As the most popular vehicles sold in Cambodia, the Ford Ranger is in the spotlight and the next Gen models are just arriving to Phnom Penh.
Trucks are known for being tough and practical vehicles primarily used for business purposes. However, Ford has introduced their all new Ranger, aiming to challenge this conventional image.
The 2024 Ford Ranger is beyond your typical truck experience, still maintaining its workhorse characteristics. It’s reliable and rugged design with a spacious truck bed for cargo hauling. Most diesel commercial vehicles lack refinement for cost reasons, but Ford has managed to combine the durability of a diesel pick-up truck with the everyday usability of a car.
Stand Out Looks:
One of the standout features of the Ranger is its dominating looks. The truck sits higher than most other vehicles on the road, giving it a commanding presence. This height is necessary for better ground clearance, allowing the Ranger to handle tough terrains with ease. The front of the vehicle is characterized by large light clusters and a chrome trim panel housing the Ford badge. The grille is sizable, serving the purpose of providing greater airflow to cool the truck’s mechanical components. The Ranger maintains its truck like appearance, but includes some car like elements such as alloy wheels and chrome fog light surrounds, which are qualities that buyers of the Ranger seek.
The Ranger is not just about utility; it offers more than meets the eye. If you were to look at the cabin alone, you would easily mistake the Ranger for an SUV. Ford has fitted the Ranger with the latest technology and features, drawing from their car parts bin. The cabin includes a 10 inch vertical touch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for seamless connectivity. Other car like features include an 8-inch digital driver’s display, an electronic off road selector, an electrically powered seat for the driver, wireless charging upfront, and aircon vents for rear seat passengers. This level of equipment is necessary because the Ranger is also used for leisure purposes abroad.
Driving Experience:
When it comes to driving the Ranger, there is a sense of apprehension due to its large proportions. However, once you’re on the move, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy the truck is to maneuver. The front end design allows for a good view and the large mirrors assist in providing excellent all round visibility. The Ranger has a compact turning radius, making it usable even in tight city streets. The steering is well weighted with sufficient feedback, allowing for precise control with small inputs. Regardless of the terrain or speed, the Ranger maintains low levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). The underbody insulation effectively reduces tire noise even at highway speeds and reduces the sound of rocks hitting the underneath when driving off road.
The Ranger offers the best of both worlds:
Serving as two vehicles in one. On the surface, it is a reliable and durable workhorse designed to be affordable to keep on the road. In terms of fuel economy, it is impressive for its size. Despite having suspension built for hauling goods and handling rough terrain, the Ranger delivers SUV level comfort and refinement. The leaf springs do not significantly impact ride comfort, and the Ranger felt comfortable even on-road. While the Ranger may seem somewhat expensive compared to its competitors, its combination of utility and comfort sets it apart. It offers the durability of a work truck and the comfort of a car, making its $55,900 price tag reasonable in comparison.
Vehicle Specifications:
The Ford Ranger is powered by a 2.0 liter turbo inline 4 diesel engine, delivering 168 hp and 405 Nm of torque. The Ranger has a six speed auto and is equipped with all wheel drive. Fuel consumption is modest at 10.3 km/L, This isn’t a truck for speeding in Phnom Penh, but acceleration of 0-100km/h in 12.1 seconds, and a top speed of 180 km/h.
The fuel tank size is 80 liters which gives significant levels of range for the province drives.
Dimensions measure 5,370 mm x 1,918 mm x 1,884 mm. The cargo space is 11.3m³.
Overall, the Ford Ranger goes beyond your typical truck ethos and combines the durability and practicality of a workhorse truck with the comfort and refinement of a car. Its dominating looks, car like cabin features, and impressive driving performance make it a standout in its class. While it may be priced higher than its competitors, the Ranger’s combination of utility and comfort justifies its price tag. It is a versatile vehicle that offers the best of both worlds to drivers seeking a reliable and capable truck with added comfort and refinement.
The next Gen Ford Ranger is available through RMA the official agent for Ford Cambodia.