Ford Ranger: How does it stack up against its rivals? 

The Ford Ranger is one of the more popular pickup truck models in the Philippine market. As such, prospective truck buyers will have tons of other models to choose from as an alternative to the Ford model. These include the Toyota Hilux, the Nissan Navara, and the Mitsubishi Strada. 

The Ford Ranger (FX4 Max variant pictured)

So how does the Ford Ranger in general fare against the three models? Let’s find out. 

Ford Ranger: Summary of Specs 

In terms of size, the Ford Ranger comes with a standard overall length of 5,354mm and a width of 1,860mm. Depending on the variant though, it has varied heights. The Ranger FX4, FX4 Max, XLT, and XLS have a height of 1,821mm, while the Ranger Wildtrak variants come with a height of 1,848mm. The new Ranger FX4 Max is the tallest at 1,852mm. 

Moreover, all Ranger variants have a wheelbase length of 3,220mm. The FX4Max however has the most ground clearance at 265mm. In turn, the Wildtrak, FX4, XLT, and XLS trims have 232mm of ground clearance. 

Moving on to exterior equipment, the Ranger comes with a pair of reflector or projector headlamps depending on the variant. The top-spec Wildtrak in turn gets LED headlamps. Only the aforementioned Ranger trim gets daytime running lamps, but most do get a power-folding power-adjustable side mirror. Moreover, the Ranger is kitted out with a side-step and most except the entry-level XLS are equipped with bedliners. Lastly only the FX4, FX4 Max, and Wildtrak get a rear sports bar. 

The Ford Ranger FX4 Max's interior

Inside, the Ranger can comfortably seat up to five people. Higher-spec variants are also provided with a push-to-start button, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (Ranger Wildtrak 4x4). 

For on-board entertainment, all Ranger variants come with an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This screen is then linked to a six-piece speaker system. Of note, only the Wildtrak gets a built-in navigation system. 

As for safety, common on all the Ranger trims are dual-front airbags, ISOFIX child seat tethers, and anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution. Higher-spec variants however add to that with side and curtain airbags raising the airbag number to six.  

The high-spec Ranger trims also come with hill-start assist, hill-launch assist, auto-high beam control, lane keeping aid and departure warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist, among others. 

The Ranger for the Philippine market gets three engine options. The smallest of which is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine that can make up to 158 horsepower and 385 Nm of torque. For the mid-spec Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 variant instead uses a 2.0-liter single turbo diesel mill which can make up to 177 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque.  

Lastly, the most powerful Ranger engine is the 2.0-liter biturbo diesel and it is only available for the FX4 Max and Ranger Wildtrak 4x4. At most, this can make up to 210 horsepower and 500 Nm.  

The 2.0-liter Biturbo is currently used by the Ranger Raptor, Ranger Biturbo, and Ranger FX4 Max

For transmissions, only the FX4 Max and Wildtrak are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The rest can either get a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. Like its rivals, the Ranger can either come with rear-wheel-drive, or a 4x4 drive.  

While the rest of the Ranger variants use a double-wishbone front and leaf spring rear suspension system, the FX4 Max Biturbo is different. It instead comes with a set of Fox Shocks similar to the Ford Ranger Raptor. That said, the FX4 Max can carry less than a ton. The rest however, can carry over a ton (1,120 kg). 

Currently, the Philippine-spec Ford Ranger has 13 variants. Their prices range from Php 1,155,000 to Php 1,728,000. 

Ford Ranger vs Toyota Hilux 

One of the largest rivals of the Ranger is the Toyota Hilux. Like the Ford model, it can carry over a ton, and it can either be a 4x2 rear-wheel-drive, or 4x4. 

The Hilux however, is a bit shorter than the Ranger. For the Conquest variants, they come with a length of 5,325mm, a width of 1,900mm, and a height of 1,845mm. The Hilux G meanwhile has a length of 5,365mm, a width of 1,855mm, and a height of 1,815mm. The Hilux E is the smallest with its length of 5,285mm, width of 1,855mm, and height of 1,816mm.  

The lower-spec Hilux variants also get less ground clearance at 217mm, but the higher-spec Hilux has significantly more ground clearance than the Ranger at 279mm.  

The Toyota Hilux (Conquest variant pictured)

Depending on the trim, the Hilux gets a pair of multi-reflector headlamps, or bi-beam LED headlamps. The top-spec Conquest trims also come with auto-leveling headlamp function, and LED daytime running lamps. All Hilux variants however get LED taillights.  

Like the top-spec Ranger trims, the Hilux Conquest variants also come standard with a bedliner, and sports bar. Unlike the lower-spec Ranger, the entry-level Hilux E doesn’t get side step boards. 

Inside, the Hilux can fit up to five occupants just like the Ranger. Do note however that even the Toyota truck’s top-spec models lack the electronically adjustable driver’s seat that’s available on the Ford. Most Hilux variants however, do come with automatic climate control, a push-to-start button, as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats. 

As for entertainment, the Hilux either gets an eight-inch touchscreen or 6.75-inch touchscreen. Both headunits have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although only the Conquest and G get a six-speaker system. The E in turn gets only two speakers. 

Safety-wise, the top-spec Hilux Conquest 4x4 AT is equipped with six airbags. It also has a downhill assist control system. The rest of the Hilux variants get dual front airbags with the addition of a driver’s knee airbag. All variants however come standard with anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, hill-start assist, stability control, and ISOFIX. 

The Hilux Conquest's cockpit

In comparing the Toyota Hilux vs the Ford Ranger, the latter’s top-spec engine option can make more power. At most, the Hilux’s 2.8-liter turbodiesel can make up to 200 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. The difference however is marginal. 

As for the rest of the Hilux trims, they use a 2.4-liter turbodiesel mill that can make 148 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Both the 2.8-liter and 2.4-liter variants can either come with a six-speed automatic tranny or a six-speed manual transmission. All can also come with either a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain. 

Like most of the Ranger trims, all Hilux variants use a MacPherson front suspension combined with a leaf spring rear end.  

The Toyota Hilux for the Philippine market has a price that ranges from Php 843,000 to Php 1,830,000. 

Ford Ranger vs Nissan Navara 

Another rival of the Ford Ranger is the Nissan Navara. Like the Ford, this truck can come with a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain, and it can also fit up to five occupants.  

In terms of size however, the Navara in general is shorter than the Ford model. This is because all of its variants have a length of 5,260mm. It is also narrower than the Ranger with its width of 1,850mm. The Navara’s variants' heights however, range from 1,810mm to 1,855mm. As such, it is safe to say that the Nissan truck is taller than the Ranger. 

As for wheelbase length though, the Navara is shorter than the Ranger at 3,150mm. The Navara PRO-4X has the most ground clearance at 220mm and that’s also less than the Ranger variant’s ground clearance figures. 

The Nissan Navara PRO-4X

Moving on to exterior equipment, most Navara trims come standard with LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights. The only Navara with halogen headlamps is the entry-level Navara EL 4x2 variant.  

Like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, the Nissan Navara’s high-spec trims also come with a sports bar. The top-spec PRO-4X's bedliner however is optional, though it gets a tracked adjustable bed tie-down system. Of note, the said feature is unique to the Navara. 

Inside, almost all the Navara’s variants (except the Navara EL) get an automatic climate control system, cruise control, a leather-clad steering wheel, and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto linked to a six-piece speaker system. The high-spec trims also come with leather seats and a push-to-start button. To sum it up, the Navara has a better spread of features on its variants compared to the Ranger.  

Safety-wise, the Navara PRO-4X and VL 4x4 come standard with blind-spot detection, moving object detection, off-road monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, a 360-degree camera, hill-start assist, and hill descent control. As for standard safety equipment, all trims get six airbags, anti-lock braking, speed-sensing door locks, and ISOFIX child seat tethers. 

Another feature that provides the Navara an advantage over the Ranger is the fact that all of its variants (except the Navara EL 4x2), get an emergency braking system and driver attention alert system.  

Inside the Navara PRO-4X

If you compare the Nissan Navara vs the Ford Ranger when it comes to engines, the Ford’s Biturbo mill still trumps the Nissan. To be specific, all Navara trims come standard with a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine that can produce up to 190 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque. It is more powerful than the Ranger’s 2.0-liter single turbo engine, but slightly less so than the Biturbo.  

The aforementioned engines can either be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission w/ manual mode, or a six-speed manual gearbox depending on the variant. 

Of note, the Navara is the only pickup truck in the Philippine market that uses a multi-link rear suspension system. It can however still carry up to a ton of cargo. 

Currently, the Nissan Navara for the Philippine market has a price range of Php 1,149,000-Php 1,849,000. 

Ford Ranger vs Mitsubishi Strada 

If we compare the Ford Ranger vs the Mitsubishi Strada in terms of size, then the Mitsubishi model is slightly more compact. This is because it has a length of 5,305mm, a width of 1,815mm, and a height of 1,795mm. All of its variants also have a wheelbase length of 3,000mm, which is shorter than the Ranger’s wheelbase. Moreover, the Mitsubishi model also provides less ground clearance at 220mm.

The Mitsubishi Strada Athlete 

As for exterior amenities, the Strada’s top-spec Athlete and GLS variants come standard with LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, and LED taillights. Just like the Ranger’s top-spec trims, the high-spec trims of the Strada (Athlete) also feature a sports bar, side step boards, etc. 

Inside, the Strada can comfortably seat up to five. Its higher variants namely the Athlete and the GLS also get automatic climate control, and a push-to-start button. The Strada Athlete 4x4 however also gets cruise control, which is absent on the rest of the trims.  

For on-board entertainment, the Strada offers less than the Ranger as it is equipped with a 6.9-touchscreen with Bluetooth, USB, and iPod connectivity only. 

As for safety, the top-spec Athlete gets seven airbags, stability control, traction control, lane departure assist, blind-spot detection, and hill-start assist. All variants in turn come standard with anti-lock braking, and ISOFIX. 

The Strada Athlete's colorful interior

For power, the Mitsubishi Strada comes standard with a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine. At most, this mill can make up to 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. That said, it still is not as powerful as the 2.0-liter Biturbo that the Ford Ranger uses.  

As for transmissions, the Strada can either come with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed automatic transmission. Only the Strada Athlete and the GLS can come with a 4x4 drivetrain. In turn, the rest use a 4x2 drivetrain. 

Pricing for the Mitsubishi Strada ranges from Php 1,185,000 to Php 1,760,000. 

For more comparisons and car buying guides, keep it here on Philkotse.com.