It's going to be quite the all-rounder.
Last year, the all-new 2023 Ford Ranger was revealed as a bigger and better pickup than ever before. Ford has said the truck will be just as customizable as the Bronco, with a long list of options and upgrades available. It also offers next-generation infotainment, but there are still a number of things that the Blue Oval has neglected to tell us about the Ranger.
Fortunately, Australia's CarsGuide has now published a report that uncovers a lot of the information we have not yet been privy to. The publication's expectations for the Ranger are specific to the Australian market, but we expect that most of this will be available in other markets too.
A 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine called the Power Stroke is expected to be mated to a permanent all-wheel drive system, rated at 254 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel four-pot is also to be offered, but this engine could get some tweaks that may affect its current ratings of 210 hp and 368 lb-ft. A single-turbo version of this EcoBlue engine is also expected as a replacement for the entry-level 2.2-liter turbodiesel. This old four-cylinder will be joined by the 3.2-liter five-pot engine on the scrapheap.
The EcoBlue engines are said to be coming with both 4×2 and part-time four-wheel-drive configurations, and the single-turbo version will have the option of a five-speed manual or a six-speed torque converter auto. The twin-turbo will have a six-speed manual and a reworked version of the 10-speed auto, the latter of which is also the transmission of choice for the Power Stroke.
Single cab, “Super Cab,” and double cab variants will be offered with cab-chassis or pickup bodies, depending on which trim you choose. Speaking of trims, five are available from launch: XL, XLS, XLT, Sport, and Wildtrak. The Ranger Raptor is promised to return soon, possibly in February.
The base XL comes with either EcoBlue engine choice, which should be available in all three configurations and with both body styles. Halogen lighting, a front tow hook, and 16-inch steel wheels are standard, and pickup versions will add LED taillights, a rear box step, and a power outlet in the bed. A 10.1-inch SYNC4 infotainment system can be found inside, along with a digital instrument cluster, manual air conditioning, various USB ports, and Ebony fabric upholstery.
The XLS trim also gets access to both EcoBlue engines but might only be offered as a double cab. This adds halogen fog lights, Dark Sparkle Silver 16-inch alloys, and unique cloth upholstery. The XLT builds on this with a choice of the twin-turbo EcoBlue or the Power Stroke, the latter of which will probably only be available after launch. Super Cab and double cab styles are likely here. Then there's the XLT, which adds LED headlights and DRLs, a chrome grille bar, 17-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique upholstery, “hex pattern” door trims, and Satin Aluminium air vent accents.
Then there's the Sport trim, likely to offer the same engines as the XLT. If the last generation is anything to go by, this trim will only be offered in double cab form. This model will get a matte silver bumper insert, a black grille bar, two tow hooks in the front, and matte silver 18-inch alloys with Asphalt Black accents. Ebony leather upholstery will trim the interior, while Sport logos are to be embossed on the front seats. Gloss black air vents will get Satin Aluminium accents, and an “aero grain texture” finish is coming to the upper dashboard and selected storage areas.
Finally, the Wildtrak should be exclusively available as a double cab and is expected to launch with the twin-turbo EcoBlue engine as standard and the Power Stroke as an option. It boasts a unique grille with mesh, Boulder Grey 18-inch alloys, a bespoke sports bar, embroidered Wildtrak logos on the front seats, Cyber Orange stitching (as on the new Bronco Raptor), Satin Aluminium trim, and Boulder Grey accents. Also included are a roller tonneau cover for the bed and a 12-inch SYNC4 multimedia display.
As for color options, the entire range will have access to Absolute Black, Arctic White, Blue Lightning, Aluminium, Meteor Grey, and Sedona Orange. Pricing sadly remains a mystery, but we estimate that the 2023 Ranger will launch at around $27,000.
Keyword: 2023 Ford Ranger Coming With Five Trims And Three Engines