Ford Ranger Platinum: A Luxury-Infused, Do-It-All Truck!

The latest addition to the Next Generation Ford Ranger line-up is the new Ford Ranger Platinum.

The mighty pick-up truck as we know it has come of age. Not just a preferred ‘tool’ for the working man on weekdays, it has evolved and picked-up – literally – a secondary role as a status symbol of sorts, especially for the very same working man who lusts for adventure off the working clock and weekends.

Such a lifestyle is common today, and it calls for something that is as capable and richly kitted as a Wildtrak, but not too extreme as the Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo. Such a sweet spot exists in the Next Generation Ranger line-up in the form of the new Ford Ranger Platinum. Launched in Malaysia recently, it certainly isn’t your typical work or weekend truck, and here’s why….

The Ford Ranger Platinum is easily distinguished by its exclusive two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels (left) and its 'Platinum' front grille featuring chrome accents.

Besides the 'Platinum' badges, unique to the Ford Ranger Platinum too are its three paint schemes available: Absolute Black (pictured), Meteor Grey, and Equinox Bronze.

On the onset, the new Ford Ranger Platinum seamlessly exudes ‘luxury utility’ with its styling. This is evident through exclusive exterior touches such as 20-inch two-tone wheels, new and distinct ‘Platinum’ grille design laced with chrome accents, ‘Platinum’ badges donned on its hood and tailgate, and the three exclusive hues it wears – Equinox Bronze, Meteor Grey, and Absolute Black.

Besides the standard-equipped roof rails, what puts the ‘utility’ in ‘luxury utility’ here are the combination of two signature features primed exclusively in the new Ford Ranger Platinum: a first-in-class flexible rack with built-in swing-in-place roof rails, and a factory-fitted powered roller shutter for the cargo flatbed. What’s nifty here too are the one-hand and one-touch operations built into each.

First-in-segment flexible rack system with swing-in-place roof rails is an exclusive feature of the Ford Ranger Platinum, which also boasts built-in single-hand operation. 

Another exclusive feature here is the factory-fitted powered roller shutter for the cargo flatbed. This also boasts easy one-touch operation. 

Complementing the above are bits like the built-in 12-volt socket and 230-volt three-pin socket combo (left) in the flatbed, as well as roof rails (right). Notably, both come as standard too.

Clearly, this combination sees the new Ford Ranger Platinum deliver an edge in terms of flexible utility over its stablemates (i.e. XLT Plus, Wildtrak, and Raptor 2.0 Bi-Turbo) without sacrificing on style. For instance, transporting a raft mounted on the roof rails and flexible rack system, along with accompanying gear (paddles, harnesses, etc.) in the secure and covered flatbed, as well as a few friends riding in the cabin, is a feat that is easily achievable.

These, plus the presence of both a 230-volt three-pin outlet and 12-volt socket primed in the flatbed of the new Ford Ranger Platinum should see this truck easily handle tasks for both the daily work grind and the weekend off-grid adventures. Aptly, this combination of rich basic essentials, plus the carefully thought out features noted, helps the new Ford Ranger Platinum stand out further.

Notably, the new Ford Ranger Platinum also stands out over its stablemates with a more luxurious and comfortable cabin space.

Boosting comfort levels here are the presence of perforated leather seat upholstery (left) matched with first-in-class 10-way power-adjustment, heating and ventilation, as well as driver memory functions (right, front seats only).

With any destination adventure, half the fun arguably lies in its journey, and the new Ford Ranger Platinum has several amenities to keep this half comfy, convenient, and equally exciting. A large part of the added comforts on board stem from the presence of plush perforated leather upholstery with stylish accent stitching in the seats, steering wheel, dash, and other key touch points.

The seats are also bolstered up front with first-in-range 10-way powered adjustment and driver-side memory function. Notably, these also feature built-in heating and ventilation. The latter is a welcoming trait given Malaysia’s renowned hot and humid climate, as it elevates comfort levels when working in tandem with the standard-equipped dual-zone climate control suite present. Of course, that’s not all…

Another unique addition on board is the Platinum variant-specific cabin ambient lighting. This easily helps set the mood for drivers and passengers alike on any journey, especially at night.

What arguably makes any roadtrip memorable too is the soundtrack said memory is accompanied with, and the new Ford Ranger Platinum has that covered thanks to the cabin’s exclusive adoption of a Bang & Olufsen premium hi-fi audio system. Adding to which is a novel cabin ambient lighting feature which, aptly, helps easily set the mood for any journey, especially at night.

When coupling all that with the latest generation Ford SYNC 12-inch portrait touchscreen display that also boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the new Ford Ranger Platinum sees its cabin deliver high quality experiences better than both its stablemates and key segment rivals effortlessly. The same can be said with the way it drives too.

Latest-gen Ford SYNC 12-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen display not only boasts both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In this Platinum variant, it gets paired with a Bang & Olufsen premium hi-fi audio suite too.

Other convenient amenities present include wireless smartphone charging pad plus USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

For those manning the wheel in the hot seat, the new Ford Ranger Platinum is poised to be a very rewarding pick-up truck to drive. For starters, there’s the familiar yet proven 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo 4-cyl diesel powerplant, which delivers 210 PS and 500 NM to all four wheels via a slick 10-speed e-Shifter automatic transmission and full-blown 4x4 driveline, complete with an electronic rear diff-lock.

Housed within the proven Next Generation Ford Ranger chassis platform, the unwavering ability to go just about anywhere and traverse just about any type of terrain is but a given with any variant of the Ranger. However, the new Ford Ranger Platinum ups the ante here by adding a dash of style, plush comforts, and arguably equal amounts of utility and overall convenience to match.

A full-swing of active driver assist (ADAS) features are primed as standard kit too. Included on top of which is a semi-autonomous parking feature.

Regarding convenience, it’s also worth highlighting how the new Ford Ranger Platinum raises the bar here through a host of active driver assist (ADAS) features primed. Highlights include adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, lane centering plus lane-change warning and assist, evasive steer assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and semi-autonomous parking assist, amongst many.

Moreover, said advanced assist all come standard-equipped on top of other key basics encompassing seven airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), hill-launch assist plus hill-descent control (HDC), forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, as well as ISOFIX childseat anchors. Simply put, it wouldn’t be wrong for anyone to call this truck ‘fully loaded’.

By merging luxurious amenities and advanced and convenient tech plus a dash of added utility, it's hard to deny the 'fully-loaded' status of the new Ford Ranger Platinum.  

Whether you’re on the daily grind through the concrete jungle on weekdays, or a trailblazing adventure through a real one on weekends, it’s safe to say that the new Ford Ranger Platinum wouldn’t feel out of place in either. Of course, this seamless ability to adapt across either does come at a price, but it’s arguably a fair one at RM183,888 [Pen. Malaysia] excluding insurance.

A 5-year or 160,000 KM manufacturer’s warranty by Sime Darby Auto Connexion is INCLUDED for the price. This can be extended through optional extended warranty packages available ranging between RM2,300 and RM6,900 in price, and covering a further 40,000 KM or up to six or seven years, depending on which option selected.

The new Ford Ranger Platinum is now available through Sime Darby Auto Connexion priced from RM183,888 [Pen. Malaysia] onwards. Included in said price is a 5-year, 160,000 KM warranty.

Certainly, the new Ford Ranger Platinum, with its unique take on ‘luxury utility’, has all the makings of becoming a lifestyle pick-up truck that’s perhaps second to none. Are you ready to lead an adventurous new lifestyle without missing out on comforts and style? Then this is one pick-up truck seriously worth considering…

SPECIFICATIONS

FORD RANGER PLATINUM