Ford Ranger 2.0 EcoBlue Wildtrak Double Cab

The Ford Ranger was voted Pick-up of the Year in our 2019 and 2020 awards, and it's also the UK's best seller. That's partly because Ford has a huge dealer network (the Ranger is sold via Ford's Transit Centres), while the Ranger itself is a chunky-looking pick-up that's packed with plenty of kit in top-spec variants. The double cab version is a great choice for business users wanting a work vehicle that offers family-friendly versatility when they've clocked off.

There's a broad choice of Ranger models, so you can count every pick-up truck for sale as a rival to the Ford, but the closest competitor is probably the Toyota Hilux. Other utilitarian options include the Isuzu D-Max and SsangYong Musso, while the Mitsubishi L200, Fiat Fullback and Nissan Navara offer lineups similar to the Ranger. 

The Ford Ranger comes in three body styles which Ford calls Regular Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab. The Regular is a single cab, Super Cab features an extended cab section with occasional rear seats and a single rear-hinged side door, while the double cab is a full five-seater. The Regular Cab has the longest load area and in some ways is a modern-day equivalent of the Cortina and Sierra-based Ford P100 pick-up trucks.

To emphasise the Ranger's range split, the Double Cab is the only version that comes in the four standard trims of XL, XLT, Limited and Wildtrak. The XL and XLT versions are the work-biased models, and the Regular Cab is only offered in XL trim, while the Super Cab comes in XL, XLT and Limited versions.

If you're looking at a Ranger as an alternative to an SUV, then the Limited and Wildtrak trims have all the kit you'd ever need. The Ranger lifts many of its goodies from the passenger car range, so you get Ford's SYNC3 voice control and infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, electric heated door mirrors, rear parking sensors, heated leather seats and alloy wheels.

2019 saw the arrival of the Ranger Raptor, a performance version of the Ranger that was developed in Australia. It features a 210bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, a 10-speed auto, updated looks and suspension designed to deliver a more involving drive than the regular model.

Ford has also introduced the Ranger Thunder special edition for customers looking for a more individual take on the stylish double-cab pick-up. The 210bhp Thunder version is based on the generous Wildtrak trim and includes a host of cosmetic tweaks.

Power for the range comes from the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel unit with 128bhp, 168bhp or 210bhp. All Double Cab models, with the exception of the Raptor, get a six-speed manual gearbox with stop-start and selectable four-wheel drive as standard, while a ten-speed auto transmission is available, depending on engine/trim choice.

Of course the main benefit of the Ranger, and any pick-up - especially the more expensive versions - is that they currently qualify for a flat-rate of Benefit-In-Kind tax rate for business users. These models must have a one-tonne payload to qualify, and if they do, then they are classed as a light commercial vehicle, which means a flat rate of tax is paid that's a lot less than it would be for a similarly priced or specced SUV. If you can justify running a truck as a business vehicle, then the Ford Ranger is a great choice in terms of looks and kit.