Ford Ranger Raptor review

Right, here’s a big one; the Raptor’s 652kg payload max is some way short of the one tonne needed to be classed as a commercial vehicle, so that means you get absolutely slapped by emissions-based tax.

Seeing as though the Raptor in V6 petrol guise coughs out 315g/km, it’s a high-earner for the UK government. The less powerful, more frugal 2.0-litre diesel is rated at 278g/km, but who wants a sensible Raptor? No, the petrol motor is the one you want.

Which makes it... expensive?

Oh it’s pricey either way. You’re looking at £58,560 for the V6, though the diesel is only slightly cheaper from £55,560. Now that might seem like a lot, but honestly, the Raptor feels like it’s worth it, with a heavy as-standard kit list that includes LED lights, a 10-speaker B&O stereo, leather, dual-zone climate, what feels like one million advanced driver assist systems (including Trailer Backup Assist - a personal favourite for a pickup that can tow 2,500kg), remote start and lock/unlock, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the big screens, loads of cameras and parking sensors, a QuickClear heated windscreen and proper sockets in the load bed. Handy for charging up that e-bike.

There’s not a lot more you can think of that would be genuinely useful. It’s a little bit special, and that’s worth the extra - even when you can get into some so-called ‘premium’ SUV metal for that sort of money.

So you’re saying it’s actually worth the cash?

No matter how much aftermarket tyre and bodykit you apply to a new version of the Ranger - due in Europe soon - it won’t quite match the way that the Raptor feels like it’s been engineered all-of-a-piece. It’s a supremely convincing bit of kit. Figuring out where and how you’d show it off without having your own field to play in might be a little harder, mind.

It also looks like there’ll be a decent set of aftermarket bits to go with the Raptor experience this time, which will inevitably bump up the price. Ford has partnered-up with off-road kitmeisters ARB to provide all the lightbars and roof tents you could possibly need, all from a Ford dealer. And that’s the kind of thing that appeals to any pickup buyer.

Pretty much all privately-owned pickups we see on UK roads have some sort of personalisation mod, so Ford might as well pick up (sorry) some of that market, and the bank of pre-wired accessory switches in the roof panel should make those extra lights easy-peasy to install. It should stop you butchering a wiring loom or routing things up the door seals this time, anyway.