The Ford Ranger is the second best-selling car within the nation, and the preferred 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 occasions.
CarExpert estimates ready occasions 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 is likely to be a wait too lengthy to bear.
Beneath, we’ve shared the utes we might take a look at as an alternative choice to the Ranger.
Scott Collie: Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max can’t match the Ranger in relation to know-how, 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 helps you to sidestep the aftermarket-looking manufacturing facility navigation.
An replace is imminent, however the present mannequin nonetheless has a lot to supply. Isuzu even has first rate inventory for the time being.
MORE: Purchase an Isuzu D-Max
Jack Fast: Volkswagen Amarok
In case you’re not keen to attend six months for a Ford Ranger, why not get a ute that’s just about an identical underneath the pores and skin?
The present-generation Volkswagen Amarok relies on the identical T6 body-on-frame platform because the Ranger, although that’s largely the place the commonality ends. In saying that nevertheless, there’s some Ford {hardware} that may be discovered within the Amarok if you happen to 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 good nevertheless, because the Amarok’s inside format isn’t essentially 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 could be the Volkswagen Amarok, a twin underneath the pores and skin to the Ranger but in addition obtainable 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 probably have the ability to 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 once you’re behind the wheel.
You get a variety of normal security gear and whereas the infotainment is a era or so behind the slick Ranger/Amarok system, you possibly can say the identical about each different ute on this phase. General, you get a ute that’s comfy inside and fully nice to drive.
As a wildcard choice, the SsangYong Musso could also be down on grunt and security gear, however it’s sensational worth for cash.
MORE: Purchase a Mazda BT-50
James Wong: Volkswagen Amarok
Probably the most logical Ranger different is the Volkswagen Amarok, given the 2 vans share their underpinnings and drivetrains.
I personally favor the Volkswagen’s extra upmarket design and show know-how, although it’s missing among 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 exhausting on this as a result of the most recent era Ranger has a lot extra tech than most different utes obtainable for the time being.
If I had just a little bit of cash and the area I might upsize to one of many huge utes just like the Ram 1500 however since I ought to take into account the same 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 – could possibly be going for a discount as sellers try to make manner for the brand new mannequin subsequent yr.
MORE: Purchase a Volkswagen Amarok