Ford Ranger PHEV (2025 - ) review

Available in three trim levels - entry-level XLT, Wildtrak and a special launch-only Stormtrak edition - the PHEV Rangers are all double cabs, meaning passenger carrying capability is the same as any modern car, but offering more space and a feeling of durability only a pick-up truck can provide. Payload across the trim levels hovers around 1040kg and braked towing capability is firmly over 3000kg. The load space is over 1.2m wide (between the arches) and over 1.6m long at the floor. The opening is slightly less long at around 1.4m, and covered by an electric roller shutter in the Stormtrak model we tested. Drop the tailgate, roll back the shutter and you’ll be able to get whatever you want to carry in there without issue. You can also take advantage of the sliding loading rack on the back of Stormtrak models that allows you to carry longer loads and keep them raised. There are plenty of options to choose from to make the most of the Ranger PHEV’s loadspace, including adding a bed liner, adjustable tie downs and more, so check the spec of the vehicle you’re considering before signing on the line. The Ranger is already a practical beast, so there’s little to worry about in that respect. It’s worth noting Ford’s innovative sliding loading rack for carrying longer materials is a nice addition and worth adding to a vehicle as a paid option. Another useful feature packed into the Stormtrak edition is the Ford Pro Power system for powering on-board outlets - one in the cabin and two in the cargo space - and should prove useful to those who want power on-demand in more remote areas.

Frankly, the interior of any Ford Ranger is pretty great, but the Stormtrak trim is a cut above. Depending on trim level, the interior will be dominated by a sharp 10 or 12-inch touch screen infotainment system - the Stormtrak gets the 12-inch screen - that runs Ford’s latest Sync software and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Perhaps the only issue we have with the screen is that it’s not angled towards the driver, making actually using it as a route planner is very awkward on the neck. The front and back seats are very comfortable - either fabric or leather lined depending on trim - and the Stormtrak edition provides electrically controlled and heated seats in the front. The manual air con switches are below the screen, and below them is a handy phone storage shelf and USB connections - in the Stormtrak you get a wireless charging pad too. The drive selector stick and 4x4 control sit behind that and are perfectly easy to use. Storage is good with two glove boxes, multiple cup holders (including two that pop out of each end of the dashboard), and there’s some door storage (although not as generous as you’d expect). It’s a fabulous interior and really one of the highlights of the Ranger PHEV in general, not just the Stormtrak edition.

In the brochures, Ford has marked the PHEV down as delivering around 95mpg, although it’s hard to prove that and feels like you’re burning through a lot of petrol when the electric range drains for it to be a tricky figure to reach. But if you keep the battery charged and utilise the 26 miles of electric range (claimed) then you should see good returns, because most people are driving around 30 miles a day to commute. It’s only if you’re regularly on longer journeys, like the 200-mile round trip to Canterbury we took, when you’ll notice the costs starting to tick up. Ultimately, it’ll work for some and not for others. The acquisition costs are also a consideration, but a good finance or lease deal will mitigate those somewhat.

It’s a Ford Ranger pick-up truck and reliability is something the company always tries to ensure. The PHEV’s warranty is Ford’s standard three-year/60,000-mile package, although the battery packs are covered separately by an eight-year/100,000-mile package. The PHEV has been in-market for around nine months at time of writing and no major reliability issues have been flagged as yet. If anything pops up we’ll be sure to update this review.

It’s really hard to fault the Ranger PHEV’s performance as a commercial, personal and 4x4 vehicle. It copes with everything we’ve thrown at it and will no doubt become a well-regarded staple part of the Ford Ranger lineup for years to come.

The PHEV Rangers feature a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and a 75kW electric motor attached to a battery with an 11.8kWh capacity for 26 miles of electric range. When fully-charged, the electric battery and motor provide quiet driving with bags of torque, although you’ll feel and hear the petrol engine springing into life if you put your foot down. Once the battery has drained, it’s all petrol power and the noise levels tick up. However, the PHEV is clearly heavier as you don’t really experience any rolling in corners even when you’ve got nothing in the back. When compared to the diesel equivalents in Ford’s lineup, the PHEV seems to drive slightly better and with more poise. It moves where you point it as if it’s on rails, and we’re big fans of that. It’s also 4x4 capable, and our experience with it on agricultural land and gravel bowls showed the petrol engine to be just as capable as the diesel at pulling you round. It’s quite the feat Ford has achieved here, full marks.

Rangers hold a Platinum Euro NCAP Safety rating, and come with a wide range of safety systems including emergency braking, air bags (so many airbags), driver alerts (some more annoying than others), blindspot monitoring and more. The PHEV feels even more safe due to its increased weight making it feel planted to the ground and less wobbly than the diesel-powered versions.

As you can see from the other sections of this review, the Ranger PHEV is well equipped, especially when you consider that you get things like a reversing camera, powered door mirrors, auto wipers, and dual zone air-con as standard. The Wildtrak and Stormtrak trims add additional bits like the electrically adjustable and heated seats, and the excellent sliding loading rail which is a Stormtrak special (although can be specced as a paid-for option).

You’ll buy this because you want a Ford Ranger to run as a cost-effective personal and commercial vehicle in return for paying some BIK alongside the asking price. You’ll also buy this because when you went to test drive it you realised it drives slightly better and feels slightly safer than the diesel-powered models. And you might just buy the Stormtrak edition because it’s proper good looking and the prestige of a top-trim Ranger is too good to resist.