Ranger XL pick-up is brilliant and my new favourite Ford – it’s proper comfy, pulls like a train and best bit is price

MY new favourite Ford isn’t a car or a van.

It’s a pick-up truck.

4

4

The cheapest one.

White paint.

Steel wheels.

Pull-up handbrake.

Manual gearbox.

As simple as a margherita pizza.

Ford sells SEVEN types of Ranger, from this basic XL at £31k, all the way up to the £60k Baja Rally-ready Raptor.

Pay more, get more toppings.

The £47k Platinum V6, for example, has quilted leather seats with buttons to warm and soothe your back. Wooden dash. B&O sound system.

Chrome grille. All-in. Like a plush German SUV.

But you don’t need that.

The XL is an ace workhorse/family truck combo without even trying.

That upended iPad in the middle of the dash is your command centre, phone, DJ, sat nav, reversing camera and more.

One-touch cruise control on the steering wheel makes motorway driving a breeze.

Stress-free

Switch from 2WD to 4WD when the weather turns bad, or the road turns bad, or both, with the rotary controller.

You won’t get stranded in a field of wet grass at the rugby club like many SUVs.

You feel safe up here, properly comfy, with acres of cabin space and a commanding view of the world around you.

The only extra I’d pay for is a set of sidesteps (£120) to help the kiddlywinks climb in.

And maybe some rubber floor mats (£65). But that’s it.

Everyone gives you a wide berth in a Ranger, which is nice of them.

You won’t scuff the wheels riding up a kerb.

So you’re not precious about parking or doing tight three-point turns.

The ride is a bit Tigger bouncy without any weight in the back but otherwise life is easy and stress-free.

Bike rides. Tip runs. Beach gear. Whatever.

Chuck it all in the back and go. There’s no need to get the cabin all snotty.

That’s the family bit sorted.

As a workhorse, you’ll be pleased to learn that XL has the same muscle as other Rangers — if not more.

You can carry 1,074kg of stuff in the back. Or tow 3,450kg. Just not both at the same time.

The 2-litre diesel pulls like a train. Dagenham’s finest.

We averaged 35mpg on test, beating the official 33mpg, and topped 500 miles on a tank.

So, that’s the Ranger XL.

My new favourite Ford.

Half wheelbarrow, half SUV.

Totally brilliant.

When Ford calls to collect it, I’ll be out.

4

4