Ford Ranger Vs. Toyota Hilux

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gregmcc

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#169734 24-Mar-2015 12:03

Got a choice to make, new job, new vehicle, but now I have a choice between a Ford Ranger or a Toyota Hilux.

Looking more at the technology side of things ie. bluetooth integration etc.

So those of you that have either vehicle what do you like about it or dislike?

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"Cookie"
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#1266687 24-Mar-2015 12:18

My husband would desperately love to trade his Holden Rodeo for a Ford Ranger. News out this morning is that a new Ranger is coming out later this year so he is going to hold off until then. I think it was the reverse camera and better engine that made his mind up.

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dickytim

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#1266711 24-Mar-2015 12:38

I am really liking the Ford Rangers at the moment.

My GF is looking for a second hand flat deck in petrol and auto!

Phexx

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#1266714 24-Mar-2015 12:42

Whilst I cannot attest to the tech in the vehicle, I can say that for towing the Ranger is absolutely superb. It's certainly one of the top tow wagons you can buy today.

mattwnz

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#1266732 24-Mar-2015 13:00

Toyotas tend to be behind when it comes to technology. But they tend to be more reliable and cheaper parts. I would probably go for the ford though if there is a new model coming out soon

grant_k

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#1266736 24-Mar-2015 13:09

I've had two different Hiluxes for the past 9 years now and whilst the reliability has been superb, there is no doubt that they are behind in the performance / fuel economy stakes. One of my Hiluxes got written off in a nasty trailer accident and I was very glad to be in such a solid vehicle.

Toyota have been saying for the past 2 or 3 years that an all-new Hilux is coming in 2015, but the first quarter is almost over and nothing has been announced that I know of. They need to pull finger as the competition is upping the ante with every year that passes and the faithful are slowly deserting in favour of more up-to-date models from competitors.

If I was in the market for a new ute (which I'm not expecting to be for a few more years), I would look very closely at the Ford Ranger, but also at the VW Amarok. It hasn't got as much power as the Ranger, but has an 8-speed automatic gearbox allowing off-road use without needing to select a low-range as you do in most other 4x4 utes. The VW has various other bits of cool tech and is extremely economical, whilst being priced similarly to the Hilux.

gregmcc

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#1266739 24-Mar-2015 13:13

grant_k: I've had two different Hiluxes for the past 9 years now and whilst the reliability has been superb, there is no doubt that they are behind in the performance / fuel economy stakes. One of my Hiluxes got written off in a nasty trailer accident and I was very glad to be in such a solid vehicle.

Toyota have been saying for the past 2 or 3 years that an all-new Hilux is coming in 2015, but the first quarter is almost over and nothing has been announced that I know of. They need to pull finger as the competition is upping the ante with every year that passes and the faithful are slowly deserting in favour of more up-to-date models from competitors.

If I was in the market for a new ute (which I'm not expecting to be for a few more years), I would look very closely at the Ford Ranger, but also at the VW Amarok. It hasn't got as much power as the Ranger, but has an 8-speed automatic gearbox allowing off-road use without needing to select a low-range as you do in most other 4x4 utes. The VW has various other bits of cool tech and is extremely economical, whilst being priced similarly to the Hilux.

Be nice if the Amarok was on the list......but not

Wheelbarrow01

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#1266774 24-Mar-2015 13:53

I was always a Hilux man but I bought the old shape Ranger in 2009 after driving a mate's work Ranger. I now have a 2012 Ranger (the current model) and don't think I could consider going back to a Hilux. I look at the interior of the current Hilux and it just looks so old school and well overdue for an update, although the rumour is this will happen late this year around the same time that the facelift Ranger is launched.

In terms of tech in the current Ranger, I cannot fault it. The Bluetooth integration works perfectly with my Samsung and Sony phones and the audio from the handsfree is crisp and clear. It connects automatically as soon as I turn the key which I really love. Navigating through contacts to make a call is easy, as is dialing an actual number from the large dashboard keypad when I need to.

The auto windscreen wipers, once set to your preference, are perfect - mine come on when just the right amount of rain falls on the windscreen. It's the same with the auto headlights in low light conditions.

I also like the hill start assist, which holds the brake on for about a second or two after you release the pedal, allowing you time to give it some gas before releasing the clutch for easy uphill starts.

The voice controls are a bit gimmicky, but I do like telling 'the lady' to set the climate control to a certain temperature whenever I get bored on long trips. It's not something I use daily but others might.

The cruise control is extremely precise. The Ranger will stick to the speed you set at nearly all costs, even when negotiating quite long downhill runs. The 470Nm of torque also means it climbs hills superbly without even having to shift down from 6th gear a lot of the time.

As for towing, I absolutely agree it's best in class. I have a Bayliner Capri boat which I regularly haul from Christchurch to the southern lakes with a load of mates, dogs and gear in the tray, and the Ranger handles this almost as if it's towing nothing at all. Acceleration is good, and I can keep up or even outclass other traffic on hilly or windy roads. The ability to overtake swiftly and safely while towing 2 tonnes of boat and gear is great.

The facelift model due later this year will add several more safety features - active cruise control that monitors the road ahead, lane departure warning systems that help steer the car back into its lane, and the ability to call emergency services automatically for help in the event of a crash. I understand the new model also gets a great infotainment system with integrated navigation and reverse camera as standard.

By all means test a Hilux, as everything I've said is subjective, but I am glad I changed to the Ranger.

The views expressed by me are not necessarily those of my employer Chorus NZ Ltd

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kiwitrc

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#1266776 24-Mar-2015 13:55

I have had a Hilux for about 5 years now and love it. But if I was in the market for a new ute I would be looking hard at the Ford.

The only thing I am not sure about is the resale which is one of the reasons I went for the Hilux over the Navara when I bought mine. If you don't own it then resale isn't a problem.

I see Ford are about to bring out an updated model later this year and as above, Hilux is also supposed be coming out in a new model.

rokki

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#1269397 28-Mar-2015 07:02

Also why not consider Mazda BT-50 same as Ranger plus $200 subsidised servicing.

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nakedmolerat

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#1269400 28-Mar-2015 07:31

I would also look at Facelift New Triton - 10 years warranty.

Handle9

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#1269402 28-Mar-2015 07:37

He's got to choose between the two, not between 15 alternatives.

gregmcc

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#1269403 28-Mar-2015 07:52

Handle9: He's got to choose between the two, not between 15 alternatives.

Thanks

MikeB4

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#1269404 28-Mar-2015 08:00

With a long history of excellent build quality and reliability the Toyota is really the choice to make. It's been the top seller for decades and if resale value is important they hold price well.

plod

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#1269424 28-Mar-2015 09:33

If company money go for the ranger, if buying with your own money and plan to keep it go hilux. The hilux has the history the ranger hasn't

Fred99

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#1269434 28-Mar-2015 10:17

The BT-50 / Ranger 3.2 diesel has a serious "quirk" for which owners should be aware.
The variable volume oil pump in them will not self-prime if drained. Oil should not be drained for more than 10 minutes before refilling.
Mazda/Ford should have known about this from the outset, but they only issued a service advisory in 2014.
Not your problem if new and getting dealer service, but some of these will now be getting to the mileage where they're out of warranty, and owners may be DIY - or going to cheap oil-changing franchises where I wouldn't be 100% confident that staff on the shop floor would know that you can't leave the oil to drain while you go to smoko.

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