What features does the Ford Ranger have?
All Ford Ranger four-wheel-drive, four-door utes have steel underbody protection and a rear differential lock as standard, along with capping on the top of the tub with integrated fixing points for mounting accessories like cross-rails (and Ford has partnered with ARB to develop a huge array of add-ons, from bull bars to canopies).
One of the most appreciated touches on the new Ranger will be the step built into the body just behind the rear wheel. It makes accessing the gear you have stowed in the tub much easier and is a more comfortable, and safer, option that stepping on the tyres.
Towing capacity is 3500kg across the 4WD, four-door range and payload capacity runs from 1204kg in the XL to 958kg and 959kg in the XLS and XLT bi-turbo vehicles, 949kg in the XLT V6, 942 kg in the Sport with the bi-turbo or 934kg with the V6 and 939kg in the bi-turbo Wildtrak or 951kg with the V6.
The rear shock absorbers have been relocated to an “outboard” position, largely to improve space in the tub. Consequently, a euro-style pallet will fit in the tub of all variants.
While the Ranger was engineered in Australia, the location of the bonnet release in the passenger’s footwell is an indication the USA led the project development.
The range rundown looks like this:
Ford Ranger XL
Power windows front and rear, single-zone climate control, remote start using the smartphone-installed “FordPass” app, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 10.1-inch touchscreen are standard, as is an 8.0-inch digital driver’s display.
Given the XL will be the vehicle that does the heavy lifting for most companies, vinyl flooring is standard to enable easy clean-up after copping mud-encased boots on the worksite
Rear air vents are also included and there’s enough head and legroom down back to accommodate big bodies.
A physical handbrake, rear drum brakes, halogen headlamps and 16-inch steel rims indicate you’re driving the base version. Storage is impressive and the rear seat base can be folded to reveal a pair of concealed compartments for valuable items.
Ford Ranger XLS
Side steps make an appearance, along with fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The flooring is carpeted and the speaker count climbs to six. Drive modes also make an appearance, with options extending from Eco to Normal, Slippery and Tow/Haul.
Ford Ranger XLT
The climate control is upgraded to provide separate settings for the driver and passenger and the infotainment includes digital audio, satnav and voice recognition.
Brakes are now discs on all four wheels, which grow to 17 inches, and the park brake is electronic. A tow bar is included in the price, as are LED headlamps.
An electrochromatic (auto-dimming) rear vision mirror is another welcome addition, as is keyless entry and push-button start. A drop-in bedliner is also included, along with lights and a 12-volt socket in the tub.
Ford Ranger Sport
Wireless phone charging makes an appearance, along with leather-accented seats embossed with “SPORT”, a powered driver’s seat and a dedicated off-road display on the touchscreen showing steering angle, the degree of inclination forwards and sideways and the view from the front camera to help when going over crests.
The wheel size grows to 18-inches, shod with Bridgestone all-terrain rubber.
The single front recovery hook on the lower versions is replaced with one on each corner to improve extraction options and the driving modes expand to encompass Mud/Ruts and Sand.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Default kit on the Wildtrak adds an integrated trailer brake controller, exterior puddle lamps, alloy roof rails and tie-down rails extending along the tub, a sailplane-style sports bar, 18-inch wheels with Goodyear all-terrain tyres and a powered roller shutter on the tub, along with adjustable hooks mounted in the top of the tub to secure loads.
Inside, there’s ambient lighting and the touchscreen grows to a car-like 12.0-inches.