ALL THE GEAR, BUT NO IDEA?

THE FORD Ranger swept all before it when it was unleashed on Australia's booming dual-cab market in 2022. A range-topping Platinum model has now been perched atop the regular Ranger lineup, albeit still a good deal more affordable than the special interest Ranger Raptor.

- ANDY ENRIGHT

It's only available with the top-spec 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine and borrows much of its trim and finish from its Wheels Car of the Year-winning sibling, the Everest SUV. In other words, you know it's off to a great start.

But at this price point come some fairly serious expectations. Can the Ranger Platinum live up to the big billing? As you might expect, the Platinum gets a stack of the good stuff poured into it. There's really very little that you can point to as a trim shortcoming over the already very well-appointed Wildtrak model.