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EXPERT RATING
9.0

Likes

  • Refinement
  • Driving capability
  • No-nonsense value

Dislikes

  • No manual availability
  • Halogen headlights instead of LEDs
  • No V6 option
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
22 Jul 2022
3 min read

Kicking off from $35,930 before on-road costs, the base Ranger XL is nearly $7000 more expensive than the previous PX III equivalent, partly because Ford has dropped the manual gearbox for Australia. It’s auto or it’s nothing.

But if you compare old versus new, prices are – on average – only around $1100 more expensive like-for-like (not including the Raptor), and that’s acceptable, given how much more kit you now get, in a palpably improved vehicle.

A fleet-focused proposition, the Ranger XL is the cheapest, and, so, as a workhorse, is all about minimum frills: hard-wearing cloth, vinyl floor, a manual handbrake, easy-access dash storage – that sort of thing.

However, it does include features like the surprisingly old-fashioned halogen headlights, a front tow hook, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync4 multimedia system, a digital instrument cluster, manual air-conditioning, USB-A and -C ports, cloth seats, power windows and 16-inch steel wheels

Note, too, that all Rangers score 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.

The XL is available in all body styles, as well as 4x2 and 4x4 grades. Those body styles are: two-seater Cab chassis, four-seater Super Cab chassis or pick-up, and five-seater Double Cab chassis or pick-up.

Compared to the previous Ranger, the T6.2 pick-up models introduce additional securing points at the front of the load box, box capping with integrated fixing points for added bodywork protection, an integrated load box step near the bumper for easier side access, and a lighter tailgate thanks to Ford's 'easy lift assist' system.

A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, though please keep in mind that the tow bar is optional for XL and XLS.

Under that bluff bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder single turbo-diesel, replacing the old 2.2-litre as the base engine. Despite being smaller, it pumps out more power and torque at 125kW at 3500rpm and 405Nm between 1750-2500rpm respectively, and is only offered with a six-speed automatic.

Meanwhile, the old 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been binned, for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed auto, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains, while shift quality is smoother and calmer.

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.

Read the full 2023 Ford Ranger review

Ford Ranger 2023: XL 2.0 (4X4)

Engine Type Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel Efficiency 8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $39,600 - $46,530
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
See Pricing & Specs

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