The Ford Ranger was probably the most anticipated new automobile launches in Australia final yr, and it has now been on sale for nearly 12 months.
Since launch the Ranger has been tussling with the Toyota HiLux for primary spot on Australia’s new automobile gross sales charts. The Ranger is at the moment successful by an ever-so-slight margin in 2023.
For the 2023 mannequin yr, the Ranger line-up acquired just a few specification adjustments, a value enhance, in addition to just a few new variants.
Our fully-optioned mid-spec XLT 4×4 dual-cab pickup on check was a MY22 instance, however present variations now get an auxiliary swap financial institution and a cargo administration system with spring-loaded cleats.
Our tester additionally got here geared up with the two.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that’s extra available than the in-demand 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine.
Learn alongside to learn the way the Ranger XLT 4×4 dual-cab pickup with the Bi-Turbo engine fared over roughly 4 months and 3000km of testing.
P.S. Thanks to Sean Lander, one in every of our videographers, for contributing his findings to this assessment.
How a lot does the Ford Ranger value?
There at the moment are 24 everlasting variants within the sprawling Ford Ranger line-up, with the XLT being the mid-range providing.
The Ford Ranger XLT 4×4 dual-cab pickup with the two.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine begins at $61,990 earlier than on-road prices, which is across the similar asking value as plenty of virtually flagship dual-cab utes.
Our tester was completed in Blue Lightning exterior paint which prices an extra $700 and was fully-loaded with choices. This contains the $500 all-terrain tyres, and $400 robust spray-in bedliner.
It additionally contains the $1295 Touring Pack which provides a surround-view digicam, four-zone exterior lighting, facet mirror puddle lamps, auxiliary six-switch pack, and a cargo administration system with spring-loaded cleats.
The 2 latter options weren’t on our tester because it was an older MY22 examples, with them getting added to the Touring Pack for the most recent MY23.5 examples.
Tallying this all collectively brings the asking value of our Ford Ranger XLT tester to $64,885 earlier than on-road prices, or $70,666 drive-away for Victorian patrons (every state has barely completely different taxes).
Equally priced rivals embody:
The Ranger XLT grade is accessible with the in-demand 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine for an extra $3200, at $65,190 earlier than on-roads.
Costs are earlier than on-road prices
What’s the Ford Ranger like on the within?
Moving into the Ford Ranger XLT you’ll first must plan your entrance as a result of it’s greater than you suppose. Fortunately there are facet steps and plenty of seize handles to make this as swish as attainable.
Regardless of the assistance I discovered it nonetheless took me two scoots to get within the ute and sitting comfortably.
Though there are just a few softer plastics in excessive touch-point areas just like the armrests, the Ranger XLT’s inside is basically stuffed with more durable plastics. That is to be anticipated given the workhorse nature of this ute.
Over our testing of the Ranger no main creaks or rattles developed across the inside which is nice to see. The doorways nonetheless made the distinct Ford thunk too when closing.
One thing to notice is the XLT misses out on the tradie-style cupholders which are mounted on the sprint. You’ll want to step all the best way as much as the Wildtrak to get that. As a substitute there are awkward cavities that may’t actually be used for something as a result of stuff falls out upon acceleration.
One other factor is the door deal with isn’t the place you’d suppose it could be. It’s within the house the place you’ll shut the door. Although I do know this fairly nicely by now, I nonetheless get briefly confused every so often.
The seats put on cloth upholstery and seem like they need to stand the check of time. They’ve a black and darkish drey design that’s inoffensive with a lighter gray insert within the center.
The motive force’s seat is fully manually adjustable but it surely’s nonetheless very easy to discover a snug driving place. This helped by the steering wheel that has a variety of adjustability for tilt and attain. You may mainly have the steering wheel in your lap for those who’d like.
Talking of the steering wheel, it’s a chunky leather-wrapped unit that’s not as smooth because the one in different utes. That is fully comprehensible although given the XLT is a workhorse-oriented variant.
There are a number of buttons on the steering wheel that function the everyday sound system and cruise management changes, and all of them have a considerably spongey operation. That is not like the 2 rocker switches on the steering wheel which have a really exact and agency really feel.
Forward of the driving force is a 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster that’s extremely configurable, but slightly on the small facet.
The display screen can show a variety of pages together with Journey/Gas, Off-Highway, Towing, Audio, Telephone, Navigation, and Car Upkeep, whereas house owners can select sure web page to place in their very own curated ‘MyView’ web page.
If all this data on the digital instrument cluster is an excessive amount of, you possibly can as an alternative go for the minimalist strategy and simply have the naked requirements just like the pace, revs, and maybe the gas financial system for those who’re feeling daring.
As famous earlier than, the 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster is slightly small and it could be good to have the bigger 12.4-inch unit used on the Platinum and Raptor. Regardless of this, the bottom display screen nonetheless tells you all it’s worthwhile to know.
Shifting throughout, the Ranger XLT comes with a portrait-oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system operating the most recent SYNC 4A software program that appears very high-resolution however is an absolute fingerprint magnet. There’ll be much more smudgy fingerprints for those who discover the ‘Sketch’ part too.
The system itself seems to have sufficient processing energy, which suggests it begins up and masses fairly rapidly. There have been just a few cases although have been the display screen would lag a bit when swiping or making an attempt to do just a few issues directly, nonetheless.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found in each wired and wi-fi varieties. You may change select between two sizes for the smartphone mirroring, with a bigger sq. or smaller rectangular side ratio. The latter of those frees up a variety of shortcut buttons.
Though the Ranger XLT affords wi-fi smartphone mirroring, it doesn’t have a wi-fi telephone charger, which suggests it’s worthwhile to be aware of your telephone’s battery stage. You’ll want to step as much as the Ranger Wildtrak to get a normal wi-fi telephone charger.
Satellite tv for pc navigation comes as customary on the Ranger XLT and it’s extraordinarily simple to make use of. Looking up factors of curiosity takes no time in any respect, making the method really feel easy and pure.
One unusual a part of the Ranger’s inside are the local weather controls. Half are built-in into the touchscreen, whereas the opposite half are bodily buttons and knobs.
There’s a bizarre double of the temperature controls, with it in a position to be adjusted both by bodily dials or by tapping the display screen. I don’t actually see the purpose of getting each…
Across the cabin there’s a good quantity of storage, from an enormous centre armrest, two cupholders, and a particular chips holder in entrance of the gear selector.
It’s price stating our tester with its Bi-Turbo engine comes with a daily gear shifter, reasonably than the e-shifter that comes with the V6 diesel.
Though the common shifter sticks up greater than the e-shifter, it sits at a cushty stage in keeping with the centre armrest. You additionally received’t be placing it within the incorrect gear unintentionally.
Shifting to the second row there’s a noticeable drop in inside high quality, with a extra liberal software of more durable plastics.
The rear bench seat is certainly more durable than the entrance, although at a leggy 182cm I nonetheless had loads of leg, head and shoulder room.
When it comes to second-row facilities, there’s a fold-down armrest with two cupholders, some air vents on the again of the centre console, in addition to a 12V socket. There are surprisingly no USB ports…
The bathtub on the Ranger XLT dual-cab pickup measures in at 1464mm lengthy, 1520mm vast, and 831mm tall. It’s additionally 1217mm vast between the wheel arches. This quantity of house is on par with rivals within the phase.
Our tester was optioned with the robust spray-in bedliner for an extra $400, in addition to the $1295 Touring Pack that provides an auxiliary six-switch pack, four-zone lighting, puddle lamps on the facet mirrors, a surround-view digicam, and a cargo administration system with spring-loaded cleats.
The auxiliary six-switch pack and cargo administration system from the Touring Pack weren’t on our tester as a result of it was an older MY22 instance and never the most recent MY23.5 spec.
Comfort objects within the tub embody hooks, clamp holders, lighting, and a 12V socket. The tailgate has a torque rod, which makes lifting it up significantly simpler, and it’s additionally a part of the central locking not like plenty of its rivals.
To learn extra concerning the Ford Ranger’s intelligent tub particulars, click on right here.
What’s below the bonnet?
The 2023 Ford Ranger is accessible with a complete of 4 completely different turbocharged powertrains, relying on the variant.
Our XLT tester got here fitted with the acquainted 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 154kW of energy and 500Nm of torque.
That is mated completely to a 10-speed automated transmission, with drive in our tester despatched by a part-time four-wheel drive system with 2H, 4H and 4L modes. There’s additionally a locking rear differential.
The next drive modes can be found:
- Regular
- Eco
- Tow/Haul
- Slippery
It’s price noting the Ranger XLT can be out there with a two-wheel drive model of the two.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, in addition to with the three.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with a full-time four-wheel drive system together with a 4A mode.
Claimed mixed gas financial system for the Ranger XLT 4×4 dual-cab Bi-Turbo is 7.6 litres per 100km, although throughout our largely urban- and unladen-based testing spanning roughly 3000km we noticed a mean of round 10 litres per 100km. This real-world gas consumption determine is line-ball with plenty of its rivals.
Ford claims a 3500kg braked towing capability throughout all the Ranger line-up, apart from the Raptor, whereas unbraked towing is capped at 750kg. Payload for our tester is 980kg.
How does the Ford Ranger drive?
Beginning up the Ford Ranger XLT with the Bi-Turbo engine you’ll be greeted by a well-recognized agricultural clatter that’s frequent amongst four-cylinder turbo-diesel utes.
Fortunately it’s not too gruff and quietens down as soon as the engine warms up.
From standstill there’s loads of energy and torque. Certain it doesn’t have the outputs of the V6, however with respectable and segment-matching outputs of 154kW and 500Nm, you’ll be maintaining and even pulling away from visitors on the lights with ease.
That is fairly shocking given the XLT Bi-Turbo dual-cab’s hefty kerb weight of 2250kg.
The Bi-Turbo engine is mated completely to a 10-speed automated transmission, which might typically get slightly bit confused at low speeds and in stop-start visitors. It’s prefer it has too many gears to select from and will get slightly lurchy.
The transmission finally kinds issues out and when you’re at pace it’s nice to have a ratio that retains the revs precisely the place peak torque is, which is between 1750 and 2000rpm.
The Ranger has mild steering, not like plenty of its rivals, which makes it really feel smaller than it’s when manoeuvring round locations like city carparks. There’s no escaping its 5.4-metre size although.
Outward visibility is plentiful from the driving force’s seat, due to the commanding driving place and the big glasshouse. The facet mirrors are additionally extremely giant which is helpful for when it’s worthwhile to examine what’s beside you.
In city environments the ute’s suspension is extraordinarily compliant, even when unladen, which is slightly sudden given how some utes react to issues like pace bumps.
Issues can get nonetheless slightly bouncy while you don’t have any weight within the again, however the current-generation Ranger is certainly probably the most snug utes with rear leaf springs to drive unladen.
Sean discovered there wasn’t an enormous distinction when it comes to experience consolation with a load within the again, and in addition famous it was simple to safe a load within the tub due to the big quantity of tie down factors and the sports activities bar that can be utilized to safe a load with.
One thing to notice is the Ranger XLT with the Bi-Turbo engine solely comes with a part-time four-wheel drive system with 2H, 4H, and 4L modes.
Seeing it misses out on the V6’s full-time four-wheel drive system with 4A mode, it’s solely rear-wheel drive on sealed surfaces, which isn’t perfect in wet or slippery conditions. 4H and 4L can solely be used on unsealed roads.
Our tester got here fitted with the elective all-terrain tyres, which Sean stated don’t carry out enormously within the moist. The ute can understeer by moist roundabouts at low speeds, and the tyres are likely to lock up below laborious braking.
While you dial up the pace within the Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo the engine settles down much more and it feels just like the ute enters its candy spot. There’s a little little bit of tyre noise emanating from the wheel wells, but it surely doesn’t destroy the general atmosphere.
Sean did plenty of freeway stints in our tester and stated the driving expertise was very easy, snug and steady, even in crosswinds.
If you happen to stab the accelerator for an overtake you possibly can typically catch the Ranger napping. If you happen to plan forward and roll onto the accelerator regularly you’ll be fully fantastic although.
On the security entrance, the Ranger XLT is totally loaded and comes geared up with loads of lively security tools together with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring with trailer protection, lane-keep help, lane-departure warning, blind-spot help, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The adaptive cruise management system is excellent in keeping with Sean and I’ve to agree. Its response to autos is admittedly pure because it accelerates progressively and it doesn’t overreact and brake closely when autos pull in entrance of you.
The lane-keep help works very well and takes a good bit for it to get confused. The identical goes for the lane centring perform which is admittedly sturdy and proper for essentially the most half.
What do you get?
Ford Ranger XLT highlights:
Exterior
- 17-inch Darkish Sparkle Silver alloy wheels
- Full-size metal spare wheel
- Rear disc brakes
- Automated LED headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Halogen fog lights
- LED tail lights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Physique-coloured facet mirrors and door handles
- Metal underbody safety (4×4 solely)
- Black facet steps
- Privateness glass
- Tailgate with raise help (pickup solely)
- Built-in tailgate step (pickup solely)
- Black sports activities bar (pickup solely)
- Rear tub illumination (pickup solely)
- Tow bar w/ built-in trailer brake controller
- Bedliner w/ 12V socket (pickup solely)
Inside
- 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB digital radio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Embedded voice assistant
- Embedded modem
- Distant begin through FordPass app
- 6-speaker sound system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-based-wrapped gear shifter
- e-Shifter (V6 diesel solely)
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Digital handbrake
- Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
- Tilt and telescopic steering column
- Carpet flooring
- Elevate Emboss cloth upholstery
- 8-way handbook driver’s seat
- 4-way handbook entrance passenger’s seat
The $500 XLT 17-inch All-Terrain Tyre Pack for 4×4 fashions provides:
- All-terrain tyres (inc. spare wheel)
The $650 XLT 4×2 Off-Highway Pack provides:
- Metal underbody safety
- All-terrain tyres
- 17-inch spare wheel
The $1295 Touring Pack (4×4 pick-up solely) provides:
- Built-in trailer braking controller
- Encompass-view digicam
- Exterior facet mirror puddle lamps
- Zone lighting
- Cargo administration system
- Auxiliary swap financial institution
Is the Ford Ranger protected?
All variants of the 2023 Ford Ranger line-up acquired a five-star ANCAP security ranking in September final yr, apart from the Ranger Raptor which stays unrated.
Class scores included 84 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for baby occupant safety, 74 per cent for susceptible highway consumer safety and 83 per cent for security help.
Autos constructed earlier than August 20 2022, nonetheless, will want a software program replace to their lane-keeping software program to reflect the specs of five-star autos. Ford says sellers will perform the replace at an proprietor’s subsequent service.
Normal security tools contains:
- 9 airbags
- incl. driver, passenger knee airbags
- incl. front-centre airbag
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Automotive, Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Junction help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot help
- Rear cross-traffic alert (Decide-up)
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Highway edge detection
- Reversing digicam (Decide-up)
- Rear parking sensors (Decide-up)
- Trailer Protection (with elective Tow Pack)
Ranger XLT provides:
- Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
- Blind-spot monitoring incl. Trailer Protection
- Lane centring help
- Visitors signal recognition
- Tyre stress monitoring
The elective Touring Pack provides a surround-view digicam, whereas stepping as much as the Wildtrak and above provides the Lively Park Help 2.0 system.
How a lot does the Ford Ranger value to run?
The Ford Ranger is roofed by a five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee, like the remainder of the Ford vary.
Logbook servicing is required each 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first, with the primary 4 visits capped at $329. This equals $1316 for 4 years or 60,000km.
This four-year complete service pricing is significantly extra reasonably priced than the associated Isuzu D-Max ($2100) and Mazda BT-50 ($2109), in addition to the Toyota HiLux ($2820) which has shorter six-month or 10,000km service intervals and solely three-years of capped-price servicing.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Ford Ranger
The Ranger continues to show itself because the benchmark for the 4×4 ute phase. This interprets on to the way it’s at the moment acting on the gross sales charts.
Ford has achieved an ideal job making the Ranger feel and look extra fashionable in and out, plus the best way it drives blows a good variety of different utes out of the water fully.
The mid-spec XLT variant is an interesting proposition for these wanting a good smattering of expertise, in addition to rugged and hard-wearing appointments
Regardless of virtually being the identical value as some flagship utes, it’s undoubtedly the best-equipped workhorse variant and doesn’t skimp on any lively security tools.
Our tester’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine can be fully satisfactory if the in-demand 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel didn’t exist.
The latter’s additional torque and extra refined full-time four-wheel drive system does come in useful in sure conditions.
If you happen to’re wanting to avoid wasting cash and are after a Ranger XLT proper now although, it could be foolish to not suggest the Bi-Turbo engine. It’s nonetheless among the best four-cylinder diesel engines within the phase.
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