Australia's Best Cars puts popular makes and models through their paces in 15 different categories, ideally to give perspective buyers the best possible review before they choose one to purchase. Judges use three main criteria - value for money, design and function, and on the road - to inform their decisions. It has only lost its crown once when it fell to the eighth-generation Toyota HiLux in This was announced just as our test week for all the class finalists kicked off, making the Ranger almost untouchable.
But the Ford's depreciation, running and repair costs, and insurance premiums, hover around the class averages. Standard equipment levels are good, and only the Holden Colorado LTZ offers more kit for slightly less money.
Also fitted is Ford's latest-gen SYNC 3 entertainment and communications system with voice recognition and an 8. Towing ability and practical design are important in a ute, and the Ranger isn't found wanting. The XLT comes with a towbar and trailer sway control as standard, and it's rated to a best-in-class kg maximum towing mass. A generously proportioned tray with standard tub-liner, six load restraint eyes, a power outlet, load area illumination, and a payload to deal with work or play, all rated well with our judges.
Like the HiLux, the Ford has a volt inverter power outlet in the cabin. Benefiting from a major update last year, the Toyota HiLux has become an even more well-rounded dual-cab ute thanks to slight performance and ride improvements and a step-up in cabin technology.
The Isuzu D-MAX is a breath of fresh air in the dual-cab 4x4 ute category, thanks not only to its smart looks but the most comprehensive safety suite yet offered in this segment. The all-new Isuzu also scores strongly when it comes to cost of ownership, with the best combination of strong resale value, good-value capped-price servicing and long service interval, roadside assistance and warranty periods.
The only areas where the D-MAX is not quite so accomplished are its less-than-ideal ride quality, level of engine refinement and towing performance. Ford not only spent up big on the Ranger during its Australian-based development program, but has continued to apply significant regular updates to its global mid-size pick-up platform.
This has kept the Ford Ranger ahead of the curve in a market that demands a ute not only performs well in all key operational attributes, but offers almost all of the latest safety and technology features. Quite simply, there is no other mid-size dual-cab 4x4 ute on the market today that handles, rides and performs as well as the Ranger — whether unladen, laden or towing — while also offering an integrated, cohesive package of cutting-edge safety and technology.
How much does the Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3. These Ads will be marked 'Sponsored'. Learn More Disclaimer In most cases, carsales. Editorial prices shown are a "price guide" only, based on information provided to us by the manufacturer.
Pricing guide current at the time of writing editorial. When purchasing a vehicle, always confirm the single figure price with the seller. If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away No More to Pay", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges. Opinions expressed within carsales. Pick of the range: Shoot for the top and drive a hard bargain on an Xd in either spec level.
Driven back-to-back with something like a Ranger or even an Amarok it feels a generation behind. But the safety upgrade blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and AEB that came with the front-end restyling is a welcome inclusion, and the 2. Does the steering no favours…. So why is it? The once punchy five-pot is now slower than plenty of the smaller-capacity fours in this class, and equipment you may think is a given in — digital speedo, push-button start, and radar cruise control, for example — is missing.
Suddenly the unloved bit is easier to understand. Better news is found under the bonnet, where the twin-turbo diesel four teams with the seven-speed auto to deliver responsive performance, middling fuel consumption and not horrid refinement. But the seats are flat and shapeless, and the safety story is not compelling. You can do better. So why would you buy one?
Fact is, Colorado does have virtues — the 2. But it lacks the overall polish of the likes of Ranger, and misses out on key safety features like AEB. Deal breaker? Possibly not, when there are dealers falling over themselves to clear stock at bargain prices. Pick of the range: An LTZ auto is the sweet spot, but shoot higher if the price is right. It seems a little incongruous, but despite its hulking size and weight, the Ram is the closest thing Aussies can buy to the Commodore and Falcon V8 utes of yesteryear.
Extra rear-seat room and vast cargo tray are the upsides of the oversized dimensions, but your parking-spot options just shrunk. Coil-sprung rear end contributes to thoroughly civilised on-road demeanour, and the local conversion to RHD is executed with care and quality.
Its wheelbase is longer than that of the Wrangler, which makes for a more planted, composed ride. Confirmed engine is the 3. The former could be a deal-breaker for some.
An Allison six-speed auto handles the shifting; four-wheel discs are tasked with hauling it down.
0コメント