There’s a Ford Ranger for each purchaser on the market, it appears.
The Blue Oval has maximised the variety of variants obtainable with the new-generation vary, and it’s made it tougher for among the current finest choices to shine fairly as brightly as they used to.
Take the XLT mannequin, as an illustration. Within the last-gen Ranger line-up, the XLT was arguably the proper spec for a purchaser who needed a dual-cab ute with some good options, however not an excessive amount of bling or audaciousness – a ute you possibly can use for twin functions, in different phrases: work and play.
So, we thought we’d spend a while within the XLT grade with the V6 turbo-diesel to see if the new-generation model continues to be the candy spot, or in the event you ought to contemplate one of many different fashions within the vary?
Is the 2024 Ford Ranger XLT V6 4×4 a winner? Let’s discover out!
How does the Ford Ranger fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Ford Ranger towards equally sized autos.
Ford
Ranger
How a lot does the Ford Ranger price?
The XLT is the most affordable means right into a Ranger V6 diesel dual-cab (from $67,590), however the cab-chassis model is even cheaper than the pick-up – may very well be an excellent hack for many who know they’ll match their very own cover or tray.
If you happen to don’t want the V6, it can save you your self slightly below 4 grand in the event you can accept the four-cylinder Bi-Turbo as an alternative.
What different utes might you contemplate in the event you had been a V6? The apparent (and solely) various is the Amarok, however there’s no sub-$70,000 Amarok V6 obtainable – the Model 4×4 grade is $73,740 plus on-roads. Whereas it has plenty of options you don’t get in a Ranger XLT, that worth level received’t be attainable for everybody.
Certainly, the query you may wish to ask your self is whether or not you possibly can be higher off including somewhat extra to your finance fee and getting a Ranger Sport, which has plenty of added niceties for $2500 extra.
The extras embody 18-inch alloy wheels, darkish exterior accents, two front-mounted tow hooks, skid plate, entrance flooring mats, drive mode selector, wi-fi telephone charging, leather-based upholstery, and an eight-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
2024 Ford Ranger V6 pricing:
Ford Ranger XLT V6 cab-chassis: $65,690Ford Ranger 3.0 XLT V6 pick-up: $67,590Ford Ranger Sport V6 pick-up: $70,090Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6 pick-up: $73,590Ford Ranger Platinum V6 pick-up: $79,390
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Ford Ranger like on the within?
The XLT isn’t as flashy or fashion-focused as among the fashions that sit above it, with a extra easy and useful inside remedy in comparison with the Sports activities and Wildtraks of this world.
Because of this, the XLT doesn’t get the larger touchscreen media system, although the standard-fit 10.1-inch portrait show nonetheless comes with satellite tv for pc navigation, plus wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Fortunately although, the controls are largely quite simple – and that’s aided by the truth that you do get a row of ‘exhausting’ contact controls in a panel on the backside of the display screen on your local weather controls, plus there’s additionally a secondary guide array for local weather controls under the display screen too.
All of that simply implies that this can be a quick, easier local weather system to cope with than you discover in another utes (just like the Amarok).
I discover the media system menus are largely intuitive; though, it is going to take some studying to determine the place every little thing is as a result of there are plenty of completely different controls for automobile features via the display screen.
If you happen to plan to tow for instance, there’s a sequence of various tow settings and controls that you should use via the display screen, together with establishing completely different trailers as favourites that may permit the security programs to determine what you’re towing. You simply enter important measurements for the automobile to adapt to go well with the towed load.
Whereas the digital instrument cluster will not be the full-scale 12.3-inch one, it’s nonetheless a fully-digital show with easy accessibility to completely different menus, together with journey laptop and different settings and shows.
The fabric finishes within the XLT grade aren’t fairly as particular as the upper grade fashions, and the instance on check did have a number of misfitted plastic sections across the cabin as effectively.
There’s delicate materials on the elbow pads on the doorways, and on the centre console bin between the seats, and a tougher plastic end on a part of the door trim as effectively. The dashboard has some exhausting plastics as effectively.
Whereas there’s a little storage shelf part in entrance of the passenger, this grade doesn’t get come out cupholders on the edges of the dashboard like some others. As a substitute they’re simply storage holes – which could be good for a pockets.
This model does have a spot the place your telephone can sit under the display screen, nevertheless it isn’t a wi-fi telephone charger – appears such a foolish shortfall. There’s one other storage cubby close by, a pair of cupholders between the seats, a centre console bin which is an honest measurement and contains a 12-volt port as effectively, and there are bottle holders within the doorways, too.
All of the controls are comparatively straightforward to get your head round – particularly in the event you had an current Ranger – and I discover that the entrance seat expertise is definitely actually good, regardless that it does have fabric seat trim which doesn’t essentially really feel as particular because it might.
It additionally has manually adjustable seats fairly than electrical and there’s no seat heating. Total, it does really feel a bit on the price range facet.
A minimum of the rear seat expertise is first rate. With the driving force seat set for my driving place (182cm / 6’0”) I had sufficient room to be comfy, with my knees solely simply brushing the seat forward. There’s good foot, head and shoulder room as effectively.
Three large adults throughout the again can be a little bit of a squish, however the transmission tunnel isn’t too large of an intrusion, and in the event you plan to make use of the again seat for rugrats as an alternative it will likely be straightforward sufficient to suit two youngster seats within the again comfortably.
Talking of kid seats, you’ve acquired a pair of top-tether factors behind the seat again, which is best than some utes which have only one centrally-mounted tether loop.
Nonetheless, the Ford’s tether factors are somewhat bit irritating to connect to a seat, as you by no means really feel as if it’s as tightly restrained as you may want it was. There are ISOFIX factors within the window seats as effectively.
Storage-wise there’s an armrest with a pair of cupholders, a pair of map pockets, and first rate door pockets too. There’s additionally a pair of directional air vents, and a 12-volt plug which you possibly can match a USB plug into. In any other case there aren’t any USB ports, and no 230-volt energy level on this spec.
If you happen to aren’t planning to make use of the again seat on a regular basis, there’s the aptitude to fold up the seat base (one piece) to permit additional secure and safe dry storage within the cabin.
Now, there’s no boot area to debate, so let’s speak concerning the tub. It’s 1464mm lengthy, 1520mm huge and 1224mm between the arches – which means it’s giant sufficient to deal with a normal Aussie pallet (1165mm) – and 525mm deep. What that every one equates to is ample area for tenting gear or baggage for a household journey away.
This XLT is optioned with the spray-in tub liner and in addition the Touring Pack, so it does have some extra tie-down factors within the tub, and the bathtub additionally has a 12-volt outlet. There are twin LED lights on the sides of the bathtub too.
What I do like about this spec is that it has a pleasant assisted closing to the tailgate, however – annoyingly – it actually does clang down while you open it – because the tailgate will not be piston assisted. On the tailgate you’ll additionally discover a measuring tape and a few clamp factors, so you possibly can use it as a cell workbench in the event you wanted to.
On the rear sides of the bathtub, there are step sections to mean you can climb in somewhat extra simply, and they are often very useful, particularly while you’re attempting to safe a load. There’s additionally a full-size spare wheel below the tray flooring.
What’s below the bonnet?
This model of the XLT is fitted with the ‘Lion’ 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, which produces 184kW and 600Nm.
It’s mated to a 10-speed automated transmission, with drive despatched via a full-time four-wheel drive system. Which means you’ve acquired a 4A mode for the gearbox that may apportion torque to entrance or rear axles (or each) as required. Or you may run it in 2H, 4H or 4L low-range as wanted.
Let’s discuss functionality – the Ranger has a towing capability of 750kg for an unbraked trailer, and 3500kg for a braked trailer. And keep in mind, the XLT comes with a towbar and wiring harness, and it has an digital brake controller fitted as commonplace too. Ford may sting you $50 for a towball, consider it or not.
The payload is rated at a tax-friendly 1024kg for this spec, which could be the explanation you select it over the higher-grade fashions – speak to your accountant to seek out out why!
Kerb weight is 2306kg, it has a gross car mass (GVM) of 3280kg, and the gross mixture mass (GCM) is 6400kg. So that you’re going to should watch out in the event you truly plan to tow a 3500kg trailer behind.
As for gasoline financial system, the Ranger XLT V6 has an official mixed cycle variety of 8.4 litres per 100km, and over a number of weeks of day by day driving with some odd jobs thrown on the Ford, I managed at return of 9.6L/100km.
How does the Ford Ranger drive?
The extra time I spend in a V6 Ranger, the extra I discover that this can be a incredible powertrain for this software.
It affords immense pulling energy from low within the rev vary, and makes exhausting work really feel straightforward.
A part of that comes all the way down to the truth that it does have a fairly intelligent 10-speed automated transmission, which – aside from having a silly shifter – is a great factor, and can mean you can make one of the best use of this V6 powertrain in nearly all conditions.
If you happen to don’t need it to be a 10-speed automated, you should use the lockout perform (often known as Progressive Vary Choose), which is able to mean you can make this car behave as a four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight- or nine-speed auto. It means you may tailor the drive to the state of affairs you’re in.
There’s additionally a guide mode in the event you want to take issues into your personal fingers – I’ve after I’ve towed with this car previously. Nevertheless it isn’t by means of paddle-shifters, it’s nonetheless only a toggle swap on the gear selector.
Past the superb powertrain, the Ranger nonetheless stays one of the best ute to drive generally phrases.
It has a incredible degree of management, consolation, and compliance in relation to the suspension, and it actually does really feel prefer it’s made for Australian roads – humorous that!
Whereas it would really feel somewhat delicate for some ute prospects, that comfortable suspension tune makes it all of the extra pleasing as a day by day driver. It actually does cope with city, freeway and freeway cruising, and even nation highway hustling with out a lot fuss in any respect, which is uncommon for this sort of car.
Bear in mind it’s a ladder-frame, body-on-chassis, severe off-road car that’s designed to tow 3.5 tonnes and address a tonne within the tray as effectively, and the truth that they’ve managed to make it drive higher than some mid-size SUVs – that’s a large hat tip to Ford.
The steering is superb, with a pleasant gentle motion to it at low speeds, which makes for simpler parking and can guarantee it’s much less of a battle after a day on the instruments. At larger speeds it does develop a degree of reassurance and weightiness, too.
There’s not an excessive amount of to complain about in relation to refinement, both. This can be a V6 diesel ute that has a pleasant engine warble to it, and fortunately it’s not too rattly or vibey at idle, nor at high-speed.
There’s not an excessive amount of in the best way of highway noise intrusion; though, the massive facet mirrors do have a little bit of a job chopping via the air, so you may hear them at occasions.
I’d say that in the event you’re weighing up whether or not to spend any additional in your XLT, the surround-view digicam system as a part of the Touring Pack is a should, in my view. It has multi-view modes, and the top-down view actually does enable you get an excellent view of your environment.
This can be a incredible ute to dwell with, and it’ll do the job for many who are on the lookout for a twin cab that may do the dual-purpose factor.
This was by no means meant to be a towing check or a 4×4 overview, so take a look at our different protection of the Ranger coping with these conditions. It truly is a jack of all trades.
What do you get?
Ranger XLT highlights:
17-inch Darkish Sparkle Silver alloy wheels17-inch metal spare wheelLED headlightsC-shaped LED daytime working lightsRear disc brakesElectronic handbrakeLeather-wrapped ‘e-Shifter’ gear selectorBody-coloured facet mirrors and door handlesFront grille with chrome central barFront-mounted tow hookBlack sports activities bar (pickup solely)Rear tub illumination (pickup solely)Bedliner with 12V socket (pickup solely)Spray-in bedliner with 12V socket (tremendous cab solely)Twin-zone local weather controlSatellite navigationVoice assistantTow barIntegrated trailer brake controllerLeather-wrapped steering wheelKeyless entry with push-button startElectrochromatic mirrorRain-sensing window wipersAdaptive cruise management with lane-centring and cease/goBlind-spot monitoring incl. Trailer CoverageTraffic signal recognitionTyre strain monitoring
The non-compulsory Touring Pack ($1295) provides a surround-view digicam, cargo tie-down hooks and puddle lamps.
You can even go for a spray-in bedliner (in lieu of plastic tub-liner) for $400, and if you want there’s an improve obtainable to all-terrain tyres for $500.
Color selections embody the no-cost stable Arctic White, whereas the Blue Lightning status possibility right here is $700, as is Shadow Black, Meteor Gray, Sedona Orange and Aluminium silver.
Is the Ford Ranger secure?
The Ford Ranger wears the utmost five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2022 testing.
Class scores included 84 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 74 per cent for weak highway consumer safety, and 83 per cent for security help.
Commonplace security gear consists of:
AEB incl. Automotive, Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detectionJunction assistAdaptive cruise controlBlind-spot assistRear cross-traffic alert (Decide-up)Lane departure warningLane hold assistRoad edge detectionReversing digicam (Decide-up)Rear parking sensors (Decide-up)Trailer Protection (with non-compulsory Tow Pack)
The Ranger has 9 airbags fitted, together with twin entrance, entrance facet, entrance centre, driver’s knee, passenger knee, and full-length curtain protection.
How a lot does the Ford Ranger price to run?
The 2024 Ranger is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, like the remainder of the Ford vary.
There are servicing issues to bear in mind. It has intervals of 12 months/15,000km, which is best than a Toyota HiLux (six months/10,000km) however not as beneficiant as a Nissan Navara (12 months/20,000km).
There’s four-years of capped-price servicing, and the primary 4 visits will price simply $329. Ford affords as much as seven years of roadside help in the event you keep your car with the model.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Ford Ranger
The Ranger XLT goes to be a fantastic match for consumers who need the V6, however don’t need among the blingy bits you get in the event you spend somewhat extra on the Sport grade.
Personally, I’d make investments the additional to get the niceties you discover within the Sport, as a result of leather-based trim, electrical seat adjustment and extra user-friendly options make it actually interesting – and it’s nonetheless acquired greater than a 1000kg payload, too.
Even so, if XLT is what floats your boat, the V6 model goes to be a fantastic selection.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
BUY: Ford RangerMORE: All the pieces Ford Ranger