2013 ford ranger review Page 9

The 2013 Ford Ranger (PX) is the ute that turned weekend camping into a competitive sport—strong diesel grunt, a comfy cabin, and serious towing chops up to about 3,500 kg when properly equipped. On-road it’s stable and relaxed, though unladen ride can hop about like a roo on corrugations. Inside, it’s work-friendly and family-tolerant, with safety tech of the era and a dashboard that screams “hard yakka” more than “boutique tech hub.” Running costs are reasonable if serviced on time, and parts availability in Australia is about as good as it gets.

• Common issues: EGR and intake soot build-up on high-km diesels.
• Cooling system niggles (thermostat/hose leaks) if maintenance is skipped.
• Auto-trans shudder or hesitant shifts when neglected; fluids matter.