Automotive
Why the next-gen Ford Ranger is a Spartan-approved vehicle
Packed with creature comforts that make driving and being a Spartan easier!
![Ford Ranger](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gadgetmatch-20230312-spartan-ford-ranger-01.jpg)
A few years ago, I was only dreaming of becoming a Spartan. I took a leap of faith by taking on a Spartan Race back in 2022 in the midst of a hurricane, running through a 10-kilometer muddy trail.
In case you didn’t know, Spartan Race is the world’s premier obstacle course race hosted across the globe. It tests the limits and grit of an athlete, transforming anyone to be their strongest and most unbreakable self.
Three races in and I’ve clocked a total of 36 kilometers, ending the year as a full-fledged Spartan. A 10-kilometer muddy trail in Vermosa; a 5-kilometer trail run inside Timberland Heights; and a 21-kilometer mixed trail in Alviera.
As the 2023 season begins, I was dead-set on taking my first Age Group (competitive) category and a back-to-back race on the same day. All my gears were Spartan-ready, and all that was left was a vehicle appropriate for a Spartan.
Spartan-grade vehicle
In my quest to prepare for my most enduring race yet, Ford lent me the Next-Gen Ford Ranger. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger arrived in a Blue Lightning colorway, emanating strength and speed. It was instantly a head-turner, catching the attention of other commuters and passersby.
Everything about the Ranger screams Spartan. The vehicle exudes the same ethos we live for. It’s battle-ready, extremely durable, and insanely powerful.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gadgetmatch-20230312-spartan-ford-ranger-03.jpg)
Previous races L-R: Vermosa 10K Trail (September 2022), Timberland 5K Sprint (November 2022), Alviera 21K Trail (December 2022)
Not to mention, it has striking looks — which I always exude whenever I take on a race. How can you get noticed by event photographers if you won’t play with colors, right?
It looked strong and it made us feel powerful. “Us” as a collective because the emotional state doesn’t just pulsate with the driver, but also with its passengers. One weekend with the Ranger and we felt like warriors. Ready to take on any challenges that we can conquer.
Made for Spartans
Just because I’m a Spartan doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the creature comforts the Next-Gen Ford Ranger brings. In fact, I am trained to be uncomfortable but the vehicle’s features allow me to pursue the Spartan lifestyle.
Call it a paradox but we take the convenience of having a comfortable ride and/or drive so we can train our minds and bodies to be familiar with pain and discomfort. As a modern-day Spartan, life isn’t all about battles and preparing for war under the heat of the sun.
We wage our fights through our day jobs, balancing our personal lives, while also developing our bodies to be ready for sports.
Having a tech-infused vehicle enables me to freely pursue the life of a Spartan. If you’re familiar with Ford’s driving experience, which we have mentioned several times here in GadgetMatch, it’s always buttery-smooth.
Even with a humongous body, I can maneuver the steering wheels easily. As someone who drives small cars, I felt the heft and the pain of driving a bigger automobile. But the features packed inside the vehicle made driving smoother — both for rookies and seasoned drivers.
When a smartphone and a vehicle match!
With every technology update to Ford’s lineup of automobiles, it’s becoming more of a tech machine each year. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger is no exception with the ability to use FordPass Connect. If you’ve been living under a rock, FordPass is Ford’s newest technology utilizing remote control functions for the vehicle through an app.
When I was in a hurry and I couldn’t locate my keys, I used the FordPass app on my iPhone to remotely unlock the Ford Ranger. Through the app, I was able to remotely start the vehicle so I can turn on the air conditioner even before I step in. I was also able to stop the engine, lock the car, and check the fuel level — all in one space.
What I like the most is the vehicle locator feature, which allows me to find the Ford Ranger in crowded parking areas. Thankfully, I didn’t have to use the feature when the Ranger was parked in Vermosa’s gravel lot since I was the only one with a vehicle in a striking blue colorway.
Aside from FordPass, the accessibility and ease of use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed everyone to connect with the vehicle to help in navigation and music playback. We sang “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus while on our way to Alabang so we can hopefully shake our pre-race jitters.
I personally love the bigger, best-in-class 12-inch portrait touchscreen that allows me to see an overview of the map, adjust music playback, and even have a space for responding to calls and messages.
The perfect companion for an endurance race
For a pick-up truck, the Ranger offers extremely comfortable space for its passengers. We picked up Alison — my friend, a teacher, and an elite athlete — partaking in the first race of the weekend. Alison competed with elite and national athletes, hopefully qualifying for the national team.
Alison, together with other competitive athletes, gleefully took some rest in the back seat while in transit. They loved the leg space and the coziness the couches offered. The same experience goes for the front passenger seat, which I took as I was playing with the car’s features while my friend Betty took on the wheels.
When female Spartans are lovin’ it
Perhaps, the people who enjoyed the Ranger the most are Spartan women that I befriended after my first race. Jomi and Betty, competitive athletes who are consistently part of the Top 10 of their respective age groups, took over the wheel while I was exploring the Ranger’s features and technology.
Recently, I have learned that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is officially the best 4×4 and pick-up according to the Women’s World Car of the Year judges. It won for a multitude of reasons; the same reasons that Jomi and Betty loved when they experienced driving the Ranger.
From excellent ride and handling, a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies and other safety features, an upgraded chassis and suspension, and the bold and confident look that resonates with strong, independent women. What more can they ask for?
Fostering a sense of community
What I love about the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is how it builds a sense of community, the same way a Spartan race brings people together. Parked in the gravels of Vermosa, the Ford Ranger became a holding area for my friends and teammates.
We used the cargo box to house our bags, equipment, and food. We were able to gather behind, passing jokes and drinks after an exhilarating day.
I used to do things alone and now, I’m surrounded by like-minded people — which was the best plot twist I’ve had so far. And even if it’s just for a weekend, I’m grateful that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger helped in making my first competitive and back-to-back race memorable.
Even with an aching body, the Ranger offered a smooth, safe, and reliable ride on our way home. It’s definitely a Spartan-grade vehicle, made for modern-day Spartans.
The Next-Gen Ford Ranger comes with a 5-year warranty. The longer warranty offering will cover the Next-Gen Ranger for up to 5 years or a total mileage of up to 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
For more information, visit the Ford Ranger page on the website to reserve the next-gen Ranger through www.ford.com.ph or check your nearest Ford dealer.
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/gadgetmatch-366x120a-3-1.png)
Automotive
Ford Philippines’s retail performance rose to 55 Percent for H1 2023
Next-Generation models are at play
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gadgetmatch-20230601-next-gen-ford-everest-titanium-13.jpg)
Way to go, Ford!
The automotive company delivered a strong retail performance for the first half of the year in the Philippines. Thanks to its Next-Generation vehicle lineup, Ford Philippines’s retail sales rose 55 percent from a year ago to 13,838 vehicles.
The Next-Generation Ranger became Ford’s top-selling vehicle in the country, with sales growing by 25 percent year-on-year to 5,436 units sold. The addition of the Next-Generation Ranger Raptor also boosted retail performance, with sales reaching close to 600 units since its launch in late May.
Furthermore, the newly-launched Next-Generation Territory contributed to Ford’s strong sales as well. Like its predecessors, it’s still the leading small SUV in the Philippines, with sales increasing by 22 percent to 4,493 units. The Next-Gen model also breached the 2,500-unit mark in less than three months after its launch at the Manila International Auto Show.
Meanwhile, the Ford Everest continues to thrive in the competitive mid-size SUV segment. It delivered strong sales performance, growing by 503 percent from last year to 3,786 vehicles.
Enhanced ownership experiences
Ford is committed to improving the ownership experiences, giving the Next-Gen Ranger, Territory, and Everest with a five-year warranty. Moreover, Ford Philippines also introduced new service initiatives designed to provide ease and convenience in owning a Ford vehicle.
For instance, Express Service is offered to customers who prefer to have their vehicles serviced in a more efficient way than the usual maintenance. Pickup and Delivery, on another note, is available for those who are interested to have their vehicle serviced without interrupting their day. Participating dealers will pick-up the vehicle, service it, and bring it back to the customer’s preferred location.
“These milestones testify to our commitment to enhance the Ford ownership experience with vehicles and services that our customers need and deserve,” shares Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines.
“We celebrate these milestones with our customers who continue to patronize the Ford brand, as well as with our dealers for their partnership and commitment to enhance the customer experience. We are truly energized and excited for what’s to come for the second half of the year.”
![Honda City | Brio](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/new-honda-city-brio-collage-20230714.jpg)
Honda Cars Philippines has officially launched the latest editions of the Honda City and Honda Brio at the Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall.
Both the newest City and Brio variants feature improvements in their exterior and interior designs and the full suite of Honda’s safety features, including Honda SENSING.
The New City
The new Honda City gets sportier and more stylish with a crafted RS design front grille with RS emblem, as well as a new front and rear bumper with carbon-wrapped molding.
On the side are sharp horizontal character lines while exclusive to the RS variant is the new Side Sill garnish. The windshield shape has also been modified to reduce blind spots further.
The exterior is complemented by new LED daytime running headlights and fog lights available across all variants. The Honda City also gets 15- to 16-inch redesigned alloy wheels in Black Cut, Silver Cut, Silver paint Alloy, or Steel with cover.
For the interior, the RS gets full leather seats, new designs on the pedals, improved accents for its panels, and ambient lights for its instrument cluster.
Models also get an advanced 8-inch touchscreen display with improved LCD and a better reverse camera resolution. For entertainment, the new City can be connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In terms of performance, the City’s 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC CVT engine delivers a maximum output of 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque; the car also tested for 22.2 kilometers per liter for fuel efficiency.
The New Brio
Meanwhile, Honda’s standout compact hatchback is finally getting its second-generation model, with more enhancements to cater to first-time or alternative car buyers who seek style, comfort, and performance.
The latest Brio’s exterior gets a handful of updates, from its Piano Black RS design front grille, updated fog lights and garnish, and daytime running lights.
At the back are the tailgate spoiler and RS design rear bumper lower garnish and tail lights in the RS variants while the wheels have been updated to 14-inch Alloy and Steel or 15-inch Alloy.
Inside is a 7-inch touchscreen across all models; the new Brio variants also have enhanced audio controls and an assortment of connectivity options including Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The RS variants get up to a 6-speaker setup, inclusive of two tweeters.
In terms of safety, all new variants get Honda’s G-CON technology, ABS, and electronic Brake-Force distribution, along with parking sensors.
Price, availability
Honda City
- 1.5 E CVT: PhP 973,000
- 1.5 S CVT: PhP 998,000
- 1.5 V CVT: PhP 1,073,000
- 1.5 RS CVT: PhP 1,128,000
Available colors
- Ignite Red Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT and S CVT)
- Obsidian Blue Pearl (new color; RS CVT and V CVT)
- Platinum White Pearl (RS CVT and V CVT, additional PhP 20,000)
- Taffeta White (S CVT and E CVT)
- Lunar Silver Metallic (S CVT and E CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (all variants)
Honda Brio
- 1.2 S MT: 735,000
- 1.2 V CVT: 827,000
- 1.2 RS CVT: 853,000
- 1.2 RS Black Top CVT: PhP 863,000
Available colors
- Stellar Diamond Pearl (new color; RS Black Top CVT and RS CVT; additional PhP 20,000)
- Electric Lime Metallic (new color; RS Black Top CVT and V CVT)
- Phoenix Orange Pearl (RS Black Top CVT)
- Rallye Red (V CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT, and S MT)
- Taffeta White (V CVT and S MT)
![](https://149367133.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/190626-GadgetMatch-2019-All-New-Honda-BR-V-Exterior-Front-Bumper-2.jpg)
Seven months after its launch in the Philippines, the all-new Honda BR-V has become the car manufacturer’s best-selling SUV locally, with over 5,000 units sold to date.
The 7-seater SUV combines both a classy exterior and a comfortable interior, along with a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and advanced features to give owners great peace of mind.
The model comes in four variants and five color options ranging from PhP 1,090,000 for the 1.5 S manual transmission to PhP 1,390,000 for the 1.5 VX CVT with Honda SENSING.
Some of the SUV’s distinct features are its 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats for the higher end variants, a larger cargo area, one-touch tumble second row seats, height and steering wheel adjusters, and a 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen display.
The Honda BR-V’s engine has a maximum power of 121 PS (6,600 rpm) and maximum torque of 145 Nm (4,300 rpm), making it an ideal vehicle for one’s next road trip, no matter the road conditions.
In terms of safety, owners get Honda’s entire suite of advanced and intelligent safety features, like its LaneWatch Camera, Walk Away Auto Lock, Hill Start Assist, ABS and EBD, and more.
-
Reviews2 weeks ago
The Xiaomi Pad 6 is great for the editor on-the-go
-
Reviews2 weeks ago
HONOR 90 review: Simply bedazzling
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Refurbished Steam Decks are now available through Valve
-
Health2 weeks ago
Redmi Watch 3 Active: Basic but better
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
Rockstar officially partners with Grand Theft Auto V roleplay servers
-
Gaming2 weeks ago
PlayStation 5 Slim supposedly leaked online
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Catch Cinemalaya 2023 films at Ayala Malls this weekend
-
Apps2 weeks ago
Spotify DJ feature now available in the Philippines