISOFIX baby car seat mounting points.Like the previous model there were no petrol engines offered in the PK Ranger; both engines offered were four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesels.The base engine was a 2.5-litre double-overhead camshaft, fuel-injected unit that pumped out 105kW and 330Nm when operating at its twin peaks of horsepower and torque.It was a willing worker, revving smoothly, and pulling readily from low speed.The 3.0-litre version, standard in the Wildtrack, offered more horsepower and torque, with 115kW at its power peak and 380Nm at maximum torque.With more torque it was even more willing from low speed and was more flexible than the smaller engine.The transmission options were a five-speed manual gearbox, or a five-speed automatic transmission, and final drive was either via the rear wheels or all four.Utes were once unrefined and uncomfortable, the sort of vehicle a boss would have his workers drive, but wouldn’t drive one himself.All that has changed, utes like the PK Ranger are much more refined and considerably more comfortable, while still able to get the job done when needed.With independent front suspension the PK handled well and was quite comfortable to ride in, while the semi-elliptic leaf spring rear suspension carried or towed a workmanlike load.On the road the performance was smooth and willing, and those inside were treated to a quiet and comfortable ride, with little wind or road noise to disturb the inner calm.The PK Ranger was rated at three stars by ANCAP.All models came with safety features including airbags for the driver and front seat passenger.The XT and Wildtrack had the most safety features; they too had dual front airbags, but also had side airbags for those in the front seats.ABS braking was optional on the XL, but standard across the rest of the range.Reliability of the PK Ranger is good; there are few problems of note.Owners of vehicles with the manual gearbox are sometimes surprised to find they have to replace the clutch at relatively low kilometres. The cost of replacing the clutch can be higher than expected because the dual-mass flywheel is often replaced at the same time.When checking a Ranger look for damage caused by unthinking and uncaring workers who couldn’t care less about the boss’s vehicle. Also check for signs of off-road abuse.The Ranger’s warranty was three years/100,000km, but that’s long been expired.Ford recommended the Ranger be serviced every 15,000km or 12 months, and capped price servicing didn’t apply.The cost of service isn’t expensive and any experienced mechanic can do it.A recall in 2010 alerted owners to the possibility of a fatigue crack developing around the bonnet striker when driven for extended periods in tough going. If it did crack the bonnet could come open while driving along.PK models fitted with cruise control as a genuine Ford accessory were affected by a recall in 2011. Owners could have found problems setting or cancelling the cruise.There was also a recall on 2012 relating to the potential of a crack developing around the towbar tongue.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Ford Ranger problems page.Len Batson: I’ve been to Cape York in my 2010 XL super-cab towing a 1.5-tonne camper. I can’t fault it; it’s comfortable, reliable and economical.Ralph Morton: My 2010 XLT dual-cab is the best car I’ve ever owned. I bought it new and have never had to do anything but the regular servicing. It happily tows a 2.6-tonne caravan.Travis French: I have a 2009 Wildtrack, which is a solid all-round ute. I’ve had one or two problems; I had to replace a rocker cover gasket, and had to replace a clutch at 90,000km. Other than those it’s been good.Alan Bairstow: My 2009 XL double-cab has done 220,000km, and it has been a joy to own and drive. It’s towed a boat without any problem, it’s been reliable and economical, and is as comfortable as any sedan I’ve been in.Toyota HiLuxTough, unbreakable, the class leader is hard to beat.Nissan NavaraLost in the new-age pack, but it’s a worthy contender.Mitsubishi TritonGood all-rounder, but can struggle when worked at the extreme.Reliable, comfortable and economical new-age worker that happily does double-duty at family time.

Utes have always been popular with Aussies, but never more so than in recent years when there has been more to choose from than ever before. The humble ute is no longer a mere work wagon; it is now called upon to perform all sorts of duties, from traditional worker, to cool sportster, weekend escaper and family hack.

You see, straight away we prefer the Ford Ranger to the twin-under-the-skin Mazda BT50. It looks better, has a better interior and the 4x2 XLT Super Cab driven goes better because it weighs less. Unless you need 4x4 capability, it's a waste. The test vehicle is called a Hi-Rider because it's underpinnings are the same as the 4x4 meaning a high ride height, big wheels and tyres and heaps of ground clearance. It has the so-called suicide doors that afford easier access to twin fold-down rear "pews" that can be used for short journeys or folded out of the way for additional storage. This sort of practical thinking pervades the entire vehicle with heaps of handy stuff readily at hand. The large tray is fitted with tie down hooks but no tray liner. As you are not buying 4x4 machinery, the Ranger Hi-Rider 4x2 is a much more affordable $43,240 when compared to a four door variant with 4x4. Funny thing is, it will go plenty of places you wouldn't expect a 4x2 rear drive ute to go - thanks to those lug tyres, high ground clearance, strong engine and excellent transmission.It gets Bluetooth, voice control to some functions, decent audio, central locking, climate control and plenty of other stuff. The interior is pretty much all hard grey plastic but that's OK for a work truck. Ranger comes with the full five star endorsement which means it has a brace of air bags, stability control and other safety related features. Pedestrian safety has also been taken into account as has towing, roll-over protection, and reverse parking. Much of the chassis/body is in high strength steel. It's built on the latest design ladder chassis. The test vehicle ran Ford's impressive 3.2-litre, five-cylinder, turbo diesel with 147kW/470Nm output. They are not huge numbers compared with some other turbodiesels but Ford obviously wanted to ensure longevity, strong pulling power and acceptable fuel economy with this unit.It would appear they have achieved their aims though we can't tell on the longevity part yet. The auto transmission is a six speeder and the test vehicle was mechanically conventional underneath. Not too hard on the eye, Ranger is no luxury vehicle but has enough for someone who spends a lot of time driving to be happy and comfortable. The steering wheel has multi controls, there's a decent trip computer and the audio system is pretty good for a next to base model.Finding the right driving position is made a little more difficult by the non reach adjustable steering but the seats themselves are good and you can undertake a two or three hour drive without reservation. Some soft surfaces and different colours would lighten it up. Access to the rear seats is easy through the small "doorlets" but you have to close them first to close the main doors. We wouldn't like to go on a long trip in the rear seats. Impressive, possibly the best driving ute on the market right now, certainly one of the biggest and with a big payload. The test vehicle would take well over a tonne in the tray and can tow 3350kg with a braked trailer. There's even trailer sway control. That big five under the bonnet makes light work of driving this big weighty ute offering quick acceleration off the mark, heaps of mid range and smooth easy cruising. We recorded 8.5-litres/100km combined average without really trying. It gives the XLT a range approaching 1000km on an 80 litre tank. Ride quality is good for a workin' truck - not too hard but strong enough to take a big load without flattening out. We think the test vehicle had adaptive ride height because it stayed roughly the same despite what was in the back. The front suspension is coils over struts with leaf springs at the rear. Though by no means a sporty vehicle, the Ranger feels good to drive and won't wear you out.

MORE in South-East Asia people own utes compared with any other vehicle. In fact, by a country mile. Isuzu alone turned out 220,000 utes just from its Thai plant, one of only 17 of its global factories, and GM and Toyota easily matched that figure.The reason is simple. And if I knew it, I'd tell you. Because though having a ute in your driveway allows you to work and play and give you macho credit points with your mates, the ride comfort compared with a similarly-priced sedan is in the horse-and-cart category.Think about these: Getting in and out of the tall cabin is fine if you're aged 25 years or less. Given the volume of utes on the roads, is this indicative of Australia's swollen population of carpenters and plumbers? They have the turning circle of a 747 and similar driver visibility.But, I concede that some utes are quite neat. Like this one.Just because they're all chassis, pressed steel sheet, moulded plastic and foam, utes aren't necessarily cheap. The Ford Ranger starts at $19,740 for a 2WD cab-chassis petrol manual but you'd prefer to be seen in a feature-filled dual-cab 4WD with the most powerful diesel.The test Ranger is an XLT Crew Cab 4WD with the 3.2-litre turbo-diesel and a six-speed manual transmission carrying a price of $44,490 plus on-road costs. That's $2000 dearer than a Falcon XR6. But, as a workhorse and off-roader, the R anger adheres perfectly to its charter and is a very tough machine.All utes are not created equal. The Ranger looks the job - it's a big, powerful, in-ya-face type of machine and though it means business, it still manages to look neat. It's possibly one of the better looking utes on the market on the outside and that generally carries over to the inside. I know it's a workhorse but the dashboard is a humungous piece of matte black plastic with little visual relief. But everything works well, especially the read-out screen atop the centre console. There's lots of personal storage space and excellent leg and headroom for five big blokes. It also has more tie-down points in the tray than most rivals though not all of you will be happy about the weight of the tail gate.The five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is different and though the rear suspension has been carefully honed to produce a good all-round blend of payload and comfort, the Ranger is no minefield of technological brilliance. And neither it should be. This is a tough truck with the accent on simplicity and durability. You wouldn't pick the number of cylinders from the exhaust note and for all intents and purposes, it's a capable 147kW/470Nm diesel that can average 8.9 L/100km. The six-speed manual transmission may be new but it's not up to scratch. I'd suggest you opt for the six-speed auto.Remarkably, the Ranger gets a five-star crash rating when fitted with side curtain airbags. Remarkable because of all the utes, only the Falcon, Commodore and Volkswagen Amarok equal the Ranger. And only the Amarok is in the same 4WD class as the Ford. Ranger gets electronic stability control, a "trailer sway" control, "adaptive load" control for extra stability when carrying heavy payloads, hill descent control, hill launch assist and brakeforce distribution. The ABS brakes and ESC system have sensors that modify braking force when the ute is driven off the road.Basically the Ranger feels like, and works like, most of its peers. The overdone plastic cabin is great for lightweight construction and, to an extent, durability, but looks too plain in a $45,000 vehicle that is likely to be a family car on weekends. ut it is comfortable and even rough roads are tolerable thanks to the relative suppleness of the suspension and - more likely - the well-designed seats. In most respects - braking, steering and acceleration - the Ranger is a good ride. But the stiff, indistinct ga te and shift of the manual transmission mars the clean, rich torque delivery of the engine. The box shouldn't be a pain to operate after the test ute's 5500km. The electric shift of the 4WD transfer case is quick and easy and the result is a surprisingly adept offroader that owes a lot to the strength of the engine in the low and middle revs

The automotive equivalent of multi-tasking - which could be why most cars are assigned the female gender - has invaded the light-commercial market. The phenomenon of dual-cab utes serving as a tradie truck Monday to Friday and as family truckster - towing toys and carting kids - on the weekend is upon us, and Ford's