The new Ford Ranger Single Cab offers an incredible driving experience not typically associated with so-called “workhorse” vehicles in South Africa.
I recently had the chance to get behind the wheel of the blue oval’s latest creation for an epic three-day journey stretching from Johannesburg all the way to Gqeberha, during which time I was consistently impressed with how the 4×4 held up.
Everyday practicality
One of the most interesting developments with the new Ranger occurred right at the start of the trip, as we found out we’d be transporting several items to the Eastern Cape, including four large Jojo tanks.
The items proved to be a very effective illustration for the bakkies’ new load beds, which were designed to be able to fit a standard Euro palette between the rear wheel arches.
The empty tanks weren’t all that heavy of course, but their sheer size was enough to prevent us from parking the vehicles in the airport garage due to the overhead clearance. Even so, the 2,315mm by 1,413mm load bed had room to spare, and the built-in side rails made for perfect anchor points to secure the tank with clamps.
Ford also confirmed that the single cab can carry a payload of up to 1,186kg, and can tow a maximum of 3,500kg.
The giant containers helped to showcase the other practical aspects of the pick-up, such as the easy-to-open assisted tailgate, and the reverse camera, which was rather handy as our rearview was completely obscured.
The rear bed has a few other things going for it as well, including a built-in ruler for quick measurements, two pocket clamp points, and even a set of integrated cupholders when the tailgate is folded down.
Higher specifications also come with a rear 12V socket and a 240V/400W inverter for hooking up powered equipment.
Smooth performance
The Ranger certainly ticks all the boxes as far as its utility is concerned, but what really sells it is its engine and ride quality.
The single-cab variants are all equipped with a 2.0-litre, single-turbo diesel powertrain which is capable of producing 125kW and 405Nm.
There are four models in total, based on a combination of 2×4 and 4×4 layouts and a choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Both transmissions are suitably responsive, and the auto in particular was quick to adapt to the driving conditions at hand, especially when heading off-road.
On the highway, we had the power to cruise quite happily at 120km/h, and it did have enough in reserve to allow for high-speed overtakes, though its performance does start to peter out once it runs out of gears.
We also had access to an adjustable speed limiter and cruise control, which were appreciable additions while sailing down the N1.
Where the bakkie really began to shine was when we took it off-road.
The trip to deliver the tanks had us going off the main path and onto a selection of bumpy tracks which the suspension absorbed with ease, and then it was onto a dirt path that had been turned into a muddy mess by the day’s weather.
The poor road conditions meant that we were still driving well past sunset, and we ended up having to navigate a precarious mountain path littered with large rocks and sharp outcrops.
At one point we even had to carefully navigate across a section of the path where a landslide had occurred, resulting in a sheer drop just a few feet away from the driver’s door.
Despite all of this, we made it to the hotel after more than 12 hours of driving, most of which had been spent rocking from side to side on some derelict track, and yet we emerged on the other side none the worse for wear.
Comfortable interior
A big part of the reason for our well-being is thanks to the Ranger’s cabin, which is well-equipped and rather spacious for a two-seater.
Even in the single cabs, we had enough room to store items like backpacks behind the seats, and there was a generous amount of legroom and headroom for both occupants.
The breathing room afforded by the interior is a big contributor to the Ford’s comfort factor, as we weren’t constantly being bashed against the doors every time we hit a bump.
There are also soft-touch materials on the interior door handles, making for a good armrest, though it would have been nice to see the same materials applied to a few of the harder plastic surfaces like the top of the door.
Small details like that do remind you that it’s an entry-level vehicle, but one addition that goes against that mentality is the new 10.1-inch portrait infotainment unit.
This, combined with the customizable digital driver display, let us keep tabs on our music, the navigation, climate controls, and the off-road functions like the car’s tilt angles and rear diff lock.
There are two USB ports for a Type-A and Type-C, and the 4×4 models have a dial letting you switch between 2×4 and 4×4 high modes on the fly, though you will need to stop to engage low-range 4×4.
The only major disappointment I have with the single cab is the lack of LED headlights and daytime running lights, as the C-clamp DRLs are arguably the most distinctive part of the Ranger’s new look, and the halogen headlights feel dated on an otherwise very modern bakkie.
Overall thoughts
The new Ford Ranger single cab is just as enjoyable as its five-seater counterparts, while offering even greater utility with its expanded cargo area.
It’s not the cheapest single cab on the market, starting at R464,200 for the 2×4 manual, but it is certainly one of the most feature-rich, and you’ll also be getting a great engine, responsive gearbox, and one of the most comfortable off-roading experiences on the market under a half-million rand.
Ford Ranger single cab XL auto
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