Bakkie Royalty: 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum review

Forming part of Ford’s Ranger event this week, we got to spend time in the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum, alongside the off-road-focussed Tremor you can read about HERE. If the Tremor is rock ‘n’ roll, then the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum is a night out listening to the Cape Town philharmonic.

Being the latest in the ever-growing millionaire bakkie club, the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum is the absolute pinnacle of the luxury Ranger experience. Just as you get the Everest Platinum SUV. So, in basic terms, you can think of this as an Everest Platinum with a load bay. That gives you an idea of the level of sophistication the Blue Oval is dealing in here.

2024 FORD RANGER PLATINUM

However, you may wonder if a luxurious bakkie that costs R1 119 000 isn’t anathema. Who is going to shell out for such a thing in our protracted economy? Ah, stopping being such a downer, because the profile of the South African double-cab bakkie owner is changing. Ford South Africa provided some fascinating insights into the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum buyer.

Firstly, double-cab bakkies have become defacto family cars in South Africa. Forget hatchbacks, sedans and even crossover SUVs. Nowadays, people are buying double cabs as their next family conveyance. And that’s why the pick-up segment was the largest in South Africa in a market that retailed 532 000 vehicles in 2023.  

BEST IN SEGMENT

According to Ford South Africa, 20.4% of all new vehicles bought in 2023 were bakkies, roughly 106 400 vehicles. This beat out even the budget B-car segment (20.2%) in South Africa. Next was small utility which accounted for 12.4%. Interestingly, when you consider the average price of a budget B-car (think Swift) versus a pick-up truck, you realise how lucrative such vehicles are for our car industry.

Then, within the bakkie segment, it’s double cabs that rule the roost. Retailing 63 704 units (50%) versus 8% extended cab and 42% workhorse single cab. Moreover, 59% of the bakkies sold in 2023 were 4×2 and the remaining 41% 4×4 or AWD. Best of all for the Blue Oval, the Ford Ranger was the top-selling double cab of the lot in 2023, retailing 20 662 units!

PLATINUM EXPERIENCE

By way of context, we can now see how the South African market is positively geared towards double cabs. Therefore, the addition of a R1.1-million Platinum Ranger is not out of whack at all. There is plenty on meat on the bone for a luxurious-yet-rugged all-round vehicle. A bakkie that takes the family to church on Easter Sunday in consummate luxury and can still pull up tree stumps on the farm on Easter Monday.

Built in Silverton, Pretoria, you get the sturdy ladder-frame chassis, leaf-sprung suspension and hearty V6 turbodiesel drivetrain. Except now, Ford South Africa has furnished the fully loaded Platinum with the following luxury features over and above a Wildtrak. We’re talking 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels, Platinum badging and grille, and LED Matrix lights. There’s a very cool damped tailgate, quilted leather 10-way adjustable electric heated/cooled seats, 640 Watts B&O sound system, zone lighting on the Ford Pass app, heated steering wheel and Ford’s Pro-trailer reverse assist.   

STRONG, SILENT TYPE

The 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum may shout about its premium positioning in the metal, but it’s got a strong-yet-silent 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 Powerstroke engine its bonnet. 184 kW and 600 Nm is paired with a 10-speed automatic, selectable all-wheel drive and multiple drive modes. The direct-injection unit is whisper smooth through the entire rev range. On our launch drive we saw an economy figure of 10.9 l/100 km. And zero to 100 km/h acceleration should shade the 10-second benchmark easily, although we were unable to test it on this occasion.

Understanding the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum is a family car firstly, Ford has kept plenty of common-sense convenience features. We love adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist to nudge you into your lane. Real-time tyre pressure monitors are also fantastic for peace of mind on a long trip. Then there’s arguably the best touchscreen multifunction system on the market.

TEST VERDICT

Although our time with the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum was relatively short compared to the off-roading experience we enjoyed in the Ford Ranger Tremor, it still left an indelible impression. The ride quality on relatively low-profile 20-inch rims is excellent. Traction on mixed surfaces is excellent, and there are so many surprise-and-delight features that you really feel you’re in Ranger royalty.

You can rest assured the 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum will take in stride any situation presented to it. From the daily commute, to high-speed motorways, fast gravel roads and any even vigorous off-roading – the Ranger Platinum is unfussed. And it will look right at home parked outside an exclusive country club, too. You name it, there’s nothing beyond the Ford Ranger’s remit these days.

THE FIGURES

• Best for: Believe the hype, this is the most premium double cab strafing South African streets right now.
• Not so sure: Wildtrak X and Tremor get the nod for 4×4 capability. However, the Platinum doesn’t pretend to play in the same sandpit anyway.
• 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum 3.0 V6 diesel 4WD 10AT
• Engine: 2 999 cc 6-cyl turbodiesel
• Power: 184 kW, 600 Nm
• Performance: n/a 0-100 km/h
• Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
• Economy: 10.9 l/100 km (tested)
• Price: R1 119 000

Did you enjoy this 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum review? Be sure to click here for more car reviews from The South African.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLES BY RAY LEATHERN