No doubt, by now, many of you have already heard of the Ranger Raptor, boasting of immense power and performance never before seen in a pick up truck. It may certainly be a dream car, but the price may also be a tad high off the ground. Much less publicized is the fact that the rest of the regular Ranger Wildtrak lineup benefits from a similar powertrain upgrade, and many more convenience upgrades too. To get us familiar with all the upgrades the 2019 ‘regular’ Ranger has to offer, Ford invited us to an out of town drive to sample the new powertrain in the city, out on the highway, and off-road. First meeting up in Quezon City, the plan was to drive up to Subic and then Zambales to experience all the Ranger has to offer in a variety of road conditions. Down in size, up in power Some may remember that the top of the line Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 used to be offered with a 3.2-liter five-cylinder turbo diesel. For this model year, it’s now offered with a similar 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo diesel and 10-speed auto to that fitted in the Raptor. The Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 gets a 2.0-liter (single turbo) with a 10-speed auto. The Ranger XLT and XLS still retain the 2.2-liter TDCI and six-speed auto or manual. The new engine’s size may not be much to brag about, but it’s in the drive where the power makes its presence felt. Behind the wheel of the Wildtrak 4x4 with the 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo, all it takes is light throttle pressure to get it rolling in slow traffic. The 10-speed auto is eager to shift up, keeping revs low and fuel efficiency high. Some light pressure is all that’s needed to get it accelerating, thanks to the wider range of gears with which to deliver power. This also pays dividends in the highway, keeping revs to a surprisingly low 1,500 rpm while traveling at 100 km/h. Over in the Wildtrak 4x2, the lack of a second turbo is hardly felt as 10-speed auto manages the power quite well. The difference is certainly palpable in the Ranger XLT and XLS, as the older engine, while potent compared to its competitors, worked harder to keep up with the 2.0-liter turbo Wildtraks. More features Nonetheless, the long drive was certainly made more pleasurable with a wider range of convenience features fitted into the Ranger lineup. Features that used to be exclusive to the top-of-the-line Wildtrak 4x4 have made their way into other variants in the range. First of all, the entire Ranger lineup, from XLS all the way to Wildtrak 4x4 now benefits from ABS, EBD and front and passenger airbags. There’s also cruise control and speed limiters fitted in the entire range. The new Tailgate Lift Assist, which prevents it from slamming when opened and makes it lighter to lift, is found all the way up to the XLT. Exclusive to the Wildtrak variants are features like the Sync3 Infotainment system, parking sensors and a backup camera, trailer sway control, hill start assist, auto headlamps and wipers, 230V power outlet, and the electrochromic reaerview mirror. The best toys are still exclusive to the Wildtrak 4x4, forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, Active Park Assist, lane-departure warning and keeping assist, and auto high-beam control. Much of these tech and convenience features certainly make the drive more enjoyable, yet there are also many unseen improvements that contributed. First of all, the new Ranger’s suspension has been upgraded across the range to improve the ride while reducing body roll. It also makes the steering much more precise, making this tough truck feel like a luxurious sedan. There’s no catch. These suspension changes do not impact the Ranger’s class-leading towing and payload capabilities. The interior gets upgrades too, with premium materials like shadow chrome and silver accent stitching. These add a more upscale feel to the interior and have been tested to last just as a long as the truck itself. Finally, subtle changes on the outside let everyone know you’ve got the latest model Ranger. Its exterior features a bold new grille, a more distinctively-chiseled lower bumper with a broader intake, and LED daytime running lights and HID headlights for all Wildtrak variants. The hoop sports bar, roof rails and bed rails have also been retained. Off-road Part of the drive entailed some adventures off-road. This was intended to prove that, while the suspension has been upgraded for a more comfortable drive on-road, it’s just as capable off of it. Rocky river beds and river crossings were easily taken on thanks to the high ground clearance and water wading capability. Even the Wildtrak 4x2 auto variants has little difficulty thanks to a new electronically locking rear differential to aid in hauling heavy loads on slippery or uneven surfaces. Driving the new Ford Ranger lineup on various road surfaces certainly showed that, while they may not carry the Raptor badge, that lineage of rugged reliability combined with class-leading tech is still present. Whether you get a Raptor, Wildtrak, XLT, or XLS, Ford offers surprisingly good value in its pickup trucks. By Iñigo S. Roces