Ford Ranger named Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute for 2019

The biennial carsales Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute comparison test has been run and won, and if you’ve been following the story you’ll know the slick Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo has claimed the blue ribbon for 2019.

It’s a prize not given lightly -- it is after all our unofficial 'ute of the year'. Eight judges spent five days assessing 10 of Australia’s top utes through a variety of criteria. Towing, payload, on-road and off-road ability, safety technology, cabin amenity and cost of ownership factors were all examined.

The standard of this year’s field was exceptional. There are certainly no duds here. And although different dual-cab 4WD utes stood tall against various measures, it was the Ranger that amassed the most points overall.

Confirming once again why it’s become Ford’s top-selling model in Australia -- where it outsold every new vehicle except the Toyota HiLux in 2018 -- the Ranger top-scored in four of the six fields we judged.

With the assistance of third-party experts, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo’s payload and towing performance backed up its manufacturer’s claims.

“The Ranger is the towing hero we know and love,” said carsales towing judge, Philip Lord.

“It is very stable, has a composed ride and its engine performs well, in combination with a transmission that picks the right gear at the right time.”

The praise was equally positive where payload hauling was concerned. Carrying 650kg over a mixed road course, the Ranger showed a level of confidence not displayed by any other model.

“The Ford Ranger impressed with its all-round ability,” said carsales payload judge, Andrea Matthews.

“Suspension travel under the 650kg was the least of all the utes on test… it is the heavy-lifter in the payload category.”

The Ranger also chalked a win in off-road and cost of ownership arenas.

In hard-going the Ford’s refined new twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and broad gearing in an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission proved efficient and confident. It reveled in conditions where others struggled.

“There’s much more to this off-road caper than outright mumbo,” explained carsales’ off-road judge, Rod Chapman.

“In an off-road setting the Ford simply felt the most well-rounded and integrated package.”

And on the cost of ownership front, Ford’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, transparent and competitive lifetime capped-servicing scheme and free loan car while servicing offer remains unmatched.

However, the cabin and technology award went to the luxurious Mercedes-Benz X-Class, which offered the most accommodating interior. Our judges praised the X 350d POWER 4MATIC for its SUV-like ride and comfort, and its driver-assistance and infotainment technology.

“The X-Class’ comfort and amenity were an agreed strength, and with its superior in-cabin refinement supported by equally advanced safety technology, it’s hard to argue against,” said carsales cabin and technology judge, Nadine Armstrong.

“The Mercedes-Benz X-Class really brings dual-cab ute cabin technology into line with mainstream passenger cars.”

Travelling an often gruelling sealed and unsealed road course through Melbourne’s north showed benefits in the local suspension tuning of the Holden Colorado, which topped the on-road segment for its feedback, road holding and car-like composure.

“The Colorado’s nicely-weighted steering was second only to the Volkswagen Amarok in its quick, car-like gearing and the overall sense of confidence on all types of surfaces,” said carsales un/sealed road driving judge, Tim Britten.

“Combined with impressive body control and a beefy turbo-diesel engine, the Colorado offered the greatest sense of composure and refinement.”

Overall, however, despite fierce competition from a solid field, it was the Ford Ranger Wildtrak Bi-Turbo that topped the leader board, finishing with an impressive 85.5 per cent score -- seven percentage points clear of the Volkswagen Amarok TDI580 Ultimate 4MOTION in second.

Click here to read more about the 2019 Best Dual-Cab 4WD Ute comparison.