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Mail & Guardian
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Ford Ranger Wildtrak X strikes the perfect balance between refinement and ruggedness
Rugged and stylish: The Ford Wildtrak X Ford continues to have massive success in South Africa in terms of car sales. In June, it sold over 3 000 vehicles and the Ranger made up 2 318 of those sales. Whether it is the 4×2 or 4×4 Ranger, South Africans love these bakkies. In fact, I'm sure we've all been in a position where a Ford Ranger has tailed our backside and forced us to move into a slower lane on the highway. I had the privilege of being one of those guys for a week. The Ford Ranger Wildtrak X arrived in my driveway with its striking looks, capable roof rails and subtle, but essential, cyber-orange accent under the grille. It is by far the most stylish Ranger of all. There's just something about a Wildtrak that gives it a distinctive identity. It could be the black lettering across the front and back or the black oval Ford badges — or even the aluminium side steps. It gives off a very stylish, but rugged, look that makes it feel like more than a bakkie or a workhorse. That's just the exterior. The interior adds to it. There are elements, like the suede material that adorns the glovebox, instrument cluster hood and door trim, that emphasises that the car is not afraid to get dirty and reiterates the ruggedness of the vehicle. You even have a built-in 400W/240v inverter which can be accessed from the rear of the centre console, as well as from the auxiliary power points in the load compartment. You could essentially connect your toaster if you were ever out camping. But, on the other hand, the very attractive portrait-oriented 12-inch touchscreen, the comfortable leather seats that embrace the cyber-orange stitching and features such as wireless charging bring a sense of refinement into the cabin. You don't need to drive the vehicle to actually know what it's about. But when you do drive it, it just confirms that feeling. The Ranger Wildtrak X is powered by a 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that produces 154kW of power and 500Nm of torque, which is paired to a surprisingly smooth 10-speed automatic gearbox. It is the first Ranger 2.0L Bi-Turbo model to be available with Ford's on-demand four-wheel drive system that offers four modes. It can be driven in 4A (automatic) on high-traction surfaces, with the system continuously distributing power between the front and rear axles for optimum performance in all on-road conditions. The driver can also select 2H for on-road driving, as well as four-wheel drive high-range (4H) and low-range (4L) for more challenging off-road terrain. I love being behind the wheel of the big, rugged bakkies but sometimes that means sacrificing a refined driving experience. Nobody doubts the off-road capabilities of the vehicle but the Ranger Wildtrak X surprised me when it came to riding on the tarmac. The gearshifts were as smooth as butter when picking up speed, the turbolag was not as bad as it usually is on a bakkie and the roads didn't feel bumpy at all. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were driving a Ford Everest when you are in the Wildtrak X. It brings that sort of refinement to the driving experience but can still tackle off-road conditions with ease. It was a pleasure to drive a total of 200km in it on a trip from Springs to Pretoria and back. The car handled the bendy highways with ease. No bumps, no bruises and certainly no perception of bulkiness for a car that weighs over 2.3 tonnes. Even the backseat passengers were comfortable with the amount of headroom and legroom that they were offered. Safety The Wildtrak X raises the bar in terms of safety compared to the normal Wildtrak. It has a 30mm wider stance to provide an even more stable footprint off-road, while ground clearance has risen by 26mm, helping owners to negotiate more challenging terrain with confidence. The Wildtrak X features seven driving modes that cover everyday and off-road driving (Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand and Rock Crawl), and comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety systems. These include active park assist; blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert and braking; adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring; lane departure warning and a 360-degree camera as standard. It also comes with trail assist and trail control. Trail assist negotiates tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel which reduces the turning radius by up to 25%, while Trail Control helps drivers maintain constant low speed while driving off-road. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain. Verdict and pricing Overall, the Wildtrak X strikes that balance between ruggedness and refinement perfectly. It also is positioned perfectly as the highest-spec model before the two V6 variants, the Platinum and the Raptor. But, it does come in at over R1 million. If it's the style that you are after, then R1 070 500 will get you the Wildtrak X, but if you are a power hunter, then add the R80 000 and go for the V6 Platinum variant.
The South African
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Chasing the Endless Winter: Ford Ranger Wildtrak X review
Before we get to the excellent new Ford Ranger Wildtrax X, we've got to talk surfing. We must because this reviewer has taken up said pastime after the age of 40 and, sadly, it's now become almost my entire personality. Do you know how to identify a surfer over 40? You won't have to, because they'll tell you all about it at every possible opportunity … I honestly didn't think my affliction was too bad. Until I began to catch my friends' eyes glazing over as I responded to 'what you been up to?' Of course, I have to stop myself from giving a never-ending account of the waves ridden and not ridden this winter. And that's another misnomer to address before we talk Ranger Wildtrak X. Pretty much anywhere in the world, surfing is a winter endevour. So, forget the cult movie Endless Summer. In the Western Cape, it's all about chasing the Endless Winter! There's definitely a wave out there. It's just leaving the climate-controlled comfort of the Ranger that's tricky. Image: File Nevertheless, while everyone is bored to tears by me, at least this Blue Oval stead to chase waves with isn't. Of course, I'm talking about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X and I genuinely believe it is the sweet spot of the Ranger life right now. Think of it as halfway house between the luxury Wildtrak and kick-your-teeth-in Ranger Raptor. It costs R1 070 500, which, by today's standards, is not an insurmountable amount of money for the ultimate adventure bakkie. Key to its offering is the rear Power Roller Shutter, which has been around for some time. And the new Flexible Rack System (a R19 000 extra). For a surfer, the aforementioned is an absolute game-changer. The rear rack can move anywhere you need along the load bay so you can affix your beloved surfboards. Best of all, it means you don't need to immediately fit a bulky canopy to make your Wildtrak X practical. Ford's Tablet-like screen with hard buttons below still the best blend of new tech and every-day usability. Image: Ray Leathern Truthfully, the 9-foot longboard fitted to the Flexi Rack System is purely for show. My 6-foot shortboard fits inside the Wildtrak X cabin no problem. And that's the board you want to tackle the Western Cape's pumping winter swells. Nevertheless, it's the Ranger's impeccable road manners that win the day as we start our peninsula search. Wow, this bakkie really has blossomed into a full-rounded conveyance. The high-tech cabin is awash with practical stowage areas, soft contact points and all the modern conveniences (mod-cons) imaginable. In fact, it might be a little too comfortable for the perfect surf mobile, come to think of it. Because climbing out of the high-riding, temperature-controlled cabin into freezing gale-force winds to pull on a damp wetsuit isn't exactly enjoyable. But surfers are a different breed, I guess. Part human, 'part seal,' as my wife loves to point out to me as I'm shivering in the corner post-surf. Nevertheless, there's nothing a truly committed surfer won't endure if there's the chance of a perfect wave at the end of it … The best thing about winter wave hunting is the obscure spots you'll find that are completely deserted. Image: Ray Leathern Better still, unlike pulling into the carpark in a rusted-out Corsa Ute, when you arrive in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, there are only accepting head-tilts all around. First and foremost, this beast of a bakkie looks the part. It's 30 mm wider than a regular Ranger, as is its increased ride height. The X's grille is bespoke, with just enough styling tweaks to notice, but not so many that it looks aftermarket 'zef.' Standard-fit General Grabber AT3 tyres with white-wall lettering look the part and provide sophisticated ride and stability both on and off the bitumen. Furthermore, there is bespoke Wildtrak X trim all around, a brilliant Bang & Olufsen sound system, tablet-like touchscreen, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Best of all, all these mod-cons are reliable and predictable in their operation, too. Besides the digital trickery, spend enough time in it looking for swell and you discover just how wonderfully easy it is to drive. There's precious little sawing at the wheel for a tall-riding bakkie, and even substantial undulations on the road pass-by unnoticed as you glide along. Due to its clever construction, it's super easy to adjust the Flexi Rack System for the perfect fit. Image: Ray Leathern A such, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X uses the economical 154 kW and 500 Nm four-cylinder Bi-Turbo motor. Granted, it's not especially economical – we saw 10.9 l/100 km most of the trip – but the motor pulls soundly from low down and is quiet and refined. Most other bakkies as big as the Wildtrak X would suffer from a slow steering rack and three-point turns galore. However, this not the case here. Better still, Ford has fitted a new Trail Turn function that can shorten tight turns by simply nipping the inside wheel's brake. Although this is more of an off-road feature and will wear your ATs out if you attempt it too often on tarmac. But this search for perfect winter waves highlights the Wildtrak X's quick and easy-going nature. Of course, it's a heavy bakkie, but lay into the throttle progressively and you build speed effortlessly. Just what you want scooting from spot to spot along the coast, trying to decipher what the wind, swells and tide are doing. Another quick surf rule-of-thumb I've come to learn, for those who are interested: If there are waves, you surf! Don't leave one spot that's working, thinking there might be something better elsewhere. In the time it takes to explore and return to your original spot, invariably, conditions will have deteriorated. There's millions of waves out there, but it only takes one … Wet and sandy gear? No worries, just lob it in the rubberised load bay and cover up with the Power Roller Shutter. Genius practicality. Image: Ray Leathern So, is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the ultimate lifestyle surf vehicle? Absolutely. The Flexi Rack System is unsurpassed and when combined with the Power Roller Shutter, there's no pre- or post-surf situation you won't be prepared for. Many of these same traits will apply to mountain bikers, fishermen, canooists, you name it, and the practical benefits are endless. In this guise, the Wildtrak X absolutely monstered the task of chasing the Endless Winter all around the peninsula. This bakkie clearly walks a fine line between Raptor tough and Wildtrak comfort, but it does so while adding genuine practicality to the mix. I'm just sad I have to hand the keys back to Ford and go back to making do with an inferior solution to my surfing needs. You know, the ones I can never shut up about … Ford Ranger Wildtrak X 2.0 BiT 10AT Engine: 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel Transmission: 10-spd auto 10-spd auto Power: 154 kW 154 kW Torque: 500 Nm 500 Nm 0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds (estimated) 9.5 seconds (estimated) Consumption: 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) 7.6 l/100 km (claimed/combined) 10.9 l/100 km (tested) Price: R1 070 500 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
