Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid: 'more than just a novelty'
Europe's first plug-in hybrid pickup is 'surprisingly agile'

In adding electric power to the popular Ranger line-up, Ford has built Europe's first plug-in hybrid pickup. "More than just a novelty", said Car Magazine, the Ranger PHEV has a "powerful hybrid system" with a 2.3-litre petrol engine and a 75kW electric motor. At 25.5 miles, the electric-only driving range isn't much to shout about, but its lower CO2 emissions mean it qualifies for much lower benefit-in-kind tax, and it is also VAT exempt.
Ford hasn't compromised on cargo and towing capacity: the Ranger PHEV can tow 3.5 tonnes with a payload of more than a tonne. At 11.8kWh the battery isn't big, but with 277bhp the truck can do 0-62mph in 9.2secs, a fraction faster than the 3.0-litre diesel. Much like the standard model, the ride is "compliant", with a "decent powertrain", plenty of stopping power and just a bit of body roll, said Auto Express.
"Surprisingly agile", the Ranger PHEV remains a "commercial workhorse", but with lower running costs and better comfort, said The Independent. The functional interior is full of hard plastics, but the seats are comfy, visibility is great and legroom decent. There's a 12-inch central touchscreen and a driver display, but the smartest tech is the Pro Power Onboard system, which has three 230V three-pin plug sockets.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Violet Affleck and healthy indoor air
Teenager has accused older generations of 'neglect of the highest order' on Long Covid
-
Shutdown: Democrats stand firm, at a cost
Feature With Trump refusing to negotiate, Democrats’ fight over health care could push the government toward a shutdown
-
TikTok: A little help from Trump’s friends
Feature Trump’s new TikTok deal would hand the app over to 'his billionaire allies,' ignoring national security concerns
-
6 rustic homes on ranches
Feature Featuring copper kitchen counters in Colorado and a 380-acre property in California
-
Steve: a ‘gripping’ drama starring Cillian Murphy
The Week Recommends Murphy plays the frazzled headmaster of a boarding school for ‘delinquent’ boys in this bold Indie film
-
The Lady from the Sea: a ‘thrillingly contemporary’ Ibsen adaptation
The Week Recommends ‘Luminous’ cast dazzle in Simon Stone’s ‘hugely enjoyable’ production
-
Black Rabbit: slick crime thriller set in a high-end New York restaurant
The Week Recommends Two Manhattan brothers resort to ‘ever-more high-stakes’ schemes to tackle ‘huge’ gambling debts in the ‘glossy’ series
-
One Battle After Another: a ‘terrifically entertaining’ watch
The Week Recommends Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest release is a ‘high-octane action thriller’ and a ‘surefire Oscar frontrunner’
-
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny: a novel of ‘undeniable power’
The Week Recommends Kiran Desai’s first novel in nearly 20 years is an ‘enthralling love story’ set across India and the US
-
Color Theories: Julio Torres’ one-man show
Performance Space New York Performance Space New York
-
The 2025 Emmys: A big night for newcomers
Feature The 77th Emmys were full of surprises, from shocking wins and moving speeches to a host’s charity stunt that backfired