From April 2010 issue

List price when tested: £26,736
Kerbweight: 1913kg
85% match: 1626kg
Max towing weight: 3000kg
Towball limit: 125kg
30-60mph: 17.6 seconds
30-0mph: 13.0m

PICK-UPS DON’T tend to drive as well as regular family cars. They’re designed as workhorses first and foremost. That said, the Ranger is better than most. The steering is more accurate than many rivals’ and there’s less roll when cornering.

Most caravans will make suitable matches, too, thanks to the high kerbweight of 1913kg. However, performance is disappointing. Pulling a Sterling Eccles Coral we laboured from 30-60mph in 17.6 seconds. Of more concern were the brakes. It took 13 metres to stop from 30mph in damp conditions. That’s significantly further than the distances we usually record, even in bad weather.

The load bed is a good size, and with a payload of over a tonne it should be up to whatever gets thrown at it during the working week. However, double cabs like this one are expected to be family cars during the evening and at weekends, and here the Ranger falls down. The rear seats are surprisingly cramped.

On the other hand, the Ranger Wildtrak does come fitted with plenty of toys and the standard of finish is a step up from most commercial vehicles’.

We say       
Towing: 3/5
Solo: 3/5
Practicality: 4/5
Buying & owning: 4/5

Verdict: 3/5 – Well equipped and heavy, but rear-seat space is limited.

Find out more about this car at www.whatcar.com