Ford’s Ranger gains luxe Platinum variant

FORD will introduce a highly specified Platinum variant to its Ranger line-up as part of the model’s MY23.5 overhaul due in showrooms from May, priced from $76,990 plus on-road costs.

The dual-cab Ranger Platinum variant features a host of styling and equipment upgrades, bringing it in step with rivals like the Mazda BT-50 Thunder ($71,290 + ORC) and Toyota HiLux Rogue ($70,200 + ORC).

Powered exclusively by Ford’s 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel engine with permanent four-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard, the Ranger Platinum adds 20-inch wheels with all season tyres, Matrix LED headlights, a Platinum-specific grille, powered roller shutter, and flexible rack system on top of those features found on a Ranger Wildtrak.

The model is further identified by Platinum bonnet badging, silk chrome garnishing, a dampened tailgate

A unique Equinox Bronze paint finish previously available only on Everest models is optional on the Platinum, among a choice of exterior colours – premium paint remains a $700 upgrade – and comes standard with a black-painted roof that can be optioned in body colour.

Ford Ranger chief platform engineer, Ian Foston described the Platinum as “focused on owners who need a work truck that combines both premium luxury for the family, and the flexibility of a work truck for their business”.

“We’ve really focused on creating a premium exterior and gold-class interior experience with the Ranger Platinum,” he said.

Inside, the variant includes quilted and perforated leather accented trim familiar to the Everest Platinum, heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjust and position memory for the driver, a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, and a heated steering wheel.

The cabin also sports a 12.0-inch infotainment array, B&O premium audio system, auxiliary switch bank, accented stitching and other decorative finishes again borrowed from the Everest Platinum.

Further, an Everest-style lidded upper glovebox and Platinum-badged front seats and floor mats round out the model’s interior enhancements.

“We listened hard to our customers throughout the design and development of the next-generation Ranger, and in doing so, we reinvented the pick-up truck segment,” said Ford Australia CEO and president Andrew Birkic.

“We’ve seen growth in high-end variants in this segment over recent years, so we challenged ourselves to create a vehicle that provides all of our customer’s wants and needs.

“Ranger Platinum gives customers the chance to have their cake and eat it too; they get the next-gen Ranger’s inherent capability with a serious dose of class and sophistication.”

According to national sales figures released by the FCAI, the Ford Ranger places second in the 4x4 ute segment with 34,536 deliveries to the end of October. The segment is led by the Toyota HiLux with 40,058 sales, while third place goes to the Mitsubishi Triton with sales of 21,783 units in the same timeframe.

2023 Ford Ranger 4x2 pricing*:

2023 Ford Ranger 4x4 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.