THE POPULAR FORD RANGER WILDTRAK X is making a return to Ford dealerships early next year, offering stylish design, value features, and interior upgrades over the standard Ranger Wildtrak.
“Since we first launched the Ranger Wildtrak X in late 2019, it has proven popular with customers because it built on those core thoroughbred Ranger qualities, while offering more personalisation for family weekends away,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand. “With the arrival of the more aggressively designed 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, we aim to ensure it remains front-of-mind for intending customers.”
Customers were clearly attracted to the value proposition of the previous Ranger Wildtrak X, which is now almost sold-out, and it has been a major contributor to the Ranger’s on-going success in the 4×4 pickup segment. Ford Australia has now secured an extra limited run of Ranger Wildtrak X models.
For 2021, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X includes the following upgrades over the standard Wildtrak:
- Genuine Ford Black nudge bar
- Lumen 20.5” slimline LED Light Bar
- Unique 18-inch black alloy wheels with 35 mm offset
- Wheel arch flares, now in Ebony Black
- Unique front grille, now in Ebony Black with Saber accent ‘nostrils’
- Unique rear sail plane, now in Ebony Black with Saber accents
- Black side steps
- Roof rails, box rails, lower front bumper insert, rear bumper, headlamp / fog lamp bezels, mirror caps, fender features, door and tailgate handles now all finished in Ebony Black
- Unique illuminated scuff plates for front doors
- Unique seat materials and accent colours
The new 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X joins the all-new Ford Puma and all-new Ford Escape, both of which are proving popular across Australia. Meanwhile, as we reported earlier, the addition of the Ford Everest Basecamp and Everest Sport in RWD has bolstered the company’s seven-seat offerings.
With the addition of the exciting new Ranger FX4 MAX, plus the return of the XL Tradie 4×4 and updated Wildtrak X, and introduction of the Ranger XLT Double Cab Chassis and Ranger XLT Fully Loaded, Ford will be strongly positioned to maintain its 4×4 leadership into 2021.
Like its predecessor, the 2021.25MY Wildtrak X offers the Ford Ranger customer an “aggressive” styling package, functionality, and value. From our perspective, there’s already far too much “aggression” on our roads, and we at seniordriveraus sometimes wonder if these big, intimidating, “get-out-of-my-way” utes aren’t partly responsible.
However, back to the Wildtrak X. New features include unique 18-inch alloy wheels with 35mm offset, black-painted nudge bar, LED light bar and wheel-arch flares.
The update adds a number of stylish design cues to both the exterior and interior that set it apart from the premium Ford Ranger Wildtrak, and previous iterations of the Wildtrak X.
These include subtle yet attention-grabbing unique ‘Saber’ coloured highlights to the Sports hoop and grille nostrils. Also, Ebony Black replaces the Bolder Grey accents across many of the exterior features. The overall result builds on the Wildtrak credentials to deliver an aggressive styling package.
Inside, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X offers a premium appointed cabin, including leather-appointed seating with Wildtrak orange stitching detail on the steering wheel, gear-lever and handbrake boot. Compared to the standard Wildtrak, the Wildtrak X now features unique seat trim including striking Saber orange detailing on the seat face and cushion, plus additional leather accents on the side bolsters. In addition, new illuminated scuff plates on the front door sills provide additional visual impact when the driver steps into the cabin.
Popular Ranger Wildtrak attributes like the Power Roller Shutter, are included as standard, along with SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone capability. The 8.0-inch full colour screen incorporates a reversing camera and built-in voice-activated sat-nav.
Available with a choice of either the proven 3.2-litre turbodiesel 6-speed automatic, or 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo, 10-speed turbodiesel powertrains, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X is based on the Ranger 4×4 Wildtrak Double Cab Pick-Up.
With 157kW/500Nm, the Bi-Turbo powertrain was first introduced on the Ford Performance Ranger Raptor – 4×4 Australia’s 2019 4×4 of the Year – and is fitted with the specifically tuned, new-generation 10-speed automatic.
The 10-speed automatic includes a lock-out feature to hold specific gears when towing, giving the Ranger Wildtrak X a towing capacity of 3500kg and 943kg payload.
In addition, the Bi-Turbo boasts a fuel efficiency figure of 7.4L/100km.
In the guise of the proven 3.2-litre, five-cylinder common rail turbodiesel with six-speed automatic, the Wildtrak X has a payload of 913kg and towing capacity of 3,500kg. Fuel economy is an impressive 8.9L/100km.
Ford’s full Driver Assist Technology suite is standard, among which is Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, as well as electronic rear differential lock. There is also a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and Active Park Assist.
Most recently, the FordPass Connect embedded modem has been added to the range. This ‘connected car’ technology pairs with the FordPass smartphone app to unlock a range of new connected services and remote vehicle functions to simplify the Ranger ownership experience.
The Ford Ranger line-up has been rated at five-stars by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
Importantly, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X brings a suite of Ranger ownership benefits.
In addition to a five-year, unlimited kilometre full factory warranty, every Ford Ranger is eligible for the Ford Service Benefits program, designed to keep customers 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.
Further adding to the ownership experience, Ford Service Benefits also bring Ford Ranger owners a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including Roadside Assistance as well as sat-nav map updates.
The 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak X pricing and options are:
| Model | Price |
| 2021 Ranger 4×4 Wildtrak X Double Cab Pick-Up (3.2L 6AT) |
$66,490 |
| 2021 Ranger 4×4 Wildtrak X Double Cab Pick-Up (2.0L 10AT) |
$67,990 |
| Options | |
| Prestige Paint | $650 |
Prices plus on road costs.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.