2023 Ford Ranger XLT Bi-Turbo evaluation

The Ford Ranger was one of the crucial anticipated new automobile launches in Australia final 12 months, 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 profitable by an ever-so-slight margin in 2023.

For the 2023 mannequin 12 months, the Ranger line-up obtained just a few specification modifications, a value improve, in addition to just a few new variants.

Our fully-optioned mid-spec XLT 4×4 dual-cab pickup on take a look at 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 outfitted 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 how 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 evaluation.

How a lot does the Ford Ranger price?

There are actually 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 identical asking value as various nearly 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 powerful spray-in bedliner.

It additionally contains the $1295 Touring Pack which provides a surround-view digicam, four-zone exterior lighting, aspect 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 consumers (every state has barely totally different taxes).

Equally priced rivals embody:

The Ranger XLT grade is on the market 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?

Entering into the Ford Ranger XLT you’ll first must plan your entrance as a result of it’s increased than you suppose. Fortunately there are aspect steps and various seize handles to make this as swish as potential.

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 essentially crammed 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 might be mounted on the sprint. You must step all the best way as much as the Wildtrak to get that. As an alternative 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 area the place you’ll shut the door. Though I do know this fairly properly by now, I nonetheless get briefly confused now and again.

The seats put on material upholstery and appear like they need to stand the take a look at 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 solely manually adjustable however it’s nonetheless very easy to discover a comfy driving place. This helped by the steering wheel that has a variety of adjustability for tilt and attain. You’ll be able to principally 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 utterly comprehensible although given the XLT is a workhorse-oriented variant.

There are a selection of buttons on the steering wheel that function the standard sound system and cruise management changes, and all of them have a considerably spongey operation. That is in contrast to the 2 rocker switches on the steering wheel which have a really exact and agency really feel.

Forward of the motive force is a 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster that’s extremely configurable, but somewhat on the small aspect.

The display screen can show a variety of pages together with Journey/Gasoline, Off-Street, Towing, Audio, Telephone, Navigation, and Car Upkeep, whereas homeowners can select sure web page to place in their very own curated ‘MyView’ web page.

If all this info on the digital instrument cluster is an excessive amount of, you may as a substitute go for the minimalist strategy and simply have the naked requirements just like the pace, revs, and maybe the gasoline financial system for those who’re feeling daring.

As famous earlier than, the 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster is somewhat 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 you should know.

Transferring throughout, the Ranger XLT comes with a portrait-oriented 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system working 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 hundreds fairly rapidly. There have been just a few cases although had been the display screen would lag a bit when swiping or making an attempt to do just a few issues directly, nevertheless.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found in each wired and wi-fi varieties. You’ll be able to change select between two sizes for the smartphone mirroring, with a bigger sq. or smaller rectangular facet ratio. The latter of those frees up a variety of shortcut buttons.

Though the Ranger XLT gives wi-fi smartphone mirroring, it doesn’t have a wi-fi telephone charger, which suggests you should be aware of your telephone’s battery degree. You must step as much as the Ranger Wildtrak to get an ordinary wi-fi telephone charger.

Satellite tv for pc navigation comes as normal on the Ranger XLT and it’s extraordinarily simple to make use of. Looking out 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 an honest quantity of storage, from an enormous centre armrest, two cupholders, and a particular chips holder in entrance of the gear selector.

It’s value declaring our tester with its Bi-Turbo engine comes with an everyday gear shifter, moderately than the e-shifter that comes with the V6 diesel.

Though the common shifter sticks up increased than the e-shifter, it sits at a cushty degree in step with the centre armrest. You additionally gained’t be placing it within the fallacious gear by accident.

Transferring to the second row there’s a noticeable drop in inside high quality, with a extra liberal utility 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.

By way of 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 unusually no USB ports…

The bathtub on the Ranger XLT dual-cab pickup measures in at 1464mm lengthy, 1520mm huge, and 831mm tall. It’s additionally 1217mm huge between the wheel arches. This quantity of area is on par with rivals within the phase.

Our tester was optioned with the powerful 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 aspect 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 gadgets 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 in contrast to various its rivals.

To learn extra concerning the Ford Ranger’s intelligent tub particulars, click on right here.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The 2023 Ford Ranger is on the market with a complete of 4 totally 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 solely to a 10-speed computerized transmission, with drive in our tester despatched by means of 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 value 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 gasoline 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 median of round 10 litres per 100km. This real-world gasoline consumption determine is line-ball with various its rivals.

Ford claims a 3500kg braked towing capability throughout all the Ranger line-up, aside 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. Positive 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 solely to a 10-speed computerized transmission, which might typically get somewhat bit confused at low speeds and in stop-start visitors. It’s prefer it has too many gears to select from and will get somewhat lurchy.

The transmission finally types 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, in contrast to various 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 motive force’s seat, due to the commanding driving place and the big glasshouse. The aspect mirrors are additionally extremely giant which is helpful for when you should test what’s beside you.

In city environments the ute’s suspension is extraordinarily compliant, even when unladen, which is somewhat sudden given how some utes react to issues like pace bumps.

Issues can get nonetheless somewhat bouncy whenever you don’t have any weight within the again, however the current-generation Ranger is certainly one of the crucial comfy utes with rear leaf springs to drive unladen.

Sean discovered there wasn’t an enormous distinction by way of trip 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 ultimate 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 tremendously within the moist. The ute can understeer by means of moist roundabouts at low speeds, and the tyres are likely to lock up beneath arduous braking.

If 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, however it doesn’t spoil the general atmosphere.

Sean did various freeway stints in our tester and stated the driving expertise was very easy, comfy and secure, even in crosswinds.

In case you stab the accelerator for an overtake you may typically catch the Ranger napping. In case you plan forward and roll onto the accelerator regularly you’ll be utterly effective although.

On the protection entrance, the Ranger XLT is absolutely loaded and comes outfitted 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 based on 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 rather well and takes a good bit for it to get confused. The identical goes for the lane centring perform which is admittedly robust and proper for probably 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 aspect mirrors and door handles
• Metal underbody safety (4×4 solely)
• Black aspect 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 by way of 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 material upholstery
• 8-way guide driver’s seat
• 4-way guide 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-Street 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 aspect 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 obtained a five-star ANCAP security ranking in September final 12 months, aside from the Ranger Raptor which stays unrated.

Class scores included 84 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 74 per cent for susceptible street consumer safety and 83 per cent for security help.

Automobiles constructed earlier than August 20 2022, nevertheless, 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.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• 9 airbags
  • incl. driver, passenger knee airbags
  • incl. front-centre airbag
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Automotive, Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
  • Junction help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Blind-spot help
• Rear cross-traffic alert (Choose-up)
• Lane departure warning
• Lane maintain help
• Street edge detection
• Reversing digicam (Choose-up)
• Rear parking sensors (Choose-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 strain 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 price 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 inexpensive 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 completed an ideal job making the Ranger appear and feel extra trendy inside and outside, plus the best way it drives blows a good variety of different utes out of the water utterly.

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 nearly being the identical value as some flagship utes, it’s positively 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 could be utterly ample 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 turn out to be useful in sure conditions.

In case you’re wanting to avoid wasting cash and are after a Ranger XLT proper now although, it could be foolish to not advocate the Bi-Turbo engine. It’s nonetheless top-of-the-line four-cylinder diesel engines within the phase.

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