…But which one? Two 4×4 double-cabs go through the mill this month, one from Ford and one from Toyota. Both carry five people and take over 1t in the load space… but there the similarities end
Toyota Hiluxes — 18 million of them, apparently — have been bouncing around the world’s tougher spots for almost 50 years. Ford’s Ranger hasn’t been around quite that long, but plenty have been sold and it’s well rooted in farming. And as these two have had recent updates, it’s a good time to compare them.
We’ll get the pain over early and line up the prices. The versions here are both mid-spec models, so you can go higher or lower to suit your purpose and pocket. Ford supplied an auto-box Ranger 4×4 in 3.2-litre Limited trim; before extras and VAT that’ll cost you £26,928. Above it is the Wildtrak, below it the XLT. The test Hilux was also an auto, coming home in Icon spec at £25,880 before VAT and extras. Above that are the Invincible and Invincible X, below it the Active. With extras and VAT the list prices for the tested vehicles are £36,628 (Ranger) and £31,000 (Hilux).
These are big motors. The Ranger is Flash Harry, the Toyota large of nose but otherwise discreet. That is, as discreet as anything more than 5m long can be. Engines are a contrast — a 2.4-litre turbodiesel in the Hilux (down from 3.0 litres) giving a modest 147hp/400Nm, against a hairier chested, five-cylinder 3.2-litre unit in the Ranger with 197hp and 470Nm torque. Drivelines share a six-speed auto transmission, a low box and selectable 4WD.
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