What's the difference?
Ford has given its Ranger ute range a mild facelift. And mild is the word. If you look closely, you might notice some small visual changes, but the real news is under the bonnet where a new entry-level powerplant lives.
And however you look at it, this new engine that addresses the ownership issues experienced by some Ranger buyers since the bi-turbo diesel engine was released back in 2018, was probably overdue.
But the new powerplant comes at a cost; in terms of power and torque, even though the vital towing statistics remain for the Ranger.
The other changes that come with this facelift include some new tech, and the availability of the V6 turbo-diesel (which is unchanged) across the entire Ranger 4X4 dual-cab line-up.
For this review, we’ve concentrated on the new engine as being the major point of difference, and we’ve driven it the base-version XL trim specification. That means this is potentially the lightest variant, and heavier specifications might blunt the performance a little. But overall, this is representative of the new powertrain and represents the biggest point of difference in what is otherwise a very minor facelift.
Peugeot has dropped its traditional petrol and PHEV options for a new mild-hybrid system in the next-generation 3008.
We’re testing the flagship GT Premium Hybrid, which brings fresh styling, upgraded tech and a premium cabin into one of the most competitive SUV segments, but is it enough to stand out?
Our time with the new Ranger was limited in terms of distance driven and the number of variants we could sample. We were also unable to test the vehicle with a trailer attached, so we’re unsure as to how well the new, lower-powered engine will cope with towing duties.
We do know the new engine is being welcomed by owners and fleets who held concerns over the technical layout of the previous 2.0-litre powerplant, but only time will tell if the reduced performance is seen as being balanced by the technical upgrades.
We can also tell you there’s nothing inherently wrong with the new 2.0L in the context of normal driving on normal roads and its refinement is still an improvement on a lot of its competitors’ offerings.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.
The new Peugeot 3008 GT Premium Hybrid might not be the most spacious SUV for passengers, but it makes up for it with ample boot space and a standout design. It’s fresh-faced, interesting and packed with comfort features that elevate the everyday driving experience.
Is it expensive? Absolutely. But it also delivers a genuinely premium cabin that many rivals can’t match, along with refined on-road manners and efficiency that make it a pleasure to drive.
It doesn’t hit every note perfectly but there’s definitely a melody here worth listening to.