With the recent launch of the Wildtrak X in South Africa, buyers now have three Ford Ranger double cabs to choose from that all sit above the R1-million mark.
The Wildtrak X, as the most affordable option, comes in at R1,013,000, the Wildtrak V6 sits in the middle at R1,026,400, and the high-performance Raptor is perched on top at R1,184,100.
While all three Rangers are filled to the brim with creature comforts and new-age technologies, under the metal, they are worlds apart, as all three have different engines, different suspensions, and different strengths and weaknesses.
Dimensions
Being the longest-running model of the Ranger siblings, the Wildtrak has always been the flagship model of the bakkie line-up until the introduction of the first-gen Raptor in 2019.
This version of the double cab features unique 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, exclusive paints, and the most high-end equipment Ford has on offer, but under the skin, it is essentially the same as the more affordable variants.
The new Wildtrak X is therefore intended to bridge the gap between its namesake and the Raptor, being on the receiving end of choice upgrades intended to boost its off-road prowess.
This includes a 30mm-wider track, new Bilstein position-sensitive dampers that raise ground clearance by 26mm, a heavy-duty power steering system, a standard front underbody steel protection plate, as well as a set of distinctive 17-inch alloys in General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres.
It is also the first and only Ranger that can be optioned with the new Flexible Rack System which consists of a sliding load rack that can be locked into five positions along the length of the load bed, and folding roof racks that store inside the roof rails when not in use.
Step in the range-topping Raptor, this beast of a Ford is a no-holds-barred interpretation of what a Ranger can truly be.
Showing off its presence, the sporty double cab boasts flared wheel arches, 17-inch wheels covered in BF Goodrich all-terrain KO2 tyres, functional air vents, cast-aluminium side steps, a 2.3mm underbody bash plate, as well as bespoke suspension featuring specially-made 2.5-inch Fox shocks and lightweight aluminium upper and lower control arms.
Furthermore, several structural elements have been strengthened on this Ford enabling it to handle the heaviest of punches from the great outdoors, including the C-pillar, load box, and spare wheel mounts, and it gained unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower, and rear shock bracket.
To tie it all in, the Raptor is also equipped with an electronically-controlled exhaust system with four settings ranging from mild to wild that will have everyone within its vicinity turn their heads if the driver decides to step on it.
The differentiating features of these Ranger bakkies and the impact they had on its important specifications are visible below:
| Specification | Wildtrak X | Wildtrak V6 | Raptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,350mm | 5,350mm | 5,360mm |
| Width (incl. mirrors) | 2,208mm | 2,208mm | 2,225mm |
| Height | 1,886mm | 1,886mm | 1,926mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,270mm | 3,270mm | 3,270mm |
| Ground clearance | 237mm | 237mm | 272mm |
| Water wading depth | 800mm | 800mm | 850mm |
| Approach angle | 30 degrees | 30 degrees | 32 degrees |
| Break-over angle | 22 degrees | 22 degrees | 24 degrees |
| Departure angle | 25.6 degrees | 25.6 degrees | 27 degrees |
Power
One of the most notable distinctions between the R1-million Ranger is their engines, with all three employing different powerplants with varying outputs.
For the Wildtrak X, Ford has decided to install a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, bi-turbo diesel motor, and for the Wildtrak V6, you guessed it, the manufacturer went with an all-new 3.0-litre, V6, single-turbo diesel.
For the range-topping Raptor, Ford reserved the 3.0-litre, V6, twin-turbo petrol powerplant which up until now has never before been available in South Africa.
The two Wildtraks are also equipped with the standard 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Raptor, befitting its sporty nature, gets a specially-tuned 10-speed box that is lighter than the standard one.
All three double cabs feature the brand’s advanced four-wheel-drive (4WD) system with 2H, 4H, and 4L settings, as well as a 4A mode that automatically distributes power between the front and rear axles in real time for optimum traction.
In addition, rear-mounted limited-slip differentials (LSD) are standard on each one, as well as a drive mode programme with Normal, Eco, Slippery, Mud, Sand, and Tow profiles. Once again the Raptor gains a few extra add-ons in the form of a second LSD at the front, as well as the Rock Crawl and Baja drive modes.
The Raptor also boasts Trail Control, which functions similarly to cruise control but only at speeds of under 32km/h, allowing the driver to focus on steering through tricky terrains while the bakkie controls accelerating and braking.
A unique ability of the Wildtrak X, on the other hand, is the new Trail Turn Assist feature that applies brake-based torque vectoring to the inside rear wheel when traveling off-road at less than 19km/h, which consequently reduces the turning radius by up to 25%.
The varying specifications of these foundations are detailed in the below table:
| Specification | Wildtrak X | Wildtrak V6 | Raptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 154kW | 184kW | 292kW |
| Torque | 500Nm | 600Nm | 583Nm |
| Fuel consumption | 7.5l/100km | 8.4l/100km | 11.5l/100km |
| Driving range per tank | 1,067km | 952km | 696km |
| Max. towing capacity | 3,500kg | 3,500kg | 2,500kg |
| Max. payload capacity | 946kg | 944kg | 667kg |
Features
By spending seven figures on a Ranger, you can rest assured you won’t be left wanting more nice-to-haves at your disposal.
As kitted as can be, both the Wildtraks and the Raptor have rain-sensing windscreen wipers, keyless entry and start, electric seats, partial leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a 12-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, a 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, as well as a 12V/400W inverter in the load box.
A generous addition of advanced driver assist systems is also included, namely adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist with road edge detection, hill-launch and descent assist, evasive steer assist, pre-collision assist, reverse brake assist, all-round parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.
However, the Raptor is the only Ranger with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, Matrix LED headlights, Sports seats, an off-road-specific screen for the central display, and overhead auxiliary switches; whereas the Wildtraks get 8-inch screens, standard LED light clusters and seats, and fewer off-road-focused fittings.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak X
Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6
Ford Ranger Raptor
Keyword: Wildtrak V6 vs Wildtrak X vs Raptor – Battle of the R1-million Ford Rangers