9 reasons the next-gen Ford Ranger will change the pickup truck game yet again

One can’t spell “truck” without Ford. While there has never been a more diverse market for the midsize truck segment in the Philippines, the Ford Ranger has stood head and shoulders above the rest offering rugged styling, performance, and technology never before seen in a truck.

With the advent of the next-gen Ford Ranger, Ford is ready to dominate the midsize truck segment once again. Here are nine reasons why I think the next-gen Ford Ranger will take the pickup truck segment in the country to another level yet again.

Customer-centric truck

Using years of its truck expertise and deep understanding of truck customers, Ford collaborated with customers around the globe to create a vehicle and ownership experience that next-gen Ranger owners can rely on for their businesses, family lives, and adventure. Ford ensured that the next-gen Ranger was done right for customers across 180 markets around the world with thousands of hours spent on customer research and insight.

The next-gen Ranger project was led by Ford’s Product Development Center in Australia. Its international team of dedicated designers and engineers worked with teams around the globe to not only incorporate the very latest in Ford technology, capability, and safety, but to also engineer and test the Ranger to Ford’s toughest standards.

Boxy macho styling

Trucks have traditionally been steeds that symbolize power and ruggedness. The next-gen Ford Ranger is no exception, but not all trucks are created equal, are they?

Many of today’s trucks are starting to look soft to the point of being car-like; not the next-gen Ranger, with its tough looks and rugged stance. Ford understands that a truck must exude a sense of confidence and power. The large, imposing grill and squared-off fascia featuring C-shaped headlamps flanking twin bars that run across the honeycomb grill give the next-gen Ford Ranger a mean mug. The sides feature more angular styling; ditto with the rear bed. Boxes come in all shapes and sizes with the next-gen Ford Ranger being more handsome than the most, true to its Built Ford Tough DNA.

Overwhelming power

Diesel is the name of the truck game in the Philippines and fans would be excited to know that the next-gen Ford Ranger is reported to have one of the most powerful selections of engine options.

Conquer any terrain

We know that the next-gen Ford Ranger will have enough power to traverse any road and terrain, but raw power can only get you so far. It’s not only strong, but smart as well. The next-gen Ranger is equipped with various selectable terrain management modes to modulate and control the engine, and each wheel gets drivers through and out of any sticky situation.

Apart from the default Normal driving mode for everyday use, the next-gen Ford Ranger is equipped with various driving modes when the roads get slippery due to inclement weather. The Mud/Sand mode, available on select variants, is best used for those moments when you need to maintain your momentum. Stalling in these situations would let you lose traction and trap you in an obstacle.

Size matters

When it comes to size, the next-gen Ford Ranger toes the line between a midsize pickup truck and an all-out version of the F-150. Though a complete listing of official dimensions has yet to be released, the next-gen Ford Ranger promises to be the biggest. The wheelbase is certainly longer at 3,270mm, and the track also wider by 50mm than the previous model.

This not only allows more space for passengers inside but also gives the next-gen Ford Ranger larger space in the bed – big enough to fit a standard pallet which is 48 inches by 40 inches. The longer and wider track also allows suspension improvements with the wheels pushed further out.

Not just a bed

It’s a given that the next-gen Ford Ranger has a really spacious bed, but one thing that sets it apart from the rest is the versatility it affords buyers. Engineers could have slapped on a flat sheet of metal on the rear and called it a day, but Ford understands that not all truck owners are the same and everyone uses it for various reasons.

Grooves and slots on the rear bed allow for different loading scenarios such as cargo hauling, off-roading, camping, and even the occasional tailgate party.  The new rear load box access step is the result of thousands of interviews with pickup owners, learning how they used their trucks and what they wanted in their next one.

It’s what’s inside that counts

Just because the next-gen Ford Ranger is unabashedly a rugged truck on the outside doesn’t mean that the interior can be as spartan as it can be. While many people still see trucks as a purely utilitarian vehicle more at home at the jobsite than the family garage, the Ford Ranger offers comforts and amenities on the inside that can rival the fanciest of luxury cars.

The next-gen Ford Ranger has a properly sculpted dashboard with sporty color accents on some trims, complementing the plush seats with contrast stitching, ergonomic tactile controls, and seats one can only find previously in luxury cars. The most eye-catching feature of it all is the huge vertically mounted touchscreen infotainment system. Who says one needs to break the bank to feel right at home on the road? I’m sure the family will appreciate the Ford Ranger’s comfort as much as the driver behind the wheel.

Ford SYNC 4A

Ford’s SYNC technology offers drivers unprecedented control over their Ford vehicles, and with SYNC 4A in the next-gen Ford Ranger, there are more advanced features to integrate with customers’ connected lifestyles. Using the all-new vertically mounted screen, Ford SYNC 4A has access to various apps from your smartphone such as media, communication, and navigation. Staying in control of the next-gen Ford Ranger is easier than ever.

With today’s mobile lifestyle, it’s nice to know that you can stay connected to your work and to the real things that matter even on the road.

Safety with driver-assist technologies

Driving the next-gen Ford Ranger may be a hoot and half, and to keep the party going, Ford wants its customers to feel safe and secure throughout the experience. With Ford’s driver assistance technologies working on top of standard features, drivers and their passengers can have that peace of mind.

The next-gen Ranger will offer a range of systems for selected variants, such as Intelligent advanced cruise control, Lane Keep System, Evasive Steering Assist, Pre-Collision Assist, Active Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a 360-degree camera, Parking Sensors, and various other drive modes.

We’re excited as anyone to test-drive the next-gen Ford Ranger. Not only does it promise class-leading performance and exceptional comfort and ergonomics, but it provides great value for anyone looking to purchase a midsize truck.

Customers and enthusiasts can sign up on https://ford.to/3IV25Hf to get the latest news on the next-gen Ranger.

Photos from Ford Philippines