With a raft of Rangers on the way over the next few editions, we thought the smart starting point – certainly the most fleet-friendly – is the 2WD double cab, so here’s what we thought of it…Of all the current crop of Next Gen Rangers, the supposedly humble 2WD is the most likeable in our humble opinion – at least as far as on-the-road Rangers are concerned.
Clearly, there will be applications where 2WD won’t cut it in terms of being fit-for-purpose, but for the times where the odd bit of gravel or grass is about as off-road as you’re likely to get, well…
The 4WD lookalike Ranger will fit the bill nicely. And if you were thinking this was a Ranger of compromise, let’s knock that on the head right now.
XLT spec is honest to goodness truck. It’s not something it shouldn’t be and, despite a few shortcomings, the list of features and attributes is
far from lacking.
The most obvious difference is in the seating. The XLT sports a cloth covering as opposed the leather of the higher Ranger models, which means no heating or cooling but this is only available in the top end Wildtrak.
Nor is the seating electrically adjustable (Sport and Wildtrak only) but the eight-way adjustability for the driver’s seat and four-way for the passenger provides sufficient flexibility for conventionally-sized cabin occupants.
Trainspotters will note the XLT’s conventional shifter as opposed to more modern mouse-like mechanisms found in the Sport and Wildtrak models.
Our jury’s still out on those rodent shifter systems. Are they really necessary or is this a solution looking for a problem? Call us set in our ways, but the stick shifter feels more true-to-a-truck. The mice? Not so much.
The rest of the cabin is Ranger standard – dominated by the 10-inch portrait screen to access the SYNC4A audio system with its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, use the incredibly clear rear camera with its tracer lines and display the satellite navigation system among other operations.
Significantly, the XLT does not offer a wireless charging pad, but does offer FordPass Connect with embedded modem.
Safety features are significant with 9 airbags, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, reverse brake assist, forward collision warning, evasive steering, post impact braking, lane keeping alert and aid, road departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, driver alert system and tyre pressure sensors as hero items for the 5-star safety rating.
All of which is standard stuff but does paint the Ranger range in a very good light. Speaking of which, the lights determine the model in the Ranger line: XL has halogen headlights without foglights, XLT gains halogen foglights, but goes to LED for headlights, Sport and Wildtraks take LED fog and headlights.
All models have the distinctive C-bracket daytime running lights.
But what really jangled our bell with the XLT 2WD Ranger was the drive ‘feel’. It’s on-road refinement is dramatically better than the other models, even those with the smoother V6.
On its standard 255/70R17 Bridgestone Dueler AT tyres, the XLT Ranger delivers a smooth and confident ride, with possibly the best of the two-litre bi-turbo/10-speed matchups. This may also be due to the weight consideration of not having a 4WD system.
Despite the low price of the XLT, there is no sense of being short-changed with this vehicle and to any fleet looking at putting Rangers on their books, would do well to check the C02 emissions and the requisite Clean Car fee. A 2WD commands a significantly lower CCF.
