The Ford Ranger is the sister vehicle to the Mazda B-Series, and behind the original Mitsubishi L200 sold in reasonable numbers alongside the likes of the Isuzu Rodeo and Nissan one-tonne pick-up and Navara. The Ranger was designed primarily as a working vehicle, long before recent trends towards dual-purpose pick-up trucks (doubling as part-time family car as well as week-day workhorse), and later concessions to people perhaps choosing them as a family car were mainly cosmetic. The most powerful version of this Ranger could also muster no more than 109bhp, which was rather less than that offered by key rivals. However, the Ranger is good off road, relatively cheap to run and you have the back-up of a huge dealer network.
Three cab versions of the Ranger are available - a two-seat single cab, a two-plus two Super cab with rear-hinged back doors, and a five-seat double cab. Single cab versions, which prioritise cargo length, can feel a little restricted for drivers with long legs, but the larger cab versions are better for comfort. Power steering, central locking, twin airbags and electric windows are standard across the range. Most of the controls are easy to use, even the primitive dashboard-mounted handbrake. XLT, Thunder and special editons have extra kit to enjoy.
Two engine versions were available throughout the life of this generation of the ranger. The earliest ones came with a choice of 78bhp or 109bhp versions of the 2.5-litre turbo diesel, and in 2002 the less powerful version was upgraded to 84bhp. While both of these are adequate for the type of work expected of the Ranger, people switching to one after owning a diesel 4x4 or an estate car might be surprised by the Ranger's lack of speed and unsophisticated road manners. Having said that, the more powerful versions were fitted with a limited slip differential on the rear axle to help reduce unruly behaviour in rear-wheel drive mode. Off road, four-wheel drive versions of the ranger are pretty capable, with excellent ground clearance, and good traction in low range gears.