Don't get me wrong. I like the new supermini brigade, but sentenced to six weeks driving various models of the Getz, Kalos and Micra small car sisterhood is more than a man of my advancing years can be expected to take.

A quick but all too brief runabout in BMW's new 730i brought slight release. But more was needed. And more, much more, almost five metres of motoring meanness, came to me in the shape of the new Ford Ranger Double Cab Pick-Up.

Now this is a vehicle I can live with. In top-of-the-line XLT badging, the built-tough Ranger has loads of front on attitude - set off by the large wraparound front bumper, a hungry-looking three-toothed chrome grille, four chunky high-flanking wheelarches and six spoke alloy wheels.

And prices aren't bad either. Our test vehicle carries a price tag of E29,750, ex works. An entry-level version retails for E24,500, ex works. But do be warned. Further anti-motorist tampering with VRT rates - announced in February's Finance Bill rather than on Budget Day - will add up to E4,000 to the price of these vehicles from July 1st were published in February's Finance Bill.

Ostensibly designed as a durable go anywhere workhorse, Ford's Ranger doubles particularly well as a leisure / family week-end machine with ample cab room for five adults, a flat-bed for all the gang's sporting gear, the towing capacity to pull a double horse-box - or like-weighted trailer - and load and most of the creature comforts one could possibly require.

Specification detailing is generous throughout the range. Entry level, regular two-door cab versions list ABS, driver and passenger airbags, anti-submarine seats and a collapsible steering column as standard. Our XLT variant, the flagship of the four model line-up boasted air conditioning, central locking front and rear powered windows, radio/ CD player with four speakers, chrome mirrors and door handles, as well as the set of aforementioned alloys. Our test vehicle featured an 'attractive' over pick-up floor canopy to luggage or keep work essentials dry and secure.

Up front, driver and passenger are blessed with acres of space, plenty of storage spaces, good forward visibility and supportive seats. Legroom for rear occupants is limited by the high floor.

Power across the Ranger fleet comes from a turbo-boosted, 2.5-litre, four-pot diesel mill of Mazda heritage - sibling Ranger and the Mazda B-Series

Pick-ups running off on the same Thai factory production line. Fairly refined and pleasantly responsive, the big beefy 2499 cc powerplant produces a gutsy 109 PS (108bhp) at 3500 rpm with 265 Nm of torque on hand at the 2000 rpm line. Top speed is 89 mph. 0 to 62 mph is timed at 16.5 seconds. And average fuel consumption converges on the 30 mpg mark.

On the open road Ranger cruises happily at the legal 60-70mph limits offering exceptional mid-range acceleration and handling exceedingly well without a hint of any of the back-jarring ride discomfort we normally associate with this class of vehicle.

Despite its car-like comforts and civilised road manners, Ranger is very well suited to a workhorse role where its ability to haul bags of cement, ladders, concrete blocks or bales of hay is unparalleled. Extreme off-road terrain is also tackled so easily, building sites or muddy fields should pose few problems. Ranger is also a strong hill climber.

That this is so is hardly surprising. Ranger's ultra strengthened and cross braced ladder-frame chassis set-up utilises a highly efficient double wishbone layout up front with a live axle and leaf spring combination at the load bearing rear end. Part-time 4WD, a floor-mounted transfer shift for engaging high and low ratios, automatic locking front wheel hubs and the capability to shift from four to two wheel drive on the move, ensure that Ranger is endowed with all the essentials requirements to make it an out and out all-terrain vehicle.

Ranger's aptitude, versatility, strong mechanicals, good looks, jar-free ride, keen prices and strong dealer base, suggest it will enjoy wide appeal. Indeed, it could well be the vehicle to knock the Mitsubishi L200 off its lofty perch.