STRONGER and even tougher than before the Ford Ranger is the UK's favourite pick-up and the current model arrived last year with many improvements over its award-winning predecessor.

To keep it at the top Ford added more style and technology to an alreadygreat package and the Ranger remains a huge success thanks to its good looks and ability to get any job done.

This new model is bigger and bolder and can be bought in a large variety of styles and with a choice of engines and transmissions.

It now looks more like some of its USA big brothers but still combines the ability to shift and move heavy equipment with the comfort and equipment of an SUV.It also offers great towing capacity as well as the talent to go off-road and tackle the rough stuff.

It can wade through rivers, traverse rough terrain, slip through mud and snow with ease because the Ranger has the grunt to do it.

On regular roads this less costly XL version I have been sampling behaves like most large SUVs and it cruises well at motorway speeds with decent ride and handling.

The XL may only have 16-inch steel wheels and be less flashier than some of the more expensive models in the range but its lower price tag - £35,760 means it will have lots of appeal to some customers.

The stylish new front and grille makes it look more muscular and it comes with lots of equipment and a spacious cabin.

The refreshed cabin offers enough creature comforts and room for a family of five or four large workers and boasts equipment to satisfy leisure owners.

You get lots of kit including a rear view camera, new large central touchscreen with Ford Sync 3 technology, a DAB radio, heated windscreen, and a large number of power sockets as well as a steering wheel with multimedia controls as well as dual power mirrors and windows.

You will have to pay an extra £600 for air conditioning and £120 for plastic sidesteps. An additional £360 will get you a worthwhile body protection pack - essential for tackling the rough stuff.

At the touch of a button you can select between a choice of two or four-wheel-drives and low and high ratios.

Safety featuresinclude a lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, a collision mitigation system, intelligent speed assistance and cruise control.

This six-speed manual XL version came with the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel power plant and produces 170ps.

It has a claimed combined WLTP figure of 33.2 mpg but that will depend on how hard you drive it and how heavy it is loaded.