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EXPERT RATING
9.0

Likes

  • Muscle
  • Sophistication
  • Efficiency

Dislikes

  • Only available on higher grades
  • No manual option
  • Not much else
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
27 Jul 2022
2 min read

Based on the engine family first seen in the old Australian Ford Territory TDCi turbo-diesel, and more recently in the US-market Ford F-150 full-sized truck range, all eyes are on the big new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

Available in the XLT (from $62,290 before on-road costs), Sport (from $66,690 before ORC) and Wildtrak (from $70,190 before ORC) only for now, it has few peers with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.

The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.

There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.

A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for all V6 variants.

By the way, Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.

On the fuel consumption front, the V6 turbo-diesel is actually a whole half-a-litre per 100km more economical than the old 3.2-lite five-pot turbo-diesel.

The official combined average consumption in the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel 4WD is 8.4L/100km, for 222g/km of CO2 emissions and an average distance range of 952km.

So, what's the 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel like to drive?

Reminiscent of theTerritory TDCi, it is slick and sophisticated, yet offers more punch than Australia’s only locally-built SUV ever managed.

In a nutshell, the V6 amplifies the acceleration and performance of the significantly improved and rapid 2.0-litre BiTurbo, thrusting forward with determination, accompanied by a more stirring V6 soundtrack.

Additionally, the 10-speed auto is even more relaxed an its smaller brother, and with greater torque levels to draw upon, it’s both more responsive to throttle inputs and less likely to hunt through the gears.

Better around town, stronger out on the open road and more reassuring when you need to overtake, especially at speed or blasting up a hill.

For this and other reasons, the $3000 premium paid for going the V6 is definitely worthwhile, and backed up by very reasonable combined-average fuel consumption figures of 8.4L/100km.

Read the full 2023 Ford Ranger review

Ford Ranger 2023: XLT 3.0 (4X4)

Engine Type Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $57,090 - $65,670
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$62,386
Based on 1746 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$34,995
HIGHEST PRICE
$103,996
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later. He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003. He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since. With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia. The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime. The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it. In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.
About Author
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Pricing Guide
$34,995
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
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2023 Ford Ranger
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