Hot off the heels of testing the ferocious Ford Ranger Raptor, Al Suttie checks out the might and muscle of the Wildtrak version.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak Double Cab EcoBlue 2.0 205
List price: £47,220 (excl. VAT) CO2: 230g/km Economy: 32.1mpg Test efficiency: 30.2mpg
Monday
After the yee-ha excitement of the Ford Ranger Raptor recently [see road test here], it was interesting to clamber up into the cab of a more mainstream version of the popular pickup. This one is a Wildtrak Double Cab featuring a 205hp 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 10-speed auto ’box, which is a family friendly model, as well as being an all-round workhorse aimed at company drivers keen to mix business with pleasure.
Tuesday
Looks-wise, the Wildtrak has a lot of the same presence as the Raptor thanks to the Ranger’s handsomely US-style looks. It’s not so outrageous as to attract unwanted or negative attention, just a bit of a swagger that also means the usual kamikaze vans and tractors on local back roads take heed, slow down and move over as they approach the Ford – a rare treat on some of my usual routes.
Wednesday
The grab handle on the inside windscreen pillar is very welcome. In most 4x4s, this is no more than a nod to supposed off-road ability, but in the Ranger it’s needed now and again to haul myself in when the car is parked on a slope. That happened this evening when I had to park on a grassy bank while my son played a key cup match. Still, it also meant I enjoyed parking without the usual worry of who was next to me as nobody could rival the Ford’s skills.
Thursday
With 205hp, the Wildtrak may fall short of the Raptor’s 292hp of oomph, but it’s still sufficient for relaxed cruising. Pulling out of busy junctions needs a good prod on the throttle pedal as this is a hefty vehicle to get moving, though the 10-speed auto transmission helps by whizzing through the gears swiftly and smoothly. But working the motor hard sees economy dip to the mid-20s.
Friday
A drive into Edinburgh this morning would usually make me ponder where to park a car the size of the Ranger. However, it’s proved to be surprisingly nimble over the past few days, so it doesn’t even cross my mind. Also, on the way in on the motorway, it turns out to be a perfectly able cruiser with very little wind, road or engine noise to upset the well-built cabin’s calm ambience.
Saturday
Hardly the most taxing job for the Ranger’s pickup bed today, but it was an easy job to throw in a couple of old bikes that the kids have grown out of. The £1,800 optional roller load cover makes it a cinch to open up the bed using the button on the sidewall of the bay. There’s even a useful sidestep on either side, just behind the rear wheel arch, to help jump up and into the pickup when loading and unloading.
Sunday
The Ranger Wildtrak is not the cheapest way into a five-seat pickup, but it’s very well equipped and looks great, which will be enough for many. More importantly for me, it drives very well for this type of vehicle and it’s averaged 30.2mpg over the week of mixed driving. That didn’t include any towing or heavy loads, but still more than close enough to the claimed economy to make me think this would be a cost-effective choice.