Review: 2022 Next Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Review: 2022 Next Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Drive.com.au 2023 Car of the Year

The Next Generation Ford Ranger has been arguably the most highly anticipated car launch of 2022.

Australians love their utes and the Ford Ranger has been one of the most popular utes on the market. With the Next Generation Ranger, Ford has rebuilt this ute from the ground up and has taken it up several notches as they aim to take that top spot as the best ute on the Australian market.

Initial Impression

As soon as you see the Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak, you can tell this is a huge leap forward for this Australian favourite. There is a bold new body design, striking C shaped headlights giving the Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak a commanding presence that manages to look both slick, and tough.

Inside the cabin, you can instantly realise how far utes have come. With its large 12 inch Touch Screen display, ambient lighting, comfortable leather seats and digital cluster, the Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak has added a touch of practicality & luxury, not seen in the competition.

Driveability

The Next Generation Ford Ranger has been released in a wide range of trim levels all with different drivetrain and engine options, allowing you to find the Ranger which best suits your needs. 

You can select between 4x2 and 4x4 variants, powered by either a 2.0L turbo diesel (125kW of power & 405Nm of torque), 2.0L bi-turbo diesel (154kW of power & 500Nm of torque) or 3.0L V6 turbo diesel engine (184kW of power & 600Nm if torque). For this review, we had the 2.0L bi-turbo diesel powering our 4x4 Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak. 

The bi-turbo engine delivers power through a super smooth 10 speed automatic transmission providing the Next Generation Ford Ranger the best of both worlds - more than enough power when you need it, combined with silky smooth gear changes for everyday driving.   With a combined fuel economy of 7.6L/100km, a smooth ride and improved sound deadening, the Next Generation Ford Ranger has become far more refined. 

Don’t let this refined experience fool you, the Next Generation Ford Ranger is still one tough truck with a 939kg payload, 3,500kgs towing capacity and rear locking differentials, it is more than capable for that next big job or adventure. We can't wait to get this Ranger off the bitumen & put it through it's paces off-road.

Liveability

Inside is where the biggest upgrades to the Next Generation Ford Ranger can be found.  The first thing you will notice is the large 12 inch touchscreen infotainment system. The outgoing Ranger's interior started to fall behind the the competition, however with this next generation of Ranger, Ford has completely leap frogged the competition.  The large touchscreen display controls everything from the wireless Apple Carplay / Android Auto to the air conditioning controls. It even has a convenient built in sketch pad, allowing you to take notes while out on the job site.  Larger touchscreens like this are becoming more common, however what sets the Ford Ranger apart from the others is it's responsiveness and accuracy - there is no delay or calibration issues.

The Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak comes with a suite of luxuries such as heated front seats, ambient lighting, wireless charging and the option to add a fantastic Bang & Olufsen 10 speaker sound system.  Ford have partnered with ARB to deliver the accessories & they have put together a comprehensive range to allow you to personalise your ute for your next adventure, or the jobsite.  There is everything from suspension upgrades, bullbars, winches, lights, underbody protection, canopies and much more, all backed by Ford’s 5 year unlimited kilometre warranty.   These accessories can all be connected to the auxiliary switch bank which can be added from the factory, giving you a cleaner look to your interior. 

The Next Generation Ford Ranger has been completely redesigned now with rear box step to make accessing the tray easier which can now fit an entire “euro” size pallet. Due to the additional space, the tray has been redesigned with a new (and very practical) cargo management system, including new inner tie downs, tie down rails and cargo clamps. Straight out of the box, the Next Generation Ranger is one of the most jobsite ready vehicles on the market.

Cost

The Next Generation Ford Ranger is available in five different trim levels with a variety of different engine and drivetrain configurations. The entry level XL starts at mid $40k, and can be optioned with either the 2.0L turbo diesel or the 2.0L bi-turbo diesel, as well as 4x2 or Part-Time 4x4.

One of the most popular models within the Ford Ranger lineup has always been the XLT that now starts at just under $60k. Equipped with a 10.1 inch touchscreen, wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto, locking differential and a suite of safety features. The Next Generation Ford Ranger XLT can also be optioned with the impressive 3.0L V6 turbo diesel engine.

The range topping Next Generation Ford Ranger Wildtrak starts at just over $70k and is equipped with the larger 12 inch touchscreen, leather accented heated seats, 18 inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, roof rails, aluminum cargo tie down rails. You can take the Wildtrak to next level by optioning it with the 3.0L V6 turbo diesel engine and the Premium pack, that includes Matrix LED Headlights, the handy auxiliary 6 switch bank and fantastic 10 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

An important thing to consider when searching for your next vehicle is whether or not you can afford the ongoing cost of ownership. Which is where Ford’s promise to keep servicing costs affordable and transparent makes the Next Generation Ford Ranger an even more attractive option when looking for a new ute. The most an eligible customer will pay is $329 for the first four general services for up to 4 years or 60,000kms, whichever occurs first.

Conclusion

The Ford Ranger has been one of the most popular vehicles on Australian roads for a number of years and it is clear that this will not be changing anytime soon. With the eye-catching new design, impressive technology and practical storage options, the Next Generation Ford Ranger is built bigger, tougher & smarter the competition has a long way to catch up.