Ford lands new Ranger Wildtrak X

Wider track, improved ground clearance add to variant’s (off) street cred

FORD has this week announced its special edition Ranger Wildtrak X as an off-road focused competitor to the likes of the Toyota HiLux Rogue (from $70,200 +ORCs) and Nissan Navara Warrior Pro4-X (from $67,515 +ORCs).

Bridging the gap between the Wildtrak and Raptor within the Ranger line-up, the Wildtrak X boast uprated Bilstein Position-Sensitive dampers, a wider wheel track front and rear (+30mm), and improved ground clearance (+26mm) – as well as Ford’s off-road focussed Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist technology – to give buyers even more go-anywhere capability.

Due in showrooms from the second half of this year (2023), the model is further equipped with Ford’s Flexible Rack cargo system making it easier to carry loads of different shapes and sizes.

Ford’s second-from-top-tier Ranger is priced from $75,990 plus on-road costs and is further characterised by grade-specific 17-inch alloys with 265/70 profile General Grabber AT3 tyres, a new off-road grille, Matrix LED headlights with auxiliary LEDs, a 12.4-inch digital instrument panel and premium Bang & Olufsen audio package.

“Ranger is more than just transportation: it enables an unlimited lifestyle, giving owners the ability to tackle work, family and play with one, feature-packed vehicle,” said Ford Ranger chief platform engineer David Grice.

“We have designed and engineered Wildtrak X with the overlanding community front of mind.”

The Wildtrak X is offered in a Cyber Orange paint finish with complementary accent strips and also features a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, blackened Ford badging, variant-specific badging and RANGER letting across the bonnet.

The grille surround, bumper H-bar, wheel lip mouldings, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles and rear bumper are all finished in asphalt black.

Inside, the Wildtrak X boasts new leather-accented seats with Miko suede and Wildtrak X embroidered into the seat backs, upper glovebox and all-weather front and rear floor mats.

Terra suede wraps the glovebox, instrument cluster hood, door trim and centre console rails while Cyber Orange contrast stitching is used on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter, doors and the upper glovebox. The Wildtrak X is also fitted with an overhead auxiliary switch bank for aftermarket accessories.

Power comes from a 150kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine which gains Ford’s more advanced full-time four-wheel drive system and 10-speed automatic transmission as standard. The 3500kg braked towing rating offered elsewhere in the range is retained.

“We know Australian customers love the versatility their Ranger offers them,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic.

“(The) Wildtrak X really captures their desire for exploration, with new hardware and features so they can head across the country or go further off-road than ever before.”

The news comes at the same time Ford Australia announces modest price increases for the Ranger line-up, full details of which are listed below.

2023 Ford Ranger 4×4 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.

Keyword: Ford lands new Ranger Wildtrak X