Kia Tasman rival, Ford Ranger..There is good reason to be first
May 07, 2025
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Kia Tasman also used Australia's nomination under the 'Tasman" name to target the Australian market. Mid-sized pickups are the largest in the Australian pickup truck market.The No. 1 model is the Ford Ranger. Car overseas media Cas Coups test-drive the 2025 Ford Ranger.
The 2025 Ranger Wild track is more than just a pickup truck. The Ford Ranger meets many requirements and is solid. It is the ultimate lifestyle vehicle. In 2014, 26,619 units of the old Ranger were sold in Australia, ranking sixth in sales, behind the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Holden Commodore.
With the advent of the new Ranger in 2023, it sold as many as 63,356 units, outpacing Toyota HiLux by more than 2,000 units. In 2024, it remained firmly at the top of the list with 62,593, nearly 10,000 more than Toyota.What is the secret to this success?
Over the past few years, rangers have become common on Australian roads.It's not surprising, as Ford Australia led much of the development. I spent a week with the Ranger Wild track wondering what the reason for this popularity was. The conclusion was not disappointing.
The 2025 Ranger is available in a variety of models in Australia.The basic XL high-rider single cap starts at A$36,880 (about 33.8 million won). The Ranger Raptor, which was recently tested, costs more than 90,000 Australian dollars (about 82.6 million won).The two models come in more than a dozen different configurations, including single-cap, dual-cap, various engines, rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options.
In the United States, the price of the 2025 Ranger family starts at $33,080 (about 47.3 million won). Raptors cost up to $55,820 (about 79.8 million won).The model we tested is the Ranger Wildtrack with a 2.0-liter engine. It starts at 69,640 Australian dollars (about 63.9 million won).
Ford's 2.0-litre twin turbocharger diesel four-cylinder engine is launched under the name 'PANCER'. It exerts 206 horsepower (154 kW) and 500 Nm of torque and is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Ranger WildTrack will feature a part-time all-wheel drive system with low gear and a locked rear differential.If you add 5400 Australian dollars (about 4.95 million won), you'll get a choice of 247 horsepower (184 kW) and a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 engine with 600 Nm. The output is enough even with a 2.0-liter engine.
One of the biggest features of the new Ranger is the indoor space.Gone are the days when these class vehicles had horribly basic interior space with absolutely no cutting-edge technology.In fact, the Ranger Wild track is full of various advanced technologies. It feels more like an SUV than a regular truck.
Like other Ranger models, the 12.0-inch vertical infotainment screen stands out.It is based on Ford's Sink 4A system. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Almost all control functions and settings are made using touch screens. It is responsive, clear and easy to understand. It's hard to find an inconvenience. Various systems are also installed to make towing more convenient.
This includes a top-down tow hitch camera.It also has an integrated trailer brake controller, a trailer sway control system, and a blind spot monitoring system that adjusts to towing situations.
Most air conditioning settings can be operated through the screen, but there are also separate physical buttons and dials to control the temperature and air conditioning air volume. In addition, it is also equipped with an 8-inch infotainment display. That's fine, but not as impressive as the 12.4-inch display on the Ranger Raptor.
The user's individual settings menu is limited and the screen resolution is not at the highest level. The interior is an exquisite combination of durable black leather and plastic. Bright orange stitches add a sophisticated atmosphere.I spent nearly 24 hours in the driver's seat while driving the wild track, which was very comfortable on the long journey.Wireless charging pads are also a welcome feature.
The new Ranger Wildtrack is more than just a pickup truck. The Ford Ranger has become Australia's most popular family and lifestyle vehicle.The second row seats provide a spacious and comfortable space. It also has an individual air outlet and two USB ports. There is plenty of storage space under the back seat.
There is also a similarity with the new Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck that was recently driven. The Ranger is more comfortable than the previous generation model, like an SUV. It still gives me confidence that I can go anywhere and do anything. The turbo 2.0 litre diesel engine was a little noisy and rattling at low speeds, but it was comfortable at high speed.
The 3.0 V6 diesel engine has 40 horsepower (30 kW) higher and 100 Nm more torque, but four-cylinder 2.0 performance was not lacking at all.Ford hasn't disclosed a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time, but 9-10 seconds is enough.
As previously mentioned, the engine engages with a 10-speed automatic transmission mounted on several other Ford models.You might think it's too much gear, but it actually works smoothly. Change gears quickly and quietly in the city center.You can manually change gears using the "plus" and "minus" buttons on the transmission.It would have been better if you used paddle shift like a raptor.
One of the main reasons for choosing a 2.0-liter model over a 3.0-liter model is fuel economy.Ford said the four-cylinder engine has a combined fuel economy of 13.1 km/l, while the V6 engine has a combined fuel economy of 11.9 km/l.But both figures are good.
While driving the Ranger Wild Track 2.0, the average fuel economy was 11.2 km/l. About 80% turned on cruise control and drove on the highway.In some sections, fuel efficiency was around 12.3 km/l. If the V6 engine is used under similar conditions, the average fuel efficiency will drop to 9.9 km/l.
Ford significantly improved the ride comfort of the Ranger over its predecessor.Despite the use of rigid axles and leaf springs on the rear wheels, it remained comfortable on most surfaces.
But it's not as soft as the new Mitsubishi Triton.There is definitely room for improvement in ride comfort when stuffing the loading bin.It's fine for now, but it's not perfect.
The Ranger Wild Track is not a car that you can feel comfortable driving roughly like sports driving.The steering is a little unstable and lacks feedback.The brakes are not very reliable either.But in fact, most of these pickup trucks tend to be like that.
Various safety technologies, such as adaptive cruise control and driver attention monitoring systems, are provided as basic specifications.Some complain that this monitoring system is overactive. In response to this criticism, Ford has somewhat relaxed its functionality through software updates.There was no problem with the test drive.
However, it is regrettable that the active lane keeping function is not controlled by the button of the steering wheel. It should be turned on directly from the settings menu on the main screen.
I didn't have the opportunity to experience the towing ability of the new Ranger firsthand, but it boasts a weight of 3,500kg, which is equivalent to competing vehicles.Like the Raptor, there are various driving modes such as general, eco, towing/carrying, sliding, mud, sand, etc. It is also the reason why the new Ranger is popular.
It gives a more modern feel than competing vehicles, and has a wealth of technology and various functions.However, high-end models such as wild tracks are quite expensive. This high price may be the reason why mid- to low-priced pickups from China, such as BYD Shark, are gaining popularity.
The Ford Ranger has surpassed Toyota HiLux, once the most popular model in the Australian market. Kia Tasman will also enter the Australian market in the second half of this year. Attention is focusing on how much Ford Ranger will be able to bring in the market.
Editor Song Moon-cheol mc.song@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
