2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X priced, off-road variant here later this year

The 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X – another addition to Australia’s top-selling ute range – will arrive in the second half of this year.

Joining the luxury-focused Platinum flagship due in May, the Ranger Wildtrak X prioritises off-road capability by adding new Bilstein-tuned dampers and a Raptor-lite wider track.

However, unlike the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6-only Platinum, it’ll be restricted to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine fitted to lower Ranger variants.

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But, unlike other part-time 4×4 2.0-litre variants, it’ll follow its Everest large SUV stablemate in gaining the V6’s full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a 4A automatic mode.

It is priced from $75,990 before on-road costs – $8000 more than the standard 2.0-litre Wildtrak, and $1000 less than the Platinum V6.

It will be fitted as standard with the Wildtrak Premium Pack – adding matrix-LED headlights, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and an overhead auxiliary switch bank – reducing the price premium to $6150 compared to the standard Wildtrak.

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Ford’s local arm has confirmed the Wildtrak X will become the first Ranger to meet the stricter Euro 6 light-duty truck emissions standard in Australia, requiring the use of AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid – as seen in the related Ford Everest and Volkswagen Amarok.

Currently, all local Ranger variants meet the lenient Euro 5 emissions standard – the minimum requirement for all new vehicles sold in Australia since 2016 – which doesn’t require AdBlue to reduce harmful gases being released into the atmosphere.

The addition of a Raptor-like wider frame sees the front and rear track width increased by 30 millimetres – adding to the range-wide 50mm increase compared to the previous-generation Ranger – while ground clearance is up 26mm over the regular Wildtrak, to 258mm.

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Under the skin, Ford has fitted wheel and suspension improvements, highlighted by Bilstein-sourced ‘position-sensitive’ dampers, as found in its twin under-the-skin, the Ford Bronco.

This updated system allows the dampers to automatically adjust to the terrain, with ‘end stop control valve’ technology for greater off-road performance, while also improving on-road dynamics.

Unlike the performance-orientated Raptor, the Wildtrak X retains the Ranger’s standard leaf-spring rear suspension, with a 3500-kilogram braked towing capacity.

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Other new additions include; 17-inch black and silver alloy wheels, chunkier 265/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres, and Trail Turn Assist – another Bronco-derived feature – to reduce the vehicle’s turning radius by up to 25 per cent on narrow tracks by applying the brake to the inside rear wheel.

It can be engaged under 19km/h when the vehicle is engaged in either 4H or 4L, with the rear differential unlocked.

In addition, the Wildtrak X will feature the Raptor’s Trail Control off-road cruise function to maintain a constant set speed below 32km/h while off-roading, and a rock crawl drive mode tuned for “uneven, rocky terrain in a controlled manner at low speed.”

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Like the Platinum, it’ll become the next Ranger variant to feature Ford’s new flexible rack system. You can read more about that by clicking here.

External revisions include; a unique grille design with integrated LED auxiliary lamps, a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps, Wildtrak X badging, additional gloss black highlights, and an exclusive cyber orange finish.

Inside, the Wildtrak X gains leather-accented and suede upholstery, Wildtrak X badging, all-weather floor mats, suede on the glovebox, instrument cluster hood, door trim and centre console, and orange stitching throughout.

It also receives the full-screen 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster shared with the Ranger Platinum and Raptor, replacing the smaller 8-inch unit found in the standard Wildtrak.

As mentioned, the Ranger Wildtrak X will be exclusively available with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbocharged diesel engine. The turbocharged V6 diesel is available on the standard Wildtrak, but it won’t appear in the new variant – at least initially.

With no power bump, it retains the standard 150kW and 500Nm tune, and remains paired to a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

The 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X will arrive in Australia in the second half of this year, with pre-orders now open.

2023 Ford Ranger dual-cab 4×4 pricing

Prices exclude on-road costs. A full run-down for the 2023 Ford Ranger lineup is available here.

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