Ford Ranger Platinum

The latest addition to the Blue Oval’s highly sought-after line-up, the new Ford Ranger Platinum, now in Malaysia.

A luxurious alternative, the double-cab pick-up truck expands on and is positioned above the Ranger Wildtrak trimline.

Fully-imported (CBU - Thailand), it tags at MYR 183,888 (OTR, w/o insurance), with a standard warranty (five years/160,000 KM).

Optional is the Extended Warranty Plan (additional - two years/40,000 KM), ranging from MYR 2,300 to MYR 6,900.

Three exterior colours. Equinox Bronze (exclusive), Meteor Grey, and Absolute Black. 

The new Ranger Platinum has a straightforward and modern dashboard, with premium soft pad panels draping the layout. 

Upholstery is in Ebony Black leather (front doors, centre console, gear knob, top dash), featuring a ‘Platinum’ badge on the passenger side dash.

Highlighted by a blue-ambient light system, the overall cockpit is luxuriously user-friendly and driver-centric.

Installed is a 12.4-Inch colour digital instrument cluster with Multi-Information Display (MID), and a configurable interface.

Interior of the five-seater is upholstered in Ebony Black quilted leather, accentuated by ‘Platinum’ badging (front seats).

Equipped up front are electronically-powered seats (10-way, heated/ventilated, lumbar, driver memory). The rear gets a bench seat (40:20:40 split-fold).

Cabin space is ample for front and rear occupants, as it offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms. The space is very generous due to its stocky body design.

Numerous storage areas. E.g., side door and backseat pockets, centre console partitioned and rear under-seat spaces, sizable flatbed, and a glove box with damper and lights.

Mounted is a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with multi-function controls (media, phone, vehicle settings), paddle shifters and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic).

The steering is aided via a setup of Rack and Pinion, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).

Multiple cup (pull-out) and bottle (door panels) holders, located all around the cabin.

Provided are four USB ports (USB-A, USB-C - 2-front, 2-rear), two 12 V sockets (centre console, flatbed), a wireless charger (centre console), a front windscreen-mounted USB (dashcam), and a 230 V AC socket (flatbed). 

Weighing in at 2,227 KG, the new Ranger Platinum stands at 5,370 MM long, 1,918 MM wide, 1,884 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 3,270 MM.

Blocky and athletic, it exudes an overall robustly-smooth outlook with its large and very commanding exterior.

The front-end features squared-off quarter panels, a ‘Platinum’ badged bonnet, a ‘Platinum’ grille with chrome accents, and a bumper guard in silver.

Symmetrically-designed, the rear-end is solidly simple, compensating the front nicely with clean, angular contours.

Incorporated are straight quarter panels, a ‘Platinum’ badged and ‘Ranger’ debossed tailgate, and a ‘Platinum’ bumper with flatbed-step.

New is the Ford Flexible Rack System with sliding sports bar, Swing-in-Place roof rails, and a power roller shutter (flatbed - tonneau cover).

The headlamps are typical of the new Ranger build, commandingly-sized and uniquely-striking.

They are Matrix LED units with C-clamp LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), predictive curve lights, glare-free high beams, and auto-dynamic levelling.

Rectangularly wrapped-around, the tail lamps contribute enough aesthetic to the rear, gelling well with other elements. 

Installed are full LED units, paired to a tailgate-mounted LED stop lamp. Elsewhere, is a set of LED fog lamps, akin to the front.

Mounted are electronically-powered (fold, adjust) side mirrors, with turn signals (intelligent 3-blink), blind spot indicators, and puddle lamps.

Fitted are ventilated disc (front) and disc (rear) brakes, aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system.

Gripping the terrains is a set of 20-Inch multi-spoke dual-tone alloy rims, rubbered-up in 255/55 R20 tyres.

The new Ranger Platinum features the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop/Go and Lane Centring, Lane Departure Warning and Assist (LDW) with Lane Change Warning and Aid, Blind Spot Detection System (BLIS), Automatic High Beam Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Manual Speed Limiter (MSL), Second/Post Collision Brake, Panoramic Camera (360-degree), Evasive Steer Assist, Active Park Assist 2.0, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist (BA), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Rollover Mitigation (ROM), Trailer Sway Assist with Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Adaptive Load Control (ALC), Pre-Collision Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Brake Override System (BOS) with Reverse Brake Assist, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver knee, sides, curtains), seat belts (front - reminder, pretensioner, anchor), parking sensors (six-front, six-rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic-dimming rear-view mirror (interior), security (MyKey, Perimeter Anti-theft - Valet Mode), tailgate lock, and security alarm with immobiliser.

Six drive modes at the driver’s disposal. Normal, Eco, Town/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand.

The suite of ADAS will make short and long distance driving a hassle-free endeavour. Paired with its multiple drive modes, no terrain is off-limits.

Flanking the driver unit is a 12-Inch portrait-oriented multi-touchscreen display, featuring the Ford SYNC 4A system.

Said setup supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless), navigation, USB, Bluetooth, and voice recognition.

Entertainment is channelled through an eight-speaker setup of the Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Nestled in the new Ranger Platinum is the praised Ranger diesel powertrain (2.0-Litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder - 207 HP/155 KW at 3,750 RPM, 500 NM at 1,750 to 2,000 RPM).

Mated to the mill is a 10-speed automatic (SelectShift, E-Shifter), featuring an Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly (ESOF) 4x4 shift system. 

A permanent four-wheel drive (4WD) system, featuring an electronically-controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case with four settings. 4WD Auto, 2WD High, 4WD High and 4WD Low (4A, 2H, 4H, 4L).

Fuel tank capacity is at 80-Litres.

The new Ranger Platinum gets keyless entry system (engine Start/Stop button), auto-headlamps (levelling, high beam), steering wheel (multi-function, tilt/telescopic, paddle shifters), auto-dimming rear-view mirror (interior), dual-zone electronic climate control, electronically-powered seats (front - 10-way, heated/ventilated, lumbar, driver memory), assist handles (all doors), illumination system (dome, cabin, push-start, map, footwell, ambient), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (front, rear), multiple power outlets (USB, power sockets, wireless charger), blind spot monitor, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), electronic gear shifter, Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), Ford Flexible Rack System (sliding sports bar), Swing-in-Place roof rails, and power roller shutter (flatbed - tonneau cover).

Rear air-conditioning vents are present.

Coming with a robustly-tuned suspension system, it provides an overall greater confidence on the road, especially when taking corners. 

Collectively, it has great damping force and optimal balance for improved stability, and better steering response and flexibility for improved handling.

Incorporated is a suspension setup of double wishbone with coil spring (front) and leaf spring (rear).

Elsewhere, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a comfortably sporty driving dynamic for all that all-terrain needs.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. No abnormal wind issues at any speed.

The new Ford Ranger Platinum offers a luxurious appeal to the Ranger line-up with its commanding demeanour and premium interior.

Its exterior is striking with elegantly-robust contours, while the interior is premium built with quality materials and refined detailing. 

Then, its performance dynamic makes it even more engaging to drive, and the suite of ADAS is a major bonus.

Overall, the new Ranger Platinum is satisfactory, a well-blended four-wheeler, combining design, performance and practicality.