OFF-ROAD RIPPERS
It took dual-cab ute manufacturers a while to catch on that lot of buyers seem to immediately modify their utes but they have certainly done so now.
The end result is the four utes you see here: the Ford Ranger Raptor; Jeep Gladiator Rubicon; Mazda BT-50 Thunder; and Toyota HiLux Rugged X. We have dubbed these the ‘lifestyle’ quartet, primarily because they are aimed at buyers who want to play just as much as they want to work. Arguably more.
How they look is as important as what they can do and it is the butch, beefed-up Ford Ranger Raptor that has clearly been hitting the gym hardest.
It is a whopping 161mm wider 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
