A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Ford Ranger Platinum vs Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster: the short answer
Ranger Platinum has a modest catalogue-index lead, while SL Roadster remains close.
Ranger Platinum starts ZAR 2,768,750 cheaperRanger Platinum from ZAR 1,179,500 · SL Roadster from ZAR 3,948,250
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Maximum Power
Ranger Platinum184 kW @ 3250 rpm
SL Roadster430 kW
Maximum Torque
Ranger Platinum600 Nm
SL Roadster800 Nm
Engine Size
Ranger Platinum2993 cc
SL Roadster3982 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Ranger Platinum11.9 km/l
SL Roadster7.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
Ranger Platinum237 mm
SL Roadster115 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Ford Ranger Platinum
3.0TD V6 Double Cab Platinum 10AT 4x4
Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
Ranger Platinum
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
SL Roadster
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
Ranger Platinum
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
SL Roadster
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Model Introduced Year
2022
2026
Generation
Current-generation Ford Ranger
Current South African SL Roadster generation represented by derivative SL 63
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Pickup
Convertible
Body Type Cab
Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
-
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Double Cab Platinum 10AT 4x4
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Drive Type
4WD
AWD
Transmission
10-Speed Automatic
9-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
210 km/h
315 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.8 sec
3.6 sec
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
12.0 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Launch Control
No
Yes
Rev Limiter
4800 rpm
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.5 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
255.9 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
0
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
No
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Gearbox
10-Speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
AWD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Yes
Transfer Case
Two-speed electronic transfer case
Permanent AWD transfer system
Differential Lock
Yes
No
Paddle Shifters
No
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Number of Gears
10
9
Transmission Type
Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic with manual shift mode
Drivetrain
4WD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Electronic shift-on-the-fly
No
4WD Hi Range
Yes
0
4WD Lo Range
Yes
0
4WD Selector
Electronic 4WD selector
No
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Yes
Drive Mode Selector
4WD/off-road drive mode support
-
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
Automatic
9G-TRONIC automatic
Low Range Ratio
2.7
0
Low Range
Yes
0
Axle Layout
Front and rear driven axles
Driven axle configuration: AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
No
Transmission Speeds
10
9
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Claimed Mileage
11.9 km/l
7.7 km/l
City Mileage
9.7 km/l
7.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
13.9 km/l
7.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
66 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
0 l
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Yes
Real-world Mileage
11.9 km/l
7.7 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
80
66
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
0
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
0
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
0 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
0 km
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Airbags
Dual front, front side, curtain and driver knee
7
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Alarm System
Perimeter alarm
-
Central Locking
Power door dead locks
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
AEB
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Driver knee
Yes
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
Perimeter alarm
-
Height Adjustable Seatbelts
Standard
-
Tracking System
Vehicle locator via app
-
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Ventilated disc brakes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Yes
Auto Wipers
Yes
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Seat Material
Leather-accented upholstery
Nappa leather
Heated Seats
Yes
Front heated seats
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Model/option dependent
Ambient Lighting
Yes
64-colour ambient lighting
Front Armrest
Centre console
-
Front Shoulder Room
1450 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1440 mm
-
Cup Holders
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
3
-
Door Map Pockets
Underseat stowage
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Ranger Platinum grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Floor Trim
Carpet
-
Floor Mats
Carpet
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Leather-accented upholstery
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
Infotainment System
SYNC 4 infotainment system
MBUX multimedia system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
10
13
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
USB-A and USB-C
USB-C ports
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
FM Radio
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Standard
-
Infotainment Screen Size
12
MBUX multimedia system
Audio Controls On Steering
Standard
-
Audio
AM/FM stereo
-
Audio Speakers
10
13
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
USB-A and USB-C
-
Infotainment Screen
12
MBUX multimedia system
Multi Information Display
Digital display
-
Connected Services
Ford app connectivity
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Bluetooth
-
Radio
AM/FM
-
Touchscreen
12
MBUX multimedia system
Spec
Ranger Platinum
SL Roadster
LED Headlamps
Yes
LED High Performance headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED daytime running lights
Fog Lamps
Yes
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Roof Rails
No
No
Alloy Wheel Design
20″ Alloy
-
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Ford South Africa factory exterior colours
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
1179500 ZAR
3948250 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
1179500
4725000
Starting Price Zar
1179500
4725000
In depth: how these cars differ
This Ranger Platinum and SL Roadster comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Ranger Platinum 89 vs SL Roadster 100.
Efficiency index: Ranger Platinum 52 vs SL Roadster 38.
Safety-equipment index: Ranger Platinum 93 vs SL Roadster 95.
Practicality index: Ranger Platinum 84 vs SL Roadster 47.
Ownership-cover index: Ranger Platinum 76 vs SL Roadster not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Ranger Platinum and SL Roadster image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Ranger Platinum leads by 8 points
Ranger Platinum has a modest catalogue-index lead, while SL Roadster remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Ranger Platinum
Performance
89/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
84/100
Ownership
76/100
SL Roadster
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
38/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
47/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexFord Ranger Platinum
leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts
vs 73 pts for SL Roadster
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Ranger Platinum leads. However, SL Roadster may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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