Written by
Shaun McGowanThe Ford Ranger is extremely popular in Australia, routinely challenging Toyota’s Hilux for first position in monthly sales figures - not just among utes, but against all vehicles sold. (We Aussies love our utes…)
The latest 2022 model is an all-new design featuring a range of new features - including the availability of potent new V6 engines, at least in some models.
157kW & 500Nm
Payload 1304
Maximum Braked Towing Capacity 3500
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection
Among the popular 4X4 Rangers, the range kicks off with the XL variant, which is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine and 10-speed auto transmission, which carry over from the previous Ranger. It’s a frugan but solid performer with 154 kilowatts and 500 Newton-metres, which is roughly on par with the Toyota Hilux’s 2.8-litre single turbo diesel engine.
This engine is also available in the XLT and Sport variants, one and two steps up in the range, respectively, but it is joined by a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 184 kilowatts and 600 Newton-metres. It’s also coupled to a 10-speed auto.
The popular Ranger Wildtrak features the same powertrain options.
At the top of the range, the Ranger Raptor - with a potent 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol EcoBoost engine with 292 kilowatts and 583 Newton-metres, also mated to a 10-speed auto.
Rangers are typically very well equipped - especially in the higher model grades - but they are hardly cheap. Wildtrak, for example, features an integrated trailer brake controller, roof rails, wing mirrors with puddle lamps, aluminium cargo bay tie-down rails and a cargo management system, power roller tonneau and sports bar, ambient lighting inside, and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Stepping up to the Raptor adds a full-time AWD system allowing 4WD use on high-traction surfaces, advanced suspension by Fox Racing, front diff with electronic lock function, full LED exterior lighting package front and rear, a 2.3mm thick front bash plate, unique tow hooks, a spray-in bed liner, 17-inch alloys with rough terrain-oriented T285/70 BFG K02 tyres, a 12.4-inch customisable instrument cluster, paddle shifters and seven drive modes (normal, sport, slippery, mud/ruts, sand, Baja and rock crawl).
Standard features include:
4X2 Rangers are available in XL, XLS and XLT specification grades, with 4X4 available across the range. XL is available in single, ‘super’ and double-cab configurations, XLS is double cab only, XLT is available in ‘super’ and double cab - but the super cab cannot be purchased with the V6 diesel.
Sport, Wildtrak and Raptor are double-cab only.
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The new Ranger is almost certain to be insanely popular at launch (mid-2022) although at the time of writing, nothing is known regarding drive impressions and in-service reliability. (Balance of probability there: it’ll drive better than the Ranger it replaces, and reliability will be on par.)
Shaun
McGowan
Shaun McGowan
Shaun is the founder of Money.com.au and is determined to help people pay as little as possible for financial products. Through education and building world class technology. Previously Shaun co-founded CarLoans.com.au and Lend.