Ford reveals specs of every new Ranger before the order book opens next month, but there’s no pricing yet
Ford Australia has at last revealed full specification details of the new-generation 2022 Ford Ranger ute, but if you’re hanging out for pricing you’ll have to keep waiting.
They shouldn’t be too far away though, given Ford has confirmed its dealers will open their order books for the new Ranger next month, ahead of first deliveries mid-year.
And that’s not counting other potential variants to come, including a diesel-powered ‘Raptor-lite’ and/or new additions named Tremor and Wolktrak.
Ford Ranger XL
Available in Single, Super or Double Cab Chassis guises, as well as a Super or Double Cab Pick-Up, the entry-level XL will offer buyers the choice of two- or four-wheel drive configurations and is primarily aimed at fleet buyers.
Identified by its 16-inch steel wheels and black mirrors and door-handles, the XL is predictably the most sparsely equipped grade with equipment highlights including halogen headlights, all-season tyres, vinyl floor covering, cloth upholstery, single-zone climate control, a 10.1-inch SYNC4 touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and adaptive cruise control.
Four-wheel drive versions of the XL get a locking rear differential – optional on the 4x2s – as well as high and low range, while all versions score a pre-installed wiring harness for the optional tow bar (standard from XLT).
In terms of payload, the base XL grade varies from 958kg in Double Cab 4×2 form to 1327kg in Single Cab Chassis 4×4 guise.
Standard safety features include nine airbags, a collision mitigation suite including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist (LKA), lane departure warning (LDW) and road edge detection, plus blind spot information system, rear cross traffic alert (pick-up only) with trailer coverage, a reversing camera (pick-up) and rear parking sensors (pick-up).
Ford Ranger XLS
Building on the XL’s standard spec, the Ranger XLS is also available in either 4×2 or 4×4 forms but is exclusively offered as a Double Cab Pick-Up with the 2.0-litre biturbo Panther diesel engine compared to the lesser single-turbo version of the XL – the biturbo is optionally available on the base model; full details here.
Keeping the XL’s black grille, the XLS dispenses with the previously mentioned steel wheels in favour of 16-inch alloys, which are matched with body-coloured wing mirrors and door-handles.
Side steps and halogen foglights are also added to the equation, as are front parking sensors, a six-speaker sound system, a power tailgate lock, carpeted floors and a driver’s floor mat.
Ford Ranger XLT
Above the XLS, the mid-range XLT is the first variant to present buyers with the option of the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, with the default engine being the aforementioned biturbo four-cylinder.
Opting for the bigger donk automatically includes a rotary gear selector as opposed to the traditional lever on the four-cylinders.
Differentiated by its chrome central grille trim, 17-inch alloy wheels and standard tow bar, the XLT will likely again be the volume-seller of the range and, as such, has been fitted with extra creature comforts to help it better appeal to families.
In addition to the previously listed features, the XLT adds dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, an electric park brake, stop/go function for the adaptive cruise control, keyless entry/start, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a leather wrapped steering wheel, satellite-navigation, voice assist, LED headlights and C-clamp LED daytime running lights.
On the safety front, disc brakes now feature at all four corners from XLT level, meaning XL and XLS variants stick with rear drums.
Pick-up versions of the XLT also score a black sports bar, tub light and a standard tub liner, although all versions come with a tow bar.
Ford Ranger Sport
Effectively the XLT’s cooler sibling, the 2022 Ford Ranger Sport is only available as a 4×4 Double Cab Pick-Up, with the main attraction being a series of darkened exterior features, bigger 18-inch alloys and some extra niceties inside like a power adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, wireless phone charging and an off-road screen.
Backing up that last feature is an imitation skid plate for the front bumper, a pair of tow hooks to help get it out of tricky off-road situations and two extra drive modes (Sand, Mud/Ruts), in addition to the Eco, Normal, Sport and Tow/Haul found on the XLS and XLT.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak
Once again, at the top of the mainstream Ranger line-up resides the Wildtrak, which like the Sport can only be had as a Double Cab Pick-Up 4×4.
Setting it apart from its lesser stablemates is a unique grille mesh and front fascia combination, along with the grey 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres, plus a bespoke integrated sports bar, electric roller cover and aluminium tie-down rails.
Inside the cabin is a larger 12-inch infotainment touch-screen, pull-out cup-holders, ambient lighting, power-adjustable heated front seats and a smattering of Wildtrak accents as well as everything included on the Sport.
As for toys, a 360-degree camera is included as standard, as is a fully automated parking system, puddle and zone lighting, and an integrated trailer brake controller.
Ford Ranger Raptor
The pinnacle of the new Ranger line-up is the second-gen Ford Ranger Raptor; a hero ute dedicated to off-road performance.
Riding on adaptive 2.5-inch Fox dampers at all four corners and powered by a 292kW/583Nm force-fed V6 petrol engine, the Raptor is taller, more powerful, faster and better equipped than any other Ranger to date.
Lighting comes courtesy of LEDs all-round, rolling stock comprises 17-inch alloys shod with BF Goodrich K02 high-performance A/T tyres, while entertainment duties are taken care of by an active exhaust for the howling turbo six.
Inside, there is a customisable 12.4-inch digital cockpit, 10-speaker B&O sound system, paddle shifters, Ford Performance seats and more drive modes than you could poke a stick at, all culminating in the most aggressive Baja mode.
“Designed and developed in Australia, the next-gen Ranger has taken the immense success of Ranger and improved it with customer-led design and an impressive suite of technology, safety, comfort and drivetrain features,” Ford said in a statement.
“There’s now more storage space on the inside of next-gen Ranger too, from under-seat storage on Super and Double Cab models to retractable cup holders on Wildtrak and Raptor models and a raft of cubby holes stashed around the cabin.
“There’s room under the bonnet for an optional second battery … moulded slots in the bedliner allow you to fit dividers to customise the tray, allowing you to store gear and stop it from sliding around.”
Keyword: 2022 Ford Ranger line-up: Full details