2015 Ford Ranger XL 4×2 Review – A Workhorse With A Comfortable ‘Saddle’
There are no less than 37 variants in the MkII Ford Ranger model range; dual-cab, single cab, 2WD, four-wheel-drive, 3.2 litre diesel, and 2.2 litre. And while some come with SUV comforts, here’s one from the range that’s built to be “the worker” – the $38,590 Ranger XL 2WD dual-cab workhorse.
It comes without leather seats, and without the thick carpet, chrome and sports bars of the upscale models to bring some good news for couriers, tradies, farmers, miners and others who use their utes as they were intended… for work.
Ford’s Ranger XL has scored tougher looks and improved driving dynamics in this updated model, but lost none of its practicality and capability. We like its rubber mats, the smooth 2.2 litre diesel, and we like the way it drives.
Vehicle style: Dual-cab 4x2 ute
Price: $38,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine/transmission: 118kW/375Nm 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel/6-speed auto
Fuel consumption claimed: 9.4l/100km | As tested: 9.5l/100km
OVERVIEW
The now superseded Ford Ranger outsold Toyota HiLux in New Zealand last year and Oz sales jumped by 22 percent to 26,619 (number two to HiLux).
Those figures should have been better because, on merit, the Ford Ranger is ‘the pick’ of the pickups.
Not even the 2015 arrivals of two blow-torches in the shape of the all-new Mitsubishi Triton and all-new NP300 Nissan Navara, have the Ranger sweating (but we’re waiting on the new Toyota HiLux).
In the meantime, we’ve just driven the entry-grade Ford Ranger XL – a 4x2 Double Cab HiRider with the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission.