Ford Ranger T6 Facelift 2 (2018-Present) Expert Review
4 January 2019
Overall Rating
After many years of service, the Ford Ranger T6 has received its second facelift exercise, which gets significantly more enhancements that go beyond the typical exterior/interior refresh. The most notable upgrade is the addition of a brand new 2.0 litre bi-turbo engine, which powers the range-topping Wildtrak 4x4 and of course, the one and only Ranger Raptor. If you want a pick-up truck that's in a class of its own, look no further than the wide-bodied Raptor.
Performance
The new 2.0 litre bi-turbo engine feels more eager to rev than the previous 3.2 litre five-cylinder Duratorq unit. While it may be the smallest engine in the pick-up truck segment, it is by far the most powerful, with 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency has also improved, although not by much. The Ranger Raptor is a different story altogether. Nothing in the pick-up truck market comes close to its sheer level of mechanical prowess, which is a culmination of four years' work by the lads at Ford Performance. Again, the Ranger Raptor is in a class of its own, no matter how you slice it.
Ride & Handling
The Ford Ranger has always been one of the best handling pick-up trucks around, and the second T6 facelift continues to deliver. Thanks to the upgraded suspension, the Ranger feels more surefooted around the corners. As for the Raptor, the Fox Shox dampers and raised ground clearance offer generous levels of wheel articulation, so you'd be hard pressed to find a terrain challenging enough to rattle its cool.
Comfort
Ride comfort is also one of the Ranger's strong points. The upgraded suspension further improves that, resulting in a less jolty ride quality, especially for the rear passengers. The Wildtrak 4x4 and Raptor benefit from Active Noise Cancellation as well, making the cabin uncharacteristically serene for a pick-up truck. However, the award for the most comfortable ride still goes to the Nissan Navara, although it's not quite as hardy a workhorse.
Safety
For safety, the Ranger once again grabbed headlines when it became the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to come with Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and vehicle detection. Besides that, it's flush with safety features such as ESC, Hill Descent Control, six airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Assist, as well as Semi Automatic Parallel Parking. Impressive, it certainly is.
Space
Interior space remains unchanged from before. That's not a bad thing, because front and rear passengers get decent legroom and headroom to boot. As a bonus, rear passengers benefit from a 12-volt rear power socket, one which is standard across the range. Wildtrak models and the Raptor, on the other hand, get an extra 230-volt AC outlet. The cargo bed has also been redesigned to offer slightly better loading space.
Value
In terms of outright value, the Ranger generally punches above its weight. To start, there are nine variants forming the line-up, with prices ranging from RM91k for the entry-level Single Cab model, to the well-kitted XLT+ Automatic (mid-range, RM125k) and of course, the top Ranger Raptor (RM200k). No matter which model you choose, when you factor its performance, ride quality, cabin refinement and safety features, the Ranger is pretty much ahead of the curve.