Starter XL DC has all the Ranger features you ever need
For whatever reason, we’ve been spoilt with Ford Ranger test bakkies over the past few months. Best of all, they’re covering the full range. From a decked-out single cab workhorse through the Rap Cab to this XL and the XLT double cabs. Ther rest, on top of the range, we have pretty thoroughly put through their paces already. So kudos to Ford for taking the trouble to let us get to know all its bakkies.
We started with the XL single cab manual last time out, so let’s just keep on popping up the range. This one is another XL. But the double cab. This is the 4×4 version, so there’s still the XL 4×2 manual below on the range. But still, at a spot over seven hundred grand, we couldn’t get over how much bakkie this is for the money. Of course, some of you will say ‘but it’s a manual’.
Never fear, just add the necessary twenty-five grand and you can have this in auto too. But then there are those of you who will say, wow, a proper double cab 4×4 with a manual box?’ And if you’re one of those, then read on, because this one’s for you!
A lot of Ford Ranger for the money
Ranger bakkies of course contribute the lion’s share of a large portion of Ford’s South African home and export revenues. Any Ranger you see in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the UK, was probably built in Pretoria. Ford’s Mexican plant (don’t tell Donald!) looks after US and American Ranger, and Thailand produces for the East, Aussie, NZ and the rest. The Ford Ranger truly is a global badge.
The Ford Ranger also plays a formidable role in the continued development of South Africa. Same goes for any workhorse bakkie, but this farmer and tradesman special is, well, a little more special. It looks the part to start with. A strong, boxy stance emphasised by that macho grille and C-headlamps make for an imposing face, even for this more utilitarian and minimalist halogen-lit base spec XL.
Smart 16-inch alloys have locking wheel nuts to complement those muscular haunches. Body-colour front and black rear bumpers and power wing mirrors are standard, as they are on the XL single cab, while a towbar is optional. Talking about options, ours had a basic tonneau cover on the back. But Ford offers five cosmetic and functional XL upgrade packs to match every owner need.
Ranger XL DC has a surprisingly complete cabin
Based loosely on the previous model but sitting on a 50 mm longer wheelbase and riding a 50mm wider track versus the previous Ranger, XL will now accommodate a standard European palette between its load box wheel arches. Thank sharing its guts with Amarok for that. It’s a VW bakkie requitement. Six tie-down points and external tie-down rails lie ready for ratchet straps and ropes..
Step aboard and you’re greeted by a surprisingly complete and impressive fully carpeted cabin protected by all-weather rubber mats. Extra steering reach and rake enhance comfy cloth seats and a pleasant driving position. Vast Goodie storage includes a useful shelf between upper and lower cubbies. An open bin also sits below the centre screen ahead of a large covered central console complete with a 12-volt socket.
Integrated door storage sits below one-handed pinch handles and soft padded rests. The seats do not however fold far enough forward and there’s limited space behind, but Ranger XL is light years ahead in fit. It matches the top end Wildtrak, even if too many plastic types make the finish fussy. But Ranger XL stars on technology.
A trusty 125 kW 405 Nm single turbo diesel
Centred around Ford’s 10.1-inch SYNC 4A CarPlay, Auto and Bluetooth infotainment, the multifunction steering, voice and touch-active system crucially retains buttons and knobs for major functions. Always-on and upgradable, it has USB-A and C ports and the FordPass App. And there are cool customisable eight-inch digital dials too.
Powered by Ford’s trusty 125 kW 405 Nm two-litre four-cylinder single turbodiesel, the Ranger XL double cab impresses on the road. So much so that it’s difficult to tell the difference to the beefier biturbo without a stopwatch. That much is clear by the Ranger XT Auto Test result. Zero to hundred is as good as, if not better than most top end bakkies.
There’s a slight loss of performance thanks to the subtle weight gain a double-cab brings, but power delivery is smooth, low-down torque staunch. Which makes it so easy to drive and overtaking is easy. And you can happily cruise well beyond highway speed limits. Even if you regularly load your Ranger XL to capacity, or tow heavy trailers, there’s really no need for the biturbo. Especially when you consider the saving.
XL DC has a slick and sturdy 6-speed manual
Th slick and sturdy 6-speed manual id easy to operate with a nicely weighted clutch. This one’s extra weight bring it in 20 kilos under a one-tonner with a 980 kg payload. Braked trailer capacity remains a meaty 3.5 tonnes. Fuel efficiency once again surprised. Ford claims the same consumption as the SC and we averaged well below at 6.5 per hundred. If you’re serious about fuel economy, this Ranger XL is a must.
The premier double-cab feel spreads to ride quality. Driving longer distances proved effortless versus some rival bakkies. Road and wind noise is minimal inside and you no longer need load half a ton in the bak to encourage ride to approach comfortable. Now it starts that way.
Surprisingly playful it, it remains composed and does not throw you around, however tough the going gets. Ride is smooth, silent and well composed on dirt roads. Ranger XL really comes into its own on rough and rutted dirt surfaces, while on the fly 4×4 and the standard locking rear differential will aid traction when the going gets even tougher.
Ranger XL DC a TRUE BLUE South African bakkie
To top it all, Ford makes a most compelling argument on how it’s positioned the Ranger XL against its market rivals, Even better, this single cab is tax deductible for business use, saving you a further 15% in South Africa.
If anything, this basement Ford Ranger XL double cab 4×4 is a most convincing workhorse bakkie. It is stripped down enough for you to keep it basic or customise through Ford’s many options and beyond. Yet it delivers a splendid specification for the buck, is powerful, quick and frugal. Packs a ton, pulls three and a half and looks pretty damned well the part. And best of all, it’s Made in Pretoria! – Michele Lupini
Data & Images: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Ford Ranger 2.0 XL 4x4 DC
Engine: 125 kW 405 Nm 2-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 6-speed manual 4x4
Load Capacity: 980 kg
Braked Trailer: 3,500 kg
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.60 sec
0-100 km/h: 10.37 sec
0-120 km/h: 14.78 sec
400m: 17.4 sec @ 130 km/h
80-120 km/h: 7.95 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 175 km/h
Fuel: 7.1 l/100 km
CO2: 187 g/km
Range: 1,125 km
Warranty/Service: 4y 120K/up to 8y 200K km
LIST PRICE: R703K
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