Ford and Toyota are two of the most recognizable car brands in the country, and one of their most contested segments is in the pickup category.
Pickup truck fans know that the Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Hilux Conquest are two of the most noteworthy picks in the market. We pit these two beastly off-roaders against one another and take our pick as to which one deserves your hard-earned money more.
The 2020 Ford Ranger Raptor's dimensions stand at 5398mm x 2028mm x 1873mm. Wheelbase is at 3220mm, and ground clearance is 283mm. Retaining the adventurous look characteristic of the current generation (its third), the Ranger features a more focused front fascia, albeit the Raptor does retain the wide front bumper. Compared to the previous model, the fog lights on the Ford pickup are made smaller with a thick black border accent. The Raptor tailgate also comes with a first-in-class lift assist.
Measuring 5325mm x 1900mm x 1845mm, the 2021 Toyota Hilux Conquest asserts its bolder look with a new grille design restyled daytime running lights, roll bar, bed liner, and 18-inch alloy wheels. A “Conquest” graphic at the rear sides further distinguish it from its Hilux family. Wheelbase for the Conquest is at 3085mm, and ground clearance is at 279mm. Just like the Raptor, all four Conquest variants come with the nifty tailgate lift assist feature. This function smoothens the drop of the tailgate, thereby easing the strain on the cables and hinge by preventing the gate from freefalling.
Winner: Tie
The interior design of the latest Ford Ranger Raptor is even more ergonomic and user-friendly than its predecessor, with plenty of new technology thrown in for good measure. There's a shift-on-the-fly feature that lets drivers choose between 2WD and 4WD more easily. Other tools to make life easier for Ranger owners include voice-controlled SYNC 3, smarter start button, active park assist, and navigation system. An eight-inch TFT touchscreen and leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls serve as the infotainment focal points for the entire cabin. Meanwhile, an eight-way power adjusted seat elevates driving convenience.
The new Hilux Conquest is now equipped with a Smart Key/Entry feature and furnished with a new black interior trim and a 6.5-inch display to go with the Steering Wheel Audio Control. Overall, the Conquest’s cabin is just the same as the next top Hilux variant. In terms of safety, the Conquest 4×4 models get anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution (ABS-EBD), hill-start assist, stability control with traction control, downhill assist, and trailer sway control. Meanwhile, the Conquest 4×2 gets only three airbags along with ABS-EBD. A reverse back-up camera and clearance sensors are also onboard.
Winner: Ranger Raptor
Ford certainly put a lot of effort into making the Ranger Raptor as safe as can be. Six airbags, parking sensors, rearview camera, and a slew of driver assistance systems that include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and 6-mode terrain management system, electronic stability, and a nifty driver alert system make driving on and off the road a safer experience. The autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and pre-collision assist is an exceptionally helpful addition, as it can warn drivers when pedestrians and vehicles cross their path, even automatically applying the brakes if need be.
The new Hilux retains its Auto Disconnect Differential and Differential Lock (4x4 models only). Toyota has increased the pickup’s relative ease of operation with the better-placed drive mode selection switch on the dashboard. Complementing the differential enhancements is an Active Traction Control (A-TRC) system that delivers power to the wheels with traction using brake fluid pressure and engine control. Other noteworthy safety enhancements include hill-start assist control, downhill assist control, vehicle stability control, and the signature Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS). Although the Hilux Conquest is a large vehicle, available parking sensors and reverse camera make it a bit easier to squeeze into narrow parking spaces and avoid costly fender benders.
Winner: Ranger Raptor
The 2020 Ford Ranger Roffers spacious and comfy seating for five in its cabin, while the truck bed practically guarantees all types of cargo with its 1540mm x 1560mm x 511mm dimensions. A sturdier, more off-road ready chassis for the Ford Ranger comes courtesy of high-strength low alloy steel optimized for rough terrain. The suspension on the other hand, has been tweaked to handle the toughest off-road conditions at top speeds with ease. Towing and payload capacity is 2500kg and 766kg, respectively.
The eighth-generation Hilux is made sturdier by an improved ladder chassis and reinforced deck structure that imbues the construction with a 20-percent increase in torsional rigidity. This, along with other reinforcements, raise the Hilux’s towing capacity to a maximum of 3175kg. Payload maxes out at 1115kg.
Winner: Hilux Conquest
While the entire Ford Ranger range comes in three different engines, only the 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo Diesel (210hp, 500Nm) has been made available for the Ranger Raptor. Likewise for the transmission—of the three available options, only the 10-speed automatic has been installed in the Raptor. This gearbox system is controlled via paddle shifters.
The Hilux Conquest is powered by the same fuel-efficient and durable engine used in the current Hilux lineup; a 2.8-liter four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC Variable Nozzle Turbo with Air-cooled Intercooler and a 2.4-liter version of the same engine. Both are befitting for any off road activity. Engine output maxes out at 201hp and 500Nm for the 2.8L and 148hp and 400Nm for the 2.4L. A choice between a 6-speed automatic and 6-speed intelligent manual gearbox ensures all that power reaches either all four wheels (4x4 variants) or rear wheels only (4x2 variants).
Winner: Hilux Conquest
While there are many Ford Ranger variants to choose from, the Raptor comes only in a lone 4x4 AT variant. Priced at PHP1,998,000, the Ford Ranger 2.0L BiTurbo Raptor 4x4 AT is available in shades of Arctic White, Absolute Black, Conquer Gray, Performance Blue, and True Red.
The Hilux Conquest on the other hand, has four different trims, priced as follows:
Color-wise, Toyota’s top-ranging pickup comes in Super White, Grey Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Nebula Blue Metallic, and the Conquest-exclusive Emotional Red.
Winner: Hilux Conquest
In this shootout, we are picking the Hilux over the Ranger, mainly because of what pickups are built for. As these vehicles are primarily meant to be off-road workhorses, and the Hilux’s better capacities are what won us over. The Hilux also wins by being the more contemporary ride. However, Ford’s offering provides better safety, making it the better option if that’s a priority for you.
Want to see more pickup options out there? Check out our selection here at Carmudi.
Photo/s from Toyota, Ford
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