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Ford Ranger MS-RT Review: The Pickup That Ditches the Mud for the Street
- Adam Gray
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
The Ford Ranger MS-RT is one of the more interesting arguments yet that midsize pickups don't need to chase off-road credentials to justify their existence. After driving the MS-RT daily over a three-week test period, it left a stronger impression than most trucks I've tested recently — not because of what it can tackle on a trail, but because of how deliberately street-focused it feels.
Positioned firmly against buyers who want presence and attitude over rock-crawling ability, the Ranger MS-RT is built around a lowered suspension setup — dropped around 40mm compared to the standard truck — paired with larger performance-style tyres and stiffer dampers. Underneath, it keeps the core Ranger hardware, including four-wheel drive and a 10-speed automatic gearbox, but the intent here is clearly road-first.
Inside, the cabin stays close to the standard Ranger rather than reaching for full performance theatre. The front seats are the standout change — deeper side bolsters and a sportier design in suede-style material with synthetic leather, balancing comfort with durability. A central touchscreen handles the tech, alongside a rear-view camera, traffic sign recognition, keyless entry, active park assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Drive modes covering Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand remain, along with a rotary dial for switching between 2WD, 4WD Auto, and 4WD Lock.
On the road, the Ranger MS-RT prioritises stance and response over everyday ride smoothness. The diesel engine is smooth and torquey, delivering effortless everyday performance without needing to be pushed hard. Body roll is well managed, and the lower ride height gives it a noticeably more planted feel than a standard Ranger. Real-world efficiency came in around 28 mpg combined over the test period, which softens the blow of the firmer setup. Push it into town traffic on broken surfaces, however, and the ride becomes noticeably choppy — the tradeoff for that lowered, stiffer character is felt most at low speeds.
The one area that consistently frustrated was the manual transmission control setup. Rather than paddle shifters, Ford uses a set of small unlabelled buttons next to the gear selector. In theory they offer manual control when you want it; in practice they're fiddly and easy to mix up on the move — the least intuitive part of an otherwise capable package.
Pricing for the Ford Ranger MS-RT starts from £50,800 + VAT, and while standard equipment is strong, it's worth noting what you're not getting compared to the Ranger Raptor — no adjustable exhaust, no multiple suspension personalities, and a less customisable driver display.
For buyers seeking a pickup that prioritises road presence, everyday usability, and genuine style over off-road ambition, the Ranger MS-RT makes a focused and well-judged case — just make sure you take one for a proper test drive before committing.
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