Premium, robust, and good-looking – ever since the T6-based Ford Ranger and Everest made their individual debuts in local showrooms, these have been the words that you can automatically associate with these pickup platform vehicles (PPVs).
More than those, the Blue Oval twins have always been regarded as premium purchases in comparison to its segment rivals – and rightfully so as they’ve always been setting the benchmark in its class.
With rivals already catching up to their esteems, Ford Philippines has finally decided to up the ante once more. The new generation 2023 Ranger and Everest have simultaneously landed on local shores with the aim to set the standard in the local PPV segment. And frankly, the rest of the world (or at least the contending PPVs) will have a hard time catching up.
Of note, both the 2023 Ranger and Everest now come with a 5-year or 150,000-km warranty (whichever comes first).
Ford Ranger – The Smart Truck
Now sitting atop a heavily revamped T6 platform, dubbed T6.2, the new Ranger is boxier and looks more macho than its predecessor. It’s also 50mm wider, has a 60mm wider track, and has a 50mm longer wheelbase. Lighting elements are LEDs, with the headlights using the smart matrix LED system that automatically detects oncoming traffic. The C-shaped DRLs are reminiscent of the bigger F-150, while the taillights now come with a more defined graphic – far from the uninspired blocks of the outgoing model.
Keeping its rugged appeal, the Ranger comes with mud flaps, roof rails, bedliner, side steps, rear bed step board, and front tow hooks. For simpler access to the bed, it also has a tailgate dampener, while bed versatility has been improved with the addition of a 230V socket. Wheel sizes range from 16-inch steelies on the base model to the 18-inch alloys on the top-spec Wildtrak.
The cabin of the top-of-the-line model, passengers are greeted by various leathers along with Wildtrak-specific accents. There’s also an 8-way electronically adjustable seat for the driver, while two huge screens greet the occupants as the driver pushes the ignition button.
The crown of the cabin is the new 12-inch infotainment vertical touchscreen (10-inch on lower variants) that runs on SYNC 4A with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This is paired with wireless charging.
In terms of safety, the new Ford Ranger comes with seven airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with a traction control system, parking sensors, and roll-over mitigation. The top-spec variants also offer advanced driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping system, and 360-degree camera, among others.
Powering the 2023 Ford Ranger are two engine choices: the 2.0-liter single turbodiesel engine that makes 170hp and 405Nm of torque, and the 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel engine that churns out 210hp and 500Nm of pull.
The engines are mated to a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, or 10-speed automatic transmission, depending on the variant. With up to six modes, the Terrain Management System in the Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 enables the truck to navigate various road conditions with ease.
The 2023 Ford Ranger comes in eight variants with the following sticker prices:
- 2.0L Turbo XL 4×4 MT – P1,198,000
- 2.0L Turbo XLS 4×2 MT – P1,198,000
- 2.0L Turbo XLS 4×2 AT – P1,273,000
- 2.0L Turbo XLT 4×2 AT – P1,374,000
- 2.0L Turbo Sport 4×2 AT – P1,474,000
- 2.0L Turbo Sport 4×4 AT – P1,594,000
- 2.0L Turbo Wildtrak 4×2 AT – P1,569,000
- 2.0L Biturbo Wildtrak 4×4 AT – P1,875,000
Ford Everest – Family SUV Made Even Better
In line with the changes on the Ranger, the 2023 Ford Everest follows the boxy form in a two-box, SUV body. The midsize SUV receives added pizzazz as well, with chrome decorating the exterior with the exception of the Sport trim that uses piano black accents instead. LED lighting elements are likewise the same with the Ranger up front, though the rear taillights employ a somewhat emphatic appeal.
And just like the Ranger, the new Everest is also bigger in all aspects than the outgoing model, specifically 11mm longer, 339mm wider, and 48mm higher. Wheel sizes range from the 18-inch alloys of the lower variants to the 20-inchers of the higher Titanium and Sport trims.
The 2023 Ford Everest banks on its premium appeal as a seven-seat family SUV, with leather appointments down to the third row. Driver’s and passenger’s seat adjustments are 8-way electronic across the range, except the base Trend variant (driver’s only).
Split-folding second-row benches are available in a 60:40 ratio, however, power-folding third-row seats are only available with the Titanium+ 4×4. On the majority of the range, electrochromatic rearview mirrors, and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard. The Titanium+ variant is the only one with a panoramic moonroof. Up to four 12-volt power outlets are available to occupants for charging portable electronics. The Titanium+, meanwhile, has a 230-volt inverter in the back console for powering bigger appliances.
There’s a bevy of screens, as well, with the lower variants getting an 8-inch display on the instrument and a 10-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment at the center. The Titanium variants have a bigger 12-inch screen for the driver and another 12-inch infotainment that has among the clearest displays for a 360-degree camera around. Of note, the vertical infotainment systems houses wireless Apple CarPlay and Android across the lineup.
Apart from the usual safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and tire pressure monitoring system, the Titanium+ offers more features such as adaptive cruise control with lane centering, evasive steer assist, post-impact braking, and Dynamic Brake Support.
The 2023 Ford Everest has the same engine choices as the outgoing model, namely the 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel mill in single turbo and biturbo configurations. Outputs are 170hp and 405Nm of torque for the single turbo, and 210hp and 500Nm of pull for the biturbo. Only the Titanium+ 4×4 comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear differential lock, while the rest of the range has a 6-speed auto gearbox. There is no manual option for the new Everest.
The 2023 Ford Everest is being offered in five choices with the following selling prices:
- 2.0L Turbo Trend 4×2 AT – P1,799,000
- 2.0L Turbo Limited 4×2 AT – P1,999,000
- 2.0L Turbo Sport 4×2 AT – P2,089,000
- 2.0L Turbo Titanium+ 4×2 AT – P2,179,0000
- 2.0L Biturbo Titanium+ 4×4 AT – P2,495,000