The Ford Ranger is the second best-selling automobile within the nation, and the most well-liked 4×4 ute.
Although Ford has been working to enhance provide, even chartering a ship filled with the utes (and Everest SUVs) for our market, there’s nonetheless rampant demand… and meaning ready instances.
CarExpert estimates ready instances of greater than six months for a lot of Ranger variants, and if you wish to get behind the wheel of a ute sooner slightly than later, that may be a wait too lengthy to bear.
Beneath, we’ve shared the utes we’d take a look at as a substitute for the Ranger.
Scott Collie: Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max can’t match the Ranger in relation to expertise, and it wasn’t as succesful off-road… however I prefer it.
It rides properly within the metropolis by ute requirements, and the actual fact it has wi-fi Apple CarPlay allows you to sidestep the aftermarket-looking manufacturing unit navigation.
An replace is imminent, however the present mannequin nonetheless has loads to supply. Isuzu even has respectable inventory in the intervening time.
MORE: Purchase an Isuzu D-Max
Jack Fast: Volkswagen Amarok
Should you’re not prepared to attend six months for a Ford Ranger, why not get a ute that’s just about equivalent beneath the pores and skin?
The present-generation Volkswagen Amarok is predicated on the identical T6 body-on-frame platform because the Ranger, although that’s largely the place the commonality ends. In saying that nonetheless, there’s some Ford {hardware} that may be discovered within the Amarok for those who poke your head round.
The Volkswagen Amarok has an upper-specification-skewed line-up in comparison with the Ranger. The previous’s suspension tune can be geared extra like an SUV, and the entrance seats have extra bolstering than the latter’s.
It’s not all excellent nonetheless, because the Amarok’s inside structure isn’t probably the most user-friendly as there aren’t any bodily local weather management buttons, the brake controller management unit significantly obscures the wi-fi charger, and there aren’t any dashboard-mounted, tradie-friendly cupholders.
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen Amarok
William Stopford: Mazda BT-50
The plain reply right here can be the Volkswagen Amarok, a twin beneath the pores and skin to the Ranger but in addition out there with a genuinely good turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol four-cylinder engine.
If I used to be a potential Ranger purchaser, I’d have an Amarok on my shortlist, however I’ve to shout out one other set of twins: the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50.
Of the 2, you’ll doubtless be capable of get the keys to a BT-50 sooner as Mazda has touted plentiful stock.
Just like the D-Max, even in 3.0-litre turbo-diesel guise it’s down a bit on energy and torque in contrast with a bi-turbo Ranger, however you’d be hard-pressed to note if you’re behind the wheel.
You get a variety of ordinary security gear and whereas the infotainment is a technology or so behind the slick Ranger/Amarok system, you’ll be able to say the identical about each different ute on this section. Total, you get a ute that’s snug inside and completely nice to drive.
As a wildcard possibility, the SsangYong Musso could also be down on grunt and security gear, nevertheless it’s sensational worth for cash.
MORE: Purchase a Mazda BT-50
James Wong: Volkswagen Amarok
Essentially the most logical Ranger different is the Volkswagen Amarok, given the 2 vans share their underpinnings and drivetrains.
I personally want the Volkswagen’s extra upmarket design and show expertise, although it’s missing a few of the Ford’s cool tech like linked companies and semi-autonomous freeway assistant in Australian spec.
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen Amarok
Jade Credentino: Volkswagen Amarok
I needed to assume actually arduous on this as a result of the newest technology Ranger has a lot extra tech than most different utes out there in the intervening time.
If I had somewhat bit of cash and the house I’d upsize to one of many huge utes just like the Ram 1500 however since I ought to think about an identical value level I must go for the Volkswagen Amarok. It’s a posher-looking Ranger, it nonetheless has all of the options and the V6 powertrain the Ranger has, so I wouldn’t miss out on a lot.
If persons are in a rush, the present Triton – particularly the Walkinshaw-fettled XTreme – might be going for a discount as sellers try to make manner for the brand new mannequin subsequent 12 months.
