2018 Ford Ranger

The Ford Raptor is a large slice of Americana that has landed right here in Ireland. The chunky styling and swollen arches might look like they have come straight from a Hollywood movie but they are very much real. It's not all show either as much of the styling (the 2.3mm steel 'bashplate' at the front, for example) is in fact intended to bolster this vehicles impressive off-roading ability. It is surprisingly civilised inside, with plenty of head and legroom for adults and lots of support from the heated, half-leather sports seats. The dash layout is robust and functional and not altogether unpleasant, with the centrepiece being the equally functional eight-inch touchscreen, sat nav and rear-view camera. The 210bhp two-litre bi-turbo diesel engine pushes the Raptor to 100 kmph in ten seconds, a considerable feat in a machine this size. Thankfully it is also quite refined to drive on the road and is as comfortable on the motorway as on the mud.