Looking for a rugged Ford Ranger pickup but without the Raptor price tag? Our man up in Scotland tests the cheaper but still offroad-focused Tremor model.

Ford Ranger Tremor 2.0-litre EcoBlue 10-speed auto

List price: £35,550 CO2: 270g/km Economy: 31.7mpg Test efficiency: 32.0mpg

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Monday

The Ford Ranger line-up is nothing if not diverse, just as modern pickup has to be. Filling a gap between the more basic XLT and the Wildtrak, we have the Tremor that arrived this morning with more of a purr from its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine than a shudder. It also looks the part as this pickup is aimed at those who need something to head off-road in.

Tuesday

Chunky tyres and an off-road biased suspension set-up – the Tremor has upgraded components compared to the XLT – don’t usually make for great on-road handling. I remember the previous-generation Raptor being great right up till you tried to go round a corner. The Tremor, however, feels very secure and able-footed on tarmac. It lets you carry speed through corners, which makes for smoother, more efficient progress.

Wednesday

I’ve already been asked several times by neighbours and passers-by if this is the Raptor, with slightly disappointed looks when I explain it’s not. It says a lot about the Tremor’s style that it’s mistaken for its far more expensive sibling and begs the question of whether you need to spend the extra for a performance model that has nowhere near the Tremor’s fuel economy.

Thursday

Ford has got this generation of Ranger cab spot on, in my view. The 10-inch touchscreen is easy to use and navigate, and it’s quick to respond to inputs even with a cold finger after this evening’s mountain bike excursion. Heated seats are also welcome, even if it is the middle of May and summer is supposed to be arriving. Chilly evening aside, the Ranger is ideal and the comfortable seat makes the drive home quite soothing.

Friday

Helping a friend to move some furniture this morning ahead of their house move, the Ranger came into its own. They live up a long, dismally surfaced farm track – hence moving into the village – and the Ford made light work of this despite the rain. It also had no trouble carting some bed frames and cupboards to the new house, though a canvas cover was needed as this car has no load cover fitted.

Saturday

Heading out with a couple of friends this morning for a spot of gravel bike riding, it was a doddle to throw the bikes in the back of the Ranger. Tie-down points made it simple to stop the bikes from sliding all over the place, while the tough liner didn’t even show a single mark when we unloaded. It was also easy to get to the far-flung start of the ride on slippery, wet forest tracks, so top marks again to the Tremor even if this wasn’t the greatest off-road challenge.

Sunday

I’ve not said much about the Ranger’s engine this week, which is because it just gets on with the job. It’s decently refined, pulls very strongly – and it has a 3,500kg max towing capacity – and the 10-speed automatic gearbox is near seamless. It’s also gratifying to note the Tremor has returned a combined 32.0mpg over the week, beating the official claimed economy by a small margin and with no effort on my part.