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Originally Posted by Dr Smith
I have had the pleasure of living with a Hilux Workmake/aluminium tray for the last 3 weeks while my Vito is in the panel shop...I have never driven anything so firmly suspended such that when empty, holding a coffee cup to your mouth on typical suburban Melbourne roads is a trapeze artists level of skill in timing...from cup edge to lips.
And yes I know they are designed to carry loads however so is every other ute and the Ranger ride levels are staggeringly superior it's dumbfounded me...at some point even couriers drive home/back so base empty....I even asked 2 couriers that delivered to work what they thought and both laughed when I mentioned the ride.
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My first Mazda-based PK Ranger was brutally harsh unladen, and only slightly less brutal loaded. Throw in the light alloy tray and the bench seat, it was not a livable daily driver and was one of the reasons why I traded up.
The PX Ranger has an edge to the ride at times, but is still comfortable to live with. The ride difference between PK and PX is astronomical. Having also driven the Hilux, its not on the same page, or even in the same book as the Ranger. If it wasn't for the gutless engine, it would be my perfect daily.
With Ford not offering the low ride anymore, I've contemplated looking at the equivalent Toyota, Mazda, and Isuzu, but..........................I feel like it would be a down-grade over my now 9-year-old PX MK II. It's funny, when I bought the PK in 2010, I did so because it was a Ford, not necessarily because it was the best in class...............actually far from it. In 2016, the PX MK II was THE best in segment, and this same vehicle 9-year later in 2025 is still better than the new stuff in Toyota, Mazda and Isuzu showrooms today.
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One poor bugger never even test drove it before buying and said he wouldn't buy it again.
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That's the problem with the single cabs, the dealers don't like putting them on the demo fleet, so they are quite often purchased sight unseen. Both of my Ranger's were bought without a test drive.
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If Ford just tried a bit harder with pricing in the 4x2 space they would kill the Hilux....................You can only be buying this on price because nothing about it would justify any other reason.
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I know Ford aren't interested in that segment of the market, but they would win over a considerable number of sales if they sharpened the pencil a bit. With the considerable comfort advantage of the Ranger, it would sell itself against the brutally spartan Hilux.