The Ford Ranger has long been a familiar choice for UK farms and rural businesses, but its latest evolution to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle marks a significant shift. To see how the new version of this well-known workhorse performs in the real world, AF 'Stig' Amy Russell took to roads and fields. But did the Ranger PHEV balance rugged capability with a more sustainable edge?
“I went into driving the new Ford Ranger a bit sceptical, if I’m honest. I’m a car geek, I tow regularly, and I’m not shy about finding faults, so it was always going to get a proper workout with me!”
“The first thing that surprised me was how well it handles. Because it’s the hybrid, it’s heavier than the diesel and petrol versions, and I fully expected it to feel cumbersome. It doesn’t. The steering is light and surprisingly agile, with noticeably less body roll than I’ve experienced in other pickups. You really don’t feel the extra weight through corners, which genuinely impressed me."
“It’s also comfortable. It’s well insulated, there’s barely any road noise, and it doesn’t have that bone-shaking bounce you get from older leaf-sprung trucks. For long days and mixed driving, it’s more comfortable than I was expecting.”
“Towing is more of a mixed bag. We were pulling a livestock trailer weighting around 1.4 tonnes through the Derbyshire Moors, and you can definitely feel the weight behind you, especially on rolling roads. It’s not as punchy as some alternatives, and it made me think twice about how it would feel with 3.5 tonnes on the back!
“Tow/haul mode does a lot of the heavy lifting, though. It takes the guesswork out of gear selection and feels smooth rather than strained. The trailer diagnostics are genuinely useful too – the truck flagged up an indicator fault immediately and told me exactly where the issue was, which could be handy when you’re on your own.”
“My standout feature is the reversing camera with the tow-ball view. Anyone who says they never miss by an inch when hitching up is lying. This makes the whole process easy and stress-free, and once you’ve had it, you really wouldn’t want to go back.
“There are lots of other thoughtful touches too, like well-placed side steps that are wide enough but don’t catch, good access to the truck bed, and a wireless phone charger that’s actually out of the way instead of stealing space.”
“Inside, it feels modern but not ridiculous. The big touchscreen is clear, but I’m very glad Ford has kept physical buttons for things like climate and volume. Swiping at a screen while driving just isn’t practical. But where you’ve got buttons, probably could have used the screen control for something else. Heated seats and steering wheel warm up quickly, although the lumbar support is quite high up. But overall it’s a comfortable place to spend time.”
The mixture of touchscreen and buttons works well.
“There are a few niggles worth mentioning. The detachable tow bar feels far too easy to remove, which raises security concerns, and the lack of an engine cover worries me for long-term durability on a working vehicle. Fuel economy is realistic rather than miraculous – around 21 mpg towing, but up to 37 mpg on a run to work, which helps balance things out."
“Something that shouldn’t put you off but is worth bearing in mind is the potential 1.5 p per mile Electric Vehicle Excise Duty due to come in from in April 2028.
“This might be offset for anyone purchasing the vehicle through a business. From April 6, 2025, all double-cab pickups (including the Ford Ranger) are classified as passenger cars for Benefit-In-Kind tax purposes, and their tax is calculated based on CO2 emissions and P11D value, rather than a flat commercial vehicle rate. The PHEV's low emissions (around 68g/km) and electric range (around 26 miles) allow it to qualify for a much lower BIK rate of between 14% and 19% which can translate into significantly reduced monthly or annual tax bills for an employee using it as a company car.
“The PHEV offers other tax advantages for businesses, such as a higher rate of capital allowance (18% Writing Down Allowance in the main pool) compared to the diesel (6% in the special rate pool), meaning faster corporation tax relief. If you’re considering a new company vehicle, it’s definitely worth speaking with your accountant or tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.”
“Overall, I’d give it an 8 out of 10 as a vehicle to drive and a 6 out of 10 for towing and heavy work."
"There’s nothing glaringly wrong with it, and with a 12% discount plus free metallic paint for AF Members, it’s absolutely on my shortlist. It’s not perfect, but it’s a very capable, well-thought-out pickup.”
We demo’ed the Ford Ranger 2.3 Wildtrak PHEV, with an AF price of £41,000 + VAT. There’s also a base spec of Ranger PHEV (the XLT) with an AF price of £35,700 + VAT.
Key specifications | |
Powertrain: | 2.3L EcoBoost Petrol + Electric Motor |
Combined power: | ~277-281 PS (BHP) |
Combined torque: | 697 Nm (514 lb-ft) |
Electric range (WLTP): | ~26-27 miles |
Battery: | 11.8 kWh Lithium-ion |
Transmission: | 10-speed Automatic |
0-62mph: | ~8.7 - 9.2 seconds |
Towing capacity: | up to 3,500 kg |
Payload: | up to 1,000 kg (1 tonne) |
Charging: | <4 hours (single-phase 16A) |
Emissions (CO2): | ~70-72 g/km (Qualifies for lower BIK tax) |
Fuel economy (WLTP): | ~88-94 mpg (varies by spec) |
Key features | |
EV driving modes: | petrol, electric, hybrid, battery charge |
Towing & payload: | maintains Ranger's legendary workhorse ability |
Tax benefits: | lower Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) tax for fleets, eligible for ULEZ |
Pro power onboard: | available power export for tools/appliances |
Technology: | SYNC 4, wireless charging, Driver Assistance |
If you're looking to add the new Ford Ranger PHEV (or another vehicle) to your fleet, speak to your AF Vehicles team.
