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EXPERT RATING
9.0

Likes

  • Sassy styling
  • Luxurious cabin
  • Great dynamics

Dislikes

  • Long wait times
  • Not cheap
  • Some quality glitches
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
26 Jul 2022
3 min read

The perennially popular Wildtrak – now from $67,190 before on-road costs – is the top of the Ranger series if you exclude the off-road-ready, high-performance-orientated Raptor with its unique 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

Diesel-powered only like the rest of the Ranger line-up, the Wildtrak comes with two engine options.

The previous 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been dropped for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed automatic, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains. The transmission includes up to six driving modes.

The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's also available in the XLT and Sport only for now 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.

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.

As per the Sport and XLS, the Wildtrak is only available with the Double Cab pick-up body, and adds a series-signature front grille design, a unique front bumper and different body accents, for a more-aggressive appearance.

You'll also find an integrated brake controller, exterior mirror with puddle lights and zone lighting all-round, along with roof rails and aluminium load box tie down rails. Note these are now load bearing, so you can secure items to these.

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

That's not all though. The Wildtrak's rear cargo introduces load box illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, a unique sports bar style, all-terrain tyres for its redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered roller shutter for the tub and a cargo management system.

Like all Rangers, it also has securing points at the front of the load box, box capping with integrated fixing points for added sheetmetal protection, a rear load box step for easy side access and a lighter tailgate, thanks to Ford's 'easy lift assist' system.

Inside, the Wildtrak features a larger (now 12-inch) portrait touchscreen, pull out cupholders on both ends of the dashboard, ambient lighting, specific-design front seats with power activation and heating for both, a 360-degree camera and active park assist.

It shares the Sports specification's dual front tow hooks, skid plate, LED front fog lamps and all-season tyres, as well as leather upholstery, wireless charging, an Off-Road screen showing 4WD activation and other related settings, and floor mats.

Ford's SYNC 4A multimedia system, a digital instrument cluster, USB-A and -C ports, power windows, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-sheathed steering wheel and gear knob, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality and traffic-sign recognition and lane-centring tech are also fitted.

As with all grades, the Wildtrak brings nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist and rear parking sensors, while all pick-ups have blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech to the table.

The Wildtrak is only available as a 4x4.

Read the full 2023 Ford Ranger review

Ford Ranger 2023: Wildtrak 3.0 (4X4)

Engine Type Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $66,770 - $76,780
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
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$34,995
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2023 Ford Ranger
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