Is it strange we’re more excited to drive the most affordable Ford Ranger XL Double Cab than just about anything else this year? Not really, because I just realised that Ford Motor Company, or FO MO CO as it’s also known, doesn’t do FOMO. Get it, FOMO? You see, manufacturers always want to give media test drives in their absolute latest and greatest R1-million beast …
FORD RANGER XL 2.0 SIT DOUBLE CAB
Meanwhile, perfectly excellent vehicles that the majority of motorists actually own, like the R703 000 Ford Ranger XL, go undriven. We recently had the opportunity to expand our frame of reference by driving the ‘entry-level’ Ford Ranger XL 2.0 SiT 4×4 Double Cab 6MT. And here are our six takeaways for buyers looking to get the most bang for their buck …
1. THE PRICE
At just R703 000 for the Ford Ranger XL 2.0 SiT 4×4 Double Cab 6MT, you simply cannot get more double-cab bakkie for the money. Okay, the two-wheel drive XL Double Cab is R620 000. But you’re going to want that go-anywhere capability that comes with 4×4, because the XL is just such a great adventure vehicle.
2. BUILT FOR ANYWHERE
One of the reasons we love any test unit that’s not absolutely top of the line, is you don’t feel bad putting it through its paces. In our time with the Ranger XL we took it off roading and the 4×4 system didn’t skip a beat. Standard-fit Continental CrossContact tyres on plain-looking 17-inch wheels are absolutely brilliant over all terrain types, too.
3. GO ON, GIVE IT A HARD TIME
Moreover, a bakkie like the Ranger XL loves to be utilised to the full. In a million-Rand-plus Platinum you may think twice about how you use it but, in the XL, we threw all manner of wet, sandy items in the rear load bay and didn’t think twice. This could be your life, too. The load bay is rubberised back there, with clever tie-down rails along the side. And there’s slightly more utility space due to the simpler tonneau cover.
4. DIY DRIVING
Perhaps the most enjoyable thing about our time with the Ranger XL was the do-it-yourself drivetrain. It’s insane to realise how pampered we’ve all become with automatic gearboxes. A six-speed manual and single-turbo engine may feel positively old-school but it’s also glorious to be solely responsible for dishing out all motive force. The 4×4 system is switchable on-the-fly and works seamlessly, too.
5. CLASSY CABIN
Most impressive from our time with the ‘modest’ Ford Ranger XL was the cabin quality. We assumed the Wildtraks and Platinums would be worlds apart from the base XL. However, with a 10-inch colour touchscreen and 8-inch digital colour cluster display, it’s definitely in the same ballpark. Clever features like Sync with Apple CarPlay and FordPass Connect are standard on the Ranger XL. The seats are cloth, mats rubber and you still get a rear-view camera with sensors. Win, win, win.
6. REAL-WORLD EFFICIENCY
When it comes to efficiency, FO MO CO’s single-turbo (SiT) 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 125 kW and 405 Nm, which is perfectly adequate. We didn’t test it but assume a zero to 100 km/h sprint time would be just less than 10 seconds. And while claimed/combined fuel economy is 7.7 l/100 km, we averaged in the 8.0 l/100 km range over the full test period. This still yielded a massive tank range of 850 km.
THE VERDICT
Perhaps the only downside to the Ford Ranger XL is how plain looking it is on the outside. Remember, there’s a host of very handsome special edition Raptors, Platinums, et al, on the roads. As such, you won’t be turning any heads in the boggo double cab. But even here there’s an upside. Because cruising around with relative anonymity also has its perks. As does banking R300 000 in savings!
THE FIGURES
- Ford Ranger XL 2.0 SiT 4×4 Double Cab 6MT
- Engine: 2.0-litre, turbodiesel 4-cylinder
- Power: 125 kW @ 3 500 rpm, 405 Nm @ 1 750 rpm
- Performance: 0-100 km/h 9.5 sec (estimated)
- Economy: 7.7 l/100 km (claimed) / 8.5 l/100 km (tested)
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Price: R703 000
IS THE FORD RANGER XL THE ONE FOR YOU?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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