Commercial vehicles and Ford go together like chops and sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, burgers and chips - they just seem to instinctively know how to make them fit the requirements of a category’s audience… and this is obvious when it comes to the BIG Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
Just look at it… it’s so good looking - the top of the pile when it comes to trim in the excellent Ford Ranger Range (that’s a mouthful). If I asked a child to draw a pickup truck, it would look like this! That profile is unmistakable and mean.
So, yes, it’s got the looks, but does it have the tech, equipment, and engine to justify the love? Let’s see…
Key Points:
• Titanium-effect painted front grille
• The Euro 6 3.2-litre Duratorq Diesel 200PS engine is mated to an excellent 6-speed gearbox with Auto Start-Stop
• 18-inch machined alloy wheels
• Electric foldable mirrors, indicators and puddle lights
• Side steps with metallic inserts
• Wildtrak emblazoned on the sides
• Sports bar behind the cab
Double Cab 4x4, so very spacious! And Wildtrak is everywhere... on the steering wheel, the floor mats, and seat trims.
• Radio with 8-inch TFT touchscreen
• Rear-view cameras, Nav system, Voice Control
• Bluetooth/USB connectivity
• Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Applink
• Emergency Assistance
• Sports bar behind the cab with loading space lighting
• 1000kg payload with a braked towing weight of 3500kg more!
• Length - 1.5m
• Width - 1.5m
• Width (between arches) - 1.1m
• Depth - 0.5m
Class-leading luxury even in the back… but let’s take a look at some of the other pickup trucks available right now…
• Mitsubishi L200 - a top-class pickup that sells big and is top-ranked thanks to its high towing capability, it’s also a proper looker at the Barbarian and Warrior trim levels.
• Nissan Navara - a tough interior and excellent options in the cabin set the Navara apart from the competition - if you’re in the market for one, the Tekna trim level is where you should start!
• Fiat Fullback - a great-value pickup truck platform shares with the Mitsubishi L200 so it comes from good stock. Well worth a look.
• Isuzu D-Max - there’s something understated about the D-Max, and that’s fine, it does the job of a pickup without making a fuss! Farmers love it, and that is high praise indeed!
• Mercedes-Benz X Class - sharing some bits of the Nissan Navara meant Mercedes-Benz built a luxury pickup on the bedrock of a top-performing pickup platform. How long it hangs around though is anyone’s guess.
• Toyota Hilux - we’re several generations in now, and the Hilux continues to perform incredibly well. It’s got the usual high Toyota build standard and the tech bundled in there is very user-friendly.
• And finally, the VW Amarok - the VW brand is incredibly strong and is clearly on show in the Amarok pickup truck. It’s big and comfy at speed, so much so you’d easily mistake it for an SUV’s drive quality!
And there you go, as you can see there’s a lot of choice in this sector, and each pickup has its merits, but if I can plug the big Ford Ranger Wildtrak it would be to say that it is THE icon for many reasons, but the ones I’d highlight are that big 3.2-litre engine and excellent cabin build quality.
So, how do we finish this?
Being a pickup truck icon is easy when you can back that title up with consistent performance, hard-wearing build quality, and a powerful engine.
The Ranger has continued to evolve and tick more boxes… the Wildtrak trim level isn’t just about better seats, it’s a totally different engine, a huge double cab, amazing Loadspace functionality and the rest.
So, if you’re looking for a new pickup truck, I’m pretty sure I’ve given every reason you’d ever need to check the Ford Ranger Wildtrak out!