Rivervale’s first taste of the plug-in Ranger came at the Henry Ford Academy in Daventry, where three of us – put Ford’s electrified workhorse through its paces on road, off-road and towing loops. Verdict? It still wears the crown, only now it can sneak through town in silence and power your tools when you get there. Even better, you can already lease one from Rivervale – the latest deals sit at the bottom of this page.
Ford pairs its proven 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol four-cylinder with a 75 kW e-motor and an 11.8 kWh battery, served up through a 10-speed Modular Hybrid Transmission and e-4WD. Combined output is a muscular 281 PS and 697 Nm, giving the PHEV more twist than the V6 diesel Ranger. Select Sport and the truck lunges forward with an EV-assisted shove that belies its size; in Normal or Eco it slips into quiet electric running whenever possible.
A full charge (under four hours on a 16-amp home wall-box) is good for up to 27 miles of zero-tailpipe driving – enough to cover the entire daily mileage of more than half of current Ranger owners, according to Ford research. Four selectable EV modes (Auto, EV Now, EV Later, EV Charge) let you decide when to spend or save that charge, and Ford Pro’s smart scheduling app can time overnight top-ups for the cheapest tariff.
Ford’s cost-of-ownership maths is persuasive too: in England a business user covering 50 miles a day could save around £850 a year versus the V6 diesel by charging on a commercial electricity tariff.
Crucially, electrification hasn’t clipped the Ranger’s claws. The PHEV retains a payload of about one tonne and that headline 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) braked-trailer rating. Regenerative braking actually makes descents feel steadier with weight on the hitch, and the near-instant electric torque helps the truck crawl, climb and haul with new-found ease in slippery going.
Just as handy is Pro Power Onboard – choose a 2.3 kW or heavy-duty 6.9 kW inverter and the Ranger becomes its own generator. We ran a circular saw and floodlights straight from the load-bed sockets without even nudging the fuel gauge.
With battery mass carefully packaged in re-engineered rear frame rails, Ford’s chassis team retuned springs and dampers to deliver a ride that feels more SUV than pick-up. Active Noise Control keeps the cabin hushed; the petrol engine fades into the background unless you really lean on it.
Every PHEV gets the SYNC 4A infotainment suite on a portrait 12-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging and an 8-inch digital cluster. Pre-Collision Assist, Lane Keeping Aid and a reversing camera come standard, with 360-degree Zone Lighting and Pro Trailer Backup Assist available higher up the tree. Choose from XLT, Wildtrak or the launch-spec Stormtrak, the latter throwing in B&O audio, Matrix LEDs and Ford’s neat Flexible Rack System.
Inside, the familiar five-seat double-cab remains roomy, and the battery raises the load-bed floor only marginally – a Euro-pallet still fits neatly between the wheel arches, helped by the Easy-Lift tailgate.
Powerful yet refined, capable yet cleaner, the Ranger PHEV left the Rivervale crew genuinely impressed. The electric shove makes towing effortless, the ride quality has climbed a division, and being able to juice tools or a campsite fridge from the truck itself is transformative. If you need a pick-up that works like a truck Monday-to-Friday but glides like an EV in city traffic (and saves you money doing it), this is the one.
Production is under way and UK deliveries have started – Rivervale already has allocation. Ready to electrify your working week? Scroll down for our lease offers and drive Britain’s best-selling pick-up into its next era.
Ford Ranger PHEV Leasing Deals
