A NEW MODEL HAS been added to the 2019 Ford Ranger line-up. The Ranger Sport gets distinctive looks and equipment upgrades and sits between the Ranger XLS 4×4 and highly equipped Ranger XLT 4×4 models.
The Ranger Sport comes in a sports-oriented colour range; the hero True Red paintwork shows off the contrasting black front grille, mirror caps, door handles and black alloy wheels, which at 17-inches are an inch larger than those on Ranger XLS. Sport also gets sidesteps, a matte black sports bar and bedliner as standard, adding to its practicality.
At the business end, the unique ‘Sport’ tailgate decal and black rear bumper complete the Ranger Sport’s look. Matching the black detailing, Meteor Grey, Arctic White, Shadow Black and Aluminium Metallic paintwork is also available.
Driver Assist Technology standard on Ranger Sport includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition and Automatic High-beam headlights.
Premium features inside and out
Dual-zone climate control is standard on Ranger Sport. Further premium features include smart keyless entry and push-button start, DAB+ Radio and a dual 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster – all part of the Sport’s standard SYNC 3 package. SYNC 3 brings an 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen, which doubles as high-resolution reversing camera, as well as voice-activated sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone capability.
Ranger Sport’s SYNC 3 functionality also delivers features including ‘breadcrumbs’, which enables an off-road route to be mapped via the vehicle dropping digital markers – breadcrumbs – to help record the route for the return journey or return visit. It’s a surprisingly useful feature, despite its apparent “gimmick” impression.
Ranger Sport’s interior improvements above Ranger XLS include:
- Smart Keyless Entry with Push-button Start
- SYNC 3 with 8.0-inch colour touchscreen
- DAB+ digital radio
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
- Voice-activated built-in sat-nav
- Dual-zone climate control
- Dual 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster
The Ranger XLS Sport 4×4 is offered exclusively with Ranger’s 3.2-litre common-rail TDCi powertrain, delivering 147kW/470Nm, with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Towing capacity is 3,500kg. Water wading is a best-in-class 800mm.
Ranger Sport Pricing and ownership experience
The 2019 Ranger Sport MLP is $52,940 (manual) and $55,140 (automatic), with its upgrades from the XLS representing an additional $6,000 of value over the Ranger XLS. Despite this, the Ranger Sport’s MLP is only $3,500 more than a standard Ranger XLS dual-cab 4×4 to sit between Ranger XLS and Ranger XLT in the line-up.
In addition to a five-year, unlimited kilometre full factory warranty, the Ford Service Benefits program is designed to keep your Ranger Sport on the road longer, at participating Ford dealerships. With long 15,000km/12-month service intervals, A and B log-book services for the first four years/60,000km are set at a maximum of $299 per service for Ranger Sport owners.
Further adding to the ownership experience, Ford Service Benefits also bring Ranger Sport owners a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including Roadside Assistance as well as SYNC 3 sat-nav mapping updates where available.
The Ford Ranger Sport will be available alongside the full Ford Ranger line-up in Ford Dealerships in July 2019.