2022 Ford Ranger Review

It’s a vehicle that combines the space and practicality in the tray that culminate in a work-ready package with family-friendly touches that make it a great and adaptable tool for those looking for an all-rounder. 

Throw some off-road credentials in the mix and you’ve got a recipe for one of the all-time best selling vehicles here in Australia, and the Ranger is showing no signs of slowing down.

The question remaining, though, is with a replacement for the current generation Ranger on the near horizon, should you be patient and wait for the Ranger’s successor, or is it still a great option for Australian buyers? Let’s talk about it. 

Starting Price: $29,190 

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Ford Ranger - XLT 3.2 HI-RIDER (4x2) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Ford Ranger car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Ranger 4x2 lineup kicks off from $29,190 for the XL single cab chassis 2.2 manual, while the Hi-Rider auto comes at a cost of $34,890. Opting for the XL Super Cab Chassis automatic comes at a cost of $37,390, while the Double Cab 2.2 auto is priced at $39,390, and the Double Cab Pickup is priced at $43,790. The 4x2 Ranger lineup tops-out in the form of the XLT Double Cab Pickup, which is priced at $51,790 for the 3.2 auto, and $53,290 for the 2.0 auto. 

The Ranger 4x4 lineup kicks off from $43,090 for the XL Single Cab Chassis 3.2 manual, with prices rising to $45,290 for the automatic variant. A Double Cab Chassis is priced at $47,290, while the XL Super Cab Chassis is priced at $47,790. 

The XLS Double Cab Pickup comes at a price of $50,290, while the XLS Double Cab is priced at $52,490. Opting for the XLT Double Cab costs $57,490 for the manual, and $58,690 for the automatic. The range then moves to the Wildtrak Double Cab, which is priced at $62,390 for the manual and $64,590 for the automatic.  

Finally, Ford’s range-topping Ranger comes in the form of the Raptor X Double Cab Pickup, which is priced at $79,390.

Keep in mind that there are a number of other variants we haven’t mentioned here, and these prices do not include on-road costs.

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What Features Does the Ford Ranger Have?

Ford’s entry-level Ranger XL comes riding on a set of 16-inch steel wheels, and receives automatic headlights, climate control, power windows, cruise control, a reversing camera with rear-mounted parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system fitted with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, paired with a six-speaker sound system. 

The Ranger XLS receives a set of 16-inch alloys, fog lights and floor carpets, while the Ranger XLT is packaged with 17-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, side steps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, LED headlights and daytime running lamps, and a chrome sports bar. 

Ford’s Ranger Wildtrak receives a set of LED fog lights, powered-roller shutter, heated leather seats, ambient lighting and semi-autonomous parking assistance, while the range-topping Ranger Raptor receives upgraded suspension, sport seats, 17-inch wheels with 33-inch off-road tyres, a heap of interior and exterior upgrades and an extended leg sports bar. 

Range Features: 

• 16-inch steel wheels 

• Automatic headlights

• Cruise control 

• Reversing camera 

• Rear-mounted parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay 

• 16-inch alloys (XLS) 

• Fog lights (XLS) 

• 17-inch alloys (XLT) 

• Adaptive cruise control (XLT) 

• Side steps (XLT) 

• Chrome sports bar (XLT)

• Leather steering wheel and gear lever (XLT) 

• LED headlights (XLT) 

• Powered roller shutter (Wildtrak) 

• Heated leather seats (Wildtrak) 

• Ambient lighting (Wildtrak)

• Upgraded suspension (Raptor) 

• 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch off-road tyres (Raptor) 

• Extended leg sports bar (Raptor) 

Ford Ranger Colours 

The Ford Ranger is available in a range of colours, including Blue Lightning, Meteor Grey, Frozen White, Shadow Black, Aluminium Silver, True Red and Saber Orange. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

While the Ranger might have been designed with worksites and off-road adventures keenly in mind, the platform offers a heap of comfort when it comes to driving around town. 

The main benefit of the Ranger’s rugged underpinnings is that it is exceptionally smooth while driving around town. The suspension package is more than capable of ironing out small and medium bumps, while offering stability through high-speed corners. 

For those that drive on rough country roads, the Ranger offers a great platform for B-roads, which is comfortable yet supportive on rough surfaces, which makes it a great companion for long roadtrips that might involve some off-road driving. 

Power is supplied by a choice of three diesel engines across the Ranger lineup, with the entry-level 2.2-litre turbo-diesel producing 118kW/385Nm, stretching out to 157kW/500Nm in the most powerful variant. 

Buyers will be pleased to know that the power on offer in the entry-level model is more than enough for all of your daily driving needs, while offering enough torque if you’re looking to head off road. Driving around town is an easy process thanks to the torque-filled power delivery, which makes picking up speed a particularly smooth process. 

The Ranger lineup features a choice of manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, with a ten-speed automatic available for the most powerful engine. The automatic transmission makes driving around town a smooth, effortless affair, assisted by the lightweight steering rack that makes parking and low-speed turns a simple task. 

Is it Practical and Spacious for the Family? 

If you’re looking for a Ranger for your family, opting for a dual-cab platform is your best option. For all body shapes, the Ranger’s front cabin offers a heap of space to stretch out, with huge amounts of head and shoulder room for front occupants, combined with a straight-forward and utilitarian cabin design. 

Practical elements here include a set of door bins either side, a large folding armrest with two tiers of storage inside, a set of cup holders, as well as a storage tray behind the gear lever that features a hidden slot for your smartphone and a sunglasses stash. 

In the rear of the dual-cab platform, you’ll find a bench seat with a pair of ISOFIX anchors to accommodate child seats, with a heap of headroom to make the rear of the cabin feel more spacious. The rear seats can accommodate tall adults, although their knees are likely to be touching the seat in front, but this means that children of all ages will not have a problem in the back of the Ranger. 

The second row is also able to fold forward to enable access to some hidden storage behind the seats, as well as lift up to reveal a set of storage bins to accommodate any loose items your family is stashing away for a long road trip. There is also a 230 and 12-volt power outlet to keep your kid’s devices charged up on long trips away, as well as a folding armrest with in-built cupholders. 

Is the Ford Ranger a Workhorse? 

If you’re looking for a Ranger to help you out on the worksite, you’ll be pleased to know just how capable it is when it comes to lugging around large, heavy objects. 

Single cab chassis Ranger models measure in at 5,133mm long and 1,867mm wide, while dual-cab variants measure in at 5,446mm long and 1,867mm wide. The Ranger’s tray measures in at 1,549mm long, 1,560mm wide - with 1,139mm between the wheel arches - and offers 511mm of height in the tray. 

Payload capacities for the Ranger lineup vary from 1,069kg in the XLT cab 3.2, while the XL single cab’s payload capacity is rated at 1,476kg. The 4x4 range is rated between 748 for the Raptor, rising to 1,331kg in the XL Single Cab Chassis. 

All Ford Ranger variants are rated at 3,500kg of braked towing capacity, with the exception of the single cab chassis Low-Rider, which is rated at 2,500kg. 

Is it Safe? 

The Ford Ranger lineup has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 15.72 out of a possible 16 for front impacts, and 16 out of 16 for side impacts. 

As standard, the entire Ranger lineup is packaged with autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assistance, anti-lock brakes, curtain airbags and traffic sign recognition as standard. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy depends on which of the three engines you’ve opted for in your Ranger. The entry-level 2.2-litre turbo-diesel with a manual gearbox is rated at 6.5L per 100km on a combined cycle, while the automatic is rated at 7.8L per 100km, and the dual-cab is rated at 8.0L per 100km. 

Opting for the 3.2-litre turbo-diesel increases fuel use to 8.2L per 100km in the 4x2, 8.3L per 100km in a 4x4 platform and manual gearbox, 8.7L per 100km in a 4x4 single cab, and up to 8.9L per 100km in a 4x4 dual-cab configuration. 

Ford’s range-topping twin-turbo diesel engine is rated between 7.4L - 8.2L per 100km on a combined cycle. 

Our Verdict: Is the Ford Ranger Worth it?

The Ford Ranger offers a surprisingly sophisticated package for a work-derived vehicle, and it absolutely over-delivers when it comes to offering buyers a flexible and adaptable package that is every bit as good on a school run as it is on a worksite or off-road trail. 

If you’re looking for something that can confidently tick the boxes for you and your family while retaining its famed workhorse abilities, the Ranger is no doubt worth adding to your shortlist.  

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 
2. 12-month/15,000km service intervals
3. Five star ANCAP safety rating 
4. Payload capacity ranges between 748-1476kg
5. 3,500kg braked towing capacity across the range 

Pros 

• Extremely comfortable suspension package
• Smooth and powerful engine lineup 
• Huge lineup filled with attractive options for all budgets
• Cabin design and practicality  

Cons

• Payload capacity drops for Raptor variant 
• Lack of telescopic steering rack 
• Set to be replaced soon 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Ford Ranger Competition