ATN #418

than a Ranger XLT and wears chunky 285/70
BF Goodrich All-Terrains. Don’t think it is
all style and no substance, though, with a
bespoke rear end and expensive Fox internal
bypass shock absorbers.
Equally focused is the Jeep Gladiator
Rubicon. Essentially a trayed version of
the iconic Wrangler, the Rubicon is named
after an iconic US off-road trail and
equipped accordingly.
Like the Ranger Raptor, it scores
Fox shocks (though not to the same
specification as the Raptor) and aggressive
BF Goodrich rubber, as well as a Rock-Trac
on-demand 4x4 system, ultra-low 77.2:1
crawl ratio, electronic front sway-bar
disconnect and Tru-Lok front and rear
locking differentials. A Toorak Tractor
this is not.
The HiLux Rugged X doesn’t take offroad
adventuring quite so seriously but is
enhanced with heavy duty front springs, a
snorkel, recovery points at both ends, rock
rails (side steps), heavy duty front and rear
bumpers and a front bash plate.
This is in addition to cosmetic
enhancements like the new grille, outboard
driving lights, including front LED light bar,
and black guard extensions.
Our last contender is also the newest.
The BT-50 Thunder was announced during
our test, with Mazda kindly providing a
car ahead of launch. It essentially takes
the range-topping GT and adds plenty of
accessories, including a steel bullbar with
LED lightbar, black 18-inch (45.7cm) wheels,
guard flares, side steps, a rear sports bar
and electronic roller tonneau.
Mazda claims the Thunder includes an
extra $13,000-worth of value, but then it
is $10,000 more than the GT on which it is
based, at $65,990 for the six-speed manual
and $68,990 for the automatic.
This still makes it our cheapest contender,
especially as those prices are currently
driveaway figures, though are expected to
revert to recommended retail price (RRP)
in due course.
Even so, it will still narrowly undercut the
auto-only HiLux Rugged X at $69,900 RRP,
while the $76,450 Gladiator Rubicon and
$77,190 Ranger Raptor are neck-and-neck.
THE INSIDE TAKE
Inside, the Gladiator has a sense of
adventure to its layout that requires some
unique ergonomic solutions. For instance,
the removable doors necessitate the
repositioning of the window switches
to the centre console.
The Rubicon-specific leather seats are
Jeep’s Gladiator Rubicon is essentially a
trayed version of the Wrangler
Aimed at buyers who want to play just as
much as they want to work
comfortable enough, though the raised
centre back rest eats into elbow room in
the rear. Standard equipment includes
keyless entry and start, parking sensors
and rear-view camera, dual-zone climate
control, heated side mirrors and tyre
pressure monitoring, but the elephant in the
room is the Gladiator’s three-star ANCAP
safety rating.
Every other contender has a five-star
safety rating, but there are a couple of
caveats. The Raptor’s five-star rating is a
legacy of the Ranger’s 2011 test, which is
extremely out of date. However, Ford has
continually updated its popular ute with the
latest active safety toys like autonomous
The Ford Ranger Raptor includes a a
Rock-Trac on-demand 4x4 system
emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise,
lane keep assist and lane departure warning,
but rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot
monitoring are absent.
The Ranger’s cabin architecture might be
ageing but the Raptor shines with simply
superb front seats – the hard, flat rears are
less impressive – and the leather-wrapped
steering wheel with straight-ahead marker
and long metal paddle shifters.
Other features include dual-zone climate
control, auto wipers and headlights, a 230v
power outlet in the rear (but no vents or USB
ports) and keyless entry and start.
The next caveat concerns the Mazda.
The BT-50 was awarded a five-star safety
FULLYLOADED.COM.AU July 2021 ATN 85