Once a rough and tumble workhorse, the modern ute has become a family car for many Australians, and Ford has recognised that and focused on making the new Ranger "smarter" and "more efficient" as well as "tougher".

The biggest changes have been made to the steering (introducing a new electronic power steering system) and suspension (unique tunes for each grade and bodystyle) in a bid to make it feel less like a working vehicle and more like a modern SUV; not surprisingly given it was developed alongside the new Everest seven-seater.

The 2015 Ford Ranger XLT impressed on and off road.

Driving the high-specification XLT - which sits just below the flagship Wildtrack - it strikes you how quiet and refined the cabin is. There is very little tyre noise and only slight wind noise around the windscreen pillars, so much so you could be forgiven for thinking it could be in an SUV like the Territory.

The ride in the XLT is equally impressive, offering a level of compliance and control not usually associated with a ute. It is still a little bouncy at the rear, but that is to be expected because it still needs to be capable of carrying a load, but overall it feels more SUV-like than ever before.

But it should be more SUV-like, given it has an SUV-like price. The XLT Double Cab 3.2-litre 4x4 has a starting price of $56,590 plus on-road costs.

That, though, is near the top of an extensive range that includes three cab styles (Single, Super and Double), two body styles (cab chassis and pick up), two engines (2.2-litre and 3.2-litre turbo diesels) plus the option of manual and automatic and 4x4 or 4x2. Plus there is the 4X2 Hi-Rider to ensure as many potential customers are covered as possible.

Pricing begins at $27,390 for the XL 2.2-litre Single Cab 4x2, which is more expensive than the entry-level Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara.

We spent the majority of our time in the XLT Dual Cab but also sampled the XLS 2.2-litre and Wildtrack.

The 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel features a smaller turbocharger in this updated model but the performance figures remain almost identical, producing 147kW of power and healthy 470Nm of torque. It can be noisy at times, especially at cold start and under hard acceleration, but at speed it ticks along quietly. The 2.2-litre has a more modest 118kW and 385Nm and lacks the same shove as its larger sibling, especially in the bigger, heavier Double Cab models.

While the Ranger may be more on-road focused it remains a capable workhorse in its various specifications. A few hours at Werribee four-wheel drive park showcased the Ranger's off-road prowess.

It still offers a 28 degree approach angle, 25 degree departure angle, 230mm of ground clearance and 800mm wading capability. The 4x2 Hi-Rider and all 4x4 models come standard with a rear diff lock and Hill Descent Control.

It is on sealed roads, however, where the likes of the XLT and Wildtrack will spend the majority of their time and Ford has worked to not only improve the ride but also the interior presentation and technology.

The cabin has been restyled and Ford's latest SYNC2 infotainment system brings an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen to the centre of the dash with satellite navigation with live traffic updates, DAB digital radio and a wifi hotspot.

The larger screen gives the XLT and Wildtrack models a more upmarket feel but the rest of the range has to make do with Ford's older system that has a smaller 3.5-inch screen and requires more physical buttons for a slightly busier appearance.

Another disappointment with the interior, and a surprising one given it was developed alongside the Everest SUV, is the lack of reach adjustment on the steering column.

But they are small criticisms of an otherwise impressive interior that brings greater levels of comfort to the workhorse market.

Ford has made a big deal of its new suite of active safety features for the Ranger which include Active Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist. It points out that the technology is "not currently available in the Toyota HiLux and do not even feature in some $60,000 luxury passenger cars."

However, technically speaking those technologies are not available on the $60,090 Ranger Wildtrack - unless buyers spend an extra $600 for the optional Tech Pack.

While Ford should be commended for bringing these potentially life-saving technologies to the commercial segment it would have made a bolder statement if they came standard on at least the Wildtrack.

More disappointingly, a potentially life-saving reversing camera is only fitted as standard on the Wildtrack and is part of an $1100 option on the XLT, bundled with the Tech Pack.Because the other models use Ford's older SYNC1 infotainment system a reversing camera isn't even available as an option.

It is blight on an otherwise excellent offering from Ford. The Ranger has been a rare sales success story for the blue oval in recent years and with good reason. The revised model range brings improved on-road manners while still retaining its hard-working capabilities as well as improving interior comfort and increasing technology.

But with new utes from Nissan and Mitsubishi already on the ground this year and the new Mazda BT-50 and Toyota HiLux to follow, the Ranger has its work cut out for itself to stay near the head of the pack.

Price: From $27,390 to $60,090 plus on-road costs

On sale: Now

Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel/3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 118kW at 3200rpm/147kW at 3000rpm

Torque: 385Nm at 1600-2500rpm/470Nm at 1750-2500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, RWD or AWD

Fuel use: 6.6-9.2L/100km.