The new Ford Ranger Super Cab offers great performance, is well-equipped, and delivers a comfortable ride that had me shrugging off several days’ worth of arduous off-roading.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the launch of both the single and super cab Ranger variants and was consistently impressed with what each body shape is capable of.
I’ve had quite a lot of exposure to Ford’s new vehicles in the past few months, having attended the launch of the double cab at the end of last year, and also having recently driven the new Everest Sport for a week, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect when I met up with the automaker to check out their more utilitarian offerings.
Even so, Ford found new ways to surprise once again, and these are just a few of the best things I experienced while out on the road in the new super cab.
The performance
It’s easy to assume that single and super-cab bakkies, especially those on the lower end of the model range, will feel rather stiff and lifeless – something to be used mostly as a tool for the jobsite.
The new Ranger is not one of these. We took the high-riders on a three-day trek across the remote areas of the Karoo and the Eastern Cape, and even the most basic XL single cab was able to maintain a level of comfort that had us waving off the biggest pitfalls.
The six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes found in the entry-level models are smooth and responsive, and it only gets better once you are able to get your hands on one of the 10-speed variants.
It’s a similar story with the engines, as the 2.0-litre, single turbo fitted on most of the range was more than up to any task we pointed it at.
That’s thanks to the 125kW and 405Nm at its disposal, which translated to easy overtakes on the highway and enough grunt to overcome off-road obstacles while carrying supplies in the back.
The interior
The performance is only half the story, as the cabin is a big reason why the new Ranger is a pleasant space to be in.
It’s very spacious, offering a generous amount of head and legroom to the point where you can actually forget you’re in a super cab until you turn your head around.
The highlight is the 10.1-inch tablet-style touchscreen that rests in the centre console, and which comes standard on all models.
From here, you can use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, play around with the vehicle’s many settings, and adjust the powerful climate control.
You also get a customizable digital driver display, multifunction steering wheel, and additional functions like cruise control and a speed limiter, all of which go toward making the new Ranger feel more fleshed out than many other workhorses on the market.
The practicality
The bakkie’s load bin has seen a few changes over the previous models, not least of which is the fact that it’s now 1,584mm wide, making it big enough to accommodate a wooden pallet between the wheel arches.
The super cab’s load bin is also 298mm longer than the double cab’s for a total of 1,845mm, which translates to a payload capacity of 1,006kg compared to 970kg.
The blue oval has also integrated several features that greatly expand on the Ranger’s utility. This includes a pair of side rails that are perfect for tying down larger items with straps, and a new cargo management system that allows owners to divide up the load bin using a series of built-in grooves and partitions.
There’s an integrated ruler for quick measurements, a 12V socket and 240V/400W inverter for appliances, and two points on the tailgate for mounting clamps.
The cabin also comes with overhead auxiliary switches, letting you manage six different electronic accessories at once.
